“Flooded with Love,” Friend, May 2023, 26–27.
Flooded with Love
“Can we help Jose’s family too?” Marius asked.
This story took place in the Philippines.
As Marius walked up to his house, he could hear people talking inside. He peeked through the window.
I wonder who is here, he thought. His mom lived in another country for work, so usually it was just him and Lola (Grandma) at home.
He opened the door. All of his friends were there!
“Surprise!” they said.
“We wanted to celebrate you and the medal you got at your Taekwondo competition,” said Jose, Marius’s best friend.
“I am so proud of you.” Lola squeezed Marius in a big hug. “Your mother’s on the phone! I’m sure she’ll want to hear all about your medal.”
After Marius was done talking to Mom, he and his friends enjoyed the party. They had fun talking and eating Lola’s yummy food.
“Want to go bowling with me tomorrow?” Jose asked before he left.
“Yeah!” Marius said.
That night before bed, Marius said a prayer. “Heavenly Father, thank Thee for giving me such great friends and family. Please bless my mom while she’s far away. And please bless me to have fun bowling with Jose tomorrow.”
But the next day, Marius didn’t get to go bowling. A big rainstorm came, and everyone had to stay inside. Marius sat at home, listening to the rain pounding on the roof. He wished he could see Jose.
For three days, it kept raining. The streets flooded with water. Some houses in Marius’s neighborhood flooded too.
Later Marius found Lola in the kitchen. She was cooking something that smelled delicious.
“What are you cooking?” he asked.
“I’m making food for some families in our ward,” she said. “Their houses flooded, so the bishop asked me to help.”
Marius thought of Jose. “Can we make food for Jose’s family? They might need help too.”
“That’s a great idea,” Lola said.
Marius cooked some rice and fried eggs for Jose and his family. Then he helped Lola pack up the food.
Finally the rain stopped. Marius and Lola waded into the streets to deliver the food. The water was up to Marius’s knees!
They found Jose and his family standing outside their house. Jose was crying.
Marius hugged his friend. “I’m sorry your house got flooded,” he said. “Jesus loves you. And we do too.”
Together Marius and Jose helped clean the muddy things in Jose’s house. Marius sang “I Am a Child of God” as they worked. When they took a break, Marius gave Jose the food he made for him.
“Thanks for helping my family,” said Jose. “And thank you for the food! It’s delicious.”
“You’re welcome,” Marius said.
“Do you think you could tell me more about Jesus? And the song you’ve been singing?” asked Jose.
“Sure!” Marius said. “Would you like to come to church with me on Sunday? That’s where I learn about Jesus. And we can sing together too.”
“OK,” Jose said.
Marius felt warm inside. He was glad he could help Jose and his family. And he was happy he could share the gospel too.
Illustrations by Jamie Bauza