Argentina Reflections

Four Kings, by Walter Forcatto

Why does the kingdom of God belong to the poor as Jesus of Nazareth said it did? I recently asked myself this question as a result of a truly humbling and beautiful experience I had with four young boys on the street, whom I call the four kings. This happened the day before a celebration here in argentina called "Reyes Magos."

In January, Argentines celebrate what is known as "Reyes Magos" (Magi or wise men). It is said that the three wise men on their way to see the incarnation of God's son and the savior of the world stop by each house in the early hours of january 6th and leave gifts for the children at each house. So the night of January 5th families fill a bowl or bucket with water and place some grass on the floor for the camels. A pair of the child's shoes is also left for the Magi. When the children wake up the next morning the water and grass are gone and in return a present "left" behind.

I was returning from the grocery store with my wife and daughter after having enjoyed some delicious ice cream on a warm summer day. As we were walking back home we noticed four young boys with a shopping cart full of cardboard, and some bags which they had obviously been collecting from the trash Most likely they would take these things home to be recycled by their parents. At the moment we stumble upon them they were playing on a brick fence in front of a tall apartment building. As we approached them, to my surprise and joy, I recognized one of them. His name is David* and he’s nine years old. I had come to know him at the plaza where I meet and hang out with the youth on the street. His family for some time had made their home in that little plaza. I was pleasantly surprised because I had not seen David for several weeks. We stopped and said hello to him and his friends. "Hey, Walter!" was his response as he told the other boys that I was his friend.

After talking for a few mintues we were about to leave and just then my wife adriana said, "give them a bag of the cookies we bought." I pulled the cookies out of the gorcery bag and handed it to David. He grabbed the cookies and turned towards his friends to share. We said goodbye and started walking away. Then immediately we hear the boys yelling, "Stop we have this bag for your daughter!" I turn around only to see one of the boys running towards me with bag in his hand. "Looks it's full of toys for your daughter." As I looked in the bag sure enough it was full of several used toy cars and several action fiugres. In total there were 40 in the bag! Imagine just how much fun these eight- and nine-year-old boys could have had with that many toys! I did not want to receive the bag because I felt bad accepting this gift. They had worked to find these toys. Suddenly, I hear my wife's wisdom, "Accept the wonderful gesture." And then David said with a smile, "You gave us the cookies and so we gave you the bag."

This spontaneous, kind and innocent act of selfless love and service by David and his three friends is, I believe, the meaning and mystery behind Jesus words, "Let the little children come to me...for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Luke 18:16) I'm still as dumbfounded as when it happened. A generous gift given to my daughter by four boys who will perhaps never have the opportunities that she will. Take a moment to let it sink in. Even now as I write I feel my eyes welling up with tears. What true selflessness, what pure love those beautiful boys shared with us. Undoubtedly these are values that reflect the nature of God's kingdom. But David and his friends surely don't understand their action in this light (or maybe their actions would say otherwise!). To them it was just the right thing to do, almost as natural and immediate as a parents love at the first gaze at their newborn baby. I pray that they will know they are princes in the Kingdom of heaven and that the kingdom does indeed doubly belong to them because they are poor and because they are children. (Matt 5:3, Mark 10:14, Luke 6:20). I also pray that I will allow myself be taught and challenged by these unlikely kings to live in the same spirt of generous love and service towards others.

Those boys, who perhaps right at this moment are looking through the trash for things to recycle and sell, were my kings this year. Not three but four hidden kings left me a priceless and most beautiful gift: a real, tangible experience with Jesus and a glimpse of how the Kingdom of God will be like when it is fully realized on earth. A kingdom of love, joy, and selfless service.

Walter and his wife, Adriana, serve among children of the streets. They are the Argentina Field Directors and South America Regional Coordinators. They reside in Buenos Aires with their daughters, Cora and Amani.

*David's name has been changed to protect his privacy.