SelfLESS

I had been a part of the DR Missions team with my family 2 years ago, and was definitely changed by that experience, but it was on this trip, that I learned the true meaning of what it means to live and love selflessly.
I was completely awestruck as we watched all the workers in the different places we visited, so tirelessly and selflessly give of themselves everyday to share God's love with others.

But there are 2 special ladies who particularly exemplified for me the heart of Jesus. My life-changing experience happened on the day we visited PANCHO MATEO. I will never be the same after that day (and that is a good thing!). After we ran our kids' program and played carnival games with all the children, JUANA (to my left) and KATHY (on the right), thanked us all for coming and for being such a blessing in their village.  They shared how on Saturdays they run a Bible School program for all the kids in the neighbourhood, and work joyfully every week to feed over 100 children right in Kathy's backyard (a small patch of dirt attached to her simple home). They told us how much the kids look forward to this day, and ask throughout the week when Bible school is. The reason for giving themselves away: every child needs to experience the love of Christ! Their mission: to live out Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way they should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it". It is their heart to raise up future leaders for the church, and this is the reason they so strongly believe we must invest everything we've got in the lives of young children.  Wow! how inspiring! and true! These 2 women serve selflessly and passionately, day after day. Their love for the Lord was so evident, and one could not help but be completely inspired by the work of the Holy Spirit there. After they shared their testimony, I told them how much they had inspired me, and that when I looked at them, I saw JESUS. They were truly His hands and feet. I hugged Juana and she began to cry. I figured she must have been happy that we were there. But then later, when they both showed me inside Kathy's home, Kathy said to me, "do you know why Juana cried when you hugged her?" and I replied, "no, why?". She then told me, "it was because when she hugged you, she felt the Holy Spirit move". Wow, what an awesome God-moment! I too, had felt the Holy Spirit alive in that place; and it was at that moment I knew why the Lord had sent me there.
There is much work to be done, and I am praying hard that God will use me to selfLESSly give myself away for His glory!

- Nelly