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Connie L - Honolulu, HI
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“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 As I listen to the Jars of Clay CD, I see the beautiful landscape of Mexico fly past me. It is a place so different from my home in Hawai‘i. It is a place rich with culture and filled with grave disparity between the rich and the poor. I came to El Sauzal anxious and left with a heavy heart. I left a part of myself back in El Sauzal. Who would have thought that I would leave so affected when I did not even understand the language? I came home to Hawai‘i crying at times, because I missed El Sauzal. God bridged the language and cultural barriers with his language of love. I was entirely blessed to be there. I was surprised to see Cecilia, one of the nannies, tearing, because I was leaving. I did not know I had touched someone in a mere ten days. At El Sauzal, I experienced a different facet of God’s love. I was touched meeting Josue, the director of the orphanage, and Roy, the president of the foundation, and hearing the stories about the orphanage. It is amazing how God directs our paths for his glory. Josue’s father, Ramon, never intended to start an orphanage, but as God put children in his path, Ramon took them into his arms. Josue’s mother, Magdalena, would cook over an open fire for the children before the kitchen was built. Ramon sometimes provided for the orphanage by fixing other people’s cars. Amazing – God’s simple and abundant provisions combined with humble and willing hearts produced so much fruit. I also loved watching Josue interact with the children. He is very loving and gentle with them. I cannot forget when Josue entered the nursery. The children exuded with excitement when they saw him. Their joy reflected the immense love Josue has for them as their father. Then there is Roy’s story. He did not want to move to California from Arizona. He wanted to be involved in church, but missions committee was the last of his three choices. He even dismissed the women from El Sauzal who approached the missions committee. Yet he began to change when his daughter got involved in Mexico trips. Now he serves as El Sauzal Foundation president. When Roy left Mexico on one of his first trips, he wondered what he was supposed to do with all his privileges and advantages as an American. This is a question I may be pondering for a long time. As for the children, one of them that stands out the most to me is Leticia. When she first came to the orphanage, it was uncertain whether she would survive. Now she is about twelve years old, full of life and joy for the Lord. I have never met someone so boisterous and talented. I really miss her. I have seen and experienced many beautiful things – romantic weddings, colorful sunsets, and reconciled relationships. Yet the beauty at El Sauzal is special, tender, and precious. Out of the darkest places, God brings about resurrection and incomprehensible beauty. These children have been abused and hurt in unimaginable ways, but God has taken these nightmares and transformed them into something beautiful, just as how God took the crucifixion of our savior and made it into a bittersweet love story for humankind. We often seek beauty. We try to engineer it with all the glitz and glamour to hide the pain and ugliness within. Yet beauty comes about when we embrace the sorrow and pain of others with humility and patience. Josue, his family, and the staff demonstrate this beauty everyday when they nurture the children. This beauty is reflected in the children, whose immeasurable joy after so much pain humbles and touches me. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8. May I never forget about El Sauzal. -Connie L. Click here to read more of Your Stories. |
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