Courage

“Only where children are gathered is there any real chance of fun.” ~Mignon McLaughlin

Broken flip-flops dangling from my fingers and my muddy feet avoiding rocks as I walked barefoot. Rain still dripped from the palm trees and I could still see the cloud of rain hitting the mountain alongside us. Cleaning the dirty pool with 13 laughing, splashing, soaking kids. Getting pushed in, finding marbles on the bottom, and everyone getting DIRTY! Wonderful, rainy, wet Saturday.

Peniel

“It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are.” - E.E. Cummings

Been an interesting few weeks here as some of the teenagers are learning the consequences of not following rules. Lots of anger and frustration as they learn and grow. It’s in the hard times that our character really grows. “I wish my mother never would have given birth to me. It would have been better to never have been born.” Said one of the girls the other night. How do I respond in moments like that. I feel so inadequate and can only listen, try to understand and continue to point towards Christ. His love for them. The hope and life and love found in Him. And love them. Love these kids who are and learning and growing through good times and hard times where they are hurting and alone and angry. 

Sara and I after church

“Change this world. Use your body like a tool meant to be used up, discarded, and replaced. Better every life you touch. We will reach the final chapter. Live now. Relish the tensions, the challenges, and laugh at the petty pains.” -N.D. Wilson

Skinned knuckles from hand washing clothes. Legs covered with bug bites. Bruised heels from running barefoot while playing soccer. Dry hands from washing dishes. Sore arms from scrubbing dirty uniforms, washing windows. Happy heart from learning, helping, loving, laughing, running, lifting, DOING. Living. Use the gifts God has given you and live for His glory. Love life because each day is a gift.

"The saddest people I've ever met in life are the ones who don't care deeply about anything at all. Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there's nothing to make it last." ~Lemony Snicket

“Tia Lily, do you like to work?” they always ask me as I scrub clothes or wash dishes. Makes me laugh. “No... not always.” I tell them. “But I like to DO. I like to live.” And all the work here is a joy because the work I do here goes directly into 86 children who laugh and play and have hurts and joys and give me hugs and call me Tia and tell me their secrets and fears and their adventures. And it makes all the work and rough days worth it. Every hug, every smile, every time a tiny hand slips into mine, every time I hear “Tia Lily” it fills my heart with joy.

Me and the funniest David

Been an incredible 3 months in Bolivia. I have officially spent half of a year in all here in Caranavi. With these crazy amazing kids and learned so much and am learning more every day. Amazed by God’s faithfulness and love as He provides again and again. And I am amazed at His love and beauty. It is impossible to not praise His name every time I step outside my door and see green mountains surrounding me. His creation sings His praises. Finished up all the paperwork for my visa! God is good and faithful!

Please be praying for...

-The older kids here that God would save them and be their comfort when they are struggling.

-Wisdom for the directors as they deal with rebellious children.

-That God would send more children to Casa de Esperanza. 10 children are graduating this year making more space available for others to live in a safe home and hear of God’s love for them. 

God bless! Continue to pray for all the kids and Tias! God hears your prayers and is FAITHFUL! Lots and lots of love from Bolivia!!!

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My heart and my flesh fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:25-28

~Lily