Forever In Our Hearts

Thursday’s service was a night of tears. It was time to say goodbye. When we walked into the church, there was a melancholy quiet. We sat down, and waited for the service to start. It began with Pastor Nelson saying how grateful he was for our help. I hope he knows we were just as grateful to them for opening their hearts to us so quickly, and allowing us the experience to serve them. And that’s when, not five minutes into the service, I had already begun to cry.

Worship began with Josue’s powerful prayers. Although we couldn’t understand the Spanish, we could understand the Spirit. God was with us, as he had been throughout the entire trip. The young people of the church performed a drama for us about Jesus’ life. Knowing how hard they worked on it to show us how much they care about us was just so touching.

When the service ended, they had us all stand up front so everyone could say goodbye. In a way it kind of felt like I was at a funeral. Tears everywhere, goodbye’s and God bless you’s all over the place. But we kept reminding each other that even if we didn’t see each other in this life, we would find one another in the next.

Once everyone had kind of shuffled out, we ate dinner with the pastor’s family and others who had helped us a lot during this trip. We all tried not to think of it as the “last supper,” and had a really good time fellowshipping with one another. Besides, at this point we still had one more morning to work together.

Then Friday morning came. As we gathered around the breakfast table, we all tried not to think about the inevitable, and tried to focus instead on our morning in Tazumal, the little suburb we had visited two days before.



Jackie and Jeffery

At Tazumal we performed our last clinic, finished giving out toothbrushes, and entertained the children while their parents were busy talking with the doctor. And of course we evangelized. I had the enjoyment of throwing a Frisbee with little David, a five year old kid that had way more energy than I did. He never got tired, and didn’t quit until he was thirsty.

It’s funny how your perspective than change so quickly. Normally I never want anything to do with the children; they don’t listen to me, they’re loud, and I’m just not good at kids. That is until God intervenes. Because I’ve been working with the children of El Salvador more in the past week than I have ever worked with the children in my church at home.

The best part? I had fun doing it.

That just goes to show that God can do anything if you let Him work through you.

We ate a quiet lunch with those who had become our close friends. For Bailey and me, it was hardest saying goodbye to Gloria, Josue, and Marlon. Not only had Gloria and Josue been our translators, but they have become closer friends to us than I thought possible. And Marlon had always been there when we needed him.



Gloria, Josue, Me, and Bailey

Going into this trip, I never thought I would have a hard time leaving. Becoming friends with teenagers just like us, hundreds of miles away has been such a blessing. I don’t regret a single moment I served in El Salvador. As sad as I am to leave, I’m excited to see what God has in store for us next, whether that’s coming back to El Salvador (I hope so!), or discovering someplace new.

We’re home now. Exhausted from being in an airplane/sitting in an airport for 15 hours. I feel like I’ve been away for a lifetime. There’s so much more to share with you all.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom… For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40: 28, 31