A God Thing

I like to refer to most of my trips here as "A God thing". I could go into story after story of all of the miracles and crazy things that have led me to the point where I am now. But last night takes the cake.

If any of you have kept up with my past trips then you know the names Glenda, Taty, Marta and Miguel. (Taty is the girl who inspired the tattoo I want, for anyone who has heard that story.) They all lived at the Promise House, where I would stay or spend most of my time the past three years I have come down. They were the only four who were there all three years. (Glenda is Taty's daughter, and Miguel is Marta's son.) I have been praying for them all year because the day they shut down the Promise House I didn't find out where either of them went. I thought this would be the first summer I wouldn't get to see them. Then I found a picture on Taty's facebook and found out she was living with a missionary named Beth. Kurt said he knew her and they worked together a lot. I felt more at peace knowing, at least, Taty and Glenda were safe. A few days later one of the translators told me that she saw Marta leaving a school a few weeks ago. So, I knew she was probably living somewhere that was good.

This week's group left early to go work in another part of El Salvador, so I spent all of yesterday painting the special needs room at CIPI. Last night I was laying in bed, at 8, almost asleep when Kurt came up and asked if I wanted to go feed the homeless. I was a little confused at first, considering we didn't have a group, but I walked downstairs and see Beth! Then I look over and see Marta! In sheer excitement we both freaked out a little bit and hugged and talked about Miguel. Then I look over and Taty is on the other side of the table! She actually shreaked when she saw me! The fact that they remember me, even if they just remembered my face, was AMAZING. Then Taty started asking about my cousin (who was with me last year) and it was so nice to know she actually did remember me and when I was here. I got to go feed the homeless with them and it was so incredible.

I asked Beth about what happened to them after I left, and she said they both ended up in an orphanage where they abused the children. She said Glenda and Miguel had bruises all over them. Taty ran away with Glenda, and because she was 20 they didn't worry about it. She lived on the streets for a few weeks before she finally got in touch with Beth and moved in with her. Beth said Glenda didn't even have shoes when she got them... To hear that, to know they had to deal with that just breaks my heart... So Marta was at the orphanage for a few weeks after Taty left and they would punish Marta by taking away food for 2 or 3 days. She lost about 60 pounds while in that orphanage. Then she ran away, but she was 17 so the orphanage freaked out. Beth helped hide her until her 18th birthday, when she and Miguel moved in with Beth... As we fed the homeless I just couldn't help but think that these girls were living like this at one point.. My favorite girls, the ones who have inspired me to do all of this, were abused and hungry and alone. But God saved them. Beth was the answer to my prayers. All year I have prayed that those two girls in particular would end up somewhere safe and Godly. And, thanks to Beth, they did.

Today I got to go see Glenda and Miguel at the house! :) As soon as I got out of the car Miguel ran and gave me a hug and told me he loves me. Glenda always takes a little bit of time to warm up to me. But Beth said the first thing Glenda said this morning was "Lydia's coming to see me!" To hear that, and know that these kids remember me, almost made me cry. What a blessing. And what an incredible way to end my trip.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. I know God has had this plan all along. He gave me such peace today. I can now go back home and know that they are all safe and happy. Please keep me in your prayers today as I finish painting and Saturday as I head home.