Conversations with Barnabas #6
This is Zekiel which I think is supposed to be Ezekiel. Dad was working on the pre-school building while school was out for the harvest break. Communication about what is going on is hit and miss a lot as was evidenced throughout the week as kids showed up for pre-school to start again only to be reminded or told the first time (depends on who you are talking to) that it starts on Monday. It was Friday and Zekiel had showed up in his school uniform. Not wanting to go back home right away, he just hung out for a while.
When this happens I have a job to do, Dad is very specific about this. I keep them away from his work so he does not have to constantly stop and remind them about the dangers involved in his work.
So I convinced Zekiel we needed to test out all the playground equipment to help Dad out (really he had done his safety check and touched up the paint early this week). First we tried the see saw that was installed last year. It was made using a tire someone had given us. Unfortunately it is on its last leg as the tire keeps it tilted to one side unless you push. We did not replace it because most of the kids just sit on it and don't see saw with it.
Zekiel noticed a problem with this plan almost immediately. I am a stuffed animal so I don't weigh enough to make it work and he was right.
So off to the swings. Check the paint to make sure it is dry first. The swings are always getting used and so the paint on the seats from last year had rubbed off completely on two of the seats. It was completely dry so Zekiel started swinging.
Z: "Why is he doing that?" referring to dad painting the old tank stand.
B: "There is a group coming in September and Dad wants them to help build some games on that stand." I decided to leave out they were learning games.
Z: "Poa" which means cool
B: "Yea. They will be working with the pre-school during the morning hours and then doing things like that in the afternoon."
Z: "Why?"
B: "Because we asked them to."
Z: "But why come here when everyone here wants to go to America?"
B: "Have you heard the story of the Good Samaritan? The one where he helps the person on the side of the road who was mugged?"
Z: "No"
B: "Well Jesus is telling a parable to a pharisee about loving your neighbor. And when asked who is my neighbor he uses the story to tell about how to "good" men like community leaders and pastors passed by a man who needed help after being mugged. Then a third man helped him despite the fact he was not considered to be a good person because of where he came from. So the story shows we are supposed to help everyone even if they are not like us."
Z: "Ok but what does that have to do with Americans coming here or why your Dad is here?"
B: "Because they want to help, but more than anything they want to show God's love to others by visiting with them, fellowshipping with them, playing games with them and even helping to build cool things"
Dad is finishing up what he was working on and before he moves on to another project he comes over to join us.
Dad: "you guys want a push?"
B and Z: "Yes"
As Dad starts to push Zekiel he asks, "What are you two talking about?"
B: "I was trying to explain why we come over here to do things and why the group is coming over later. I told him about the Good Samaritan."
Dad: "Well Zekiel, that is as good an explanation as any, but really it is about the fact our God has done some good things for us over the years. We want to share those blessings and the skills he gave us to help here. To make sure you get a good start on your education and to keep the medical clinic running so people who are sick or hurt can get better. We were blessed with those things in our life and we want to share them and anything else we can do with you and the people who live here."
Z: "You know not everyone at the school is Christian. There are some Muslims that go here."
Dad: "Yes I know and we respect their beliefs we just want to focus on the things we have in common instead of the things that separate us."
Z: "Cool. I hope I get to go to America some day. Are all the people there willing to help?"
B: "No it seems every time we go to town we hear another horrible thing that has happened."
Dad: "It seems they have forgotten the story of the Good Samaritan back home. Everyone wants to focus on the things that separate them. Or even worse they only see other groups by the actions of a few in that group."
Z: "I want to go there one day and remind them that we are all God's children and he loves us. Like the song you taught us."
Then Zekiel started singing at the top of his lungs:
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
Whether you're rich or whether you're poor
It matters not to Him
He remembers where you're going
Not where you've been
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
If your heart is troubled
Don't worry, don't you fret
He knows that you have heard His call
And he won't forget
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
All around the world tonight
His children rest assured
That He will watch and He will keep us
Safe and secure
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
Dad: "From the mouths of babes. I hope you do that one day Zekiel, I really do."
Comments
Post a Comment