Our time of ministry in Guatemala is officially over and I can hardly believe it, it feels like time has been on fast forward. The only things that lie between Mi Casa Kids orphanage in El Salvador and my team is a Sabbath, a few days of Debrief, and a bus ride.
This past Thursday night all 60 of us were blessed to travel to a local orphanage that 2 of the teams on L squad have been working at. Shane, the founder, put on a pizza party to thank all of us for the service we have done in the surrounding community. There are 22 kids at the orphanage , each one has been removed from a household of abuse and abandonment and placed into this God-fearing, loving place that they now call home.
Upon arrival all of us, even the strangers, were greeted with monstrous bear hugs from children with ear to ear grins. After we played and ate dinner the children put on a performance for us. They sang a few songs, performed a drama and then the floor was opened for the children to thank all of us ( there was a mike and a translator). The first little boy to speak was named JImmy and he was 5 years old, he began by thanking all of the Americanos for being here. For helping with school, and loving them. He told us that God saw all of the things that we were doing and then he turned to thank Papa Shane for the orphanage and before the words came out he was lost in grateful tears.Needless to say every girl , and most of the boys, began crying as we glimpsed a little piece of this sweet boys heart. Jimmy was so thankful for the gift of love that the teams and Papa Shane had brought to him. This little boy with a huge heart made me reflect on the gifts that I had been given while in guatemala, ill share a few with you.
1. Children singing praises to a living God.
2. The L squad men being the hands and feet of Jesus and showing abused children the tender love they deserve.
3. Balloons and the brilliant smiles they bring.
4. Spinning until I can't stand in a Guatemalan field surrounded by mountains
5. Tickle fights that bring uncontrollable laughter, followed by heartfelt hugs.
6. Singing worship and disney songs to celebrate Ed's Baptism
6. Rainbows in a storm, reminding us of the Lord's promises and love.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" Luke 12:34
This doesn't even scratch the service of the gifts that I have been given this month, they are far too numerous to count. I am learning to make God my treasure, so my heart is following and my eyes are being opened more to His magnificent work and the gifts He so freely gives.
