In completing my first leg of the race in South America, I have met many people dear to my heart. God has showed me the importance of loving one another well and letting others love me well. He let me be known to know Him and used others to inspire me and change my life.
Below, I have captured some of these people and want to share the stories of what they mean to me and what God did through them.
A story has value and a face has worth. If you let it, it will changed you. If you you receive, it will never leave you. If you share it, many can grow from it.
Amyleth, Juan Jose, & Mia
Lima, Peru
In the beginning of Month 1 my teammates and I were walking back from the mall when I spotted a young 9 year old doing cart wheels in the street for money. It was quarter till 10 at night and I was dumbfounded. I stopped and pondered what to do, until my teammate turned around and began walking towards her. I quickly followed and this girl and her family changed my life.
I came to find out the girl’s name was Amyleth and she had two siblings, Juan Jose (7) and Mia (3). They belonged to their single mother, Lucinda, who sold candy while they begged and did tricks on the street. Lucinda was a young, single mother who had no education and was deeply wounded.
After that night, I went back weekly to mingle, pray, and play with the kids. Our time was always short due to them working but the joy of chasing them around, tickling them, and playing tag changed me. I will never forget Amyleth’s heart-filled smile, Juan Jose’s thirst for love and kindness, and Mia’s big brown eyes. I still hear their sweet voices and recall all their hugs, and my heart misses them.
God showed me through them the power of love, prayer, and joy.
Jadira
Lima, Peru
On arriving in Peru my team partnered with a church and YWAM. We traveled to work with the church and were welcomed by the pastor’s wife and daughter. Each day they would cook elaborate lunches for us and chat. Jadira was the pastor’s daughter, and her jokes and laugh could change a room. She enjoyed befriending all of us and blessed us with her presence. Jadira taught me courage and displayed a humility that only comes from the Father.
God used her to awaken me to who I was in Him.
Rosy
Lima, Peru
While working at the church with YWAM, there were several young women who ran the church ministries. Rosy was one of them and took care of all the children programming. I will never forget the day I met her. We sat waiting for lunch singing worship songs. I had asked them if they knew Good Good Father by Housefires and then proceeded to sing it. Then, somewhere along the bridge she looked at me with tear filled eyes and I saw her, and then I let her see me.
I never realized the power giving someone your eye contact could communicate and from that moment on Rosy became a friend. We understood one another without speaking the same language and loved one another so well through Christ.
She taught me to share my heart and give it freely. She showed me love without words. And, she blessed me with kindness and goodness.
God used her to bring sight to my eyes and love to my heart.
Zara & Ruth
Quito, Ecuador
During Month 2, my team worked with a French organization called, EcuaSol, where only the kitchen staff, Zara and Ruth, were Christians. Each day they cooked meals for the children and prepared our lunches. I spent several hours in their kitchen chatting and lending a hand, and quickly felt as if I gained two mamas. Zara would feed me as she cooked and taught me her ways, while Ruth was always kind and loving. They both carried the spirit and God revealed to me how there is something simple about giving your time and self to others..how it creates trust and builds love, even when you can’t really communicate.
God used these ladies to bless me and sustain me in a long month.
Sofia
Quito, Ecuador
Each day at EcuaSol, my team would work on projects and play with kids as they came to eat or do their homework after school. I know you shouldn’t chose favorites, yet this little girl, Sofia, stole everyone of my teammate’s heart. She was only five-years-old and maybe three feet tall. Her home life was rough and her words were few, but her desire for love and play was immense. This little girl gave me hope that God knows all of His children and loves them. He showed me how delicate and precious His kids are to him.
God used Sofia to bring me the goodness and kindness of the Lord.
Frankie
Quito, Ecuador
Frankie, was another kid from EcuaSol, who also came from a rough home life, but had so much joy it would be hard to believe it. His smile greeted me everyday at the lunch table and his wonder and giggles always kept him distracted from finishing his lunch.
God used Frankie to show me joy and wonder despite circumstances.
