Who would think that waking up at 5:30 am every morning would turn into my favorite time of the day. Walking out to the neighbor cooking breakfast for his family has been my favorite morning view and something I look forward to every morning. I started to ask God, “why do you wake me up at 5:30 every morning and lead me outside to sit and watch this old man cook?” After several days of asking the Lord this question, it quickly came to me that waking up every morning and wanting to watch this man cook has been my time to see just a glimpse of Jesus. How must you ask? I see Jesus in this man cooking because of the way he is waking up at the crack of dawn every single day just to serve his family by making breakfast before they head off to school or work. I see Jesus in the peacefulness of the morning listening to the birds and monkeys as I watch this man do what seems to bring him so much joy. I see Jesus in his “Buenos Dias” or smile to me every morning just because he sees me watching him, fascinated with the simplicity of him cooking on a wood stove just outside his house. This place has blown me away in the ways I have seen the eyes of Jesus. I think it’s so crazy how God has blessed me with the opportunity to see him through other people and how he has so intricately placed a few in my path. My host mom, Isamar, shows me the eyes of Jesus by the way she loves us so well and the JOY that radiates from her. There isn’t a moment in the day where she isn’t smiling or laughing. Everyday she laughs so hard at me and most of the time its because of the language barrier and us having absolutely no idea what each other is saying or just some random thing that she thinks is hilarious. No matter the situation she always brings so much joy and laughter into the room and never forgets to give me a hug every day. She has really showed me that no matter the language love is a universal one and with Jesus no language can separate us from his love and our love for each other. The other way I have seen a glimpse of the eyes of the Jesus is by the two neighbor kids, Abran and Mario, that are over all the time every day. In the mornings they come running in with their uniforms just to give us each hugs before heading off to school and then when they come home at 12 they quick change then come and hang out with us. Their sweet, “hello Morgan” is music to my ears and brings so much Joy into my heart. Its been so fun having them as a part of this family. Overall I have seen the eyes of Jesus in my host family. With the ways they have welcomed us, their first mission team, with wide open arms and so so so much love has been incredible. When the pastor, host dad, says “we stole a part of his heart and will forever be a part of it” that’s when you know that forever you will be family and they love you as their own. Its been such a privilege to do life with these people and even the thought of saying goodbye brings tears to my eyes. Im so beyond thankful for the ways the Holy Spirit has invited me in to see and feel the eyes of Jesus in this place.
