This was a short ministry month and so it can be difficult to connect with hosts and the community, yet it was such a rich month for me. I learned alot about making use of time, missionary life on the field and taking every opportunity to invest in people.
We had a sweet woman, named Belen from the church make us lunch everyday. It was fun to eat traditional Peruvian food. I think I might secretly be Peruvian because I love my rice, fries and ahi(a spicy sauce, not the fish) and mayonaise(Portlanders, please don't kill me)! 🙂 Belen and her family lives a few blocks away and their eldest son, Benjamin goes to the preschool in our house. They have 3 sons; 6, 3 and a few months old. We connected with them the most and goodbyes were tearful. I learned so much about hospitality from them and the entire community. They would give us so much even if it was all they had. There is such a pure love and generosity that is rooted deep in their hearts. I have been learning that the less people have, the less they hold onto and the more they give. I want to be that way.
On Easter, we were invited to Belen's parent's house and her sister and some dear friends were there too. We were ushered into this clean and neat home. The couches were to the right and directly ahead was the table. The kitchen and other rooms were towards the back of the house. The ceiling had streamers and a disco ball because apparently they have dance lessons at their house! The floor was hard-packed, uneven dirt. It was one of the cleanest places I have been! They had us sit down and served a delicious lunch and waited on us hand and foot. They didn't even eat with us but were so happy to have us as their guests. I have no idea if they even ate, but their hearts rang true with the selfless love of their Heavenly Father.
Throughout the month I had a chance to become friends with a little group of 9-13yr olds in the community. They were precious. I kind of became their big sister. We would play soccer together and chat. Whenever the big garage door to the church was open, at least one of their little faces would peek in the door at some point looking for me. It was the cutest thing. I saw such a need in the community. When an 11yr old boy runs and jumps up in your arms with all legs and arms whenever he sees you, there is some love missing. They were very adament that I am coming back for Feliz Navidad! haha. Roger was one of them and I finally had a chance to braid sweet little Natalie's hair. The 2 year old was the best at sitting still and just let me put braids in her fly-away, black hair. She would walk down the street with her mommy and wave to me with a big smile. What a cutie.
It was a great, rich ministry month for me. I enjoyed the little relationships that were developed. Our hosts spoke into me alot and I was so blessed to receive that. God is so good! It is crazy we are finishing month 4 but they have been some of the hardest and richest months of my life! Bring on the next 7, Lord!!
