Highlights of the Week

I have attended two special events that have highlighted this week.  Both are amazing examples of God's work here in this place of stunning contrasts.  Carla's wedding is a story of grace and hope.  Carla is a young woman, I think still a teen, who has two children, one from a rape.  The first child is now living at the Children's Residence.  While living at the Children's Residence (SBV) she found it impossible to adapt.  She is bipolar and the drastic change in her living circumstances were not something she could easily accept, despite the love and care she was given.  A child who been so abused often finds it difficult to accept the idea that anyone could care for them.  Although I do not know if this was exactly what she was thinking, she did not find it possible to stay at SBV and kept running away.  She was living with a boyfriend, the father of her baby son.  She was told by a patron of the home that she needed to get married if she was to keep receiving aid in the way of food and shelter now that she was living away from the home.  So Wilson and Carla got married Friday night.  Their current dwelling is very sad, but typical of many here-off in the hills, dirt floors, no running water, spaces between the boards that make up the walls of their house, and only one small room.  The only cooking surface is outside and the latrine is uphill from them.  Yet Friday night they were given a beautiful wedding any young couple would appreciate.  Full length bridal gown, many bridesmaids in attendance from the Children's Home, a banquet for all and cake.  All the children of the Home were in attendance, dressed up in bows and ribbons, fine clothes, and fresh haircuts for the boys.  The wedding honored their relationship and their relationship to God.  Carla was a lovely bride, though she seemed a bit stunned to be the recipient of so many gifts.  It was a wonderful example of the acceptance the children find at SBV.  All the girls, ages 10-13, of the bridesmaid party were beautiful, poised, gracious, and proud.  There was cake-a beautiful three tiered cake with tiny groomsmen and bridesmaids on a divided staircase with the bridal couple in the center. It was certainly a very special occasion and a remarkable gift to the young couple.  I hope and pray the the love they experienced that night will them keep in the days to come, as their lives will not be easy.  Most of all, I pray that they feel the love God has for them, and will find strength in the shelter of his wing.
    Thursday night was Ladies Night Out with the Atlanta team and others from the Charleston group that joined in.  The ladies are part of the Community Assisstence Program of LAMB, which serves the poorest of the poor in La Cantera.  They are elderly (some as old as 92), or single mothers with no means of support.  CAP provides food and other services as it can for them.  Ladies Night out is a special dinner provided by the Atlanta team, with decorations and gifts of  grooming products, and food staples.  Two women from Atlanta had helped them sew skirts and make hand bags.  They were all dressed up for the occasion.  It is one of the most moving events of my year when I am able to share in their joy.  The gift of seeing their faces light up with joy and happiness is immeasurable.  There are "games" and dancing afterward-silly things that make everyone smile and laugh out loud with fun.  Brightening their lives for a while is what it is all about.  Sharing their joy in Christ makes it meaningful for a lifetime.  For women who live in a constant state of hope, it is a gift of love.  For those of us who serve them, a lesson in grace.
     School starts tomorrow in Flor at El Cordero, and I am due to help get the school at SBV set up to start soon.  We are still two teachers short there, so please pray that teachers will soon be found so the children will not miss out on much more of their school year.  I am planning to check out the possibility of helping some with more furniture for the preschool classes.  There is to be a demonstration of a "typical" day in preschool on Saturday.  I hope to show the teachers some activities that can be done easily at the beginning of a school year.
     I so appreciate this opportunity to serve and share in this ministry.