This is backtracking to Colombia but I wanted to take you to one of the hardest things I’ve experienced on the race so far. Last month I had the opportunity to work with Inca Link in Colombia and I loved it! Lucy, Richardo, Aurora, Laura, and Mandy were the best people in the entire world. Their love for God and what they have done for the children and the church there in Bogota, has been nothing but miraculous. I remember one night we had a prayer service and the passion they had for the prayers for their city and the children it in was so amazing to see and be a part of. I truly love these amazing people and what they are doing for God in Colombia. They are giving there young kids a place to go to get away from the problems of the world and they are teaching these children about Jesus and they show that love through taking care of the children. They are advancing Gods kingdom in Colombia. If you guys are reading this, I want you to know that even though you may not see any progress some times, God is using you guys and you are changing lives and God is going to continue to bless you guys and your ministry. I love you guys and I miss and pray for you guys all the time.
The children there were the best kids ever. From the first day I met two twin brothers named Jose and Luis. I had no idea what they were talking about because I don’t know Spanish but just playing with them and givi g them piggyback rides would bring a smile to their faces. Fabian was other child who was such a blessing. He was so loving and was always willing to play memory no matter how many times you’ve already played it. He would always see me and yell my name and come give me a high five and jump on my back. He was always bringing his siblings with him and would always help them with finding things in the Bible and I know God is going to work in his young life to reach his family and many more people in his city. Then there was Christain and AnnaMaria. These two were brother and sister and Christian had a smile that was contagious. He was always smiling and would love to come play games with you. AnnaMaria was a little bit quieter. Through the weeks of being there with them I grew to grow closer to her and she would come running to hug me and want me to hold her and just sit there with her. She was one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever been around. Sophia was a cute little girl with a smile that would turn your day around. I would always tap her shoulder and run off and she would come running after me. When she would run to you and jump in your arms, it would turn your whole day around. Seeing her face and the joy in her eyes of being held was great but her laugh was the cutest laugh ever. I never say that but it was. Sebastion was a little trouble maker. Even though he was a little more trouble he would always come to hug you and wouldn’t let go. He was a sweet guy who loved just being hugged and loved on. These kids just seeing the faces plight up when my team would love on them was so priceless.
On the last day we were going to be with the kids, I was already dreading saying goodbye because I loved these kids so much and I didn’t want to leave them. When it came time, I went up and I saw the kids crying with everyone. I saw them finally understanding that we were leaving. Seeing the tears in their eyes broke my heart. I ended up walking up and AnnaMaria jumped into my arms crying. I about lost it right there. She kept saying No and I knwe she knew I was leaving. She was holding tight and wouldn’t let go. Then Sophia ran up and started crying too. I starting getting Geary eyed and just hearing her cry and feeling her embrace I started to cry in that Moment. Before I left I had both Sophia and AnnaMaria in my arms sitting down and both were crying to hard. My heart was breaking in that moment and I didn’t want to leave. I remember racers saying that countries are so hard to leave and people cry and until that moment in Colombia I hadn’t felt that until I had those two in my arms. When it was just AnnaMaria and me left, she was still crying and sobbing. To calm her down I would rub her tears off her face and rub her back. I looked down at my bracelet I had from a friend who went to Kenya on a mission trip and in that moment I took it off and gave it to her. That bracelet for me was motivation to go on a mission trip and to show Gods love to the world and in that moment I felt this young girl had all my love. Just as God comforts us in our times of trouble I was comforting her and I gave it to her. I wanted her to have it because she showed me what it was like to open your heart up and to love the children just as Jesus did.
This was by far the hardest thing I’ve done. Sometimes when I look down on my wrist and I see my bracelet is gone I think of her and the rest of the kids and everyone in Colombia. I think if the love I experienced through them and how I saw God in them. I love Colombia and it will always have a part of my heart and so will that very special girl.
