April
The end of April completes nine months of living in Bolivia. And these nine months have changed me.
Now, when someone asks what I think of Bolivia, I can truly say, “It is a beautiful country.” When I think about my day-to-day, I am overwhelmed by the privilege it is to love and to grow in love. When I plan for the future, I know orphan care will always be a part of my life.
In early April, Naomi, Izzy and I spent a weekend visiting another children’s home in Comarapa, a city west of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. On our travels home, we had a chance meeting with a Canadian group, serving in Bolivia for a month at a different orphanage. Both of these encounters gave me a resounding joy and peace. Orphans are not a forgotten population. But, as God promises in Jeremiah,
“I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.” Jer 23:4
A poem I read recently reminded me of the truth of love,
What goodness sits quietly below?/Unafraid to be unnoticed
The world is full of darkness. Living in Bolivia has made that real to me. But, the world is also full of goodness, which does not announce itself with blaring trumpets, but multiplies slowly in small, uncelebrated acts.
Crossing paths with others, who I will likely never see again, who also take the burden of the orphan as their burden, gave me hope.
When I came home from the weekend trip, Tio Marco had built me these corner shelves. Slowly, my classroom is becoming a beautiful place. Remembering to nine months ago when an empty room and one cardboard box of loose crayons scattered over miscellaneous supplies constituted my teaching materials, I laugh. Starting small makes the growing fun.
Little connections define this lovely life. After lunch one day, Rossi and I washed our hands before starting homework. But, we took a simple five minutes to blow bubbles together. Then, she filled her mouth with water and instructed me to do the same. I gargled a little pattern. She mirrored it, and we continued our gargled musical, heads tilted back as we walked to her room, both struggling to keep the water in our cheeks as we laughed.
I miss so many connection moments like these because I am in a rush to accomplish something, or I view my agenda as more important than the child wanting love in front of me. As I continue to grow, I hope my humility does too, so I can always find these silly moments of eternal value.
One night this month, the teen girls ran upstairs and pounded on our door. “We have a surprise for you! Put on your shoes & come with us!”
Izzy, Naomi and I had no idea what to expect, but we piled into the bus with the rest. As we approached our destination, the girls blindfolded us, increasing the element of surprise. Twists, turns, up a hill, and we reached a city overlook.
A warm April evening, dry lightning breaking the blackness, teens laughing, sharing Coke: the girls gave us a precious gift that night.
Working with Jhoan has helped me see growth in myself over the past months. Early tutoring sessions found him sulking on the floor or running around unwilling to work.
His dysregulation was my fault: demanding too high a standard before connecting with him. A felt sense of safety is mandatory before any learning can happen.
I have learned, and continue to learn, so much from Jhoan. But now, both of us look forward to Tuesdays and learning through play.
Izzy left the 27th of April, and we are all missing her. She made life better for everyone, and the goodbye was hard.
The only benefit of her leaving was that these little girlies got to see airplanes up close for the first time. They were amazed by the size and speed of them. Their wonder was beautiful.
“Stand firm. Be immovable. Always give yourselves FULLY to the work of the Lord, knowing that in Him your labor is not in vain.” 1 Cor 15:58
I love that I can stand on the promise that in Christ my work is not vanity. Often I get discouraged. A child I thought I had helped out of a behavior reverts back to it. Or, a new trial comes up just as the last one is passing. I know, though, that showing the consistent love of Christ, even in my failings, will bring eternal gain.
My little April lady,
Of sunshine and of showers,
She weaves the old spring magic,
And breaks my heart in flowers!
- Henry Van Dyke
April has filled my heart; it does feel like it’s breaking into flowers. In the mixture of sunshine and showers of the past nine months, I’m beginning to see some shoots of growth in myself. The eternal fruit is first growing in me, as I’m praying it will in the lives of each child here.
Prayer Requests
Future & Trust. Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. Please pray that I can trust and obey Jesus in the next steps He has for me. I am hoping to send an update soon in what my next year plans are, but for now I am still uncertain. Please pray also that as I wait on the Lord, I will be assured that His timing is best.
Teens. Recently, I have not been able to spend as much time with the teen girls, but I know many of them still have the normal adolescent struggles on top of their individual hurts. Pray for their emotional and spiritual healing and that I can connect with them well over the next few months.
