Mauled by children

Worldview. There are so many worldviews out there. This is such a huge topic because everybody sees things from different perspectives, being raised in different places, cultures and environments. Religion also shapes one's worldview. This is what we are learning this week, about different religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. We are also discussing what different denominations believe. The real question we are asking this week is what do we believe, and why do we believe what we believe and how do we share the gospel. I absolutely love our speaker this week. Chris Toney is the director of Destination Paradise Discipleship Training School here in Belize. He has traveled to 93 countries of the world and has had the opportunity to work with Mercy Ships in the past which focusses on bringing medical aid to people all over the world in dire need like Trinidad and Africa. He also got to witness to thousands of people over the years simply by being willing to be Christ's hands and feet. I loved the quote he shared with us this morning from St Francis of Assisi: "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary use words." Wow! So overall the way to show the gospel to people is simply by living it out, and loving people and through that you show them God. I am getting so excited as I hear from each speaker to have opportunities like Chris, Jeff, John and the missionaries I read about to be a channel of love to people who are so hungry for it, and hungry for love, little did I know how soon this opportunity would be. Tonight I went to town as usual for our Friday night out. We take boat runs into town from our island of Ambergris Caye and get to see the real culture, eat at a restaurant or just hang out. This time, I felt specifically that God wanted me to go to town with the objective to go wherever He lead me. So I found myself at the park eating a shrimp burger and watching the kids play in the park. I wondered how and if I could play with the kids, show them some love and if they would welcome me. Funny, but soon a little girl came and started staring at me, thankfully I was able to start a conversation with her in Spanish. She was 4 and before long I was her new best friend. I went over to the beach and asked her if she'd like to play a game with me. Excitedly she said yes, and we started with tic tak toe, then hopscotch and before long about 10 children between 2yrs and 9yrs old joined us and I was being mauled in every direction by kids chasing me and asking me to tell them stories, and tag them. Soon a young man joined our games, and I found out he was a Christian and came from Canada to skydive. He chose to spend his evenings playing with the kids at the park rather than partying like his friends. We had a great time playing different games with the kids for the next 3 hours. But as 9:30pm rolled around, I had to bid the children farewell despite their eager pleas for me to stay. I gave all the precious little children hugs and promised to return next Friday! I slowly walked away to my boat taxi, with my heart overflowing with joy! Thank God for an opportunity to love on kids! .......to be continued