Today some Highlands teachers and I went with a group of Samaritan's Purse folks here in La Paz to hang out with the river kids, share the Gospel with them and deliver shoeboxes to them. It was an incredible way to end the semester with these beautiful children. To be able to see the looks on their faces in a way you can only imagine as you send them from the States was incredible. As it always is, I think I was more blessed and touched than the kids probably were. What a beautiful reminder of God's grace, and of how much we need each other. I daresay some of those kids needed the joy and excitement that those boxes provided, and of course the love with which they were given. I certainly needed to be reminded of God's provision and care for the least of these as well as for myself.
At the end of our time, a teenage girl we know was crying. I thought she may have been touched by the team's presentation or the gifts she received. No doubt she was, but she was also very upset. My friend Ashlyn figured out, after a few attempts of listening to her tearful, broken Spanish phrases, that her mom left her and her brothers and sisters. Their dad is still there, but it's not likely he does much to help with the children at all. Please pray for Wara, Pamela, Abdi, Nadalina, Carolina, Yamil and Cristian, that their mom would come back and that the father would step up and take initiative in leading and providing for his family. There being no Social Services department in Bolivia, my roommates and I are not sure what steps to take either. We'd appreciate prayers for wisdom in helping them. Thank you.
Although our hearts are heavy for this family, today was a beautiful reminder of hope. Even though the darkness seems overwhelming because of the unfair, unjust circumstances life brings, the Light of the world is more than able to meet our every need and conquer every dark corner. This is the hope of Christmas, and I am so thankful that God is showing me that more clearly this year than ever. O Come, O come, Emmanuel.
