Working in the the school here in Quito has been a lot of fun for Jeremy and me. We've both gotten attached to some of the kids quite a bit. It's been a blessing to see them every single day here and have them run up to you to give you hugs or hold your hand. And we found ourselves running to them when one of them fell off them monkey bars and got hurt or when one was crying because they had lost something and couldn't find it. The relationships that were formed between us and the kids were not ones that I was expecting, but are now ones that I'm not sure how I'll live without.
I believe that God used these kids in my life just as much as I was used in theirs. I did my best to be a reflection of Jesus to them, but in a lot of ways, they were that reflection to me. Their unconditional love, even after we had just disciplined them or told them recess was over or made them do their work, was such an example of the love that God has for all of us. I was often reminded that God, despite how many times I disappoint Him or don't listen, has a love for me that is unlike any other love. It's a love that could only be demonstrated by sending Jesus to die an excruciating death for me and then to powerfully raise Him again 3 days later. If that's not unconditional love, I don't know what is. And how amazing it is that because of this love I am called His daughter and have the honor of spending eternity with Him. I am in awe.
These are some of the kids from the school
This is Jeremy's clone Jeremy…between the glasses, hat, and orange shirt you'd think they were related!
This is my 2nd grade class I worked with the entire first week we were here.
This is Damaris. She holds a special place in my heart as she's not the most well-behaved student but for some reason she always listens to me. It's definitley a mutual love.
