Today was an incredibly beautiful and yet difficult day for the entire team. God really opened our eyes to the brokenness in this world and especially with the people in this country. My heart was broken a few times today. I was brought to tears over these beautiful children as I made some sweet friends today, and saw a small glimpse into their hearts and struggles. Although, in the midst of all the brokenness, there was much beauty. What a God we serve! My heart only aches because of God and His love for His people. Imagine how much God’s heart aches over them if this is how I feel? I can’t imagine. Let me tell you about today…
My mom and I had the privilege to teach four bible classes today. It was a lot of fun! We taught the younger kids that God is always with them, even though they can’t see Him. We told them the story of Jesus appearing to His disciples after His death on the cross and reminded them that even though Jesus went into heaven, He has left the Holy Spirit to be with us always. We taught the older kids that God is strong and mighty. We told them the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Surprisingly, many of the kids had never heard that story, so they were extremely intrigued! Again, it was great to watch the kids worship and sing praises to Jesus. These kids are taught to have so much reverence for our God. It shows in the way they humbly lift their hands in worship! It was such an amazing thing to witness – I feel so incompetent to be teaching them about The Lord!
During one of our teaching breaks I noticed a little girl (black and white photo above) had been following me around. I looked at her and said “Hola” and she ran up and gave me a huge hug! It was as if she knew me. She proceeded to reach into her pocket and pull out a tattered and dirty photo of her as a young child and a lady. She pointed to the picture and then to me and then continued to hug me. Suddenly it hit me. The lady in the picture with her was her sponsor and she thought I was her. In that moment my heart broke. Because of the language barrier I couldn’t even tell her that I wasn’t her sponsor! I decided to play along and sit and play with her. Eventually, she wanted a photo with me and so my mom took one. This little girl, Olivia, grabbed my camera and looked at the photo of her and I. She pulled out the photo of her and her sponsor and laid it beside it and immediately shook her head. She broke into tears. I knew that she finally realized I wasn’t who she thought I was. I held her while she cried but it was so incredibly sad. She stuck around me the rest of the day anyways, and I tried to show her much love. At the end of the day, Pastor Luis’ wife told me that Olivia’s mom is crazy and that she isn’t taken care of well. She is searching for love, and I hope and pray that she will search for that love in Christ and that Jesus will fill her up with all she needs.
Today was the day where we got to meet up with our Sponsor kids. My parents have been to Guatemala at this school a few times now, and they have sponsored two kids. A seven year old boy who they have had for a few years, named Marvin, and a five year old girl named Stephanie. I had the pleasure to meet Marvin yesterday. He is one of the most precious and kind hearted people I’ve ever met in my life! Today we got to sit down with his mother and a translator and chat with him – hearing about his life, school, and his favorite things. During the meeting, my parents gave him some gifts that they brought from home. Marvin (pictured above in the second row) then turned to me and gave me a picture and a card with a basket full of chocolates. He said it was for me! I had only met this boy one time before this and I was already so special to him. His card (pictured above in the second row) says that my friendship is so dear to him, He even included a bible verse on the back. This kid is a real gem! As we said good bye to Marvin, he started weeping and held on to me and my dad. My dad told him that he’d be back next year, and Marvin just cried. My heart absolutely broke. He is so sad that he couldn’t spend more time with us and that he won’t see us for awhile. My goodness, this child is so precious and has such a big heart! He has touched my life. I will never forget it.
Lastly, because today was hugely focused on the kids, I was able to sponsor a child of my own today! It was a big deal, as I’ve never sponsored a kid before. When these kids get sponsored, they are able to attend the AOJ school, get a great education and spend time learning about Jesus every day. Wow! I wanted another child to have this opportunity. I chose a little four year old boy named Axel (third from the top, left). The social worker was able to call the family and get them to come and meet me today! What a blessed opportunity. This family has six children. Their oldest child has cerebral palsy and lives in a home. They are only able to visit him once a month, and I can tell, just by chatting with them briefly, how hard it is on them. I had the opportunity to lay my hands on the family and pray for them – the mother was so grateful to me for this opportunity that I am giving her son. Axel and I got to cuddle and play some soccer as that is both our favorite sport! He had the biggest smile on his face as we kicked the ball back and forth! Every time I would ask him questions, he would always just say “si”. It was so funny! The translator just said: “I think he only knows how to say yes.” We had a great time playing together and I can’t wait to bless Axel.
Through all that happened today, I am so grateful for the mighty God that I serve. A God that cares for His people. A God that is strong and powerful and a God that answers the prayers of His people: “for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the heart knows what the mind of the spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
Another day, another blessed adventure here in Guatemala!
Refined Joy 