Like the Kids

Doug, Kim, and Gaby in front of the wall of kids drawings

The kids love to use the crayons to draw

This past week we had a great time with the kids at our kids club.  Since it was Gaby's last week to teach before she heads down to Bolivia we all got to share some tasty chocolate cake.  Yumm.  But before that we each painted a little picture for Gaby to put together in a book using water colors and we got to hear another story about King David.  Watercolors are amazing!  I love watching kids paint because they come up with some of the coolest stuff.  And when you have something that always looks great, like watercolors it is even better.  The story we listened to was about Mephibosheth and how David had made a promise to Jonathan.  It is an amazing story of grace that gives us a taste of things to come for us.  We, like Mephibosheth, are the lame outcast people and Christ is the one that comes and searches for us.  He invites us into His presence and has us eat at the table with him.  He blesses us with gifts beyond our imagination.  How great is our God.

Story time with Gaby, notice the three way hug here

 Likewise Semilla de Mostaza donated some boxes with gifts that had been donated from children abroad to give to the children here.  Gaby got to share the basic message of the gift of Christ before handing out the boxes to the kids.  It is amazing to see how much these little kids retain from week to week about the stories that they hear at our club.  Of course once the kids got their gifts they were more than ecstatic.  They were running around screaming, checking out their new stuff.  I was ready for an outbreak of tears of jealousy, but to my surprise all were happy with what they got and were actually sharing things with the other kids.  One kid was so happy that he was running around and then he ran up to me, wrapped his arms around my knees and gave me a great big hug with such force almost to the point where he was shaking.  Hugs are not custom here so it was quite a treat.  All of this reminded me of what Christ said about the children, remember?  "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:3.  Christ wants us to come to Him like little kids running around screaming our heads off with a great big hug for him, because of the gift He has given us.  Sometimes life can be so draining or get you bogged down.  That sucks but Christ is always there ready to lift you up, waiting for that special moment where He can bless you with His gifts.  I hope this message finds you at a time where you can run around and scream your head off and tell Christ thanks for all that He has done for you.

Just as the kids were getting their gifts, thanks to all those other kids who donated

  Our moms are coming down for a visit tomorrow and will be here for two weeks.  Kim and I are really excited about getting the chance to see them and spend some time showing them around Ecuador.  For those that are praying please pray for a new Ecuadorian to step in and fill the void for teaching the kids club.  Likewise please pray for the working of the English ministry here and the people that are in our bible studies.  I feel truly blessed to be in a place where I can share the word and teach some of the things God has taught me about his loving grace.

This girl is great, she always wants her picture taken

May God richly bless you beloved,

Love
Douglas and Kim