There is a tienda across the street from our home this month. Every day I begin my morning by sitting on our rooftop patio praying, journaling and thanking God for all that he has done. Just over the wall on the street is a small tienda in front of a families home.
Since we have arrived I have felt the urge to go over to say hi and take photos. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would be received if I walked over with my big camera but wasn’t intending to buy anything, so I waited. If I was meant to go there then God would find a way.
One day on my way home from the mall God put a group of kids in my path. We got the typical look when a group of gringos pass bye, we said our polite ‘buenos tardes’ but then we were on our way. God wasn’t done with us yet, the kids yelled back at us Hello, Goodbye. God was speaking through the kids, telling me to stop and come back. Normally I wouldn’t go back, I may have waved as I continued walking but something made me turn and say ‘Let’s go back!’
This small change in behavior turned into a new friendship. The kids on the corner we as young as 3 and old as 13, they were all waiting in anticipation for the runners. We stayed and talked to the kids for about an hour, laughing and trying to communicate. Sara was able to show off her drawing skills and gathered her own little crowd of support.
I’m back on my balcony after a quick (hot) shower, taking photos of the Guatemalan independence day celebrations. While I was sitting on the ledge I saw one the little girls I just met across the street, she walked right into the tienda! She was one of the little girls who lived there, and the best part was I now had an in to the tienda. I continued to sit on the ledge watching the street and out walks the same woman as before with the two little girls in tow. When they saw me, they gave me giant body shaking waves, overjoyed that we were neighbors. I did what any sane person would do, I waved so hard I almost fell off the wall to the street below.
Put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17b-19
I needed a way in to the tienda and God was there to provide that path. God is so good! He knows exactly what we need even before we ask.
