Hope…The Garden…
A place I get to call home. People I get to call family.
A place of laughter and tears, joy and heartbreak, rest and serving, and so much hope in the midst of the lack.
Thank you lord for for using Hope to give me new eyes. New eyes into how to love your children, how to serve your nations, and how to hunger for you more than ever. Thank you for the last 2 months of letting me partner with you in what you have called this ministry into.
Now you may be wondering why they call themselves Hope. Well, I am here to share that it is because they believe the lord will use them to be just that to their community. And I can say firsthand that they are succeeding. They are hope to this country, to San Antonio, and to any Guatemalan they come across. Hope is a ministry that is founded solely on the lord. He is their main driving point in everything they do and say, every decision they make, and every step they take.
They support families in San Antonio physically, spiritually, and emotionally. They give out clothes and food periodically, do house visits, disciple and pray for, and with, the families in the community, and anything else they can, to help them get to a place where they can support themselves.
Four days a week, Hope staff are discipling kids ages 3-14. Starting off with english classes on mondays, bible class on tuesdays, a womens bible study for the moms and other women in the community, along with music class for the kids on wednesdays, and soccer on fridays. Hope provides a safe place for the women and kids to come and learn, have fun, and get closer to the father. Some of the women that come on wednesdays use this time to escape an abusive household, to take a break from work, or because they sit at home all day. The kids find comfort, peace, and joy in just the four days they come to the garden and would consider Hope their second home and family.
My team and I got to witness these things play out for two whole months, that felt like just two weeks. We got to be the safe place for the kids, the place of comfort, peace, and joy. We got to love on the kids and families in the communities like they were our own. As much as we tried to impact them they couldn’t help but impact us. I know each person on my team could tell you stories upon stories on how the kids and people in San Antonio have their hearts, but to keep it short I will share with you one of my own experiences.
Erick! I don’t have the words to describe all that this 5 year old boy means to me. When he steps through the gate he would run straight up to me with his arms open wide, yelling senor! senor! Once he got in my arms he never wanted to leave, which was very mutual. His smile is the most gummiest and toothless smile but the sweetest and most genuine. The joy, wisdom, and confidence he carried is unmatched. Erick is also the best 5 year old tree climbers I have ever met. He loved to kiss you on the cheek and play with your hair. He became one of my favorite parts of ministry days. He is a kid who longs for the love because he doesn’t get much at home. Thank you Jesus that I got to show him your love these past 2 months.
I love this wild kid, and telling him that was something so special. He will forever hold a special place in my heart. Saying goodbye to this sweet boy was the hardest part of getting blessed with such a connection with him. Especially when the father of the boy you have been loving on takes the time to come up to you and say thank you so very much! It melted me, but showed me that my time spent with him was worth something. My time with Erick is just one example of what Hope allowed me to experience.
Papa, thank you for just the two months of partnering with Hope ministries. Thank you for how you are using them to advance your kingdom, in both guatemala and all over. I pray this next year is filled with so much of your love, your joy, and your peace.
