Mark 10:16

Mark 10:16 says, "And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them."

Before a team leaves for the township of Sweet Home, everyone gathers together to pray for those who are going out. On the first day of Vacation Bible School (VBS), I decided to read the children's team verse (Mark 10:16) before we left. I had no idea why I felt compelled to do it. It wasn't like I had anything profound to say along with it. I just read it. However, once we got into Sweet Home that day, I knew exactly why I had read it that morning.

When we arrived in Sweet Home, I went to say good morning to the teachers in the creche (which is what they call their preschool). When I walked into that room, I saw about 40+ three and four year olds sitting on the ground listening to their teacher. However, within 5 seconds of me entering that room, the kids started getting really wiggly. As someone who knows this age pretty well, I knew it was only a matter of time before one of them would make their move. Sure enough, one of them got up, and then, they all got up and made a mad dash for the door. They were so full of excitement and joy, and nothing was going to stop them! They were pushing each other to get through the door and into our team's arms.


I took this picture from the doorway of the creche after all of the children ran outside.



For the rest of that day and all of the other days we were in Sweet Home, this became the norm. Children being held in our arms. When you got tired, you sat on the ground, so they could find their way into your lap and into your arms still. Mark 10:16 simply came to life every day we were in Sweet Home. "...he took the children in his arms..."

Seeing everyone hold kids with such ease and such love was pure joy. Walking into the creche every morning and having little ones smiling and clapping with excitement just because you walked through the door, because you decided to show up and spend time with them made my heart leap with joy.

This is what that joy looks like.



The kids playing with Rachel's hair.





Checking out Molly's nails





Playing the game, "Tomato Sauce" aka, "I like to bum, bum, bum"







There was a reason why Mark 10:16 became the verse for the children's team this year. It was the avenue for which God revealed himself to us especially in Sweet Home.