We leave in a week. As much as I knew that was "part of the deal" in terms of being a World Racer, I didn't expect it to be this hard. During my time here at Casa Verde I have earned the nickname "Chulo" ("Honey" in Spanish). This came from me trying to say I was cool ("Chilero") but slipped and stated "Soy Chulo", followed by a roar of laughter. At first I was a bit bummed at the dorky nickname. But the more I have experienced ministry, the more I realize that the more people tease you, the more they like you. That's not to say you have to take abuse in order to make a name for yourself. However, part of being in ministry in a new place is being willing to take some jeering as a term of endearment.
During dish washing with Mama Hilda (one of the owners here at Casa Verde) we were talking in my dysfunctionally functional Spanish. She asked me about what I studied in college, how I got along with my family. I asked her about her native country (Honduras), why she felt called to ministry, what have been some of the hardest parts of living here. We laughed at some parts, sighed in shared grief at others.
When the dishes were done, she looked at me, "Chulo, adonde vas despues de aqui?" ("Where you goin' after here?")
I told her about El Salvador, and the vague idea of what I'd be doing next. I saw the look in her eyes. It was a look of love, a look of concern, and a slight look of saddness. After I finished, she smiled and said, "Okay. Well, anytime you in Puerto Barrios, you have place to stay, okay?"
"WHAT?" I said, a bit taken aback.
She looked around to make sure she had not cursed at me in English. She said again, "You stay here if you are in Puerto Barrios?"
Tears formed in my eyes, "Really?"
"Por supuesto Chulo! Eres familia!" ("Of course Chulo! You're family!")
As hard as this work is, maybe the hardest part is that, if you do the work of Christ right, family becomes the people you serve.
Photo by Robin Quinn Brooks
