children

10 or more years ago, when Clint and I were engaged, we were trying to sift through the various ways for him to immigrate to the States.  At one point we thought a student visa was the best route (not realizing that there was a fiance visa, a much better route for us).

To obtain a student visa you had to be enrolled into a university and have all the money upfront (to our knowledge anyway).  We went to a private college that wasn't cheap...there was no way that the money was going to show itself on the front end.  We prayed and cried and sought wisdom.  During that time we felt quite hopeless.

In the midst of it all there was a young girl, maybe 4 or 5 years old at the time, who collected money, saved coins and gathered anything she had saved.  With a smile on her face, she gave it to me.  It was specifically for Clint to come, she said.

In the end we found out about the fiance visa, but we still have that bag of coins to this day.  In the midst of frustration, lack of answers and feelings of despair those coins were faith for us.  A testament.

The kids at summer camp raised money for us the other week, I know I already mentioned that.  I was truly thankful for whatever came in and knew that it would be a huge blessing no matter the number.

The woman who oversaw the "Missions" aspect of camp later wrote and told us this,

"God is SO amazing! All week long we've been praying and hoping that we reach the $6,000 goal. Kids at mission we're starting to get discouraged around Wed when they saw our graph on the board. But it was a good opportunity to talk to them about perseverance, keep praying and trusting that God will provide. We kept praying and indeed God answered. Praise God!!!"

Children always amaze me, but at moments like these above I am truly challenged to the core of who I am.  Their faith is strong, pure, trusting.  To think that those kids cared about how much came in and desired for the mark to be met is humbling.  To think about those, in the stories above, who truly sacrificed all...its a picture that is beautiful and convicting all at once.

I'm reminded of these words

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise.

...You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children."

 And I find it true.