Jengibre y Cafecito

This week we’ve welcomed our fourth team to the El Callejon Social Work site.  Each team has been different, bringing a variety of life experiences, gifts and strengths.  But we firmly believe that God has placed not just the ‘right’ people, but the right people at just the ‘right’ time.  It's so amazing to see Him at work, week after week.

And this week is no exception.  Our team this week has four young ladies, ages 16 and 17.  They are part of a church youth group from California.  All have recently rededicated their lives to Jesus.  All four of them are eager to share that passion. 

Every time we turn around, they’re gone.  On the grass giving piggy back rides, coloring with the little ones on the back patio, joining in volleyball with the teens, asking names, giving theirs…

As we walk through the community, they try out their Spanish with those we meet.  Old, young, women, men, little kids, grownups, they’ve got an “Hola, como esta?” for everyone. 

Yep, they’re hard to keep track of… and we love it!  These four teens (ages 16 & 17) want nothing more than to connect and live out their love for Jesus in El Callejon. 

This afternoon we spent time doing just that. 

During lunch some of the kids came in to color.  Our students colored along with them, encouraged them, told them how pretty their coloring was.  They listened as the girls counted to 10 in English, took their pictures, shared smiles and laughter.  

We headed out and walked to one of the women who had invited us over for coffee.  On the way, another of the women, Angela, invited us in for jengibre (a yummy tea made with lots of fresh ginger root). 

Her young children (ages 5 and 3) showed us lots of their toys, telling us all about their Little Mermaid (La Sirenita) DVD.  The girls loved the tea, and spending time with the family.

After that we headed over to Marcia’s house for our planned coffee.  Marcia and her daughter-in-law pulled out chairs for us on her porch and made us the strong, sweet Dominican coffee known as cafecito. 

She added nutmeg, which added even more deliciousness.  She told us a little about her family and her health problems. 

At the end of our visit, we asked her if we could pray for her.  She invited us into her home, and we joined hands as we lifted up this family.  Each of the girls prayed, and even though the words were in English, we know God is the God of all languages, and heard. 

As we ended, Marcia wiped away tears.  Despite the language barrier, through the Holy Spirit’s power we were able to make a connection that impacted her, and us.

It was a reminder, once again, of Whose work we are doing.  The same God in whose perfect timing each person has come to El Callejon, is able to work in us and through us, in spite of our own weakness and inabilities.

He has created us for community, and even though it is fractured here on this broken earth, when we get to sit in a small home, savoring delicious jengibre and cafecito, with sisters in Christ who are nothing like us, and yet, still so similar, Wow! it truly is a taste of Heaven. 

We look forward to that day, when we will all sit together feasting at the banquet of our Bridegroom, with every tear wiped away.  Until then, we will drink in these moments, enjoying our connections in Christ.