By Abbey Valiquette
Early on the morning of Saturday, October 7th, a group of 16 of us gathered together as we set off for five brief but intentional days to serve at Living Hope in Puebla, Mexico. Summit has continually supported this ministry both through giving and sending teams to serve for many years. Living Hope was started in response to the overwhelming need to care for the physical, emotional and educational gaps that the vulnerable children experience in the surrounding area of Puebla, while sharing and living out the hope we have in the gospel. At Living Hope, they strive to give each child a hope for their future. As our group left the comfort of American soil, we all had many questions about our time there based on the many unknowns that awaited us. How would we communicate since we don’t speak Spanish? Would the kids want to play with us? Would we accidentally drink the water and have to use the anti-diarrhea pills? (Please Lord, no!) Hot showers or cold showers? Most importantly, what does the Lord want to show us about Himself? These are all honest questions we all wrestled with as we started our journey. As we left, we eagerly and somewhat nervously stepped out of our spaces of safety and comfort and into the unknown. Each of us wondered how God would use us and how He would stir in our own hearts something unique as a result of our experience. He did not disappoint us.
On Sunday, which was our first full day in Puebla, we were able to visit a historic site in the area, do some quick souvenir shopping, and eat some delicious fried cheese and authentic tacos. Muy delicioso! While exploring the city and getting to see the culture was fascinating, we also had the opportunity to visit a church which was planted by the same family that started Living Hope. It was incredible to sing some familiar songs in Spanish, as well as some new ones we didn't know. But, really, it didn't matter. It was a moment none of us will forget as God gave us all a vision for the day when we will gather from all tongues and tribes and worship His name as one. This experience compelled us to return back to the camp, ready and willing to serve with joy in light of our time of worship.
Monday and Tuesday were our two days to serve. We were told in the morning we would be doing a work project around camp and then in the afternoon we would have a chance to interact with the kids. Monday morning we woke up eager to find out what work project we would be doing. Soon after breakfast we were given the task of painting an area in the kitchen. Our team quickly and efficiently got to work. We worked SO well as a team and got it done! Then, after lunch we divided into groups at tables filled with games, bracelet making, coloring, hair wrapping and braiding and 9-square on the basketball court. To the see the kids faces filled with joy, curiosity, and laughter was priceless. We even learned as a team how to communicate through a mixture of our broken Spanish and the few English words and phrases the kids are learning at the school. We used our hands a lot as well! Overall, we ended each day in awe and amazement at how much fun WE had, and at the immense joy it brought us to see the kids faces smile and hear their child-like giggles.
One of the sweetest and most unforgettable moments for many of us was one morning when Nani, one of the young girls that is a “House-mom” for 10 sweet 6 year old girls led our team in a devotional. Her love for Jesus was so evident in the way she seeks to love and honor Him through loving these kids by teaching them seemingly simple things such as brushing teeth or learning to properly clean themselves in the shower. They are often coming in from situations of abandonment or abuse and have a very low view of themselves and or find it impossible that their lives have a purpose. Nani, who was so full of love, hope, and patience- sees it as her role to parent each girl in her house and to teach them new and healthy ways to live. She could have been overwhelmed by their needs, but she continued to say many times how much she loved working with the young girls as she could see them change a little each day. She is faithfully pressing into giving her life as a living sacrifice through the power of the Holy Spirit and it was truly beautiful to see!
In returning home, we may have returned with some extra kinks in our necks, and paint stains on our clothes, hands, and for some even in our hair, but our hearts were full, and we are changed. And, you will be happy to hear, we thankfully were all spared from needing to use those dreaded pills- thank you Jesus! We are filled with joy at having the opportunity to pour out love and bring some fun to these sweet kids, but also full also because of what the kids in their joy and delight gave us. They laughed, they smiled, they played with us and they were eager to learn new games. Our questions and fears disappeared as we looked into each child’s face and we saw God use each of us. Their lives up until this point have been harder than any of us can imagine, yet the hope, joy and gratefulness they radiated was contagious and convicting. Somehow, these sweet children that we came to serve ended up leaving a forever imprint on our hearts and minds. We pray our presence impacted their lives as theirs did ours.
