Ive gotten a few surprised and questioning looks from the locals when they greet me with a friendly “hey, how are you” and I respond saying “Im a little married today.”
Could you blame a little white girl that the Spanish word for “tired” just happens to be so extremely similar to the word for “married”??
I don’t think so. But it certainly does keep the locals informed that this gringa is unavailable ( ;
This week completed our first full week of ministry !! The place I have the opportunity to serve in is called the life center, its located right in the heart of some of the slummiest slums Ive ever seen and its a safe place for the local kids from ages 6-14 to come and be helped with schoolwork and play games and get a break from their lives at home (which for most is a tin shack).
There are so many mixed emotions inside of me,, some that suprise me because they are emotions I have rarely experienced before coming here.
– Frazzled: Due to the ages of the kids, their home lives, & upraising, many of them are very disruptive and loud when we are attempting a lesson. We laugh about it and say that a day doesn’t go by without the fair share of fist fights breaking out, snacks being stolen, or pencils snapping in half.
- Excited: While its true that the kids are pretty rowdy sometimes, Im beyond ecstatic to have been given this opportunity to love on them and teach them all about the One who cares for them the most!!
- Compassionate: On our first day at the life center, the one permanent teacher/leader there took us on a walk through the surrounding community, walking through this place could make an American trailer park seem like a dream. The houses were one room and made from walls of scrap sheets of tin. All throughout the air there was a lingering stench of rot, dog poo, and weed. My heart was broken for the people who called this place home.
- Humbled: Every day I am humbled by Davis. He is the only teacher at the life center and one of the most caring and patient men I have ever met. Throughout the day you could probably count by hundreds the number of times the kids scream out “DAVIS” (but in their accent it sounds a lot more like Day-bis. haha) calling to get his attention or tattle on their friend or yelling at him to bring them something. He keeps calm through all the chaos and through every fight and he truly has a heart for every child that walks through those doors. What Im doing here is nothing compared to the selflessness I have seen in his heart of service.
- Loved: It has taken LOTS of effort and patience and time but many of the kids have started warming up to us and have proven to be some true sweethearts. Last Friday a table of elementary aged girls all came up to me after class, beaming with excitement as they handed me unprompted handmade letters with the most adorable pictures drawn all over them. I haven’t been that excited in a long time !!
- Blessed: two words: Coffee. Breaks. YEAH THATS RIGHT my very favorite part of the day lies in between the rounds of kiddos that come and go at the life center, when we get a heavenly coffee break !! God is so good and knows just how to bless His kids !!
- Confused: Trust me, you would feel this way too if you spent the day sitting at a table of kids who are all simultaneously and rapidly trying to talk to you in Spanish.
- Honored: Im starting to see just how incredible my teammates are. They are some of the worlds wisest, kindest, most passionate amigas I have ever known and I am just so honored to be working alongside them and watching them grow in their faith !!
- Thankful: For everything. Seriously. I cannot say it enough. Wow.
- Restrained: Did I mention the language barrier?? Now I am starting to see why they call it a barrier… at the life center we are the only English speakers and none of us speak understandable Spanish. Communicating with Davis and the kids Is a constant struggle but we are learning and definitely making progress !! (Important words are cafe=coffee bano=bathroom & perro=dog)
- Growth: Were out here growing like kudzu !! Its insane how in just a week I can already see changes taking place and old walls being torn down !! Christ is building up a new foundation in me and its a messy and beautiful process so please be patient with me !!
Overall, I LOVE THIS so much !! Thanks again for all y’all do to support me and even just taking the time to read my updates and say a lil prayer means the world to me !! Hope you’re all doing great and having so much fun!! ( : love ya bunches
