Dear Month 11,
You have had every opportunity for me to be stressed, anxious, and scared about going home. I expected this month to be one of the most difficult because of the soon coming transition. Coming into month 11, I was unsure how I was going to focus on ministry with the end coming so quickly.
But thanks to these kids at Mi Casa, I’ve had anything but time for distraction. Living with the girls, and spending my free time playing futbol, painting, learning how to dance, and hanging out with the boys has been chaotic but so, so beautiful. These kids have helped me to stay in the moment so much this month. There are lots of questions for me as I go home, but this month God’s given given me the ability to learn to love each day where I’m at. I can’t walk through the door of the boys home without being greeted by tons of hugs and smiling faces and requests to play soccer. I’m not sitting on the couch in the girls living room without being surrounded by the girls who are eager to give hugs and tell me they love me while we sing along to Spanish karaoke. I am continually amazed by the hard work ethic, the respect, the deep love, and the absolute hilarity that these kids all seem to have. They have impacted my life for good and I’ve only been here for 2 weeks
// My team and some of the kids at the movies seeing Thor! We all loved it. Madds and I went back later in the week to see it again because it was so good. //
// This sweet little girl, Carly (name change for privacy), is by my bedside as early as 6:30am. But it’s okay because she comes with hugs and this adorable smile. //
// This was the first night I got to El Salvador. Jenny still mocks my every move and word. //
Each month that I’ve been able to build friendships with people (especially the ones younger than me), I’ve had such a hard time leaving because I don’t know how to properly thank them for the impact they’ve had on my my life. How do I translate to a language I don’t speak that I think the world of them and that I wish more than anything that I could always be a part of their life? How do I make them believe how infinite their value is, and how deeply loved they are by Jesus Christ as I pack my bag and leave? What am I teaching them about their worth as I say goodbye?
God has challenged me deeply here. I’ve had so many goodbyes that have been filled with heartbroken tears on both ends, and I’ve questioned in my deepest parts if I’m actually helping anyone by growing close to them and then leaving. But the thing is, God doesn’t need me in their story. He doesn’t need my love, my words, or my actions to save these kids. I’m not the maker of happy endings. BUT, he chooses to let me be apart of these insanely inspirational stories. He invites me in to some of the most broken parts of the world to catch of glimpse of immense His glory, and let me tell you, it’s changing the way I see everything. To see these kids overcoming some of the greatest challenges I’ve ever heard of, and to see them doing it with the name Jesus written on their hearts… it makes all my problems and worries so insignificant, but it also stirs up a hope inside of me that can’t be burned out. I know that the love I’ve shared with these kids has come directly from God, and he will continue to stay by their side long after I leave.
Next week I say goodbye to my final country and I say goodbye to the kids of Mi Casa. I will pack up my bag for the 14th time this year and hit the road again. I know I’ll be heartbroken again as I hug these sweet kids goodbye, wishing so desperately that I had the resources and the time to provide all of them with an education and all the things they could ever need and want. It will hurt, and I know that question will tug at my heart again, but this time when I say goodbye I can be comforted by knowing that I’m leaving these kids behind in God’s hands, the safest and most loved place anyone could ever be. I’m also leaving them behind with Bob, the director of Mi Casa, who loves these kids so much and makes sure they are well taken care of.
// Lily with the famous Pug, Gracie. //
// Madds and Sassy annoying each other after church on Sunday. //
I can’t pay for their education, and I can’t get them all new clothes and shoes even though they absolutely deserve them. They deserve the best this world has to offer. But, what I think I CAN afford to give them (with YOUR help!), is a new quality soccer ball.
// One of my best friends from this month, Emilio, with the torn up soccer ball that Madds bought, 24 hours after we gave it to them. //
These darn boys. Let me tell ya. We’ve destroyed all their soccer balls since being here (including the one Madds bought them from the dollar store!) Probably because Josh (name change for privacy) can kick the ball all the way to America from El Salvador, and the rest of the boys relentlessly practice every chance they get. The boys have given me so much grace when I’m on their team, letting me score goals every once in a while so I can feel good about myself. Those poor dollar store soccer balls don’t stand a chance against these boys (neither do my legs and arms, I’m bruised all over).
To say thank you to these boys for their friendship and their time, I want to buy them 1 or 2 QUALITY soccer balls from the sports store. We went to check the price here and one ball costs around $25. If any of you want to help me thank these boys for their friendship, you can message me and I’ll send you my PayPal information.
Please be praying for me as I prepare for my final goodbyes with The Race. Pray for peace in my heart and that God would comfort both me and the kids. Pray for my transition home that it will be smooth and that I’ll continue to go where God leads.
Thank you all for reading, and thank you in advance to those who feel led to help getting the boys a new soccer ball!
Katie
