Have you ever skipped a meal because you didn’t like what was being served? Or been upset because you didn’t get what you wanted? Well I think we all have been there once or twice. We don’t really see how blessed we are until we see and hear the stories.
We have been working at COVI for the past month and its been an amazing experience. We have been able to serve underprivileged kids by feeding them, helping them with homework, playing with them but most important loving them unconditionally like Jesus loves them. One of the great parts about working with kids is that they will accept you and love you just as you are with no judgment in their eyes. In the beginning it’s more like “Who is this child?” “What is their name?” It’s all fun and games until you ask what’s their story.
There is a family of 3 siblings that automatically stole my heart and don’t get me wrong I love all of the kids in all of their shapes and forms but I knew there was something different about these 3. The smallest sibling is 3 years old and even though they call him a terremoto (earthquake) I can honestly say his goodbye will be the hardest one in Ecuador. Since day one we became amigos and it was great. These 3 kids have been through so many things that no child should have to experience.
The story goes like this…
They live in a single mother home but it didn’t start like that. They lived in Venezuela with both parents and their dad decided to move to Ecuador to better their life, and if you know the situation Venezuela is in right now you know that seemed like a good decision at the time. He left before them and said he will send for them soon. When they moved to Ecuador their mom tried to contact their dad and he was no where to be found. Long story short they ended up sleeping at a park for 5 days. Just the thought of innocent children sleeping at a park with no proper meals just doesn’t sit right with me. They moved to Ecuador just to find that their dad was living with a prostitute and wanted nothing to do with them. So here we are today, their mom is back on her feet trying to the best to provide for 3 beautiful, innocent children.
Someone once told me that people who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time though the changes add up. I may not be able change many lives in Quito but I know I have been called to love on those kids at this season of their life.
