Spirit Overflow

As far as the amount of people I connect with on a daily basis, it’s not me connecting. It’s not my spirit rather it’s all him. He made me this way-smiling towards others, having enthusiasm, interest in their being, passion to listen to their story, an eye staring at their hearts.

This is not about going on a mission trip with people and getting to know tourists. This is about the spirit going heart first out into the world and putting all my faith into people.  Things will work out because a person will always be sent my way to guide me, to help me, to provide me with directions, to give a recommendation, to treat me like family, to appreciate me, to praise me, to care for me, and to love me.  This spirit overflows out into a world of beauty. A world that gravitates to our spirit. 



Perhaps people will disappoint me and there will be someone there to pick me up. God sends angels. It’s not something that just happens to people before the die or to care for the sick. It’s something that happens to guard and protect the children of God. They serve as security guards who are watching over you always. They step in when you are in need and your spirit and positive nature is not taking you far enough.

Angel on my Shoulder

When I would leave my hotel, it would usually be daylight. It was not recommended to go out at night because it was "unsafe" for tourists. There was nothing to prove this to be true so I would occasionally walk at night.  Usually, this would be a short distance to the park to get some food, okay get a $1 slice of pizza. I was addicted and just love the fact it was $1 and so fresh and tasty. 

When I walked around the fountain area, I saw this boy on a bike in the distance. When I walked home, I again saw this boy on a bike following behind.  The last day, I saw this boy walking on foot near my hotel. 
Of course, this could have been coincidental as this boy looked super innocent.

He said, "Hello" with a huge smile.
He had to be about 16 years old. 

I said in a non-confrontational way
"I see you often around here."

He said, "I work across from you at the travel agency. This is my company on my shirt."
 
I said, "Oh I see. You like riding your bike."
 
He said, "Yes, I love my bike."

He would repeat his answer and he appeared a bit aloof, but very sweet and kind.
I was starting to notice that he could have  Aspergers or a similar diagnosis.

I said, "You are riding your bike at night a lot."

He said, "Yes I see you in the street and in your hotel."

I said, "Oh why do you do that? I'm not that interesting."

He said, " To help keep you safe."

We continued our conversation and I realized that he was not following me rather he was watching over me. He said that many bad people walk around at night. He was scared that something would happen to me.  He didn't come up to me because he did not want to bother me. 

What was interesting that this boy actually felt more nervous when he saw me talking to strangers. When I was near the pizza place, the park, and even the church. He said I should not talk to these people because they could be bad. 
It was clear this boy had a disability and it was clear that he was an angel on my shoulder.


Sometimes I feel invisible to danger because my strong connection with people. It's hard for me to remember that there is possibility for harm.  No matter how much I can coach them, calm them down, reason with them, challenge them, smile towards them, listen to them, and love them-danger is present within the environment and keeping safe is important. 

This boy took me down the street riding on his handle bars. I gave him a few pieces of candy and we parted ways. I'll never know if he really worked at the travel agency across the street or if he just came from a somewhere special...... 

Close Proximity to God

Isn’t it interesting how those who are suffering or underprivileged park themselves right in front of the church?

They could be sitting near the grocery store, on a street corner, or near a food stand. Instead most of them stay right in front of the church.

Do they expect a donation from people coming out? Or are they just feeling themselves closer to god?

Those spirits that are selfless, loving, caring-they might be the ones gravitating to a home-to a place they belong.  They may feel a sense of comfort being around the church.  It may protect them and keep them safe.  The presence of it in front of them may make them feel hope. The people coming out make them imagine what their life could be like. A life with church, family, and a job.  A life the can still achieve if they keep the faith and work to their potential whether it’s being a street vendor or shining shoes. They should do something to stay productive instead of being idol. Being productive is the key to success and this is the largest problem with this population being idol.  God keeps them safe, but they need to do their part... 

 

Touched by an Angel

When it comes to the MH community, they may be in poverty, they may have no health care, they may have limited education, but what they do have is: faith.  Within this community, there are four churches along with many religious ones who believe in the word of the Lord. They may have trials, triumph, and tragedies, but they have the love and support from up above.

Being there in the middle of some tragedy, I saw the way they coped with it in a religious way.  People had less worry and anxiety when they had the church.  The prayers were made, songs were sang, and people were united with one another through his spirit.  It was lovely to witness how powerful the church can be.  In their life, they face many questions on a daily basis. Am I going to be able to pay the light bill this month? Can I send my children to school? Is it possible to get job when I have 6 kids to watch? 

These questions are asked day in and day out, but the one thing that never needs to be questioned is faith.  These communities have daily struggles, but their faith in God remains.  The local residents attend service, meet on Sunday for service, the kids attend Sunday school, and they make their daily prayers and rituals.  They sing songs of Jesus when they are in the church for camp or humming it to themselves on the bus. 


With the struggles of life, there is undying strength in these beautiful, little hearts. The faith they have builds towards their resilience. The resilience of the pain that is building in their life or environment. They pain from seeing their friend shot and dead. The pain from being hungry day in and out.  




While I can´t control what is happening, I can count on what I see in front of me. I see beauty within these children that is given by the Lord.  It’s beautiful to see his presence within the smiles of the children, especially those who have a very difficult life. He loves and takes care of his children. Some will not make it, but many will live within his loving arms. Jesus will save the day.