The school year in Guatemala has come to an end. This has brought a great opportunity for my team and I a new ministry. We have been going to the small village “Ayapan” (where we worked in the school) and putting on a morning summer camp for the kids to come to.
All of the kids meet us at 9:30 at the soccer field. We play soccer, paint nails, play with hair, play catch, feed them a snack, and sing and dance to VBS songs in Spanish. It has been so fun because its been the first time those kids have ever had something for them to do on their break. It is also the first time that we have really had a chance to bond with the kids outside of school and really tell them what the love of Jesus is.
During this I have recently (last Thursday) met a special needs kid named Polo. Polo is 19 years old. He has the sweetest smile. He can’t talk very well, but he can say “ball.” My heart melted the first time I saw him. I knew immediately Polo and I would have to be friends. I Started our friendship off by playing ball with him. He loves to throw the ball and when he catches it his face lights up with the biggest smile.
Friday we didn’t go to Ayapan because we made toy cars out of wood for the kids. So I don’t know if Polo had returned to the soccer field looking for us.
Monday morning I was so excited to return to Ayapan to see Polo. When we first arrived Polo wasn’t there. I waited around and he still didn’t come. So one of the guys and I decided we would try and find Polo’s house and go get him to come play. Sure enough we found Polo’s house. We asked around in broken spanish if he wanted to play. He said no and we left.
A while later he showed up ready to play “ball.” I was so happy that he was happy. I couldn’t imagine living the life he lives. 19 years old with no shoes and figuring out that no one ever plays with him. He is made fun of and bullied for being different.
Today we had the chance to give away our toy wooden car creations to the kid of our choice. I knew while making it that I would give my car to Polo. I couldn’t to give it to him because I knew that it would be something that is treasured. Sure enough, he followed me all the way to the van to get it. When I gave it to him he looked at it over and over with a smile. Another Squad mate reminded me that Polo will value the car for far more than what is worth.
Every time I looked at Polo he would look down at his car and smile. My heart smiled so big today.
I know that most of all that Polo is so loved and so cherished by God. I know that through Polo I can see the Lord smiling at me. I know that because of Polo’s life I can be humbled. I know that Polo through us can see the love that the Lord has for him. I know that through the little time that we spend with him will be a huge part of his life. That means more to me than anything.
