rose

I had one of the most precious moments of my life today, some of the best memories that I will never forget.

Ever so subtly God has been teaching me a new sensitivity to his spirit, especially in ministry siutations. To see with the eyes of Jesus those that are around me. Not to move from point A to point B in my tasks set before me, but to be alert and in constant communication with my Dad, scanning all situations visually for those he would stop and reach out to if he were here.

And today his spirit captured me and moved even my feet. I was busy doing my assigned job for Camp Hope in Chongwe Village, which is to discreetly capture the goings-on of camp in photos. From a thatch hut, I scanned the crowd for the next shot and my 250 zoom landed on a very small girl whose lifeless stare gazed directly back at me through my camera. She was alone and clearly her yellow dress was not Camp Hope attire, she was not a camper. She just stood in the dust, lost. God drew me to her. So I walked over. Her gaze turned into a smile as I smiled and knelt down to her.

As soon as I took her hand, I was promptly informed that she had already been sent home. She was not registered to be at camp, so there was no place for her. Someone dropped her off, but she was clearly too young to find her way home, so she just stood in the field of dust alone, watching the joyful campers run and play around her. The man told her again to go home and she hid her face in my side. I took her hand once again and we walked away.

I led her into My Father's house and then to a rug right in the center of the living room. I looked around and found extras of all the crafts for the day and watched her eyes glow as I spread them out in front of her. Without saying a word I picked up a crayon and started to color. She just watched my hand and my face as I made a rainbow, too shy to join me, these beautiful crayons just couldn't be for her. Slowly but surely I placed a crayon in her hand and pointed to the rainbow. Her eyes all the while memorizing my face and gazing lovingly up into my eyes.

As she began to color, I could do nothing but sit back and gaze at her. Gaze upon this beautiful girl named Rose, who I had the privelege of being with and loving for a little while. It humbled me so much to be with her and to sprinkle glitter in her hair. The entire time I looked at her I could not say anything but, Jesus, I love you, so very much. I love you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to touch you today.