Bonita..

I have realized since coming home from my recent trip to Colombia that nothing in this world makes me happier than wrapping my arms around a child who has never felt loved before. The mere experience of lifting a child into my lap and passionately loving that child for the small five minutes in my life means everything to me. On my trip I held a lot of children, kissed many foreheads and made a lot of funny faces. In the midst of the opportunities God set before me, I quickly realized that I would give up everything I knew and loved just to hold a precious child of God; just to see a smile that only the love of Jesus could possess.

One day my team was at a preschool in Bogota doing a VBS with the children there. During craft time I spotted a little girl in the back corner all by herself. I quickly made my way to where she was sitting and sat next to her. I hardly know any spanish but I knew one word that I felt she needed to hear. I smiled at her and simply said "Bonita." Instantly a huge smile swept across her face and I just hugged her. My teammate Adrianna was near by and I asked her to ask the girl if she would like to take a picture. The little girl smiled and my heart was overwhelemed with joy immediately. I continued to sit next to her until it was time to go. We both sat, unable to communicate but silently enjoying the presence of God's timing and love which had no language barrier. Later, Adrianna told me that she had tried talking to the little girl but was unable to crack a single smile. I looked back at the little girl as we left and was filled with thankfulness. I was thankful for her life. I was thankful that God opened my eyes to a little girl who needed to know she was beautiful in God's eyes. I was so thankful for the blessing she immediately became in my life that morning. My heart was bursting with gratitude and happiness.

God did so many amazing things in Colombia that week. I will never forget the people I encountered. I will never forget the moment when I looked around and my heart broke for Colombia. I will never forget my team of joyful, passionate prayer warriors; people I know without a doubt in my mind were meant to be on that trip. I will never forget their stories and their faithfulness to tell their stories. In one week I learned that God gives each one of us a story and it's up to us to deicide whether to hide our stories or to shout them from the mountian tops. We are not called to be ashamed of our experiences in life but to use them to glorify the Lord; to use them to help someone else in the battle called life.

Colombia left a footprint on my heart; one that will always be there. Everytime I begin preparing for one of my trips, I wonder how I will squeeze anymore countries; anymore beautiful people into my heart. I recently realized that every time I'm called somewhere new God just makes my heart a little bit bigger. There will always be room in my heart for just one more child God chooses to place in my life. There will always be room for one more country that needs the hope and love of my Jesus.