A final wrap up on El Salvey and an intro into Hundury…
I can’t believe that I am already halfway through my second month. Super crazy, time is flying. Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted a blog…but here ya go.
Here are my closing thoughts on El Salvador:
I can’t look back at all the houses I built or wells I dug for thirsty people. I can’t think back to the great conversations I had that led others to make better decisions with their lives. What I can say, is that I learned a little more about love. I learned how to love without my words (mostly because I did not have words to say) but by my actions. I must admit, I was a bit discouraged that I had not done “more” in El Salvador.
As much as I would have loved to have built a house…they eventually get roof leaks and or fall apart. What I got to give to the people of El Salvador was more than a tangible, breakable object, it was a genuine love. And isn’t that what we are called to do? I think Jesus sums up our duty as a Christian by saying, “love Me, first and foremost; and then, love others!” That’s what I did. I was able to leave El Salvador satisfied with my month because I know that I took opportunities to love.
On to Honduras:
This month is going to be a challenging on two levels, emotionally and physically. We (my entire squad of 45) are all living on a property, Zions Gate. It is run by an American man, Tony, who takes in boys off the streets.
There are 7 ‘street boys’ who are also living on the property. It is AMAZING to see what God has done in their lives. They are 10-17 years old and all have been taken off the streets and out of terrible situations. They are loud, rambunctious, and IN LOVE with us. They have such a desire to become friends with us, learn English, and show off their impressive bicycle skills.
Here is a little bit of what I will be able to do this month:
- Projects at Zion’s Gate (where we are staying), painting, landscaping, and rebuilding a class room for the boys private English lessons.
- There is a soccer organization that is huge here in Honduras that puts teens on a soccer team and gives them jersey and in return they need to show up to a bible study. So our team put together stacks of 16 jerseys according to size and color to help this organization out.
- On Fridays we all go to a correction center for teens that have been taken off the streets. A lot of these kids hate being there and so we come and try to bring some hope and a few laughs to these depressed kids. We paint nails, make friendship bracelets, and sing songs.
- Some are teaching English and music at a local school.
- And my personal favorite, getting to know the street boys that hang out at Zion’s Gate. There is one little guy, Mario, who is 14. Mario has no mother and his dad drives a city bus all day 7 days a week. Mario has no education, likes to smoke pot, inhale paint thinner, and steal. BUT because he has been hanging out at Zion’s Gate, he has been receiving 3 full meals a day, hasn’t been high is a long time, and learned how to write his name. Mario has stolen one thing and that’s my heart. I love this kid. I love his only green shirt he wears that smells like a puppy. I love that he puts his hair in a mohawk every day. His little toes pop out of most of the shoes he wears. I don’t love that. I love that he now hugs me with two arms (that took some time) and I love that one day he came right up to me and gave me a piece of his chocolate! I’ll tell you what else I love…that Mario came to the correction facility with us, not to go in as an inmate, but as an EXAMPLE to the teens there, that their lives can change too. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?? SO FREAKIN’ AWESOME! Here’s what else I love: that little Mario was dancing and singing to the goofy Christian songs at the correction facility…I freakin’ love that. As I am writing this I am torn between laughing and crying. It is amazing to see what a little bit of love/God can do in someone life. Mario is hanging out at Zion’s Gate because he is choosing to. Not because he is being forced to. He is being shown true love and he keeps coming back. He is being respected, trusted (with all of our stuff around), he’s even being hugged…I don’t think he is used to hugs…but I’ve been giving him A LOT of hugs….the good kind of hugs, where I pick him up and spin him around and squeeze him real tight, best part of my day! Below is me and Mario! 🙂
This month has been so great. I love what I am doing. I know it is where I am supposed to be. I am so thankful to everyone who has supported me…financially, mentally, or prayerfully. I wouldn’t be able to hug Mario if it weren’t for you! So thank you! Thank you for believing in what I am doing. I love it! 🙂
Thanks for reading!
