Our participants ranged in age from just 14 up into their 50’s. They came from all areas of the U.S., with different interests, passions, motivations for coming.
We watched them confront the poverty of El Callejon, wrestling with our American desire to ‘fix it’. It is never easy to see the dirt and garbage, the small homes, to hear the stories of broken families.
The unfairness of it all can leave the students feeling overwhelmed and guilty about their many material blessings. It’s a balance to let them struggle with this, while at the same time helping them see that there is hope.
Over the summer we also watched them fall in love with the
people of the community, particularly the little ones who reveled in their care
and attention. Despite barriers like
language, those who came opened their hearts to make connections with El
Callejon.
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| saying goodbye means lots of tears... but lots of laughter, too! |
It often takes them by
surprise – how quickly the relationships come, how hard it is to say goodbye
after what is, in fact, a short amount of time (one or two weeks).
We heard their stories.
Each one different, like each of them.
On the surface, they seem to have so much – living in a wealthy country,
with more choices than the people of El Callejon could ever imagine. But, as they shared, the pain and brokenness
of their lives was revealed.
Some have
been on journeys far more intense than almost seemed possible for their young
ages. Like us, each one continues to
seek God, some days more intensely than others.
Each has come a long way, each has still many steps to take.
It is a privilege to spend time sharing, serving, listening,
speaking, and praying with and for these participants.
Looking back over the summer, we are humbled
at how God has been at work. Over the
weeks we have seen some seeds planted, others watered, we’ve seen first green
stems pushing through.
We’ve taught most of the groups the Spanish phrase “vale la
pena” which means worthwhile, or worth the pain. That’s how we see this work to which God has
invited us.
No, it’s not always
easy. Yes, there are days we’d rather
walk away from the stress and demands of ministry. But, vale la pena.
We continue, not in our strength, but in the strength of the
One who looks at us and says, You are My beloved child. I sent My only Son to die so that you might
live. You may not think you are worth
it, but I know differently because I knit you together in your mother’s
womb. Vale la pena, My child, vale la
pena.
We praise You, Father, for what You have done in El Callejon
over the summer. We praise You for the
students, for the community, for the blessing of serving You.
Thank you, Jesus, that You considered us worth
the pain. The pain of being despised and rejected, worth the pain of the cross.
Holy Spirit,
continue to be at work in and through us, here in the DR, back in the US, and
throughout the world, so that one day, some from every tribe, tongue, nation
and language will be before Your throne singing out praises to You for all
eternity! Vale la pena! Vale la pena!
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