EMT Friday
Friday was a very full day. It included our last lessons, emotional goodbyes from the students, a party for the Amor Y Esperanza staff, our last construction day, our own World Cup soccer game (Ecuador v. USA), and finally a fancy dinner at Pim’s. By the end of the day, we were drained emotionally and physically, but in the most fulfilling way possible. As we watched many students cry heavily when it was time to say goodbye, it was clear that God had established deep bonds between the students and teachers. God had chosen to use us in their lives to touch them in some way. We hugged them tight, shed a few tears of our own, but ultimately we had to trust God that He will take care of those kids when we leave. We had to trust God that He has them in His hands and that the best way to support them from afar is through prayer. After recovering emotionally, we pulled ourselves together to set up and host a party for the teachers of Amor Y Esperanza. We sang worship songs with them, handed out gifts, and many talented students preformed musically for the teacher’s entertainment. This was a really sweet time. At the end of the party, each EMT member paired up with a teacher and prayed over them. This moment was a tiny glimpse of Heaven—two people of very different ages, different social status, different ethnicities, different languages, and wildly different lives, holding hands and talking to God. It didn’t matter that some of us prayed in English (which most teachers couldn’t understand) because by the look on their faces, they could feel God’s presence nevertheless. It seemed the idea of someone genuinely praying over them (especially some random teenager from the U.S.) was a glorious novelty. They felt loved and seen and cherished in a way that maybe they haven’t in a long time. I believe the Holy Spirit touched many of their hearts through our prayers and it was amazing to be a part of.
We finished off construction strong and played our ending song (one we played at the end of every work day), The Workers are Going Home (by Weezer). Although we were physically exhausted at the end, we were spiritually renewed as we saw tangibly how God had used us as His servants to help with the building. We could see the many walls we were able to finish and the many blocks that each one of us touched. Serving God as a true team (doing something that none of us are necessarily skilled at or used to, like mixing cement and building walls) was a highlight of the week for many. God graciously supplied the energy and strength we needed to accomplish a lot in the advancement of the building. Thanks be to God.
As we pulled into the Seminary, the boys (and one or two brave girls) quickly changed and prepared for the infamous World Cup game. A group of Ecuadorian students from the school, along with Danny and Mateo, played against all the Americans. It was a tough battle, but ultimately the Ecuadorians pulled through with a 1-0 win. (although there may or may not have been some unfair calls… at least that’s what I have heard J… there was no dearth of competitive spirit in this game!) Although the boys were disappointed in their loss (some more than others), they were able to pull themselves together for an amazing dinner. We showered and dressed up for our fancy dinner at Pim’s. This meal began our weekend of fellowship with one another, rest, and thankfulness for the week we had finished.
Thanks be to God for His blessings.
Peace be with you!
-Grayce
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