Nathan
Quito, Ecuador
Nathan, came to the EcuaSol everyday to worked on English. I first met him playing soccer and gravitated to his sweet kindness. He carried a gentleness that I believe is rare, yet I could tell he also carried a sadness. Like all the kids in the neighborhood, he too had a rough home life. It was hard to bring joy and truth into the kids lives when they themselves hadn’t seen a lot of it.
I will never forget the day though when the Holy Spirit urged me to chase after Nathan as he left for home to tell him… “Nathan, you are very intelligent and loved.” The smile that came across his face and the light that burst out of His eyes was similar to the photo above. God had spoke through me to His son in that moment, and Nathan heard it and believed it.
God showed me through Nathan to speak truth and empower others through love.
Jesus
Cartagena, Colombia
In Month 3 my team stayed in an African Caribbean neighborhood with a large family of eight. Four of the children still lived at home and Jesus was the youngest. He spoke few words and didn’t really come alive until night, but his cuteness and kindness melted my heart daily. Jesus, made me laugh and his intelligence inspired me. He was confident and funny and it was nice to have a new little brother. Plus, his interactions with his mom were the sweetest exchanges as he treated her with upmost respect and love. Jesus taught me to dream again and live life confidently.
God used Jesus to inspire me.
Karen
Cartagena, Colombia
Colombia was a month filled with love and healing and Karen was another child of the family my team stayed with. She was artsy and creative and her beauty was exuberant. Karen was young with a bright future ahead and she became a friend and like a little sister to me
God used Karen to remind me how far I have come and to share the wisdom He has given me.
Mercy
Cartagena, Colombia
Mercy, was a God fearing woman who served others, her family, and God selflessly. She walked and led with strength, but graced others with her kindness and goodness always. Mercy trusted in the Lord and her faith moved mountains.
Mercy was gentle and her love for Christ changed my life. Her laughter healed my heart in more ways than one and her concern and care for me pushed me onward. Mercy was an example of a woman I aspire to be.
God used Mercy to love me well, bring me hope, and direct me towards Christ.
Yordis, Xaver, & Yorleidis
Cartagena, Colombia
My favorite family of kids thus far on the race.
While living in Cartagena, my team worked with a kids foundation to provide the gospel and education. Each day kids came and went and we would play with them in the streets. These kids above stole my heart: Xaver (7), Yordis (9), and Yorleidis (12).
Each one of them was so different and it honestly took me two weeks to realize they were all siblings. Yorleidis, the girl, tenderly loved me and brought me gifts of sorts throughout the whole month. Xavier, was just wild and always looking to laugh and play; he could go from one extreme to the other and craved love. And, Yordis, was just kind. It took him a while to warm up to me, but after he trusted me it killed my heart to say goodbye.
On the morning of departure, I was tackled with hugs from the three of them. I wept as I hugged them goodbye and kissed their foreheads reminding them Jesus loves them.
It was the hardest goodbye yet and left my heart heavy. I miss them a lot and truly pray I get to see them again. He used them to remind me how lovable I am and how important I am to God
God used them to minister to me.
Daylang
Down the street from where we lived was a family who was constantly involved in gang violence and drug deals. One of the girls of the house was named Daylang (16) who happened to just live amongst the chaos. She loved soccer and was very talented, so we became friends fast over the game.
Daylang gave me hope. She inspired me be who I am and to walk confidently in that. And, she refreshed me with her curiosity and soft heart. I left a friend behind in Cartagena.
God used Daylang to remind me of the boldness and courage I carry while loving people well.
Richardi & Jean Carlos
Cartagena, Colombia
Working in Cartagena, my team was not in the safest neighborhood, in fact, we were in the worst. Gun violence and drug abuse was common and kids often were left unsupervised. Across the street from the foundation lived these two boys. They never wanted to attend any of the classes offered, but they always were present to play. They thirst for love and affection and desired touch.
Spending time with them everyday and playing were some of my favorite memories. However, I felt their future at times did not look so bright with a lack of parental care and education enforcement. They brought me to the end of myself realizing I was not in control of saving them from danger.
God used them to remind me of who He is and who I am.
