YOU SHOULD FIRST READ PART ONE HERE!
The bus engine was roaring, the driver was ready to go.
The last of the bags was being loaded. Heydi and her friends had been playing
on the swing set on the property for the last two hours. We had already had at
least sixteen premature goodbyes because she thought I was leaving- though I
really wasnt. I had already said goodbye to all the staff on the property, but
there was one more person that I had promised to go visit before I left. I
sprinted the 500 feet down the road to the pulperia. Maria was there, sitting
on the picnic tables as she normally was.
“Jochem!” (It always sounded more like ya-com.) She
shouted in delight as she saw me approaching.
“Maria! Como estas?” I responded.
We exchanged a few sentences back and forth in Spanish,
but I didnt have much time to kill- I could see up the road the bus was
getting ready to go. I told Maria that I had an amazing two and half weeks
hanging out with her and her family at her pulperia. I explained how thankful I
was for her smiles, laughs, generosity, and how tasty her food was. She was
strangely quiet, and I didnt quite know how to act. I leaned in and gave her a
hug and then gave the culturally appropriate kiss on the cheek.
I stepped back and saw that her eyes were filled with water.
Shoot.
Tears began to drip down her face.
What now? I froze. I had no idea what
to do.
I looked at her one last time, choked up and said thank you, and then
gave her one more hug.
I hung my head as I raced back to the property and then
hopped on the bus.
What the heck was wrong?
What just happened?
Why was she
so emotional?
I replayed and thought about this scene the entire bus
ride to Nicaragua.
I thought that Maria and her family had blessed me in
countless ways more than I had blessed their family. The problem was that I was
looking at more physical and tangible blessings. I thought their physical
blessings (coffee, ice cream, and tacos) were plentiful- I only brought them my
food once! The
thing is, I was a blessing myself that I didnt immediately realize.
I brought myself, as well as a friend from my squad. I
took a heavy interest in their lives. I gave them lots of attention. I made
them feel like a million dollars. I treated Heydi like my sister and took her and all the neighborhood
children out on adventures, walks, and fun. I brought relief and gave quiet
time to the aunt and grandma. I brought laughs, language barriers, and
pictures. I was INTENTIONAL in getting to know this family. I wanted to know
everything about them. I was thorough in my questions- the more ridiculous the
question the better! Every day Maria asked if I had found her a new husband yet
if I had gone out that day. They asked about my family, they asked me about the ministry I had done that
day, and they asked when I was coming back to see them. The friendship that I
had with this family was unusual, rare, and fantastic.
Maybe thats all this family needed. Someone taking note
of their lives- taking an interest in who they are and what they do. Its so
simple to me, but I feel like its so rare for this family to experience this. I
believe as Christians, the Lord has placed so many people close to us that we
simply just dont reach out to. Think about it. Your neighbor, your crossing
guard, your hairstylist, or maybe your barista that you see every week at the
Starbucks. These people might be dying inside- just to have a friend or
sometime to spend time with. I challenge you to be intentional and to reach out
to people that you have somewhat regular conversations with. It doesnt take
much! Take an interest in someones life and you WILL be a blessing, as well as
blessed yourself.
Im so so sooooo happy that God put me in Honduras, at
Zions Gate, and walked me down the road one day- just for me to have a
friendship with this family and for me to learn this important lesson. This is
a family that I will never forget!
Hebrews 10:22-25
“Let us
draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance
that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a
guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let
us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(maria and daughter)
(heydi’s goodbye present)
(beautiful hike)
(school celebration)
(never forget)
