We are grateful when my parents are able to visit them. We went from seeing family on a daily basis to seeing them every 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. Big change for my girls, but we are grateful God has blessed us to live close enough for family to visit.
However, it seems when they come there is no rest for the weary! My parents spend their vacation time serving and ministering to others. Between taking families out to eat, spending time at the feeding center, sitting for hours in teacher interviews, spending a day being Mr. Ross’ plumbing assistant, and feeding 25 hungry hard-working men, it is safe to say it was a fast 4 day trip.
My girls love when they come because it means a trip to the local arcade. And yet, it is nothing for my parents to see two cute boys having to look at the games instead of playing them. Without any thought, they simply buy another arcade card and quietly give it to the boys to play all of the games. No attention was brought to them, but a couple of boys left grinning from ear to ear. As we check out at the grocery store, my parents tell me to whisper to the lady in front of me that we will buy her food. It wasn’t a lot of food, but her face looked like as if she was being given hundreds of dollars. She looked at the cashier and said “What did she say?” She thought she was misunderstanding me.
A week of ministering to others. A week of quietly blessing people without ever speaking a word to anyone about it. We are grateful this has always been the “norm” in their lives. We grew up watching them repeatedly bless others without ever expecting anything in return. We are grateful to have watched parents serve, minister, and bless others living in their own community–Not only in Guatemala. Reflections of Christ!
They will cringe when they read this blog, but there is nothing they can do about it!
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21
And we managed to have a “surprise” party at the feeding center! He loved every minute of it–Not! But the kids loved ice cream sandwiches, cupcakes, and coke!
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 