Compassion for the weak !
“He feels pity for the weak
and
the needy,
and He will rescue them.”
Psalm 72:13 NLT
As missionaries in Tijuana, Roger & I soon discovered that the children were hungry.
We also quickly learned that if we fed their
tummies, then we could talk to them about Jesus. Food was our way to show them
love and compassion.
Now, after 29
years, food is still a way to get to their souls.
But food is not their only
need. Other times, they need prayer.
Children for the most part
are honest when asking for prayer. Some
of their requests shook us to the core. We never had a Mexican child ask prayer
for a new bike. But, we have had many kids ask for a job for their dad, for
food for the household, for dad to stop beating mom, asked for healing for
their body or healing for someone in their family.
We always took their
requests very seriously. At times we had then line up, the boys with Roger and
the girls with me. We would pray for each child before distributing the
groceries. The other children and their moms would sit quietly and wait until
we had prayed for every child that was in line. In some areas, mothers would
also line up behind the children to receive prayer.
We lead many moms to the
Lord through the children's program. Together, Roger and I would pray for the moms. I always found that the prayer
line was precious but also emotionally exhausting. We heard some ugly details about various
situations happening in some families that left us drained out of our brains.
Nevertheless, we prayed for as long or for as many children and moms were in the
prayer line.
Then, there are times where
they just need you to hug them. They come to the front to ask for prayer, but
their little hearts are so broken they cannot verbalize their petition.
One day, we were in a
church in Colonia de la Mesa on the east side of Tijuana. Pastor Rodolfo was a
sweet and dedicated man. For a few
years, he also worked alongside Roger & I as our interpreter.
On one specific Saturday,
we had a church service with the kids of his church. These kids loved to sing,
so we would take advantage of this and sing longer than usual. Afterwards, we had a bible lesson.
Most of the time the three
of us were ministering together. Pastor Rodolfo was quite funny, so sometimes
he would add his own spin on the lesson and he had the kids in stitches.
Sometimes
he would get distracted and walk towards a child forgetting that Roger and I
needed him up front to translate. There was never a dull moment ministering
with this kind man.
But, when came time for
prayer, Pastor Rodolfo would quickly adapt to the seriousness of prayer time.
He would translate but he would also invite the kids to come to the altar.
After a general prayer for all the children, then we would start praying for
them on an individual basis.
One Saturday, David a
little boy about 8 years old, came up front for prayer. I asked him what was
his prayer request? He was a shy little boy, but he was also hurting. Just
looking at him, I could see that his eyes spoke when his mouth could not utter.
I decided to give him a hug
before I starting to pray for him. The instant I put my arms around him, an accumulation of tears started to flow out of the heart of this little boy. He was not
crying, he was sobbing.
I took him by the hand, I
sat on the altar step and then I took him in my arms. He sobbed and sobbed. I
don’t remember how long I held him in my arms. I did not say a word, I just
kept holding him, while I prayed silently.
I really felt I could not
let him go until he released all the pain inside his little heart. The Lord was
healing him through his tears. He never told me the reason for his pain was and
I did not ask. David was a hurting little guy. We never had proof, but I
strongly believed he had been molested.
By the time he stopped
crying Roger and Pstor Rodolfo had prayed for all the other kids that had come
forward. Then, both men took him to the back of the church and had him
help out giving out groceries.
At times, all a child needs are some loving arms.
Regardless of the reason
for his tears, all little David needed at that moment was someone to hold him
and show him some love and compassion.
That Saturday, I had the awesome privilege to be that someone.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians
3:12.
