Children

 


Two weeks ago at Amigos for Christ in Nicaragua we hosted people from the World Language Academy in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and from Rising Church in Buford, Georgia – as well as a family from Austin, Texas.

The group was different than the others that have been here in that there were approximately 10 children who were under the age of 15 serving alongside the adults as we dug trenches for water lines, and fertilized and pruned pitaya plants.  And as I watched these little people, many of whom were already pretty fluent in a second language, working and playing – I couldn’t help thinking: “Wow, their parents are doing a great job!”

Psalm 127:3 says: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

And Proverbs 22:6 says: “Start children off on the way that they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

The parents who brought their children here have given them a rare opportunity.  They have let them see there are others in the world who live a much different life than they themselves are living.  They have “planted seeds” about what the world really looks like. 

Sure, the kids will go back home and resume their texts to friends, their video games, and their “snaps”, but if their teacher makes them write an essay titled “What I did on my summer vacation,” I’ll be these kids’ stories will include tales of Nicaragua and building water systems for people who have none.

As parents, we have a DUTY to instill good values and to help our kids become good, responsible adults.  And the good news is, it is never too late.  As I write this – I think I will start passing along a daily Bible to my kids.  It will be a daily reminder that I love them, but that God loves them even more.

 

 

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