On Wednesday our time in Guachupita came to a close. After a month of building relationships and feeling a love I didn’t know was inside of me, these people left a lasting impression on my heart. In all honesty though, it was a hard month. It’s a very dangerous neighborhood where gangs, drug lords, and murderers live among he trash-filled dirt lands. We were faced with situations, mainly emotional and spiritual, that have changed the way we view humanity and faith. Still, there is hope that God is working among this beautiful mess.
Here’s a glimpse of my friends in Guachupita:
Dulce Maria is a sweetheart who wants nothing but the best for those she loves. She is the leader of the house church and the grandmother of Erika and Esmarilyn, who she takes care of because their parents are not around. These girls ravage my heart and I believe Esmarilyn could be the first missionary sent out of that place. They taught me about the importance of childlike faith.
Ida has the most amazing laugh I’ve ever heard and will hug you with
her sweaty face until you turn blue, and Clemente has a heart of gold
and wants to see God preached and know more about him. We had the
privilege of building an outhouse for these people. They are the
grandparents of Alexander who is now three years old. When he was a
baby his mother tried to strangle him and punched him in the eye so he
now has eye problems and lives with Ida and Clemente. My heart broke
for this boy and we had a special connection.
her sweaty face until you turn blue, and Clemente has a heart of gold
and wants to see God preached and know more about him. We had the
privilege of building an outhouse for these people. They are the
grandparents of Alexander who is now three years old. When he was a
baby his mother tried to strangle him and punched him in the eye so he
now has eye problems and lives with Ida and Clemente. My heart broke
for this boy and we had a special connection.
Carmen and Panniagua are a very strong couple who have been married for 40 years and have nine children and 15 grandchildren.
Manuel and his wife are both amputees who have some beautiful children and a very real and welcoming spirit.
Orioles, mIlagritos and their son Junior were not around a lot, but their company was welcome everytime we saw them.
Orioles battling an alcohol addiction and we pray that one-day we will see his eyes with again. They also have another baby coming in June!
Poppy and Chula are a happy couple with the cutest kids in the world. We fell immediately in love with all five of them and enjoyed the countless games of dodgeball and just holding them.
About a week into our ministry, Dulce, one of the women we work with came to us and told us there was a murderer, Alfred, living across the street and he came into her house and threatened her. He had killed three men years ago and layed out their bodies for people to fear him. We knew this was a dangerous neighborhood, but it didn’t hit home until we heard screams a couple days later…then a rock hitting the metal wall, and a hopeless woman who we later found out was his wife. Although we never got to meet Alfred, we come to love his children and we pray that God will change his heart and not inflict the same pain on his precious children.
Although the goodbyes were hard, the day could not have gone any better. As we were praying on the hillside that morning we knew our job that day was to love them one last time. Just love. It turned out to be the perfect day and one of our best there. We got to see everyone who we’ve worked with over the last month, and they shared in our tears as we left. Clemente said we are nailed to his heart and we know we will be welcomed with open arms at anytime. The hardest part was saying goodbye to Esmarilyn. The image of her standing by the house with her watery eyes as we slowly walked away is forever burned in my mind. Still, I am so thankful to be a part of this ministry and know that what I say and heard this month is shaping me and allowing me to love deeper.
