A Glimpse of God's Heart

When the top of our 15-passenger van was loaded up with bags full of clothes, shoes and toys, our ACTION team hopped in and off we went. In total, there were about 6-7 cars that left the Casa de Paz church that day. Destination: El Coli (aka, ‘cardboard houses’ area) one of the poorest communities in Guadalajara, only 20 minutes away from the church.

As we got closer to the area of El Coli at the foot of the mountains, the paved roads turned into bumpy dirt-roads, and the beautiful colorful houses of Guadalajara turned into ones built with metal scraps and cardboard, with graffiti covering most surfaces. Once we arrived, the big speakers were set up, a tarp was laid down on the ground for kids to sit on, and the clowns started to do gather up the kids from the community. One of the ACTION team members (James) dressed up as Spiderman, and kids all around came up for pictures. 

As I stood and observed to take in the environment around me, what stood out to me was the way the kids of El Coli interacted with the animals on the streets. Wherever the kids went, the dogs were at their heels. I watched as a little boy was playing fetch with one of the dogs with a lemon, a little girl was giggling while pouring dust over a dog, and another girl trying to sit on a dog like a horse (and he completely let her, wagging his tail the whole time). I was just overwhelmed by the innocence of these little kids, and how they can find fun and happiness in such little things. My heart also broke for them, for having such a tough childhood, and growing up in a community damaged by drugs and witchcraft.

This got me thinking, what does God see when He looks at these little children? What does He feel? I looked over to my left and God answered me. I saw a little girl crying to her mom, wanting to be carried. Right away, I just got this image of Jesus going up to her, bending down and carrying her in His arms. He comforted her and cared for her, and all was right in her world.

So, what does God see when He looks at the children of El Coli? I believe that He sees their innocence and their beauty. He sees their potential, and everything they could ever be. He sees their past and their future. He feels their hurt and their pain, and He has them in the palm of His hands. They are holy and precious in His eyes, and His heart breaks for everyone of them, more than mine ever could for the whole world. Most importantly, He loves them and desires a relationship with every single one of them.

At the end of the day, food, clothes and toys were given out, but the most important gift that was given by the ministry of Casa de Paz and our ACTION team was God’s love to the community of El Coli. For me, the biggest gift I received was God revealing a bit of His heart to me, and His unending love and care for His people. 

- Meret