Three weeks in Juarez, now three weeks in Creel. Time is flying by so quickly. Sunday evening we left on a public bus and spent the night traveling to Creel. This city is so beautiful the little I've seen of it so far.
But, to recap last week. Finally having the chance to work with the kids at Rancho Los Amigos, where I thought we were going to work the whole time in Juarez. Those kids melted my heart.
I was on the afternoon and evening shifts at Rancho, so I was with them from 2:30 to 8. Their days are so busy. They have school in the morning till 2:30, then they have a little free time to change out of their school uniforms and play before they have to do homework. From 3-4 they work on their homework, then have free time till dinner at 5. After dinner the kids who aren't on clean up play till 6:45 when they go shower and get ready for bed. They have devotions at 7:30, then lights out is at 8. It was so fun to be able to see the kids throughout their afternoons and evenings and interact with them as they work and play.
My favorite part of the day was devotions and bedtime. There were four girls from my team on the evening shift, so two of us went with the girls, and two with the boys. I was with the little girls, and they were so sweet. I got to teach the devotional two nights during the week, and it was so fun to see how much they love God and see their strong faith in him, especially at such a young age with such hard backgrounds.
At Rancho they really do train up the kids to live successful lives in all aspects. One night last week we had the opportunity to hear from one of the staff members about some of the kids stories and how they came to the home. To see where they came from and the restoration, healing, and hope that they have received was inspirational. The staff really do love the kids and help show them God's love for them.
While it was hard to say goodbye to the kids we started building friendships with, it wasn't as hard as it could have been. Seeing the care and love that the kids receive and knowing that they are being taken care of and are being given incredible opportunities for their future made it easy to go. I knew that every child in that home was in good hands and I had no fear that they were being provided for in every way they needed. Because of this I had a lot of peace in saying goodbye, even if I never see them again.
Throughout this last week, especially, I was often reminded of when I went to Russia four summers ago. Working with the kids there versus here was a very different experience. I remember saying goodbye was the hardest thing ever. In the few weeks we were there we were able to lead so many children to Jesus, but had no way of following up with them. So many times I pray that they were able to find a church, that their parents accepted their beliefs, that they were encouraged to pursue their faith rather than quench it. I still pray that I will have an opportunity to go back to Russia one day, that I will be able to pursue more long term ministry, provide real relationship and discipleship.
Working in Juarez at Rancho showed me that ministries like that are possible. Ministries of restoration and healing for children who had no hope in life. Taking children at risk and turning them into children of hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment