Our last night in El Salvador the staff and children at Mi Casa International put on a dancing show for my team, spoiled us with a delicious dinner, and presented us with engraved bracelets , a bookmark and a dozen handmade cards. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the living room and we watched the thank you video that Sage so wonderfully created for our contact and the Mi Casa Kids children. The floor was then opened for the kids and my team to say a thanks and our goodbyes as Bob translated.Tears that we were barely able to contain during the video now ran freely down our faces as child after child blessed us with their words. The love in that room was overwhelming.
I sat on the bus leaving El Salvador at 3 AM the next morning after one hour of sleep. In the 24 hours prior I had taken a precious teammate to the airport for a temporary goodbye and said more permanent goodbyes to 20 people that I had grown to love over the last month. My emotions got the best of me as i began to recount all of the examples of and lessons in love that my God had showered me with from El Salvador.
Bob, our contact, showed me the most tangible unconditional love I have ever received from a father figure. He is generous and genuine and his first thought is always to serve and give to those around him. Through him I saw a glimpse of the Lord's unconditional love for his children.
Gaby, the orphanages oldest girl at 16, has a story that screams redemption. After being abused, used, and sold into prostitution as a child she now is growing into such a woman of God and is always selflessly serving her brothers, sisters, and tia's with a gorgeous smile on her face. Through her I saw God turning the world's brokenness into His beauty.
Rosa Violetta, a 14 year old daughter of the King, lives her life with such a wholehearted passion. Everything that she does , she wears her heart on her sleeve and chooses to go all in. Through her I saw Abba's wholehearted passion for each of His children.
Tia Suyapa, the girls house Tia, has faith that can move mountains. The moment she opens her mouth to pray everyone listens, I walked away each time covered in goosebumps and with a deeper hunger for our great God. Through her I saw proof of the Holy Spirit dwelling in His children.
Melvin, the newest member of Mi Casa, is a 5 year old with a heart of gold. As we were leaving he prayed blessings over my team and wished us away with a bear hug. Through him I saw the childlike faith that Jesus says we must have to enter the kingdom of God.
Rosita, the youngest and arguably most intelligent girl at Mi Casa, is a 5 year old who is wise beyond her years. She is the house tattle tale, recognizing and keeping counts of every passing detail. The night we left she sobbed uncontrollably in my arms, understanding the sadness of our dwindling time together. Through her I saw my Father's unlimited knowledge about His children: our circumstances and our hearts alike.
Nestor, a 14 year old middle school boy, has a giggle that is contagious no matter what mood you thought you were in. He is always smiling and sharing laughter with those around him. Through him I saw the incomparable joy that we gain through the Spirit of God in us.
Carmen Elena, Suyapa's 21 year old daughter, has an unmatched radiance about her. Her beauty is from the inside out and she demonstrates the grace of God by constantly being His hands and feet and seeking Jesus above all else. Through her I saw the grace of God, demonstrated for us through the cross of Jesus.
Manuel, the boys house dad, is a man who's gentle spirit , enveloping hugs, and loving eyes can bring light to any situation. He is the man that called out the Holy Spirit inside of my team and asked us to pray for healing over his eyes, which by his faith were made well. Through Him I saw how proud my Heavenly Father is of me, and how He believes in and fights for me even when I don't for myself.
Ceci, an 8 year old with special needs, is my favorite kid from the orphanage. Ceci was constantly climbing (not gently) over people, plopping into our laps as dead weight, insisting on playing the same game 1,000 times in a row, and just about when we had had enough she would randomly tell us that she loved us, making all of the built up frustrations seem menial. The best thing about Ceci is that no matter what anybody else thought of her, she was always just being herself. Through her i was reminded of how Christ longs for us to be with Him all of the time, real and raw with nobody to impress because He is the only one worth living for.
Jauncito, Ceci's 9 year old brother, had a habit of driving everyone on my team crazy. As soon as we would walk into the room he would be absolutely relentless and a pain in the butt, asking for our electronics over and over and over. Somedays we would give into his desires while others we would refuse, regardless of the outcome every day was the exact same and he would try again. Through him I saw Jesus and the pursuit that He has for each one of us daily: Christ is relentless and no matter how we respond, He doesn't give up on our hearts but will seek us out over and over and over.
I won't ever be able to forget these sweet children or staff and the lessons in love that they have taught me!
