Sitting here in Starbucks all I can think about is how blessed I am. Before the holidays I was so worried that I would get homesick. Family and friends are what Thanksgiving and Christmas are all about after all. However, as I sit here writing this my heart is full of joy and peace. This month in El Salvador was a gift straight from God. The entire month I’ve seen God’s goodness everywhere.
The first week we helped with a sports focused VBS. The Lord knows how much I love sports. I know He does because I got assigned to help with soccer. After last month where my heart was hurting for so many people that were in physical pain. He gave me this special gift. I got to run and play with kids of all ages. I got to see our host’s passion for the Lord on the soccer field as we had short Bible stories each day on the field. Our days were filled with sweet laughter.
Then this past week the Lord gave me a little piece of home. Every year since I can remember my church has participated in Operation Christmas Child. This is a ministry where Samaritan’s Purse supplies Christmas gifts to children around the world. It’s simple you pick an age and fill up a shoe box with gifts. As a little girl I always loved getting to pick out all the items to put into the boxes. I have always imagined all the little kids opening their Christmas boxes. This past week getting to hand out the boxes and watching them open them was surreal. It was just like I imagined and so much more. In the church we are staying at handing out these gifts is very big deal. They say they are the “best presents.” The Pastor presented each box individually to the children. Giving them a little children’s bible as well. It brought me to tears. The pure joy on each child’s face will forever live on in my memory.
Then He gave me a Christmas Eve service. This is one of my favorite family traditions and this year was no different. However, there was a little more laughter than normal. We put on a “Christmas Special” that had the entire church in laughter. The Pastor asked us to sing 5 Christmas songs. However, the Lord really didn’t bless any of us with the talent of singing and the Pastor found out the hard way! This moment of pure embarrassment brought us all so much laughter. It was one for the books. I just hope we don’t find any videos! LOL!
Finally, the Lord gave me a family as a host. They have welcomed us with arms wide open since the first day we arrived. They have loved us as their own. Pastor Milvan and his wife Dina want nothing more than to serve us. We constantly have to remind them we are here to serve them. Getting to take part in their Christmas traditions last night was so special. By them allowing us to be apart of their family, I have felt nothing but love and joy this Christmas. The Lord gave me a family away from home just when he knew I would need one most.
And as I sit here and think about all the phone calls and text from home that have touched my heart so significantly, I can’t imagine a better day. I may not be home for Christmas but if home is where your heart is then I am home.
God is so so good.
