…Puerto Rico
Somedays month one seems like it was ages ago. Other days, thinking back on the memories made there makes me feel as if I am still there. My first team Hijas Del Rey worked at Cristo Pobre, a soup kitchen and recovery center for those using drugs, the homeless and the unemployed.
We helped with daily tasks such as serving lunch and organizing clothing donations. My favorite part of our time spent at Cristo Pobre was spending time with the men and women who regularly visited the center.
One of my favorite moments (pictured above) was praying with my teammate Kate and Adrian. Adrian has such great faith and one of the most generous hearts I have ever seen. He gave me his bible that I carry with me to this day.
… Dominican Republic
From the moment our squad pulled through these gates in two buses, I felt at home. Everything I know about Lajas, Dominican Republic is so full of life. The lush deep green trees, the mountains, the music and most importantly the people.
We lived with the Dominquez family who made us feel so at home. I fell in love with the Dominquez kids who taught me a lot more about life than I had expected they would. Working the land, construction work, prayer walks, plenty of kids days and english classes occupied our time in The DR. Helping the Dominguez’s run their ministry taught me so much in such a short amount of time.
I am so excited for the day that I will return to visit my Dominican family.
…Bolivia
Bolivia was the most challenging month for me yet. Between altitude sickness, sinus infections, and living in both a spiritual and literal desert, I was challenged to find joy in the little things each and everyday.
I was pleasantly surprised when I actually enjoyed speaking about spiritual vacancy and sharing part of my testimony at local high schools. There was power behind my story, not because it was a great story, but because some of them connected with it. They connected with me and they understood that they were not alone.
…Peru
Kids, kids, kids EVERYWHERE!!!!!!
Everywhere we went in Tambo de Mora, Peru we were followed by a parade of children. We worked with a new church in the small fishing town that was destroyed in an earlthquake in 2007.
We held movie nights in the street, Vacation Bible School, even ‘Ladies Nights’ were overrun by children.
One of my favorite days in Peru was when I was able to hang out with some great kids at the beach. Building sandcastles and jumping over waves, I was in my element. Many of the children we met while in Peru don’t get to spend much time with their parents. Many of them roam the streets by themselves playing with friends and looking after their not much younger siblings. For a few hours, these kids had the full attention of adults. They could be kids and just enjoy the sand and the sea. And for a little while, I was a kid again too.
…Ecuador
Ecuador was one of my favorite months yet. We changed teams and began our ministry at Covi, a christian before and after school care for street kids and at risk youth. We did everything from tutoring to cooking to harvesting quinoa to simply enjoying and loving on the kids.
There I met am eight year old boy, David. David tends to stray away from the crowds of kids and is usually more interested in what the adults are doing. He and I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of one on one time together in the month we were in Ecuador.
He soon became my favorite. I instantly connected with him. I fell in love with his gentle spirit and kind heart. Often he would grab me by the hand and lead me away from the crowd to play a game or listen to my iPod together. While bobbing our heads to the music he would offer me a bite of his snack.
I didn’t just cry when I said goodbye to David, I flat out bawled.
I will never forget the child who stole my heart in Ecuador.
We are nearly half way through the race. Looking back at all the places pieces of my heart have been scattered, my prayer is that on the second half of my race, I will continue to be stretched in giving all that I have to serve and love the people God puts on my path.
Support Update:
Through my supporters thus far I have received $10,049.23. I am amazed at how the Lord as provided in the last several months. I know he will provide the remaining $4,204.77 to keep me on the race, since it was He who called me on this race in the first place. Prayers are always appreciated and If you can help me reach my final deadline (July 1) in anyway please contact me at [email protected] or give here on my blog under the support me tab. I would love to hear from you.
