Have you ever had a friendship with someone without speaking any words? That’s not really possible right? I mean, you have to have conversation to know what they’re thinking, what they’ve gone through, what they’re currently going through, or most importantly, what they think about you. Before I came on the Race, I probably would have given that answer too. Let me tell you a story about Cristian.
We arrive in Honduras, basically run through a bus station to where our contacts are picking us up. Jump in the van, head to Baleada’s Express for dinner and home for rest. The next day we take a tour of San Pedro Sula. It’s not the safest place on the earth. “This is where you can buy any drug you want. This is where I get my produce sometimes. This street is where you can get tires or mufflers, anything car related.This is crack corner. This is the street where all the prostitutes live. Men will knock on any door, any hour of the night and get what they want. Here are some homeless people. This man comes to our ministry…” It continued. My heart broke. How in the world can I make an impact here? There are so many lost people. God sent me, and Alvah. Lets do this team.
Our first day of meeting the people of San Pedro Sula. Wednesday night. Terry and Shari are starting a new bible study at the mens rehab center, Ministrio Vita. We pull in, tons of men. (I mean, I don’t know why I expected anything different.) Get out of the van, aren’t quite sure what to think. Who are these men, is this a safe place, can we all sit together? Spread out…we’re going to teach them how to pray tonight. Okay Lord, I know you’re with me. I find a seat next to a young man. Probably no older than 19 or 20. He smiles at me as if to welcome me to his home, his name is Cristian. An older man on my right speaks English. We have a brief conversation before the study starts. Shari starts her study, Cristian is eager. He writes notes, reads passages, and listens intently. “Okay, we’re going to split into two groups and practice praying.” Shari explains the prayer exercise. Kendra starts, the translator translates. Everyone in the circle prays, it gets to Cristian. The translator prays and he repeats. Huh…interesting, but at least he prayed. I find out later that he wants to pray, he just doesn’t know how. He asked if he could repeat after someone. What a great way to learn. We leave quickly after and head home.
Thursday, our first day of service at Manos Unidas en Cristo. Look!! Some of the boys we met last night are here. There’s Cristian and his bright, smiling face. Who knew we would be seeing them again the next day? What a lovely surprise. That day, in the kitchen cutting vegetables and cracking eggs together, is when our friendship started. I can’t explain it. A relationship with out words is beyond words. We joke with each other, we smile every time we catch each others eye, we poke at each other, we hug, he cares about me, I care about him. One day he noticed my nose was a little red, every time he had the chance he asked by pointing to his nose, pointing to me, “rojo?” and a concerned look. I love this kid like he’s my brother. I don’t even know how to explain it. I see him 3 days a week and each time God gives me a little more love. How is it possible to have such a close bond with someone yet never having a single conversation?
I honestly don’t have words to explain it, but I can tell you that when next week comes and we’re driving away after our last day at ministry, I’ll be sad to leave him. Our spirits connected and I will always remember him. The bible study Ministrio Vita on Wednesday nights has become a time that we get excited about. Next week will be our last bible study there, what a sad day it will be for all of us. Please keep these men in your prayers. Last week some of us were able to hear just one of their stories. I can’t imagine what they have seen, what they’ve been through, and what kind of hold addiction could have on them. I do know that for now, this season, they’ve chosen to live at a rehab center and they’re trying to be free. Some of them are still struggling, some of them are walking in freedom today, yet the access to drugs is so easy. I’m sure I’ve seen a couple drug deals happen just on the side of the road as we’re driving, no big deal.
I don’t have many pictures from this month. If we have our phones/cameras out in public it puts a target on our back, not to mention it could get stolen right out of our hands. I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Don’t forget, I have two teammates that still need support to continue on the race. Kendra Harrell and Meghan Grant. You can find their blog sites on the left hand side of my blog. You guys rock and I hope you know it. Thanks again for all you’ve done for me.
