Tuesday we visited a community, Paradise, that I visited back in March of 2014. It was so fun to recognize some of the kids upon our arrival. I also got to see the pool we had helped paint and the kitchen area we had built being put to use! First a founder of Light in the Paradise talked to us about what her and some other college students are doing in the community. Their mission is to help the children in the area receive an education and if they are already receiving one then to help them through tutoring. They also provide one meal a day to the children. The mothers of the children in the community help support Light in the Paradise by taking turns making corn tortillas under the kitchen area we were able to build in March.
We started off praying in the indoor kitchen over the cook who is also a mom of some students. She explained to us that she loves cooking and she loves that she can spend her time cooking for her children and the rest of the kids. We encircled her and went to prayer. After the team left I stuck back and shared a vision I had received for her. I didn’t know all the pieces to the picture but as soon as I stepped out God began providing the rest of the encouragement she needed. [I love that about the Lord. If we step out in faith, He always has our back. He loves his children so much.] I explained to her what I saw and continued on with the things the Lord put on my tongue in that moment and she began to cry. She explained to me that this word was confirmation because the team last week said the same thing to her. Go Jesus! Woohoo!
At the next house we learned that there were 12 people living in the small space that we gathered. In this home the mother’s main concern was for her five children. We surrounded her and lifted her up in prayer. She admitted to me later that she spends a lot of time worrying about them. We encouraged her to trust the Lord and let him break off the worry.
At the final house we surrounded the mother and her four children. She said her husband was away working. She asked us to pray for her children and also for work for her because work had become slow. All these children were precious. I made sure to encourage the oldest boy though because something just urged me to do so. I don’t remember all the words exchanged in that moment, but I hope to see this family again. Oh and I should mention, we got to give a food basket to each of the families!!
We headed back to light in the paradise and the children were having their lunch meal. After they finished up their meal we got everyone involved in some zumba. The kids didn’t know what to think at first but slowly the older ones joined us and we all had so much fun. I am telling you, these kids know how to move it! Rain droplets started to fall but we kept dancing and just prayed that it would stop. The lord was gracious to lift the rain and we got to do several more songs before it was time to go play soccer.
Before soccer, we took a few minutes to pass out toys to the children! They loved their things!
Pablo, our mission coordinator, explained that the children always look forward to visits from the Forever Changed International teams because they get to play soccer. Once we got to the field Nicole, Jessika and myself sat down on the sidelines. The girls quickly surrounded us. In broken Spanish we communicated about our families, likes/dislikes, and other things that brought us to giggles. Before I knew it I was braiding all the girls’ hair to be like Nicole’s hair. It was so fun. I enjoyed loving on them by making them feel beautiful! I pray each one knows just how beautiful and special she is. It was such a joy filled time.
When we got back to Dorie’s Promise I decided to take some time to spend with the small boys while the others helped with a group activity with the older kids. As always our time ended in dancing. Gosh do I love these girls!
