you have something to give...

If there's one thing I am constantly reminded of it's that although Panama and Canada are so dramatically different, at the root level and at the basis of everything, we all have the same needs. The need to eat, breathe and importantly to be loved.

I was having lunch with two of my disciples in a food court on Wednesday when we were approached by 3 little boys asking for money for food. I think we had given 2 out of 3 boys some change to buy lunch when the 3rd boy came up to us. Andrea started asking him questions about where he lives, his name and age when suddenly she looked at him and asked, "do you know who Jesus is?" Andrea explained the gospel in one of the most beautiful and yet simple ways I had ever heard.

I keep coming back to the story of Peter and John in Acts where they heal a beggar outside the temple gate called Beautiful (in Acts 3). The beggar is asking for money but Peter says, "silver or gold I do not have but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk." The beggar was expecting money and he gets something so much greater. I thought about that on Wednesday. Because even though I had bought the three of them lunch and they were asking for food, I think what Andrea gave them was so much more. Because she told them God loves them, and has a plan for them, even if they don't see it. But it also made me realize how absolutely blessed we are. I had spent something like $12.00 on lunch for the three little boys. For me it wasn't a lot of money, but for them it was... one of the little boys I think had never been told he could pick off the menu whatever he wanted... and he just looked at me and said, "I just want a hamburger please." We have so so much to give. Sometimes its our money and sometimes its simply our time.

There's a man named Victor that is always on the university campus, I think he lives there. Yesterday as I was waiting for two of my girls to finish up some homework Victor approached me asking for help. He started mumbling something about a bible and as I asked him more I realized he was asking for a bible. I grabbed my Spanish new testament that was in my bag and as I handed it to him he looked at me and said, "this has the words of Jesus in it." We sat and talked for probably 15 minutes and honestly I didn't understand all of what he was telling me. But what I did understand broke my heart. He had been orphaned at a very young age and had worked until he got into an accident which ruined the use of his right hand and leg. And now he's unable to work and has no choice but to live homeless and relying on others for help. But I think Victor just wanted to talk. He wanted someone to see him and listen to him. And so I sat, and listened and even though I didn't understand everything, the smile he gave me at the end meant more to me than anything.

There are always opportunities to give of yourself. Of you time, your talents or your treasure. But we all have something as at different times it may be something else. But you always have so very much to give, wherever you are!