"Do Small Things With Great Love" (Stacy)

"We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love." -Mother Teresa

It's been over a week since we got back from Mexico and I'm still trying to process my thoughts from the trip. I learned so much while I was there, but the "what now?" has been weighing heavily on my heart. I know I am changed but I haven't been able to process what that change really is or what that will look like moving forward. I hope and pray that I and the rest of the team won't lose the excitement and passion that we discovered here at Ninos. I hope that we can share our experiences with some of you and that you might begin to fall in love with Ninos like we have.

However, I also realize that Ninos is just one of MANY needs in this world. My eyes were opened to the ability and obligation each of us has to love, serve and help those who are less fortunate. It doesn't require lots of money, time, knowledge, skill, etc, it simply requires love and the willingness to sacrifice some of our resources and comforts to reach out to those in need. As Darrell mentioned to us on our last night in Mexico, there are people in desperate need all over the world. Maybe you feel led to come on a mission trip to Ninos or sponsor a child here. Maybe you will go to Ethiopia and love on some of the girls in the Keziah house who are just discovering what real, Christ-like love is. Maybe you will bring a welcome basket to World Relief, or volunteer at a soup kitchen in downtown Spokane. Maybe you will make a conscious effort to acknowledge, smile at, and make eye contact with every homeless person you drive past (even if you aren't able to help them financially) because you might be the only person who acknowledges their humanity and existence that day. Maybe you will mow your elderly neighbor's lawn, or help a new mom take care of her house so she can rest. Maybe you will get down on the floor and play legos with your kids, or find little ways to affirm and encourage your spouse. Whatever we do, big or "small," (is there really such thing as a "small" act of kindness?) do it with love. Yes, people need our money, our resources, our time, but money alone doesn't change hearts, only love can do that.

I guess my biggest take-away from Mexico is that we all have the power to make a difference. Do SOMETHING, and do it with great love <3.