The van wasn't packed on the way to church as it normally is. For one, Lourdes was at home with a migraine.
We got to church early, so I sat down to wait and was soon surrounded with girls from the breakfast program. Usually I sit with Lourdes, so it was nice to know that they would want to sit with me. I used to feel bad when I didn't know the songs because I think it is important to set a good example for them and fully participate in the service. Today we did some of my favorite songs. It was fun to sing and clap with the girls.
Then we had a mini concert. Kids who have been taking piano lessons got up and played. Some of them have only been playing for a few months, others have clearly been playing for years. They each got up and bowed for the audience then performed, then bowed again after they were finished. I loved the bowing! It was cool to see kids between 4-10 years old get up on the stage and have the confidence to perform. Then it was nice to see them feel proud of themselves after they finished. The girls who sat with me loved it and said they wish they could have piano lessons. So far only one girl from Los Pinos is getting lessons. Hopefully that will change.
When the kids got called to go to their Sunday school classes, Marlin, the lady who works in the kitchen with me a lot for the breakfast program, motioned for me to come sit with her. I appreciated that since I was left alone. We sat together and shared my bilingual bible. She thought that was really cool. She is one of my favorite people here. I just learned that she was close to death a year ago from Lupus. Now you can't even tell she has the disease! Her son, Misael, was sick Friday. I asked about him and she said he is still very sick. She will take him back to the doctor tomorrow because he still has a fever and vomits if he eats anything. I am trying to think of a special way that I could bless her or her family if I have to leave in a few weeks. So far I don't have any ideas, but I know God will help me with that because she deserves something special.
Jairo's message today was from Isaiah 58:11, that God will comfort you always. It was a good message for this week when so many were in pain after the death of Alfredo Villatoro. He searched through the church members and at various points in the service he reminded specific people that God will comfort them and meet their needs.
Jairo also used Deuteronomy 7:9-10, which was fitting for this week too. It talks about God's faithfulness and love for those who love Him, but also says that God will not be slow to repay those who hate Him. For me, anyone who takes a man from his family, tortures, then kills him, must hate God. Maybe it makes me a bad person, but I find comfort knowing that God has a place specifically for those people. (3 people have been arrested and more are being investigated for their role in kidnapping and killing Alfredo Villatoro.)
Juan, a member of our church who was the counterpart to Alfredo Villatoro in their morning radio show, was present this week. The pain his family feels is very evident. By the end of the service his son sat with his head in his hands. He appeared unable to stand with the rest of the church. Jairo said the boy is afraid his father will be kidnapped and killed too. It is reasonable for him to feel that way.
After church I talked with Jose and Karla. Karla will be on break from school after tomorow. We are planning to spend time together - yay!!!!
It was hot outside but a storm was rolling in over the mountains. When church first got out the storm was far away. I told Jairo I was glad the storm was over his house, not mine, because all of my jeans are hanging on the line. Finally, after about 45 minutes he said it was time to go. We all got into the car and waited while he talked to a group of men. Aaron said it was going to rain. I told Aaron that is not funny because every single pair of my pants are hanging outside and I will have nothing to wear tomorrow if they get wet. He said, don't worry, you'll get home in time. Then the clouds started coming in faster. We were all in the van joking that it would be Jairo's fault if I had no clothes tomorrow. Aaron called for Jairo a few times, but the men were still talking. Finally Jairo came and we left. As we pulled out of the driveway Aaron said I was going to get home just in time. I agreed. By the time we got to the corner everyone started shrieking that it was raining! It rained a little, but not much. When we got to the exit for my house everyone was laughing. Jairo said it rained only at my house. He was right! The streets were soaked and the rain was coming down hard, but only over my Colonia! On the other side of the road there was no rain and the roads were dry. It was so bizarre it was hilarious! Rain is an every day thing here now. It's the rainy season! But today we had fun acting like it was a crazy big deal. They said I would have to run fast into my house so I wouldn't get wet (as if I haven't been drenched many times just in the past week!). So I hurried and unlocked the gate while they cheered me on, then rushed over to the clothes line. The mango tree had protected some things from being completely soaked, but I grabbed it all and brought it in.
I had planned to fast today and pray about my funding, but before I realized what I was doing I ate some Twizzlers. Ooops! No fast today. Made myself a little lunch and laid down for a nap. I had to close the windows because the rain was so loud outside. When I woke up it was still raining, but not as hard, so I put on my gringa raincoat and ran to the pulperia. (Nobody here wears a raincoat.)
Back to the Breakfast Program tomorrow! I am trying to be present in every moment and appreciate each day because I'm not sure if I will be able to live here after June 14th. The weeks go by so quickly! If I do have to leave I want to have no regrets about the way I spent my time here. I hate that I already have sadness in my heart because I am worried I may have to leave. I still have more than 3 weeks left here. It seems like a waste of time to feel sad about something that might not even happen. I can't fully appreciate each moment if I am sad. However, sometimes when I think about having to leave, I can't help but be sad. Would God send me here to form all of these relationships and see all of the ways I can serve, then take me away? I hope not!
*Please click on "Older Posts" to see the other new entries I posted tonight*
