Goodbyes are never easy and this Friday was no exception. The morning started when I was awoken by a fellow teammate who said some of the women were already here. The women showed up early to get an extra half hour with us before we leave. The day continued to be one of outpouring love.
8:00 – Four women in the program surprised us with rings so we would always have a piece of them with us along this journey. One woman told us it was to remember our friends in Nicaragua “as we may not meet again on Earth but we will in heaven.”
This woman didn’t know God 3 weeks ago..
9:00- We lead worship in Spanish!!! The women were so impressed that we made the effort too learn a Spanish song.
9:30- Jourdan and Rachel lead the morning devotional about Jesus washing the disciples feet because they are worthy of Christ’s love. One woman said she wasn’t worthy of us washing her feet: we washed them anyway. Because she is WORTHY!
Christ chose to suffer and die for each and everyone of us. Christ said we are worthy of his LIFE.
10:00- We played games with the women and enjoyed much laughter and love. These woman have gone through horrific hardships and tumulus trials, yet they are smiling and finding the best in life. The freedom and joyfulness that exude from these women was inspiring.
11:00 – We served lunch to the women complete with flower bouquets and fresh squeezed lemonade. After lunch we showed a slide show of the time we were with the women. The love and friendships founded in those 3 weeks were evident in the photos.
The time to say goodbye was drawing near..
I was starting to dread the inevitability of that moment..
11:30- We gave the women palm branch crosses and individual cards with messages from each of us. The women started to cry and everyone wanted a picture with us. The mad dash of hugs and pictures commenced.
The end was drawing near..
11:45- As I glanced around I noticed that Annie was sitting off by herself. I went over to her and gave her a hug trying to relay through actions how much I will miss her. As we talked she kept trying to tell me something but it never seemed like we fully understood each other. Finally after a few tries I went to get the dictionary.
As Annie ruffled through the dictionary I kept thinking how much I will miss these women. When she found the word she was looking for I was still confused.
It wasn’t until she asked again, “Madrina para Ezekiel. Ustedes madrina para Ezekiel.” that I understood.
Through broken Spanglish and the help of a dictionary she asked me to be Ezekiel’s godmother. This woman whom I met 3 weeks previously wanted to bestow upon me one of the greatest honors that could ever be given. She saw in me a spiritual leader and mother to her son, Ezekiel.
But more than that, she WANTED a spiritual leader and mother for her son. God had done so much in her heart in 3 short weeks.
Saying goodbye to these women was hard but these women are no longer just women but friends. I will continue to pray for their walk of faith and hope you will join me in doing so.
Some may call them prostitutes, but we call them friends for they have taught us what it means to love without holding back.
