A Young Girl’s Mite

Oct 26

WITNESSING A BIBLICAL STORY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Last week, I was in the second-grade classroom helping the students [in Lima] with their English worksheets. One of the kids walked up to me, a small girl about eight years old. With joyful eyes and warm smile, she placed a ten-cent coin in my hand. “This is for your family”, she said.

I was amazed and so touched by this act of generosity. The community that the [Larry Cochran School] is set in is not an affluent one. Resources and physical goods are limited. Houses aren’t always constructed out of the most stable materials. There are days when all a kid brings for lunch is a fried plantain. And yet, here is this girl (and many of her peers alongside her) giving to me greatly out of the little they have.

Later on in the day, the same girl came up to me and asked if I believe in God. I told her that I do, and she excitedly responded with “Me too!” What an example in the faith is this sweet, young soul.

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” ~Luke 21:1-4

Every time that I remember what this little girl did, I am challenged. I tend to give when I have, and when I have in abundance. I study the Bible when I have a free evening and nothing else I’d rather do. I go the extra mile in helping someone when I have plenty of energy. I check in on a friend when I have the emotional capacity required. But when I look at the ten-cent coin, I wrestle with the knowledge that I must also give when I have not. Afterall, is something really an offering when it doesn’t require sacrifice? Though I am weary and overwhelmed, may I worship and listen to Him who gave everything for me. Even if I am hurting and feel alone, may I interact with the person next to me in love and joy. When I have cost after cost, may I give freely to one who is in need. When I have not, may I lay everything at the feet of my Lord and ask that He might take up my life as a living sacrifice. Though I be weak and empty handed, may I give all for He who gave His all and for He who is my all.

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Marin Dolenc is an 18-year-old intern serving a three-month mission in Lima, Peru, alongside ministry partner Wilma Grandez. Serving directly within a local school and neighborhood ministry, Marin helps lead kindergarten classes, teaches English, and assists with weekly kids' Bible studies. She writes regularly about stepping past fear into faith, relying on God’s strength through language barriers, and witnessing the tangible, sacrificial love of Christ through the people of Lima.