First Blog of Presidents Vision Team

Today we went to the Bethel Baptist Church to help feed the children at Bible school. When we arrived, we were met by a sea of children with outstretched arms, ready to love on us. We were ready to love on them too. Their unconditional love reminded me why Jesus said “suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of heaven.” They are what heaven will be like.
We had sorted supplies before we left the hotel, and the need for those supplies quickly became evident. When their teacher asked them to draw a picture, she took out a baggie with a few crayons in it. There were not enough for each child to have ONE. They patiently waited until someone was through, and they could use the crayon. I thought about all the crayons I had as a child. I had not appreciated them until today. They are a rare commodity for these children.
Soon it was lunch time. Our job was to serve the children. Lunch consisted of a drumstick, rice, a roll and tea. Many of them took a few bites, closed the lid on their styrofoam plate, and took the rest home. The workers told us this was because that much food will serve several members of their family. I couldn’t help but think of all the food we throw away each day and how important a simple meal is to these precious little ones.
Many of the children “claimed” their adult. We were their friend for the rest of the time we were there. Mine grabbed my hand in the big group and took me to her class. She was 10. She added a friend to the group and I sat in their class, in a very uncomfortable wooden chair, with my arms around them, scratching their backs occasionally, just like I do my granddaughters. As they left on the bus, they came back for one more hug and said “hasta manana”, which means “see you later”. I hope we do see them again someday. How blessed we have been to be with these little darlings today.
We took lots of pictures as they LOVED having their picture taken. Some would have us take a picture and then run and get a friend to join them in the next picture. We never said no—just kept snapping the pictures and showing them their image on the screen.
We have never been more loved and appreciated than we were today. We came to bless them, and instead, we received the blessing.