In a world of unfamiliarity, constant change, and movement; one thing has remained the same, love and compassion.
The love and compassion that the Lord has for his people is constant.
As I’ve sat here reflecting and processing through these past ten months. I’ve realized how many things are different. Yet in those different things I’ve found that to be constant. Every month.
All around the world the Lord is calling His people and they are doing his work. They’ve greeted me with kind smiles, open arms, and warm hugs. They have freely given of their time and resources even when they themselves have had little. They are an outpouring of God’s love.
Their hearts are the constant.
Their hearts that have been transformed by the Father that shower love on all those near is the constant. When you see Jesus in someone’s heart you can’t help but want to be near them.
This past month in El Salvador, I was blessed with meeting several different people that share the same changed heart.
I learned from them what it looks like to be selfless of my time and what it looks like to operate out of the love in our hearts.
I learned from the gracious family that took us in what it looks like to be hospitable even when you only have one days notice that a team of 7 is coming to stay with you.
I also learned from them what it looks like to live a life dedicated to ministry for the Lord and how to seek out those that most condemn.
My team and I were introduced to a few prostitutes that our host Miriam works with and it opened my eyes to the raw reality of the many women that are hurting and are desperate.
Miriam’s daughter, Katerin, showed me what it looks like to trust the Lord for his provision through prayer.
Her other daughter, Fernanda, showed me what a life of persistence looks like and not giving up the search even when rejected.
My team and I were also blessed with meeting a group called Young Life El Salvador. They taught me what it looks like to accept everyone where they are at by going to their towns, showing us their different outreaches, and meeting them at their level. I was captivated by the generosity, love, and support that this group showed my team and I.
Wendy, one of the leaders showed me what it looks like to live a life of grace and humility.
Lucas, another leader, showed me what it looks like to live a life of sacrifice and service.
Will and Rafael showed me what it looks like to try with all your heart to learn something new.
I also had the opportunity to meet a man named Melvin. His testimony is like no other that I’ve ever heard (I’ll be writing a separate blog about this). After being spared in a car accident the Lord has laid a passion in his heart to reach the seemingly unreachable.
He taught me what it looks like not to fear gangsters or those that are different from me. He showed me what it looks like to be persistent in prayer and wait for the Lord’s timing.
Tia Ana is another precious soul I was blessed to meet this past month. My heart was shaken, broken, and then filled with yearning after visiting her and the 21 children she has taken in.
Her testimony is one of redemption and the fruit she now bears is evident of that. She used to be a prostitute herself and she now takes in those children that prostitutes abandon.
My heart yearns to help her and all those children. She has taught me what it looks like to rise above preconceived perceptions and to rely on the identity we are given in Christ.
She has shown me what it looks like to do the seemingly impossible and have to rely on the Lord for provision.
Month 10 was humbling to say the least.
I was blessed to live with those that embody the love of Christ and to share it with those around them.
I will carry these life lessons with me from this day forward.
Thank you, Month 10.
