We arrived at Zion's gate 2 weeks ago. I can't even tell you the sense of peace that came over me, and after talking with my team, I found out we all had it. Coming through the gate, I just knew that this month was going to be a really good month. We were welcomed after a 13 hour bus ride from Antigua, Guatemala with cheers and yummy food! It didn't take long for us to get to know the young boys living here, young boys taken off the streets and given a place to settle down and have a real family and be boys. And man, are they boys. They are crazy and wild and energetic and so just full of life. Tony Deine and his wife Nidia run Zion's Gate. Their family is at around 30 members right now. They have taken in young boys who have been neglected in so many ways. Many were addicted to thinner and other drugs before they came here. What is so awesome is how free they get to be here. They aren't here by court order and they aren't adopted, they have simply chosen to take themselves out of rough situations and addictions and to become better boys and eventually men. It's so inspiring to me to see little children striving for more. (One of the things I love about Honduras is their will to change. They know their status in the world isn't great, but the country as a whole is striving for so much more, and its really evident.)
A few days before we got here 2 boys had shown up at ZG, just to spend the night. Brian and Wilder haven't left yet. That seems to be a common theme here. Boys come to just hang out… And they never leave. Tony just incorporates them into the family. They have to do chores every day, they have to go to school, and they have to respect every member of this incredible family. Naturally, as I am finding out I am prone to have happen, my heart has just been tugged on by one of the boys- Wilder. He is so sweet. I was genuinely sad to leave him for the week to go to Gracie's.
Last week Tony took us around to see Tegucigalpa. We were at the top of this mountain overlooking the city, and I was just praying and talking to God when Wilder came up to me. He gave me a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek ( besos are my fav, be ready America I'm coming back kissing everyone) and he asked me why I was alone. Now, Wilder and I have a neat communication. He doesn't speak English, I don't speak Spanish, but we are both learning and we get along alright. I told him I was thinking, but it was funny because I was actually just thanking Jesus for bringing this sweet boy out of the streets. Later in the day we went to La Kennedy, where Wilder was from. It's a dump and almost everyone that lives there is addicted to thinner. Wilder had been clean for almost a week at this point. My favorite little brother Will has been on my mind a lot as I have been working with people his age that have had really bad things happen to them. Wilder reminds me if my Wilbur. The name resemblance for one. But the sweet demeanor and love is there too. He reminds me of being a big sister, and I've taken him under my wing as a little brother. Shout out to Wilby- I miss you bro. While I was at Gracie's I had this awful thought of "what if Wilder decided to go back". I could finally relax when we got back home and the first person I hugged was that sweet boy. But, I later found out that while we had been gone, he had gone back to La Kennedy and slipped up a little. Thankfully, God gave him guidance back to Tony's.
This month God is really just giving me a sense of family. I have missed mine so much being here, and I think it's because I'm surrounded by this incredible huge family that is quirky and imperfect but that loves each other regardless. It reminds me of home. It's comforting and wonderful. God has broken my heart for what breaks his through this ministry so far, and he has helped me to love the least. He is showing me patience and flexibility (2 favorite words here at ZG). He is molding my heart. He is using the people around me to refine me and make me a better person. I'm excited for the next couple of weeks.
