When our sons were in middle school the youngest played select soccer and one of the best results of that phase of our lives was playing in the Dallas Cup, which is an international youth soccer tournament. Part of the understanding when you qualify to play is that as a home team you will provide accommodations for one of the international teams. Our team was selected to host “Las Estrellas” from Guatemala and Diego y Daniel stayed in our home. I was excited from the very beginning and took a week off work so that I could enjoy the entire week of soccer games and spending time with our guests. Our sons weren’t quite as sold on the idea and voiced their questions about the motive and the benefits of such an undertaking. “Why are they coming to our house? What will we do with them? How can we talk to them?” My years of studying Spanish allowed us to converse over the basic details. “Time to go. Time to eat. Time for bed.” (North Americans are very concerned about time!) Diego y Daniel were charmers, and after the initial meeting the four boys were instant companions. And even though we would join with other families for big gatherings of laughter and playing, we were sure that we were going home with the two best! The week flew by until it was time to take them to the airport for their return home. Our sons, who seven days earlier were prepared to revolt over this intrusion in their lives, were sad beyond belief, and after we returned to our house could do little more than lie on the couch and grieve their losses. One exclaimed, “I see their faces everywhere I look!” Our church cluster has established a relationship with el Norte Presbytery in Guatemala that has included Vacation Bible School, building improvements, spiritual development, and most of all creating friendships. This year we are hosting the exchange. Once you link your lives with theirs, you’ll never forget their impact on your life. (Read Jane for her more personal accounts.)
My prayer for the congregation?
El Senor ha hecho grandes cosas por nosotros, y eso nos llena de alegria. (Salmos 126:3)
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 126:3) We welcome our sisters and brothers from Guatemala and we are elated for the opportunity to share another week together. Sometimes we marvel how this short amount of time can create a universal bond, but because of our common devotion to you, our boundaries are dropped. We are eager to sit side by side, and share in communion. Let us embrace this opportunity to learn about others, and to learn about ourselves as well. Let us take strength from their courage to travel and their eagerness to set aside this time to foster relationships. We ask for their safe keeping and gentle journeys back home. Amen.
En todo tiempo ama el amigo. Proverbios 17:17
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
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