"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma" Eph. 5:2. Ever since I stepped foot into the amazing country of Uganda, I felt a sense of beauty and love, not from the dozens of dirt roads, or run down houses, but through the smiles and joy that illuminates from the people here. I never realized that even when a language separates two people, eyes and a smile can say so much more than thousands or words ever could.
The first week our van traversed along the dirt roads toward Kyampisi, I expected to make a few friends or see some joyful children eager to see the mzungus, as they call us. Instead, I met a girl named Jaclyn who had the brightest smile I had ever seen. Her and her little friend came over to me and introduced themselves in the few words of English they had learned. The first few days we were in the village Jaclyn would always come over to me and hold my hand and although she said very few words, every time I looked into her beautiful brown eyes and gleaming smile, I saw the love she had for me and for her heavenly Father as well.
During the church service she would look over at me, not saying a word, and just smile. While driving down the road in our van, she would run along side and hold my hand through the window. I saw the exhaustion and fatigue through the way she breathed, but still, she smiled and ran even faster, holding tight to my fingers with everything she had. I didn't quite understand how and why I had a connection to this little girl, but still, she smiled bright and lit up my whole day.
It wasn't until a few nights later that I realized what Jaclyn had…She had Jesus shining through her. His light surged through her smile, He illuminated her beautiful brown eyes, and He loved her the way she loved me even before knowing me. Last night I was sitting outside by myself talking to God and I noticed the full moon overhead. The stars were shining bright, but the ring of light around the moon shone so much brighter than the stars ever could. This light is the light we believers have. It shows through Jaclyn's smile, it shows through our everyday actions, and it shows through the way we carry ourselves. Nothing can enter this bright aura of Christ's love that surrounds us. It is simply there to reveal to others, the love that Christ showed us.
The first day we left from the village Jaclyn looked me in the eyes and said, "I love you!" I questioned how these three simple words could come from someone I hardly knew, but slowly, quietly, I hear them coming from my Heavenly Father, and His smile is even brighter than this little girls. So, in conclusion, don't forget to smile at someone today and tell them you love them, because even when you hardly know someone, just remember you have something in common…Christ loves the both of you. He is holding tight to your fingers when you feel you are drifting apart, He smiles at your every glance, and he will always remember to say I love you. 🙂
