Lead me to where my trust is without borders. : I left my heart in Esperanza.

In March, we were building three houses in a community called Batey Esperanza. I can't tell you why, but that place intrigued me. The kids were constantly fighting, throwing rocks, saying bad words, and being disrespectful. But I was drawn to them. I wanted to hold them and say, "Why are you angry? What happened to you that made you this way?" The pastor that works in that community runs a school and a church and various feeding programs. Her love for Esperanza is contagious. She has far more dreams than memories.

We finished building and didn't go back there for a while. One day, me and Court called Pastora Mercedes and we wanted to go see her ministry. We sat with her and talked for a while. We asked her what her greatest needs were and she mentioned she had recently purchased an old house that she wanted to turn into a classroom to teach girls practical skills like sewing, hairdressing, cooking, and nails. Prostitution is beyond control there. She told us she needed to paint the building before they'd be able to do anything there. So we told her we'd do it, and we went on our way.

We weren't able to go back there for a while because things on the base were busy and Mercedes was patient knowing we would come when we could. On this past Tuesday, we went to check out the place to know just how much paint we would need. What we found was a need far greater than paint could cover. Mercedes hammered opened the door and welcomed us in with excitement. The electricity hung from the roof onto a window that didn't open. The walls were covered in holes and spider webs. We walked around to the back to find more windows that were broken and not openable and some termite eaten doors. The roof was collapsing in places and was open and exposed. Where others saw worthless, she saw potential. She explained to us how she didn't have the money to do anything with it yet, but she was so excited about it. The first thing she wanted to do was fix the roof which was going to cost about 8,000 pesos (about $225.00). She told us she was going away to a conference for three days, but she'd be back friday. She left the keys with us and we left Esperanza full of crazy, exciting ideas. We went home and made a list of materials that we would need. 4 new doors, 4 new windows, paint, hole filler, cement, paint brushes, rollers, cleaning supplies, and so many more. God provided money and the next day we packed the back of our truck and went to Esperanza.

As soon as we got the doors open, people filled the sidewalk full of questions. One man showed up and asked us immediately about the roof. "Are you going to fix that?" "Well, we aren't sure yet.""I know a guy who does that. Do you want me to go get him?" "Yeah sure." We started working and a man showed up at the door. He walked in and looked around. "How much would it cost to fix this?" "I'll do it for 1,500 pesos." "Done!" He started and finished within 5 hours.

We left and came home- tired, but not feeling successful. The next two days were long and truly exhausting. Kids were forever coming in and getting in the way and it was hotter than I can explain. But I truly believe Jesus multiplied our time and the building was completely changing right in front of our eyes.

On the last day, Thursday, I was getting tired. I was frustrated because the tape had pulled some of the paint off the walls and we brought the wrong colour by mistake. I was hungry and hot. I heard crying. I looked out the window and I saw a little boy crying and limping down the street. I ran out to see him. "Whats wrong little boy? Why are you crying?" He looked at me with big eyes and I picked him up. He snuggled into my shoulder and cried for a while longer. When he stopped I asked again, "What happened?" "A man threw a rock at me." My heart hurt and anger overwhelmed me. This little boy couldn't have possibly done anything worthy of being treated that way. I gave him cookies and chips and he sat contently with me and ate them. I asked him a million questions and I totally fell in love with him. His name is Angel and his big eyes and cautious smile won my heart. He followed me around for the rest of the day and told me he loved me as I walked him home. I left my heart with Angel.

As we packed the truck to go around 7:30 Thursday night (way later than we planned), we locked a door and gave the keys to a local man who works in the church. Nothing can explain that feeling to me. Safety, security, transformation. Ivan commented on our way out, "I'm tired, but I also feel full of energy." My body was empty, but my heart was full.

I am in love with this place and with these moments. I believe in this community and I believe in what this place will be used for. Pastora Mercedes be blessed, but I feel far more blessed. It is better to give than to receive.