I mentioned in a couple of posts how much we miss our friend/brother Jimmy.
I got to know Jimmy in the mission class that we were in at Brighton Christian Church. The class, was an introduction to missions, it started in September and ended in early December. Each Sunday we would meet for several hours and learn about missions, listen to missionaries talk about mission history and the mission field they were called to.
On the first trip to Nicaragua I chose to be the VBS/children's ministry head. All members of the team participated how they wished. If they wanted to be in the puppet show they did. Others held children on thier lap while watching the puppet show and listening to the music. The kids were so sweet, they would watch so intently to the show, once in a while look at whoever is holding them and maybe give the person a hug. Very tender moments.
Jimmy wasnt sure what to do with the kids. He said to me, "Tammie what am I to do with these kids?" I looked at him and smiled and told him, Jim you will find one kid and just hang out with them, help them with the project and be their buddy in the time we are at the site. It will be okay." I am not sure if he believed me or not. There were quite a few times that I caught him smiling with a little child he played with.
He admitted later it wasnt hard and it was fun.
Later in the trip we figured out after dinner the neighborhood kids found out we were in the area visiting. We had brought balls and bubbles so we played that way. the next time we went one of the leaders ordered kites for us to use with the kids. That was such a big hit with the kids.
One of the things I have seen when travelling outside the U.S. is that kids are inventive when it comes to finding a way to play. For instance, one day when I was prayer walking in Istanbul we walked past some children playing jump rope. "I thought wow, isnt that a site?" My reaction was because we were walking in an area where a new building was going up and they were playing near it. When we got closer I figured out it wasnt even a jump rope but long insulated wire heavy enough to use as a jump rope! I was amazed. While on the same trip as me and my travel partner were walking into the hotel we spotted a young boy 11 or 12 years old walking with a home made kite, the fram was made out of dowel rods and string, but the material for the kite was old plastic shopping bags he had fitted on the frame. It was so neat to see his inventativeness. I did get a picture of it and he was just beaming to show off his kite.
The second year that both Jimmy and I went to Nicaragua he had no questions about what to do with the kids. It all came back to him what to do, and I am sure he loved his little buddies that he played with. I saw some really tender moments from Jimmy with the kids.
We will miss Jimmy being with us physically, but I am sure he will witness what is going on and see the fun right from where he is with Jesus.
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