As we finished our final day in Casa Esperanza with an enjoyable, and somewhat reverent, dinner with all the girls of the house, our hosts, and some friends made along the way everyone shared their gratitude for the last couple of months together. It was touching to both share and hear how much we were each impacted and until that day I hadn’t fully grasped just how much sentiment had grown between us all. Everyone wanted to take pictures with us, a few girls gave us their notebooks to write little sentiments in, and others gave us small gifts, like a sweet word of encouragement or a little lavender flower wrapped up to keep to smell for the next few days XD It was all very emotional, although the most for me had to have been my goodbye with Tío José. I had told him goodbye much earlier and hugged him, joking around, but then later he had left early and I was starting to freak out thinking that was it so I asked Everyone around the house if they knew where he went or if he’d be back and finally Daniel told me he would be. So the girls all wanted group pictures with him and the first time I really started to cry was when he made room for me to stand next to him, then he started to tear up and I was really trying to not cry-so all the girls were looking at me and saying it’s okay, let it out, and finally as Amelia wrapped me in a hug I let all the tears roll. It was so sweet to see how much he cared in reciprocation and I can’t thank God enough for the opportunity to get to spend so much time with him, all the jokes with a few choice, intimate conversations too, that created these beautiful last moments together, at least for now. I’m so grateful and honestly I think this gave me the best picture yet of why I’m here, doing this. The bonds made with people, no matter the culture, language, or background, remind me that we are living with and following the heart of a God who speaks all languages, sees the entire world, knitted each and every one of us into creation and loves us all without limitations. Praise Jesus for His love that breaks through all barriers of this world and calls us higher, to love every person we encounter in one way or another. 
