It was an incredible, exhilarating and miraculous week of ministry that included VBS, a carnival, dental clinics, new beds for poor families and activities for more than 400 children and their families in two Community Transformation Centers in Oaxaca.

On our last night in Mexico, the group decided we had consumed enough burritos, tacos, beans, rice and grasshopper and wanted something Americanized! We went to McDonalds and, after ordering our food, experienced what can only be described as a “God moment.”

Everyone had their food and we noticed there was one extra cheeseburger, fries and drink. McDonalds didn’t want it back, so it sat on the table untouched while the group ate and reflected on their experiences. Little did they know that God wasn’t finished!

As conversations ended and we prepared to return to the hotel, a small, soiled five-year-old boy named Faustino approached one of the tables. He was alone and trying to sell packs of gum for a couple of pesos. The group politely declined and he went on to other tables.

Then the thought hit us like a lightning bolt-extra food… hungry child… thank you, Jesus! We called little Faustino back over to the table, lifted him up on a stool and gave him the food that God had provided for him. The group told him about Jesus and why we were there and little Faustino let us pray over him. At that moment, that place became holy ground.

I can still see little Faustino sitting alone at the table and eating his fries as we drove off. Within 24 hours we were back in our warm homes with filled cupboards and filled stomachs, screaming for the Steelers and moving forward with our lives.

For Faustino, life will likely remain the same, but for a brief moment the secular was made sacred. Food was mysteriously provided by a loving heavenly father. The opportunity was made available to encounter God in a very real and awesome way, and we came to the humble and incomprehensible awareness that in welcoming little Faustino, the group actually welcomed Christ.

David Henderson is the pastor at Latrobe United Methodist Church in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

Prayer Requests:
-God, thank you for mission groups and the on-going ministries of Buckner Mexico that minister to the needs of children like Faustino every day.
-God, thank you for the blessings you have given us and please give us wisdom and eyes to perceive the opportunities we all have to welcome Christ.

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If you are interested in submitting a devotional for Buckner Faith Focus, please e-mail lhollon@buckner.org.

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