Here I am… actually on the World Race. I feel as though this is super surreal because there was so much leading up to the race. From packing to 8 months of waiting, its been pretty much just a dream and something I was going to do in the future. But now I am in El Salvador living the dream I had only wished for.
Here in El Salvador we are working with a mission called La Red. La Red was started here in La Libertad as a church. La Libertad is a community on the beach so it is of course filled with surfers. Surfers aren’t exactly accepted into the other traditional churches so La Red was founded to be a church for anyone including surfers. Since La Red has expanded and started to fill the needs in the community. From partnering with the local orphanage, REMAR to clothing distributions they really do it all. Our contact here is named Andrea. Her story is one that is close to all of our hearts. She went to college in the states and got this fancy degree but instead knew God was calling her to the mission field. So she works with the mission groups that come in and make sure we feel not only at home but also having work for us to do everyday.
So everyday looks different but I have to tell you what Tuesday looked like. First for a little background so Andrea (our contact) was volunteering at the orphanage a few months ago and met a young Canadian who was also volunteering named Elly. Andrea decided to bring Elly back to hang out with previous World Racers that were here. Long story short Elly found Jesus that night. Yes you heard me right WORLD RACERS showed Elly Jesus. Elly has since given up a lot of her life and comforts to do what the Lord is calling her to do. She started a nonprofit called 100 Smiles Project. Basically she brings volunteers in for a voluntourism trip. So they spend their time not only volunteering but also surfing or doing yoga. So Monday night, we got to meet Elly and she told us that she wanted to take us to the orphanage with her group. We of course were stoked. Once of her participants wanted to donate new towels, underwear and socks for the 60 orphans. AWESOME. So Tuesday Elly shows up and we walk to the orphanage. I am immediately hugged by child after child.
One particularly stands out to me. She 11 years old and just has this beautiful smile. She hugs me and won’t let go. Went she finally lets go she still holds me at the waist. She tells me her name is Diana and begins to show me around the orphanage. She shows me her room, classrooms, the soccer court, basketball court and keeps hugging me. Out of the corner of my eye I see a pool but clearly its not useable. The water isn’t even up to the filters and it’s not overly clear either. Anyways we sit down and in my broken Spanish, I tell her she is so beautiful and that not only do I love her but Jesus loves her even more. She said she loves me even more and Jesus loves me just as much. So after our heart to heart we sit down and I have one small child in my lap and Diana to my right still grasping my hand. The towels are distributed to the children and the children are so appreciative.
Next Andrea looks at me and says, “The kids want to go swimming are you in?” I have never moved so fast in my life. I throw my bag to a teammate and take 3 childrens hand and start running towards the water. Diana looks at me and tells me she has chores but she will be sure to say bye. So me and these 8-10 year old boys hop in the pool and I am suddenly a child again. Oh did I forget to tell you no one has bathing suits but instead we are in our clothes. Oh well. We splash and I throw child after child into the water. The smiles I saw that day were enough for a lifetime. Then 2 little girls swim up to me and yell “Amiga, Amiga!!!” I didn’t even listen to what came next. Amiga means friend. I, in a little over 3 hours became their friend. A part of my heart was left right there in the pool.
So its time for us to go home and I am excited because I know I will be right back here in a few days. This time wearing my bathing suit but all in the same I will be back to hug these kids and love them. I cannot wait. So after goodbyes I realize I did get to say goodbye to Diana. As I am walking away I turn around one last time and see Diana. We run to each others arms and hug say goodbye and I remind her she is beautiful. She says she will see me soon.
So this is what my life has become. Loving on others. Seeing these kids as the beauties they are. Not seeing them as the underprivileged or marginalized but as God’s children. It is amazing to say the least.
So I want to leave you with a few prayer requests. I pray that my team seeks God in dark moments. I pray that we get to continue to love on others. Pray for our health. And pray for my entire squad because I have no idea what they are up to.
Finally just to make you laugh. A girl on my team, her sister went on the race and they always said, “Then it was normal” so I thought I would continue it so here is my list so far…
Then it was normal
- Not flushing toilet paper
- Enjoying the beach everyday
- Sleeping in my hammock
- Not having any clue what anyone is saying
- Eating out every meal which on our budget means pupusas everyday (I am loving it)
So yeah. I love and miss you all. Praying for all of you
#molsismoving #msquadornah
