His smile grew faster than mine. Within minutes of knowing me he was tapping me on one shoulder and quickly stepping the opposite direction to feign innocence. When you are around him, you can’t help but laugh.
I speak very little Spanish, and him even less English but communication doesn’t seem to be a problem. He’s always playful and wants to interact.
Only he could get me to play fütbol (soccer) for 2 hours. I am not a sporty person at all, but it was a blast. He definitely let me get a few goals in. The final score was 21 to 4 (can you guess which was mine?).
Every other high-five he offers is slickly turned into a handphone before contact. And every greeting is accompanied by a fake “mirrar” (look), just so he can laugh at my gullibility.
I fell in love with this kid before I heard his story. How beautiful his smile, how comfortable and safe he is.
I could never guess the darkness in his past.
Mi Casa has done an amazing job with the kids whose families failed to show the care and protection they were created to provide. There’s no better name for this ministry than “My house”. Each child certainly feels at home here. They are so confident in the love, protection and care that they provide here.
It’s a blessing to see them and know them as who they are, instead of who they’ve been. And I’m so glad I got to know them before I heard their stories.
I learned a profound lesson from my teammate Lauren. As we were processing through the heaviness that is the kids’ past as a team, Lauren said “I want to do extra for them now that I know. But how crazy is that? We should be giving them extra before we find out their story. Their stories shouldn’t spur us to more action, we should be doing that in the first place.”
What an amazing life lesson!
Treat everyone as if they deserve all the love. Because they do.
There is a way you can send love to my new buddy Raul. This is his first year going to private school! Due to the situation in his life prior to Mi Casa, he fell very far behind in school.
He’s worked incredibly hard.
On our first day here, he had just earned his 4th grade diploma!
For the kids to go to a safe school here in El Salvador it costs $80 a month.
You can use the link below to give a one-time, just-in-time-for-Christmas donation, or you can give a monthly pledge that will automatically occur!
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/rau
If you want to hear his story, I’d be glad to share it via Email – [email protected] – subject line: Raul’s Story.
I encourage you to consider loving him extra for who he is now, because he is a blessing!
Also, if for any reason you would like to post a link on Facebook please use the more general education link which is https://secure.qgiv.com/for/givtueedu
Raul’s situation is such that his name or picture cannot be put on social media for his personal safety. Thank you!!
