trbccoffeebreak

“Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

After a long six-year hiatus, this year, I was able to travel back home to Brazil for a few days during Easter. Part of the reality of a third-world country is that people who live in poverty will do virtually anything to earn a living, and that includes competing for the chance to watch other people’s vehicles in store parking lots. Yes, you read correctly; though the vehicles are fine where they are, there is a widespread idea among those without fixed income, that vehicles need to be watched or cared for – and even washed – while their owners shop.

With that being said, off I went to a large shopping mall on my second day in my hometown of Brasilia, and parked my sister’s vehicle outside, instead of using the paid parking structure. And mind you, I was thinking with my very Americanized mind frame, that I would be able to take care of my business at that mall with my debit or credit card, because “I don’t need to carry cash around.”

A young lad (also known as moleque, or moah-lah-kee) approached my car window and outstretched his hand to get a few coins.  I thought to myself, “Lord, here is this young boy who supposedly watched my car, though I never did see him around it, and I have no money to give to him.” I really wanted to bless that boy, so I reached into my bag and I got out a large, plump, deliciously looking banana.  I said to him, “look what I have for you! I hope you are hungry!” That boy smiled big, took the banana and off he went. I don’t know what surprised me the most that day; if it were my actually paying someone with a banana, or the recipient’s joy in receiving it. To me, it was just a banana, but to that boy, it was probably his first meal of the day. Sometimes it is in the little things that the Lord provides opportunities for us to bless someone else.

“Dear Lord, we need to show Your love to a world desperately needing it. Help us to use whatever means we have to reach out and bless someone.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life