First off, I apologize for being so behind on posting this blog. Nevertheless, it was important I fill you in on our last week in Honduras, although we have been in
Nicaragua for a week now.
Let’s see . . . the last week in Honduras with Tony and the
boys was by far the best we had throughout our time with them. I watched my
first professional “futbol” game (Olimpia vs. Montagua), was sick yet again,
made salvation bracelets with the community of Los Pinos, got some paint up on
the walls at La Finca (sorry for not finishing that Tony), worshipped at La
Roca one last time, and had some quality time with Tony, the boys, two of our
squad leaders, Team Arrow, and my team as well. Henry also accepted Christ
through his relationship with Jake! We couldn’t have been more blessed with a
way to end our time in Honduras. That’s where the fun ended though. My heart was also broken worse than it ever has been before.
Olimpia vs. Montagua Some of the boys after church.
Jake and Henry
During our last week, Cristo and Josue were doing thinner
again, the boys started skipping school for no reason, and let’s not forget, we had to leave them. Despite feeling discouraged and heartbroken over the
choices the boys had made, I felt strongly that God wasn’t giving up on them,
and neither was I. I felt strong going into our last night with the boys in Los
Pinos, sitting in their 3-walled shack with our entire group and their mother
Lillian. We fellowshipped and laughed about the memories we had made, and
watched as they shared their personal photo albums we made for them with everyone in the room. You would have thought we had given them something they
had yearned for their entire lives. Maybe we actually had, but they had just been unaware of what this was. We planned to view this night as a celebration of the
blessings God had provided each of us with. I mean we even had funfetti
cupcakes with sprinkles. At least we had good intentions, right? As I shared a
corner of the bed with Lillian, she hugged me as our heads were bowed in
prayer. Everyone had spoken their thoughts, given thanks, and as the finale was
drawing near, I felt her tears dripping on me . . . and then my own. I heard
sobs from each corner of the tiny room. Not sniffling, but gut wrenching,
convulsing sobs from teenage boys and all of us emotional folks.
We were supposed to be the mature ones. The ones who
remained strong for these boys. We were supposed to explain to them why we had
to leave and that everything was okay . . that this was part of the plan the
entire time. So what happened? Instead, I couldn’t hug each one of them hard
enough, or emphasize the love I had for them was stronger than any love
I had ever experienced before. I tried to stress how much I would miss them and
that I would see them soon. I couldn’t pry myself from that room. I couldn’t
force myself to begin the long walk in the dark down from Los Pinos. I couldn’t
let go of Cristofer’s hand as he walked the walk by my side. I couldn’t stop
crying as I waved goodbye to the boys running behind our taxis. I couldn’t
watch as I saw them standing on the street corner behind us. I couldn’t even
grasp what was going through their heads, because I didn’t even know what was
going on in mine.
Sunset in Los Pinos on our last day.
All I knew was that my heart was broken and I didn’t know
what to do about it. I still don’t know what to do about it. All I know is that
I am thankful to have a faithful God who takes care of His children. He is
taking care of my team and I here in Nicaragua, and He is taking care of the
boys in Honduras. He has sent two teams in our place to continue to be a Christ
example in their lives and to love on them like crazy. Praise God for His
faithfulness to those who don’t deserve anything from Him!
If you want to keep up with how the boys are doing and be
updated on Tony’s ministry . . 1) read my next blog, and 2) keep up with the
blogs of teams Crash of Love and Lionheart this month.
