As I write this blog I am shocked that in less than 10 days we will be heading to Haiti
and month 2 will begin.
I have not even “swallowed” all that I have learned in these first weeks being here and the 2nd month
is about to begin.
It is hard for me to pull away from the relationships that we have all been building since being in San Juan. As we
head into Hija Quieta for ministry the children run to meet us and scream, “Americanos, Americanos!” When we leave they
already asking us when we are coming back. The children are such a joy and delight to be with. Our team Koinonia tries to
shower the children with love and kindness and we know some of the children have never been shown love.
Pastora Zelanda has been such a servant to our team, and the relationships we have built through her
have taught each of us on Koinonia so much.
Pastora Zelanda asked Koinonia to share in church what we have learned from San Juan thus far. I’m so humbled
by the people we have prayed with and sat in their houses telling them about Jesus’ love for them. God is teaching
me what true giving with no strings attached really looks like. The people from the slums invite us
into their homes which are one to maybe two bedroom house for a family of 3-5 kids. They get chairs
from outside or the other room so we can all sit as they stand to talk and listen to us. The people we
have built relationships do not ask anything from us, and they give all that they have to us.
I think back to living in the U.S. and although we can afford so much more than these people I have
found myself holding on to the abundance of things more than sharing it with others. I now only possess what
fits in my backpack so what I can give is limited. It’s hard for me to realize I have nothing but Jesus’ love and kindness
to give to these people.
Not only am I learning what true giving looks like but what joy beyond circumstances is. The people in the slums
not only possess nothing and live in the poorest part of San Juan but there is sickness, there is drugs, there is
children who take care of their baby siblings while there parents are nowhere to be found. There is so
much to be sad, depressed, and angry about. When we visit Hija Quieta during the day they will share about
their circumstances, sadness, or relative near dying but it is so that we can pray for them. At church
they are overjoyed to be sharing in community with one another. They have big smiles and cry when we pray
for them or show them love. Their joy is found in Jesus, they do not waver their smiles based on the day
they are happy to have found Jesus, the everlasting joy in life.
This trip by no means has been all smiles and happy moments, the transition of this community living
has definetly already been a trying time for me. Nothing is done individually, meaning we are not
to go anywhere if there is not someone else with us, on top of that we are living with 25 girls in one
house. There are about 4-6 girls sharing each room, food decisions are based by a team decision, internet time
is done with someone else, 2 bathrooms being shared by over 20 girls is a challenge on its own. This type
of living is what families do and yet we have only known each other for a short period. The way I am used
to doing things, or doing things on my own, depending on me alone is out the window for options.
And I’m left to cry out to God in the frustrating moments, read the Bible, or write in my journal.
There is nowhere I can turn to or go to but God. Although I have already tried to find a different way to
find healing in these tough times, there is no other way.
Psalm 143:1 “O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
I ask for prayer for the children who live in Hija Quieta, I ask that God continue to allow us to plant
seeds in their hearts in the days to come. I ask prayer for my team as we seek God’s will over our own
individual wants. Prayer for the church that we are doing ministry with that God would expand its
territory and continue to shower it with blessings.
I am praying to God for patience- with my team and in my relationship with God. I ask for prayer
as I need endurance in the frustrating times with teammates and community living.
and month 2 will begin.
I have not even “swallowed” all that I have learned in these first weeks being here and the 2nd month
is about to begin.
It is hard for me to pull away from the relationships that we have all been building since being in San Juan. As we
head into Hija Quieta for ministry the children run to meet us and scream, “Americanos, Americanos!” When we leave they
already asking us when we are coming back. The children are such a joy and delight to be with. Our team Koinonia tries to
shower the children with love and kindness and we know some of the children have never been shown love.
Pastora Zelanda has been such a servant to our team, and the relationships we have built through her
have taught each of us on Koinonia so much.
Pastora Zelanda asked Koinonia to share in church what we have learned from San Juan thus far. I’m so humbled
by the people we have prayed with and sat in their houses telling them about Jesus’ love for them. God is teaching
me what true giving with no strings attached really looks like. The people from the slums invite us
into their homes which are one to maybe two bedroom house for a family of 3-5 kids. They get chairs
from outside or the other room so we can all sit as they stand to talk and listen to us. The people we
have built relationships do not ask anything from us, and they give all that they have to us.
I think back to living in the U.S. and although we can afford so much more than these people I have
found myself holding on to the abundance of things more than sharing it with others. I now only possess what
fits in my backpack so what I can give is limited. It’s hard for me to realize I have nothing but Jesus’ love and kindness
to give to these people.
Not only am I learning what true giving looks like but what joy beyond circumstances is. The people in the slums
not only possess nothing and live in the poorest part of San Juan but there is sickness, there is drugs, there is
children who take care of their baby siblings while there parents are nowhere to be found. There is so
much to be sad, depressed, and angry about. When we visit Hija Quieta during the day they will share about
their circumstances, sadness, or relative near dying but it is so that we can pray for them. At church
they are overjoyed to be sharing in community with one another. They have big smiles and cry when we pray
for them or show them love. Their joy is found in Jesus, they do not waver their smiles based on the day
they are happy to have found Jesus, the everlasting joy in life.
This trip by no means has been all smiles and happy moments, the transition of this community living
has definetly already been a trying time for me. Nothing is done individually, meaning we are not
to go anywhere if there is not someone else with us, on top of that we are living with 25 girls in one
house. There are about 4-6 girls sharing each room, food decisions are based by a team decision, internet time
is done with someone else, 2 bathrooms being shared by over 20 girls is a challenge on its own. This type
of living is what families do and yet we have only known each other for a short period. The way I am used
to doing things, or doing things on my own, depending on me alone is out the window for options.
And I’m left to cry out to God in the frustrating moments, read the Bible, or write in my journal.
There is nowhere I can turn to or go to but God. Although I have already tried to find a different way to
find healing in these tough times, there is no other way.
Psalm 143:1 “O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
I ask for prayer for the children who live in Hija Quieta, I ask that God continue to allow us to plant
seeds in their hearts in the days to come. I ask prayer for my team as we seek God’s will over our own
individual wants. Prayer for the church that we are doing ministry with that God would expand its
territory and continue to shower it with blessings.
I am praying to God for patience- with my team and in my relationship with God. I ask for prayer
as I need endurance in the frustrating times with teammates and community living.
Thank you all for the prayers, encouraging emails, and financial support!
