Saturday: May 8th, 2011
I’m lying in bed like I do every night, this time in the girl’s room at La Quinta. I’ve never asked to sleep in here before, mostly because the rooms are usually full and because they always have a set up for us in another building. Today it was different because it’s my last night at La Quinta. I can’t even comprehend leaving after the awesome day I just had. Tonight the events before, after and during dinner made me feel more at home than I have in the past four months. I felt like I was with my family, all of my brothers and sister running around, playing and being completely comfortable with each other.
I’ve seen many different teens walk in and out of this place. Some very broken, some leaning on God and some completely lost. In the midst of this brokenness and confusion I can’t see myself anywhere but here. The events that have taken place, the people I’ve met have captured my heart. I long to be here, I long to make known God’s immensity and unchanging love. It’s nights like tonight that make me realize how blessed I am to have been here, to have the chance to leave my home and travel elsewhere when the kids here are lucky if they get to leave their town. I guess what I’m getting at is this: I feel like I’m being calling back to this place.
I realize this season is over, I understand that it is time for me to return to Minnesota, however, I know God is calling me back to Nicaragua. Not necessarily to La Nueva Vida (my current home) but back to this ministry- specifically to La Quinta. I want to be an example of God’s love, restoration and healing to the youth here- There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’m excited to go home, to really press hard into learning Spanish and studying the bible even more in depth. I look forward to telling everyone back home about the things God has done here, the lives that have been touched just through new friendships and making His love known.
Tomorrow is my final goodbye with my La Quinta family and also all of the people I’ve met at La Nueva Vida, it’s going to be one of the hardest days I’ve ever had but the tears will only be a representation of the happiness that has been brought through these relationships. Thanks to all of you who have been praying for this team non-stop. I can see the fruits of your prayers, keep praying we can even have encounters with people on our final debrief. Love you all (:
P.s the three highlights of my last day at La Quinta are the following:
1) Mama Juanita telling Wendi and I she wanted a photo of us so we sat on a chair together and then ALL of the kids dog piled on top of us, including Juanita, tricked.
2) The boys saying they were coming back to the states with us, constantly saying “I love you forever” and teaching them what sassy means.
3) Ending the night with Patricia asking if she could sleep with me in my bunk. She crawled up and held my hand the whole night. I’ll miss my baby sister.
