One of my prayers this month has been to grow more intimate with Jesus. I still am not exactly what this all entails but am slowly learning ways that Jesus can woo me, as some of my female squadmates and I call it. Just as any earthly man can sweep us off our feet, I truly believe that Jesus can as well. I mean isn’t that a reason, among many, he came down to us in the flesh?
So one way He has been wooing me this month is showing up through other people. People I’d never expect and people that I have to do a double take take to make sure I’m not missing it. When I’ve finally figured out what’s so different about that person I thank Jesus for showing up in the flesh. It truly is Jesus showing up through all age groups and reminding me that he can truly live in and through anyone.
It’s taken me almost a month to figure out a certain person that Jesus is obviously trying to talk to me through.
Isidro Leon
This man is in his 60’s but life has been hard on his body. He walks with a cane and can’t take a stroll without it, as his right foot is always dragging. It seems as though he has a lazy eye or one of them just doesn’t quite work and open as well as he would like. His speech is very mumbled and it takes me a few tries for him to understand me; part of this has to do with my not-so-great Spanish skills and he speaks in Chiche more, which is the indigenous language around these parts. Despite all these physical short comings he has an amazing personality and smile, even though we don’t really speak the same language.
There are a couple stories to accompany the fact that I have so much love for Isidro.
The first time I really spent some quality time with him we literally just sat in silence for about a half an hour. After this I spoke some Spanish to him but we really were just enjoying the mountainous view from the senior center. Eventually Joe, my teammate, came around and Isidro tried to make him jealous by giving me multiple kisses on the hand, making us all laugh. A few minutes later I had to get up and help someone else but came back out an Isidro patted my previous seat as to sit back down with him. Only Jesus would just want my company even if that means sitting and not talking, just basking in the untold joy of the moment.
Next memory with Isidro was at the city center, very far from the senior center. Katherine and I needed to get lunch for the team before our day started and as we come out of the market we see Isidro talking to a tuc-tuc driver (a tricycle form of transportation as seen in many other countries besides America) and not being able to communicate where he needed to go very well. Kat and I sweep in and somehow communicate in English, to a Spanish-only speaking driver where we wanted to go. I also somehow convinced him, in English, to go pick up Isidro who was walking away. So we finally all get in the tuc-tuc and I swear it looks like two gringos (white people) just kidnapped an elderly person who can barely walk. Kat and I are cracking up the whole ride wishing someone besides us would have witnessed the whole hysterical scene. Isidro is just smiling and laughing with us the whole time. Only Jesus would hop on board with the random ideas we get and laugh along with how crazy we are.
The most recent memory was a morning of Zumba with everyone at the senior center. Isidro is always up to participate as much as he can in activities with us. Now when I say Zumba I mean we had a Zumba instructor come in but we basically just danced around waving arms and finding dance partners. I started out with the main crowd and then noticed Isidro sitting in his chair with my teammate Michael hanging with him. I walk over and am greeted with many kisses on the hand from Isidro and Michael adamantly telling me Isidro wants to dance with me: so I definitely go in for a dance. It starts off with me standing and him sitting but after one song ends and another begins Isidro gave me the most precious hand to face hug I ever received. [You know when someone puts your hand up to their face for a hug] I gladly accepted that as well and finally got him to stand up with me and dance as much as he could. It was the best dance I’ve had of my life thus far. No words exchanged just more smiles, singing and as much dancing as possible. Only Jesus can sweep me off my feet for a dance that makes me forget everything else that’s going on and be filled with as much happiness in a moment as possible.
Isidro Leon is the most unexpected body of a person that Jesus would show up in for me. In every moment I’ve seen him he is always joyful despite every difficulty he has physically. I am so thankful for all the seniors at Mis Anos Dorados this month and so grateful for the reminder Jesus shows up in places we never thought of.
Thanks for making it to the end of this long one and I hope it can give some inspiration to look into your life and find Jesus in random people.
Jeremiah 29: 12-13
12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
