Buenas! First off, sorry for the lack of blog last week. I don’t know why, I just could never bring myself to write. The past two weeks have been such an emotional roller coaster. The “highest of highs and lowest of lows” as it were. Secondly, sorry in advance for the seemingly directionless-ness and mumbo jumbo of this one. I promise I’m doing my best to write with clarity while giving you a wider picture of what’s going on. Here goes.
Ministry. How could I begin to describe it? It’s evolved a lot since we first got here, growing more personal. Have I even explained what we’ve been doing? Every day is different, but for the most part we have one ministry in the morning, one in the afternoon, and occasionally a third at night. These could include visiting the garbage dump, the old folks’ home, the special needs school, the orphanage, the park to play sports, bars and prostitutes, the children’s hospital, doing door to door evangelism, church programs, and even attempting to learn to how to break dance with the local guys. Whew. That even made me tired to type. The prostitute ministry is one that we have only recently really started. Despite not being able to talk to the women and only understanding about half of what they’re saying, I actually have enjoyed it, if that’s the right word. God really came through for me too. I have never experienced anything like that night but He was so faithful to protect my eyes, heart, and mind.
The first club my group went to is called Rex’s Palace Girls. Walking in was.. unexplainable.Thankfully, it was early so not much was going on but still the sight of a stage with poles and glass cages was shocking. A sign behind the bar said “God bless this business.” I almost threw up. The women we got to talk to at both that bar and others we’re way more responsive than I was expecting (there goes those expectations again). We got to know them, showed them the unconditional love of Jesus, and prayed for them one by one.
The park ministry is one of my favorites. It’s amazing how fast you can build relationships just by playing a game of soccer. I’ve never sweated so much in my life, but it’s definitely worth it to have some fun with the locals and get to know people. We also get to hang out with a group of guys there who break dance. I wish I had that kind of coordination but alas, I’m just a little white girl.
Garbage dump ministry is another regular one. We’ve gotten to go a good many times and have started to build some good relationships. Katty, one of the girls who works there, is 15 and was married a few months ago. She doesn’t live there, but walks 30 minutes every day from her house to sort trash. They look for anything they could sell, mostly plastics, metals, and glass. This last time we went, we finally got to directly present the gospel to whoever would come down and listen. A good many people responded! Including Katty! It was absolutely awesome.
Let’s see, what else. The special needs school is a team favorite. During the day we’ve gotten to go play with the kids with anything from a mild case of dyslexia to severe autism or blindness. We are also in the process of building a new classroom there. One cool part is many of the children from the orphanage go to school there so we are able to see and play with them even more often. Going to the children’s hospital has been good too. Holding little babies and coloring with the older ones is an easy way to love of them without being able to speak their language. Lourdes isn’t at the hospital anymore though. When we went to visit about a week and a half ago, I couldn’t find him and the nurses said he had been moved to an orphanage. The good news is they named the orphanage that we have already been visiting. The bad news is that when we visited there a few days later, Lourdes wasn’t there either. My heart sank. I had been so sure I was going to get to hold him again. God has really spoken into me about it though. Three different people, independent of each other have encouraged me to wait on the Lord and rest in Him. So that’s what I’m going to do.
Honestly, these past two weeks have been probably the hardest for me since arriving here. I feel physically and emotionally drained, but spiritually it’s been so so good. I feel like that waterfall we’ve been visiting. Water is pouring in and I’m being filled but it’s absolutely exhausting. Pray for physical strength and energy for me and the rest of the team. Love you guys! Sorry for the ridiculous length.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:29-31
PS. The coulds here are out of this world!
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