Footprints
Where do I begin to tell you about my summer in Guatemala? Six weeks that challenged and forever impacted my life. How can my words fully capture the joy of seeing hope restored into our family? The family that my team and I worked on building a house for. A single mother and her darling two little girls. And how can I explain to you the depth of sorrow I felt looking into the eyes of children who haven’t eaten in days? Children who laugh and play with a zest for life. Children who want to freely share the food that we had given to them, with us. How can my heart have felt full and broken at the same time?
I find myself wondering who is playing with (our) children? Are they sick? Who will buy them medication and groceries? When these thoughts cross my mind I’m thankful that I serve a God who loves and provides for his children. I must step back and let myself be humbled. God knew these children before they were born. I am humbled that I could see and be a part of a glimpse of their lives. The joy and gratitude that over flows from them is simply amazing.
The thing is I don’t have all the answers for the questions that I’ve asked. Maybe I won’t know all the answers this side of heaven. Knowing everything isn’t my job; loving everyone and being a voice for those who don’t have one is my job. I have seen their faces, held their hand’s, and carried them in my arms. I can’t pretend I don’t know their struggles and I can’t pretend there’s nothing I can do for them. I am just an ordinary person with a God sized dream that said yes.
Leaving is the hardest part of the trip. When I leave Guatemala, I feel like I’ve left behind pieces ofmyself, but I’ve gained foot prints on my heart.
Hope McClendon
Para Servir Intern