By Abby Countryman
As I've now been back from Cozumel for a couple days now I have had a little time to reflect on the trip. I cannot get my mind off of it and off the kids there. This was my fifth trip back and every year I go it gets better and better. I make deeper relationships with the kids every year. Cozumel has so much of my heart and I've realized more so, now than ever, that my passion and love is for Cozumel.
I could go on and on about all the stories and things that happened this week but there were a couple little things that have stuck out to me most. It's not the big funny stories but its the little moments that I will cherish more. It's the sweetest notes I got from multiple kids throughout the week, it's the conversations I had with the kids that made me laugh, it's the time where Juan and Briceida tell me I am their best friend forever, It's the thirty minute walk to house church with the older girls holding their hands and talking about life the whole way. The relationships I have is why I love this place, why I keep going back, and why I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
These angels have to deal with cases of abandonment all the time. When someone visits, makes a connection and doesn't return, it hurts them a lot. I know this because they told me. It's so important for them that people stay in their lives. I realized this week how much of an impact we actually do have on them - especially when we come back year after year. I've also realized this week that I want to do something with Ciudad in the long run and I do not know what that looks like right now but God has revealed to me how much this place means to me.
This trip makes me want to be a better person and a stronger Christian that works for God in everything I do. I got more out of this trip than I thought I would and it was very hard to leave. Love is a universal language and I always feel so much love from the trip I can't help but share it with people here. I want this to be an on-going thing, not just some spiritual high that lasts a couple weeks. Right now I do not see it being like that.
I am beyond thankful for the opportunity and experience I had. John 14:18 has been on my mind all week - "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." This is a verse that is spoken by God in the Bible but this week it became a line spoken from my heart as well, a promise to myself and Ciudad that I will not leave, and I will come to them time and time again as long as life allows me too.
Thank you to all who followed the blog, supported the team members and prayed for us during the week. May you be blessed.
As I've now been back from Cozumel for a couple days now I have had a little time to reflect on the trip. I cannot get my mind off of it and off the kids there. This was my fifth trip back and every year I go it gets better and better. I make deeper relationships with the kids every year. Cozumel has so much of my heart and I've realized more so, now than ever, that my passion and love is for Cozumel.
I could go on and on about all the stories and things that happened this week but there were a couple little things that have stuck out to me most. It's not the big funny stories but its the little moments that I will cherish more. It's the sweetest notes I got from multiple kids throughout the week, it's the conversations I had with the kids that made me laugh, it's the time where Juan and Briceida tell me I am their best friend forever, It's the thirty minute walk to house church with the older girls holding their hands and talking about life the whole way. The relationships I have is why I love this place, why I keep going back, and why I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
These angels have to deal with cases of abandonment all the time. When someone visits, makes a connection and doesn't return, it hurts them a lot. I know this because they told me. It's so important for them that people stay in their lives. I realized this week how much of an impact we actually do have on them - especially when we come back year after year. I've also realized this week that I want to do something with Ciudad in the long run and I do not know what that looks like right now but God has revealed to me how much this place means to me.
This trip makes me want to be a better person and a stronger Christian that works for God in everything I do. I got more out of this trip than I thought I would and it was very hard to leave. Love is a universal language and I always feel so much love from the trip I can't help but share it with people here. I want this to be an on-going thing, not just some spiritual high that lasts a couple weeks. Right now I do not see it being like that.
I am beyond thankful for the opportunity and experience I had. John 14:18 has been on my mind all week - "I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you." This is a verse that is spoken by God in the Bible but this week it became a line spoken from my heart as well, a promise to myself and Ciudad that I will not leave, and I will come to them time and time again as long as life allows me too.
Thank you to all who followed the blog, supported the team members and prayed for us during the week. May you be blessed.