“Mama, can we do that PLEASSSE? It will be our LAST CHANCE!” My kids begged in Singapore.
A make-up artist was doing face-painting but for an exorbitant fee.
“I’m so sorry, kids,” I teared, heart searing with regret.
Before we left Singapore, The Land of Abundance, I confess— my kids and I went into a bit of frenzy.
We tried to fit in all our “last chances” before moving to a small remote town in the mission field in Tanzania— our last chance to eat ice-cream at McDonald’s; last chance shopping at a mall; last chance at an indoor playground.
True enough, life, especially Christmas here, is different.
I learnt that we can’t receive gift parcels by mail because where we are is too remote. I don’t quite know how to reply my kids when they ask if we’ll have a tree to put their presents under, because I haven’t seen one on sale. In a place with no malls or online shopping, it was hard to find good gifts for them.
But I’m learning- for every “last chance” we had, is also a “new chance” ahead as we follow God.
About a week ago, someone gifted us a sum of money with the instructions “For Christmas gifts for your girls.” That VERY weekend, was a little Christmas bazaar in our small town, selling what I knew they’d love- with only one of each item.
Last weekend, at a second bazaar hours away, we found wrapping paper and a bird encyclopedia my 5-yr old had been waiting all year to find. And there in the corner, was a broad, stout African man face-painting kids for two dollars each.
As my girls looked up at me, eyes sparkling, my heart leaped. It was then that I knew— for every surrender we die to, is a new gift God resurrects— later.
For every “last chance” we say goodbye to, is a “new chance” to a fresh adventure in the future.
The God who held our hand in the past, is the same God waiting for us with good gifts ahead.
As my girls open their gifts this Christmas, I hope they’ll always know— we can trust Him. 💛🎁
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