Jesus said, “I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)
When I first stepped onto the Agape campus I was overwhelmed. Questions and doubt swirled through my mind. What will the boys think of me? How can I help them? Where do I even start? How will I ever remember their names? Jesus, how do I show them Your love?
It started with a cartoon bandaid. He heard I was a nurse, so he came to me for help with a scrape on his arm. Something so simple, but it was a start. A shared smile--he trusted me. He saw that I cared.
Once the word got out, I was swarmed with boys every time I entered the campus. The boys showed me every scrape, bump and bruise they could produce. They eagerly listened to their hearts beating through my stethoscope and giggled when I let them use my hand sanitizer. Soon their names and faces became familiar. Derek was my shadow. He was still in transitions class, so his background story was unknown. Because he spoke fluent English, he became my devoted interpreter. Joshua invited me to sit next to him in church. David always found a way to make me laugh. Ian constantly escaped from his isolation bed, sneaked up behind me to give me a hug, then ran away laughing.
Each time I treated a cut, dog bite, cough or fever, I also had the opportunity to share the Word and tell them about Jesus their Healer. Each moment with them was precious, and three weeks were over in a blink. Having a chance to see the impact Agape has on these boys and to play a small role in helping them was an unforgettable experience.
I left challenged to live out my faith in a tangible way, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to pray for the boys still on the streets, the boys at Agape who are getting help, and the boys who have made it home.
When I first stepped onto the Agape campus I was overwhelmed. Questions and doubt swirled through my mind. What will the boys think of me? How can I help them? Where do I even start? How will I ever remember their names? Jesus, how do I show them Your love?
It started with a cartoon bandaid. He heard I was a nurse, so he came to me for help with a scrape on his arm. Something so simple, but it was a start. A shared smile--he trusted me. He saw that I cared.
Once the word got out, I was swarmed with boys every time I entered the campus. The boys showed me every scrape, bump and bruise they could produce. They eagerly listened to their hearts beating through my stethoscope and giggled when I let them use my hand sanitizer. Soon their names and faces became familiar. Derek was my shadow. He was still in transitions class, so his background story was unknown. Because he spoke fluent English, he became my devoted interpreter. Joshua invited me to sit next to him in church. David always found a way to make me laugh. Ian constantly escaped from his isolation bed, sneaked up behind me to give me a hug, then ran away laughing.
Each time I treated a cut, dog bite, cough or fever, I also had the opportunity to share the Word and tell them about Jesus their Healer. Each moment with them was precious, and three weeks were over in a blink. Having a chance to see the impact Agape has on these boys and to play a small role in helping them was an unforgettable experience.
I left challenged to live out my faith in a tangible way, to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and to pray for the boys still on the streets, the boys at Agape who are getting help, and the boys who have made it home.
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