This month we are staying at a house that used to be an orphanage, called Casa Shalom. The ministry has since morphed and covers a broad spectrum of avenues, including a thrift store. Some of the kids from the orphanage still live here. These teenagers are pretty awesome. They all have a little bit of an attitude (duh, teenagers), but they just want a little attention and affection. I got to do donuts in a golf cart on the front lawn with Maria (she’s 12) before we got in trouble. This made it to my top ten favorite WR memories thus far. I’m not going to call the time with these kids any sort of ministry, cause it’s just life. They are my favorite part about being here this month.
Our time is spent divided between serving Casa Shalom, mainly doing manual labor, and going to a house for young women that are mentally/emotionally challenged and/or come from backgrounds of abuse. We just spend time with them. There are intense games of Uno. Some of the ladies like to play salon and ‘do’ our hair (which we love). One day we made friendship bracelets (‘You are making it for me, yeah?’). Sometimes we sing songs. Honestly, it takes a lot of energy to keep up the conversations and the physical contact, but God meets us there. He fills us to keep going. He shows us glimpses of His love for each of these women. My prayer is that they know the love and peace of Christ that surpasses human understanding. Please pray for us as we minister there. For insight, wisdom, and energy of how to show and receive His love in this place.
Physically, this month is pretty ‘cushy’. We live near a mall with a Starbucks (I squealed with joy when I saw it). We have our meals made for us and our laundry done. We are here with two other teams, Umoja and the Cheetahs. It’s been really awesome to serve with them and get to know other squadmates. So far this month has been more fun than Ukraine (perhaps because the people smile?), yet much harder emotionally. (See next blog: the one about my heart.)
I’m beginning to see that the ministry that is going to have the longest term effects from this year is going to be that which goes to and from me and my team.
