God bless you everyone! It’s been a good while since I’ve written on this blog, and I’m excited to share one of my most recent experiences with you all. In January, my sister and I were able to go to Mexico on a short term mission trip, Sarah and Becky’s Dream. We weren’t sure if we would be able to go, but God made a way! We met some wonderful people and were overall so impacted. Out of each place we went to, I’d like to share my favorite moments and what I was able to learn from them.
Niños del Barrio
First, we visited a small poor neighborhood of Christian children. The time there was spent worshiping the Lord, different Sunday school classes for each age group, crafts and then each child received a lunch baggie and present.
Favorite moment: Talking to one of the moms and realizing the effort she makes to take her girls to kid’s church. She told me she used to be catholic, but is now starting to attend church because her girls love it. It’s amazing to see God calling these parents through their children!
Casa Hogar 2
Next, we went to a small orphanage of children who have been taken out of the Basurero area. We sang songs, put on a puppet show for them, and then it was time for pizza. I’ve never seen kids so excited for pizza!!! They each also got a homemade chocolate chip cookie and goody bag. ❤️
Favorite moment: doing the puppet show and getting laughs out of them. Also, pizza time! Their smiles made it all worth it!
DIF
This place is for orphans, but also for kids who have been orphaned by their parents. Some have physical or mental disabilities. Some come from broken or abusive homes. We were able to love on more than 300 kids. Imagine the biggest birthday party of your life—that’s what they got that day. Tortas for lunch. Then Bible classes, crafts, worship songs, a puppet show, bouncy houses, games, face paintings, balloon dogs/hearts, gifts and lots and lots of candy.
Favorite moment: My sister and I got to teach the 9-10 year old boys, and after just 5 minutes, they were already calling us “mami”, “ama” “ma” (words for mommy in Spanish) 😭 These kids don’t ask for much—just that someone pay attention to them and show that they care. Another impactful thing I heard was the main director of the DIF thanking us, she said that was the only day out of the whole year that each and every child had a smile on their face. It’s the little things in life 😭💕
We’re so grateful to have been part of this experience. It made me realize the importance of us, God’s children, being His hands and feet in this world. Caring for the poor and fatherless, the needy. One of the reasons the good Lord put us on this earth is to serve one another and just as He blesses us—we should be a blessing to another.
Defend the poor and fatherless:
do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Psalms 82:3
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:34-40
In conclusion, let’s let God use us in the lives of others. It might look like visiting a needy orphanage, yes. But it can also look like visiting someone who is sick and being an encouragement to them. Visiting someone in prison and being a light in their life. Feeding someone who doesn’t know where their next meal will come from. Taking time to chat with a widow and hear her story. There are soooo many ways that God wants to use us. Let’s reflect His light. Let’s be His hands and feet. Knowing that everything we’re doing, is as unto the Lord!!! ❤️
*photographs are courtesy of photographers Janani Justo and Chuy Valenzuela
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