After countless hours of traveling to Panama, we finally reached the city where our host family met us to pick us up. After they got out of the vehicle, they gave us a warm welcome with a hug. I was surprised by this because I was expecting a handshake, since this was the first time meeting them. After the greetings, we threw our bags on top of the vehicle and got in. We weren’t on the road very long before they asked us if we were hungry. They stopped and let us get out and grab something to eat. We sat down and ate while they just sat in the vehicle and watched over our bags (I was also surprised by this. They didn’t even eat with us. They were being so considerate by watching over our things and allowing us to eat). After we finished eating, we were on the road again. We were on the road for a couple of hours before reaching their home. When we got out, we were welcomed with “MI CASA, ES SU CASA” (which means: My house is your house). It was so beautiful how our host family opened up their home to complete strangers and already treated us like family.
They have such selfless hearts. They are so full of joy and happiness to make sure we feel welcomed. God is working on my heart to be humbler. I am learning so much of how to be more like Christ. He has blessed me with incredible people who I can learn from. My host family showed us so much love within the 2 seconds they met us. It was so beautiful.
Even to this day after staying with them for over a week, they are still so considerate, so caring, so generous. One time, we went to the river on our free day. We had a great time to cool off in the cold water. After we swam for a bit, we ate lunch. Then some of us discovered a waterfall. Two people climbed it. I thought it would be picture worthy, so I climbed it as well. After the photo was taken, I was on my way down. I remember how I climbed up there, so I was going to just go down the way I came up. I remembered grabbing on this certain rock to pull myself up the waterfall, so I put my foot on there to lower myself down the waterfall.
Well, funny story. The rock detached from the waterfall, and I went with it. I fell a good amount of feet off the waterfall. I got some cuts and bruises, nothing major. The father of the host family came rushing by my side to make sure I was alright. After I reassured him, he still grabbed my bag for me and carried it across the river for me. After we made it to the other side, the mother of the host family rushed to my side to make sure I was okay. She was examining over me to really make sure I was alright. After I convinced her I really was okay, we made our way back to the house. She then carried my bag for me. I noticed she already had her hands full but still took my bag as well, on top of what she was carrying. The host parents were so protective of me when I got hurt. They did everything they could to make sure everything was alright. They made sure I was alright and even carried my things for me even though I was capable of carrying them myself.
God asks us to surrender everything to Him. He will take the weight off our shoulders for us. He will come rushing to our side when we get hurt. He will always be there for us. He will be our strength when we are weak. I just had to fall off a waterfall to realize that and get the full effect (just kidding). But seriously, it’s amazing what God is showing me through incidents like these. He is opening my heart, eyes, and mind to become more like Him.
That’s all for now. Until next time(:
Yours in Christ,
Karrie
