Investing Our Talents||Rachel

 Today was our second day in Las Tunas. We run a children's program in the morning and another in the afternoon. On the photography team, we take the older group of kids and teach them photography skills as well as biblical concepts using our own images. I've had such an amazing time working with these kids. After only two days, we're already developing a close bond of affection and friendship. Most (if not all) of these girls live in difficult circumstances. Their clothes are dirty, or mismatched. I found out today one of my girls lost her mother to cancer last year. So many stories..... each a very real struggle in the life of someone I now know.

I am reminded of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25). We all have abilities and gifts given by the Master to use for His honor and glory. But we also have people in our lives..... relationships in which we invest time and effort. One of the servants mentioned in that passage buries his talent. Imagine for a moment that you're the talent that is buried. The person or people entrusted to invest in your life decide they're not interested - or they just can't. Do you remain buried? No - that talent is given to one who has proven faithful in what they were given. "For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath."    

In some way or another, these girls may feel abandoned, helpless, or forgotten. Using the talents God has blessed me with (photography to name one) I can show interest, love, and friendship to them for a few hours each day. We had the best time laughing over my very limited and broken Spanish the past two days and I am sure that will continue for the rest of the week! But even in that...... actually, especially in that, I can show them my own vulnerability and a need for someone to help me - which they are more than willing to do, when they can finally decipher what I'm trying to say! We all need someone to show us, teach us, and mentor us. Having the opportunity to do just that here in Guatemala has greatly blessed my heart.

~Rachel