Last year during the journey along the river I took over 150 small colorful bead bracelets that I had strung to hand out to the children. It is a great way to start a conversation and talk to the kids. I thought it would be fun for the girls but it seemed that the boys wanted them too. Who knew! At least they wanted “boy colors” so they told me. This year I have made over 350! Trying to make about 50 more before I get to Iquitos. Hey I have a full day of flying so that is probably an attainable goal. I am sooooooo excited to hand them out. It is such a sweet joyful feeling watching their eyes as one of the bracelets wraps around their little wrists. The huge, bright smile on their tiny faces as they receive the surprise. Wish as always that I had made more. But it is what it is. It was the exact number that was suppose to be.

As I string each one, I pray over it – not knowing when it is going to be given, who is going to receive it, not knowing anything about that particular child. I just know when it is suppose to be given. When I am done with a bracelet I put it on my wrist. Sometimes for a long period of time and sometimes not but for a few minutes. It is my connection to the child. I “transfer” the 3 Trinity’s Angels words to them this way – HOPE, DREAM and BELIEVE.

Okay, maybe they don’t “hear” or “feel” the words through this gift but I know they are with them nonetheless. One day I would love to go back to a village and see someone wearing one of the bracelets. One day I would love to be able to give every child I meet a bracelet. One day…

And always I leave them with this… “Jesus te ama” … Jesus loves you – their eyes light up, their smiles light up their faces and anther child has been “touched.”

As always – In His Mighty Grip,

Stephanie

 

Stephanie