Pt. 2
“Home is where the heart is”….and part of mine is in Nicaragua.
In 2008, my worldview, idea of God, life’s desire, and my capacity for love changed. I thought it would just be a cool trip to take with my dad and brother, little did I know what the Lord had planned. I never knew you could love a place so much. That trip to Nicaragua and all the visits that followed have been the true love of my life and continue to be my second home.
During that first trip I met a little girl that confirmed something deep in my heart—adoption, I met a community that my heart aches for, and I met a family I never knew I had.
First, let’s talk about Maribel.
Turn off the winding road in the middle of nowhere and drive down the dirt road past the rows of magnificent trees and there is the Children’s of Destiny Home. There you will find a group of dormitories surrounded by a beautiful open piece of land. The playground sits to the left and there playing are most beautiful children you’ve ever laid eyes on. This is Maribel’s home.
The first year I met her was on her 2nd birthday. There was a piñata, candy, and lots of smiles. Somehow this little one quickly became my sidekick. We played in the field, swung on the hammock, and laughed hysterically at each other. I left that day with the biggest burden in my heart and I couldn’t get this little girl out of my mind. It wasn’t a feeling of, “I feel so bad for her,” or, “this poor orphan needs me.” Instead I felt an overwhelming connection to her and I felt compelled to open a space in my life for her. I had to know more about her and how I could be a part of her life.
I found out that she came to the orphanage when she was close to 1 years old. She lives there with her little sister, Tatiana, and her older brother Isidro. The conditions in which these siblings came to the home are tragic and out of respect to their privacy I will leave these details out. But, ultimately coming to the orphanage was a life saving event for these siblings. The people who serve here love these children, they take remarkable care of them, and most importantly they raise them with knowledge of who God is and how much He loves them.
Maribel is both beautiful and smart. She is protective of her little sister and friendly to others. She has a smile that will melt your heart and the cutest soft spoken voice. She is a ball of energy and I’m told she can keep up with any of the boys!
Since that first meeting, I have visited Maribel many times. Every time I see her it’s both a beautiful reunion and a painful goodbye. Each visit or letter I get from her is further confirmation that the Lord has called me to be involved in her life and lives of orphans. Currently, that means I sponsor her each month and visit when I can. I pray for her daily and love her deeply. I don’t know what the future holds for Maribel and me, but I know that she will be a part of my family in whatever capacity the Lord sees fit.
Maribel’s story is another reason I am choosing to spend a year of my life on The World Race. These little lives continue to make such an impression on my heart and that drives me to want to share His love with so many more. Maribel encourages me that when people step out of their comfort zone and chose to follow Christ, places like the Children’s of Destiny Home can be established. Children are able to leave behind their troubled past and experience a home and family that loves and cherishes them. I see that God cares about the orphans and the forgotten. He cares about them so much that He is sending me to hug their tiny necks, to kiss their chubby cheeks, and to tell them in person there is a Father in Heaven who loves them unconditionally. He is sending me to tell them that His love doesn’t hurt or cause pain, it doesn’t come with strings attached, and that they are precious is His eye. I can’t wait to tell them how special they are to me and most importantly to Him.
Opportunity:
I have committed to sponsor Maribel $100 each month for the past 4 years. I will continue to do this for as long as the Lord tells me to. Since this next year, I will not have an income beyond what money I raise, I am opening up the opportunity for someone to take on the financial support of Maribel for the next year. I ask that you pray about this and if the Lord lays this on your heart, please let me know and I will give you the details. There is no pressure, because I have money saved to keep her supported if there is no one who feels this calling.
