We leave our hotel at 4 am tomorrow morning. We leave El Salvador at 6:30 am. By returning home, we all leave behind the same shared experience but we each take something different back with us. Last nite after curfew, we stayed up late in the room watching ‘Castaway’ with Tom Hanks. As you know, Tom’s character Chuck got stuck on a deserted island for over four years. When he finally made it back home, he told a good friend that he put all his trust in the fact that if he could ‘keep breathing’ he would survive. His sole purpose and motivation came from the need to just keep breathing.
I wonder now if that might be how all the children we met this week actually get up every morning to face another day. Not knowing exactly when they might have another chance at a life outside the orphanage or detention center, they pass what must seem like endless amounts of time behind the fences. At first I was admittedly a little cynical that they might actually like us or come to be our genuine friends. I was unsure if we could actually make a connection. But we did. And we shared with all of them the hope we have – not just thru words – but thru our actions as well. And we earned their trust. The most asked question we ever got from them was ‘when are you coming back ?’
So for me, I’m taking home a bunch of pictures, a few t-shirts, and the memories of a blessed experience that melted my somewhat cynical heart. I hope to come back here soon – maybe next year. Until then, I’m gonna try to just keep breathing. Seeya soon.
Craig Boyer
2 comments:
It sounds like yall have been such a blessing to all those cute kids. It has been a blessing to us to get to be a part of this trip each day by watching all the ways you have been ministering to the children. It's also been fun to recognize the ones from Waterloo Road that we know! Thanks for providing this opportunity for those of us at home!
I am so moved by the things you have shared on this blog that I cannot wait to hear all your stories in person. I am counting the hours til we see all of you at the airport. What a sweet reunion...I can't wait!!!
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