5 Ministers

Last week in Ecuador I met five of THE best ministers I have ever know. Well, actually I already know them. I just got to see them in action like never before last week.



And here is who they are not. They are not the preacher from the church we attended. They are not the local missionaries who have been living there for years. They are not employed by Compassion International or ChildReach Ministries or HCJB or Extreme Response. They are not keynote speakers at a conference.



Here is who they are:



Matthew Schario age 13

Adam Schario age 11

Mallory Schario age 9

Jon Mark Schario age 7

Ellie Schario age 5 (going on 15 according to her dad)



None of them preached a sermon or taught a bible lesson. They were simply present. It was awesome to see Matthew get into the thick of all the soccer action and help out wherever needed. He is also a good writer and thinker. Check out his thoughts at http://www.schario.blogspot.com/. He's also pretty darn funny too. If there is a young person more interested in the animals God created than Adam I have not met them. Adam loves them all and had a hard time tasting the cuy (guinea pig) cause he knew it was once alive. Mallory has the gifts of motherhood and shepherding to the highest degree. To see her with the kids in Ecuador is a real treat. Jon Mark is incredibly affectionate and not afraid to show it. One of the most creative 7 year old's I have been around. He loved on the mission team. And then there is Ellie. Can the gift of leadership show up in a 5 year old? It sure can. I have seen it. Ellie will take anyone young or old, rich or poor, white or brown, by the hand and lead them exactly where she thinks they should go. There is no pretense or favoritism in her being. And she already knows way more Spanish words than her dad. Probably comes from all the conversations she has with the Ecuadorian kids. If Ellie is not talking, well............she's asleep.



To watch these kids minister to kids was the gospel in action. Real time spent with people. Loving them. Getting to know them. Suffering with them. That is who Jesus was.

Real.

Honest.

Present.



"And a little child will lead them."