Last week our host took us to a local orphanage here in El Tunco. The name of it is Remar and it is a unbelievable place. As we toured the facility, I was in awe of what was all going on there. They have a school not only for the children in the orphanage, but it is open to children in the surrounding community as well. They also have a little farm where they raise pigs and chickens and use that to provide food for the orphanage. Remar also has a bakery where they sell baked goods to the community to help financially support the facility.
The El Salvador government decides whether or not children need to be placed in the orphanage based on living conditions and/or parental situations. Remar takes in children that have either lost their parents or it’s not safe for them to live at home. The orphanage gives the children a safer environment to grow up in and become educated. I’ve visited a few orphanages during some of my other mission trips, but I’ve never seen one so self sufficient and remarkable like Remar.
As we walked in, many of the children ran up to us with huge smiles on their faces. They greeted us with so much joy and compassion. From little babies to young teenagers, they were so excited to see us. And as we walked further into the facility, one little girl grabbed my hand and started guiding me around.
As we were given a tour by our host Andrea, this little girl kept guiding me and showing me the many amenities of Remar. She was about 5 years old and the whole time we were there, she never let go. She showed me where the babies slept, where the school was, where the farm animals were, and where they played sports and games. Her little hand and fingers fit perfectly in mine and honestly, it made my heart melt. She had no idea who I was, but that didn’t matter. I was a stranger from a foreign country, but she didn’t see that. All she saw was a friend.
And that’s exactly who Jesus is. He is going to stretch out his hand and all we have to do is grab onto it. He’ll never let go of us just as the little girl never let go of me. Jesus will guide us throughout our lives, even through the good and bad times.
So I’m challenging myself to never let go. To never lose sight of what this trip is. To never give up when it gets rough. Because I know Jesus is holding my hand and he will never let go of me.
