Our first activity together with all of the children and all of the staff and all of our team is to worship together. We are all children at the City of Children because we are all His dearly beloved children, brothers and sisters in Christ, brothers and sisters of Christ. There is no American, no Mexican, no teen, no adult, we are all children as we enter into worship.
Our first sight of the children is seeing them march in a line, one age group after the other, all dressed in their Sunday best, some visibly excited to see us with smiles on their faces and ready to reach out and give us a high-five, eager to renew old friendships; others are trying to be cool and nonchalant as they pass; and others just plain nervous about meeting new people and we are all of these types as well — eager, uncertain, nervous. There is so much we share beyond the economics, language and culture that tries to separate us. But greater is the one who brings us together. It is a small miracle. Not defying nature, but defying human nature — the small miracle that has us quickly jumping in, interacting, and making friends. God is good.
This week the topic we’ve been asked to teach is worship and we begin by worshipping. Skid presents the lesson, involving both Americano and Mexican teens. He explains that worship is what we do when we live differently out of reverence and respect for God. Yes, it’s singing, praying, reading scripture and taking communion, but it’s much more. We worship God in and with our daily lives — when we make different choices than the crowd, when we explain to a group of friends at school that our respect for God and Jesus wouldn’t allow us to participate in certain activities. When we do that, we’re worshipping Him.
Skid outlined the obstacles that keep us from giving our heart to God. Things like fear and shame and anxiety. The final metaphor he used to explain worship was a mask. Worshipping God is about laying down our masks in His presence and exposing who we really are — broken, sinful people in need of Him.
Then, after church, we eat together a wonderful meal prepared by the mamas at the home. It is a wonderful meal and a wonderful time to sit at the table together. Beans, rice, freshly grilled and cut marinated beef for an amazing taco, homemade salsa, hot peppers, fresh cheese quesadilla and a new corn and pepper casserole that is wonderful.
It is a wonderful meal. And it’s not lost on us that the very first act of service for the week is not ours. It’s the mamas of the City of Children serving us. Please pray for this people and for this place.
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