It has been a month since we have been at Pan de Vida. In the time here, God has been showing us many interesting things. Aron has been very busy with repairs and his tasks include plumbing, electrical, woodworking and even a hand at auto mechanics. There is always something that needs to be done. When I first got here, I was told I would be looking after the visitor's dorm. We have spent the last month settling in and learning how things work and what tasks need to be done and when.
Just this past weekend, I told Aron that I wasn't sure what God wanted me to do. Some days are busy and there aren't enough hours and some days are pretty routine. I guess I felt like I needed to be doing something all the time. It was then that Aron looked at me and said "the kids love you and they are so glad you are here. That is why you are here." It made me cry. I was having a pity party when it isn't about me at all.
Then after church we went to lunch and one of the girls just came and hugged me because she was just glad to see me. Yeah, God is a God of relationships. These kids need people who they know are here for them and to love them and spend time with them. Then one of the girls invited me to their dorm for a surprise birthday party for Lucy. She is 18 today. *note: there are around 100 kids here. The boys have a building and the girls have a building. There are several rooms in each building with anywhere from 10-16 kids per room. The one I was invited to is one of the older girls dorm room.
With permission, they were allowed to go into the kitchen and fix some snacks and take them to their room. I was very humbled to arrive and find the birthday girl in her bed crying. I don't know why. Maybe she misses her family on this special day, maybe she wishes things were different in her life. I do not know her background. The other girls rallied around and lit matches for candles and started to sing to her. She slowly came out from under the covers and accepted the love they were showing. Before I know it, we are laughing and they are singing, I tried to dance....ok...I am also aware of gifts that God has not given me, dancing and singing are 2 of them. Then we lit matches and roasted marshmallows by the flame and played a card game called spoons. I also learned that if you do not have an eye lash curler, you can use a spoon and get great results. Like taking scissors to ribbon. The Spanish people are beautiful and know their stuff when it comes to make-up.
We are new here and it will take some time to find where we fit in but what a wonderful way to start!
Just this past weekend, I told Aron that I wasn't sure what God wanted me to do. Some days are busy and there aren't enough hours and some days are pretty routine. I guess I felt like I needed to be doing something all the time. It was then that Aron looked at me and said "the kids love you and they are so glad you are here. That is why you are here." It made me cry. I was having a pity party when it isn't about me at all.
Then after church we went to lunch and one of the girls just came and hugged me because she was just glad to see me. Yeah, God is a God of relationships. These kids need people who they know are here for them and to love them and spend time with them. Then one of the girls invited me to their dorm for a surprise birthday party for Lucy. She is 18 today. *note: there are around 100 kids here. The boys have a building and the girls have a building. There are several rooms in each building with anywhere from 10-16 kids per room. The one I was invited to is one of the older girls dorm room.
With permission, they were allowed to go into the kitchen and fix some snacks and take them to their room. I was very humbled to arrive and find the birthday girl in her bed crying. I don't know why. Maybe she misses her family on this special day, maybe she wishes things were different in her life. I do not know her background. The other girls rallied around and lit matches for candles and started to sing to her. She slowly came out from under the covers and accepted the love they were showing. Before I know it, we are laughing and they are singing, I tried to dance....ok...I am also aware of gifts that God has not given me, dancing and singing are 2 of them. Then we lit matches and roasted marshmallows by the flame and played a card game called spoons. I also learned that if you do not have an eye lash curler, you can use a spoon and get great results. Like taking scissors to ribbon. The Spanish people are beautiful and know their stuff when it comes to make-up.
We are new here and it will take some time to find where we fit in but what a wonderful way to start!
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