This past weekend reminded me of the deep and meaningful connections we can build with children through simple, consistent acts of love and presence. Grace and her younger sister Franklin have been away from church for a couple of Sundays due to their mum’s work. But even in our short time apart, they felt my absence deeply just as much.
On Sunday, their parents shared with me that Grace had been asking since Friday to use her mum’s phone to call me. Her mother gently explained, “Ldr Des nau tsol pinis lo wok kam, and he might be tired and needs to rest.” Grace responded softly, “It’s okay, I just wanted him to pray with me, because I missed him.” When her mum asked again why, Grace simply said, “Because Ldr Des is a nice leader, and I missed him.” After saying that, she quietly went to her bed and slept. Her mum later shared that she regretted not letting her speak to me—knowing how much I value my conversations with them.
My connection with Grace and her baby sister Franklin began in 2023, when they started attending church regularly with their mother. Grace is very open and a straight shooter. She never stops talking, always full of curiosity and questions. Every Sunday, I made it a point to visit them in their seats—shaking hands, giving hugs, telling stories, and offering a word of encouragement. I did this not just for them, but for all the children. I once even had the chance to take them for a Sunday School class for the whole year.
One particular Sunday in early April 2025, while ushering during the sermon, I came and stood beside Grace and noticed her quietly writing Psalm 23 in her notebook. I remembered she had once told me it was her favourite Bible passage. I smiled, peeped at her work, and quietly walked away to my seat.
That encounter lingered with me. The next day, I downloaded a Psalm 23 graphic, edited, and printed it on quality hardcover paper, framed it beautifully, signed it off and personally dropped it off at her mum’s workplace for her. When Grace received the gift, she was both surprised and overjoyed. She asked her mum to hang it on her bedroom wall as a special memory of Ldr Des.
Outside of Sundays, Grace and Franklin often call me using their mum’s phone—just to say a prayer or have a simple conversation. They ask how I’m doing, how work is going, and tell me about school—the kind of chats only children can initiate, full of honesty, warmth, and innocence. No matter how busy I may be, I always excuse myself to talk with them, because I know these moments matter.
I can vividly remember one afternoon last month. After arriving home from work, I got freshened up and was about to blend my smoothie. I had a call coming, and without looking, as I was focusing on the blender, I answered and said hello. These two kids exclaimed in excitement and said, “Hello, Ldr Des!” so loudly that I was shocked. I greeted them and we talked for about an hour. I asked them how they managed to call me, and they said, “Mummy is at work, but she left her phone at home, so we asked Daddy to give us the phone to call you.” Haha, we laughed! What funny little kids!.
I’ve come to learn that when you show genuine care and attention to children, they never forget it. They treasure it, and it becomes part of their little world.
P.S.: All the kids in the church call me Ldr Des or Uncle Des (especially those whose parents I’ve grown close to over the years) .
Pic: Grace and Franklin
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