4:27 PM
September 22nd, 2019
Okay so I’m writing this again because my blog didn’t go through! Sad.
Hello all! Updating on time believe it or not. Lots to tell so strap in.
Yesterday, a few of us went into town for fun. We just grabbed soke food and hung out, nothing too crazy going on besides myself and April’s innate ability to attract every stray dog within a five mile radius. In case you’re wwondering, there’s a lot. Do I have to stop to pet them all? Obviously. On the way back, the kind driver we had had his on with him. Sweetest little kid ever. we talked for 15 minutes, in Spanish of course, about his favorite foods and every color we could think of.
As we arrived at our destination, he threw his arms around me and gave me enormous kisses on my cheek. He then jumped out to say goodbye and give me another hug. As his father went around to the driver seat, I grabbed his little face in my hands and told him that God loves him and is always with him. his kind brown eyes brightened and then dimmed a little, as if he was being told by someone else that my words were untrue. I quickly drew his ante took back to me and told him. “Seriously, its true. Do you understand?” He smiled again and nodded and gave me another peck on the cheek.
Today, for a little adventure, my team and I went ziplining. Ridiculously fun, two hours of being strapped in from platform to platform, and lots of cool tricks. I did something called a superman and went upside down. All in all, great idea for fun. No waiver? No problem. Was it technically safe? I’lol let you decide that on your own.
On our way back to the orphanage, we stopped in Moyogalpa (a small town) for some lunch. As we sat and ate, April pointed towards something and I saw little feet sticking out from a hammock not too far away. I narrowed my eyes and nearly jumped out of my seat. It was the little boy from yesterday! He jumped up and gave me a huge hug. His dad told me I was his good friend.
After lunch, we all decided that a little ice cream at the local tienda sounded good. We walked a good bit there and then went in. As we were leaving, a man sat at the steps. He had palm tree leaves all bound together in a heap. He began using them to make us each a sweet gift. Sort of like balloon animals, a flower, grasshopper, heart. We loved them and spoke silly meaningless words back and forth for a few minutes. After he finished, he looked at us almost timidly and asked if we could give him some money for food. No one really hesitated, we all reached into our pockets. We know the rules and cautions, but there really wasn’t any thinking it through on our part.
After we gave him what we had, Josh turned to me and asked me to ask him if we could pray for him, because I’m the only one who knows Spanish. I asked the man if that was okay and he agreed. As we all laid hands on him, I prayed over him half in English and half in Spanish with words of encouragement from my team sounding over him. We them pulled back and he looked up to us in thanks. After a few words, he began to sob. Choked up, he told us his story, while I translated to my team. He thinks God is too big. And mad. He says he has nowhere to go, nothing to eat, and no one to help him. He told us everything he could about those he has lost over the years. I then told him that God loves him with all his heart and he is always with him.
I then invited him to church with us next weekend. He nodded enthusiastically through tears but then expressed his feeling about his old Catholic church and how he couldn’t get there anymore or to our church. We already handled and offered to meet him at the local store the morning of the 29th. My team asked me to tell him things that they felt God putting on their hearts. “God loves you.” “You are a son of God therefore have family in Christ.” ”He sent us to see you because he cares so much.” We then assured him we would be there Sunday and he should be too.
A teammate of mine, Rylee, bought him snacks and had me tell him that God gave her the will to give. As we left, she began to cry and my eyes watered. We felt selfish. Here we are, worrying over budgeting our supply of money for various excursions and adventures and snacks and Oscar has no idea where his next meal will come from, at the mercy of those he asks for money on the streets.
I feel God leading me places, and I am doing my best to listen and be obedient. A few days ago I closed my eyes and asked God to give me an image. Without telling me what it meant, He sent me a doll, one of those oldtimey ones with yarn for hair. I noted it then went about my. shines. Yesterday in town, we picked a random store and went in. As I turned the corner my heart skipped a beat. It was the doll! What did it mean? I wasn’t sure. Confusion lacing my mind, I forgot about it. But today I knew. God has purpose for me here and all I need to do is be obedient to His will.
Talk soon!
Mack
