A little over 2 months ago I walked into a classroom full of 30 Guatemalan kids and one teacher…
I didn’t know any of their names.
I was overwhelmed by all the Spanish I was hearing.
A little over 5 days ago I walked out of a classroom full of 30 Guatemalan kids and one teacher…
I know not only their names, but their little personalities also.
I understand almost all of what is said and communicate mostly by loving on them.
These are no longer 30 random kids, they are my kids.
Seño Nely is no longer just a teacher that I help, she is my friend.
Sure you would say I helped a lot there and I taught the kids a lot of things, but actually they have taught me more than I could have ever taught them.
They simply taught me how to love.
Ricardo taught me how to love by running and jumping into my arms every day without expecting anything but love in return.
Daniela taught me how to love with her sweet, beautiful smile.
Dominic taught me how to love with his random countless hugs throughout the day.
Lupita taught me how to love with her quiet, caring demeanor.
Jesús and Yair taught me how to love by testing my patience in every way possible.
Fernanda taught me how to love with her little laugh every time I tickle her.
These boys taught me how to love by never failing to greet me as soon as I walked into the classroom, asking me to tie their shoes, help them with work, and always yelling for me to give them more glue.
These girls taught me how to love by always asking me to play with them on the slide, push them on the swings, and with all their endless hugs.
I was so incredibly blessed by my time here and am so thankful I had the opportunity of a consistent ministry here in Guatemala.
Working with kids would probably not have been my first choice before the race, but God always has different plans that are so so good.
Thank you niños for all the parties, laughs, and memories.
Thank you for the constant joy and love you gave me.
I don’t know what you will all grow up to be or what your life will look like someday but I hope sometimes you remember the random gringa that loves you so much.
