The Gates of Heaven

Today I got a glimpse of what heaven will be like.  On our way to school, we pass miles and miles AND MILES of slums. People have hard looks on their faces, as they scrape for their daily wage in any way that they can.  Finally arriving, the gates of the school are opened and we enter in two vans. 

Suddenly, hundreds of children pour out of their classes and into the parking lot chanting “Ginger! Ginger! Ginger!”  They know that their Mumbi has returned and they can’t contain their joy.  Hundreds of smiling faces reaching out their hands to greet us, longing for just one touch. 

I make a point to hold each hand that is thrust into mine and look them in the face. I try to say something to them, but it is overwhelming. They lead us into the courtyard, where they surround us and sing praise songs.  Then the school bell rings and they run off as quickly as they came. 

One of them has caught my eye.  He stares at me every time I am looking his way.  When all of the others are busy, he looks piercingly at me and I am entranced.  “This one, Janice. “ I hear my Lord say. “This one is the one I want you to pray for.”

We are taken on a tour of the school and in one of the classes, I see him again. His name is Dennis.  We talk briefly and then our group moves on.  

I can’t get him out of my mind.  As we load back into the vans and head out, Dennis is in the schoolyard, blowing kisses to me.  I blow them back through the window, but with each one send a prayer that he will be blessed.