Written Monday July
12, 2010
Each day here segues into the next. It’s hard to remember
what I do from day to day, and we haven’t even started our official ministry.
But here in the neighborhood, which happens to be one of the
“richer� parts of San Juan, there are children running all around. There are
cows, horses, ducks, roosters, chickens, dogs, and cats that roam freely and
randomly too.
*Side Note: our next door neighbor’s dogs are part cow,
moose, rooster, and wolf. They howl, yelp and “moo� every morning, right along
with the roosters. There is no need for an alarm clock here, because once the
sun peaks its head over the horizon, the chorus of animals begin their, not so
soothing, song.
I have had the
extreme privilege to meet two adorable twin girls (Jasmine and Issinia), their
brother (Ryan…well we think that’s his name.), and Amber (their older 7 year
old cousin. The twins and 3 and Ryan is 4. They roam around the streets, in and
out of people’s driveways, as they please. They live right around the corner
from where us 46 are staying.
They are a bit unkept.. well maybe a lot unkept. Their
clothes and hair had dirt residue all over, and their legs and arms were
covered in scrapes (both old and fresh). Ryan trie d touching everything I had
one, and pulling it too. I had to tell him “no�, and he would laugh his little
mischevious laugh and keep on trying to take all my things. I had to be firm
with him again, and he finally got it. I thought he would walk away mad, but he stayed right next
to me.. much more calm, and we got to play a little more, and he even came to look for me the
next day.
Their older cousin Amber was so very well spoken, and looked
well taken care of. We talked about different things (whatever I could
understand, and answer back), and then I asked her about her little cousins.
She said that their mother doesn’t really take care of them, because she is too
busy with her boyfriend.
Well Amber and I chatted more, and I instantly connected
with her. We said goodnight for the night, and I walked the twins and Ryan back
to their house. And on the way I met Anna.
Anna is a twenty year old maid in the house across the
street. We chatted for a little while, (and believe it or not she said that my
Spanish was good! I have her n video saying it too!!!) Then she asked me if I
had a boyfriend. I told her… “Yup.. Jesus.�
We started talking about hearts being broken, and love, and
how Jesus is the only man who will not ever break our hearts. He’s the only One
that can be depended on and who
loves us unconditionally. She was listening to my story (As God was helping me
share), and I told her that Jesus can be her “boyfriend� too. We chatted a
little more and then had to call it a night. She told me to call for her these
next weeks. I will. We’re gonna get to chat more
Amber came by last night looking for me, and we talked more.
I started teaching her some words in English. Ryan stopped by yesterday morning
and by accident I locked his arm in the gate!!! Lool.. He was trying to help me
open it, and it closed on Him.!! Thank God it wasn’t serious, and after I got
his arm out, he just hung around near me. (Well actually he tried to climb a
barbed wire fence and I had to pull him off..)
The people here are so open and friendly. We say “Hola,Como Estas?�
to every person we pass on the street. So many amazing people and children
everywhere.
<3
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
