What does it mean to be blessed? It’s something I say often and feel often. “I am blessed to have a loving family. I am blessed to have food on the table and a roof over my head. I am blessed to be going to Guatemala.” We had our first meeting with Mother Ivonne today and the first thing she said to us was “I’m sick, thank God. It’s a blessing. It gives me a chance to take a break.” In an instant, I was reminded of why I love being here so much. It is an opportunity for me to learn to look at life a little bit differently—a little bit better. When in my life have I ever considered a common cold a blessing? I have so much to learn from the nuns and the children. On our last night of orientation at the mission center in St Augustine I had a few minutes before bed to reflect on the days ahead. What is it that God needs me to learn? I decided to go over to the bible that was sitting on the table in my room and open it up to a random page. I knew that whatever I found on that page was what God needed me to see. I closed my eyes, opened the book, and when I looked down at the page, there it was: “Unless you become like one of these children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” I know that it is truly a blessing to be back at the orphanage and I can’t wait to see the many ways that I will learn what it means to become a child of God through these incredible nuns and the lives of these beautiful children that mean so much to me.
This evening we went to church for evening prayers and it was our first time seeing the children. I walked in and could hear many of the kids whispering my name to get my attention so they could wave hello. I was so happy to be back. As soon as they started singing the hymns, I felt that joy and peace I’ve been waiting all year for. I don’t know what heaven is like, but I imagine it to be a lot like the sound of children singing songs to God at the top of their lungs from the bottom of their hearts. At dinner I was swarmed by kids giving me hugs and high fives. It was so great to see them all again and I can’t wait to start catching up. Glory be to God for giving me the opportunity to be here again!
