The Joy of Ministering to Children

I had this very funny and cute experience from our school camp. It was an overnight camp just at our school campus. Ang daming enjoyable activities na tlgang naenjoy ng mga bata.

The night came for the kids to sleep. They brought their own sleeping bags, pillows and blankets, even stuffed toys so they could enjoy the stay. But there was this kid, a 4yr-old boy who couldn't sleep. He was walking around the room, wide-awake when he realized his playmates were all asleep already. That's why, binuhat n nya ang mga kagamitan nya, blankets at higaan and said.. "it's time for me to go home now"

English speaking ang bata kaya tlgang napa-ingles ako para lang mahikayat kong matulog. He proceeded to the door, hinayaan lang namin ni Teacher Remy. Here was the conversation:

Tea.Remy: Are you sure you wanna go home?
Isaac: Yes. I need to go home.
Tea: Remy: But the gate is locked.

Isaac went outside to check the gate and then went back to me.

Isaac: "Do you have the key to the gate?" "No, i dont have it. I'm sorry. But if you want, i can stay here with you until you sleep." "but i want to sleep at home instead." Nag-isip akong mabuti kasi tlgang desidido ang batang umuwi. Kinuha ko lahat ng gamit nya at ibinalik sa dati. Inilatag ulit ang comforter at nag-usap kami.

"Isaac, you need to stay here because it's already 11 in the evening. No one will accompany you to your house."
"I can go home alone"
"Yes, we can allow you to go home alone, but we're afraid that bad guys will catch you."
"I can fight with them"
"yes, i believe that you can fight them, but you're too small and they'll still win."

Medyo kinabahan ako ksi naramdaman ko ang takot sa bata. So bumawi ako.

"How can i defeat them?" tanong nya.
"I know someone who can help you defeat them."
"Who?''
"Jesus."

Automatic ang response nya nang marinig ang pangalang Jesus.

"Can you pray for me? I need his help in order to defeat the bad guys."
"yes, i can. But promise me that you stay here because He will be the one who'll do it for you"

Pikit sya agad.

So i prayed and thought about the right words to ease the fear of the child. Kasi kasalanan ko kapag managinip sya ng masama.

"Lord, please help Isaac to sleep peacefully tonight. He is away from Mommy right now but i know that He's a strong boy.

Sabay habol sakin, "please tell him to turn the bad guys into good guys."

And so I said, "Jesus, there are a lot of bad guys out there in the streets, please let them realize the bad things that they're doing and turn them into good guys. Guard Isaac and all the kids here with us tonight. Thank you Lord, In Jesus name, Amen."

Isaac lied down and asked me.. "Is Jesus working now?"

"Yes, He is. So don't worry about that now. You just need to sleep so tomorrow you'll have strength for the games and fun!"

So, Isaac closed his eyes while holding my hand. I also tapped him and 5mins later, he's totally asleep.
Hay.. Thank God. =)