*This post was originally written in early July 2014, when I was still serving in Piliscsaba, Hungary as a Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM). I have since returned to the USA and am beginning a new a journey in Texas*
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| Making sand creations in the back yard of the Kindergarten with Panka, Virág, and Zsiga |
Over the last ten months or so, I have logged a huge number
of hours in the sandbox. As part
of my site placement in the Lutheran Kindergarten and Daycare Center in Piliscsaba,
I have made many a sand castles, sand cakes, sand bread, and even sand soup
with the kids. Now while I know that these are all imaginary and creative
concoctions, several times I have actually had to remind the children to NOT in
fact eat the sand. Still, I find
the sandbox to be a great place to build, play, and imagine because, I too have let my thoughts and
imagination soar while playing in the sand.
As trivial as playing in the sandbox may sound, in my
opinion there actually IS an art to making sand creations. Most importantly you need sand and some
tools like buckets and shovels are great additions as well. But these items alone do not guarantee
a successful sand creation.
Imagine on a hot and dry day filling a bucket of sand for a castle. Upon flipping the bucket over to tap
the top to let the sand out, the sand comes flowing out loose and shapeless,
resulting in a mound of nothing.
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| From sandbox to swing set, a day in the life of a kindergartner. |
Maybe you have personally experienced this phenomenon at the
beach, when you are building too far away from the tide. Because, everyone knows that the key
ingredient to making sand castles, is in fact water.
Without water, the sand can not properly stick together to
hold it’s shape and form for it’s intended purpose, whether it be a castle,
cake, etc. Just like water helps
sand creations hold their shape and form, the waters of baptism mold us to be
individuals in fulfilling our intended purpose as God’s precious children. It is through the waters of baptism
that we are called, claimed, formed, and shaped to share the love and grace
taught through the Gospel.
I am thankful for the lessons I have learned through my time
with the Kindergarten this year, no matter how simple or complex. And though it saddens me to say goodbye
to my little ones, I leave this place confidently knowing that this community
will continue to nourish and care for them, because this community has done the
same for me.
-Mere
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| A few of the most joyful and loving people I've ever had the pleasure to care for. |
