Celebrity status takes on a whole new meaning here. Everywhere my team goes, we are starred at, called out to, hugged, waved at, blown kisses and often we hear, “Gringo!” or “Americano!” Riding in the bed of Raul’s truck (it’s impressive how many people we’ve managed to load on that that vehicle – 17 at highest count!) is enough to make you feel a) VERY LOVED and b) VERY HUMBLED.
One of my teammates marveled aloud at how fortunate we were to have been born in the United States. Through nothing that our parents or any of us achieved, none of us were born into poverty or into a country where education MUST be bought. And still, because of that unexplained favor, we are something of a spectacle here. Children look to us with eyes of longing and want, as if we only need hold their hand or smile and everything about that moment will be okay.
It’s frustrating to know I can’t do much beyond THAT MOMENT. I can’t take them all home with me, as much as I would love to! (Ready for that, Mom?) I can’t ensure that at the next mealtime they will have enough. I can’t promise them electricity or air conditioning or even education. They look at me as if saying, “You can help! Please be my Gringo! Give me love. Give me a chance.”
My new friend, Addi, from Azua, Dominican Republic.
I’m learning that, at times, like when I watch my new friend Addi play volleyball with skill and athleticism far surpassing my own and realize that all that talent and promise goes home to two rooms made of metal nailed together, a dirt floor, no lights and a house full of people, all I can honestly do is pray for her, hug her whenever possible, stumble through a broken conversation and trust that through God’s power I am some kind of encouragement to flourish in school, stay on fire for God (you should hear her pray and sing!) and trust that she will follow the Biblical promise of a plan for her life.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
And, I’ll keep on being her Gringo. 🙂
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
*Please be in prayer for Addi. When we walked to the waterfall today, she cut her foot pretty bad on a rock (and still hiked all the way to the top with us!!!)
