El Amor De Un Padre

This has been a very busy week for me.  Tuesday my roommate and translator went out of town for a few weeks.  At first I was a little worried but my Spanish has taken off this week...Thank you Jesus! Tuesday morning I worked with the older kids at Casa Egresso with homework.  We attempted a English class but it ended up them questioning me and me working on Spanish! It was actually a perfect time for me though.  I was able to share with them my past and where I came from.  They didn't realize I was just like them; that I have struggled with some of the same problems.  I would say Tuesday some new friendships were established with the youth in Casa Egresso.  Everyday I am becoming one of them. A friend, a teacher, and a mentor to all of the young men and women in that home.  That afternoon I went to teach my class of girls across the street at San Miguel.  Honestly, I love hearing "PROFE" as the door opens.  I actually hear this every time I walk into the house to eat or visit.  Its a great feeling knowing that in only a month I have impacted the lives of these children.  They anticipate my return for class and practice certain words so they can impress me with their English! We worked on basic introductions.  All the girls introduced themselves, their age and date of birth.  This day we discovered our next class should be on numbers and the pronunciation.

Wednesday and Friday I spent the entire days at Casa Egresso helping Jose.  He had meetings with various other directors and needed help monitoring the house and keeping it under some sort of control.  Once again it was a great time for me to talk with the young men and women there about what God has done in my life and why I'm now living in Colombia.  They can't believe I am here for them and the children of FMN.  I wouldn't call this job work because we all have so much fun! Everyday I thank Jesus for allowing me to work for Him and not corporate America.

Thursday I once again spent the day with my Goddaughters at Santa Maria.  Waking up at 5 am is rough but so worth it. Oscar wasn't with me to help this time and it turned into a long day! I ran and played and ran and played with the princessita house that morning.  The girls didn't understand that I don't have the energy they have and many times that day I said, "no tengo enerjia!" I was able to accompany Doraine and the girls to school this week for the first time.  As the girls were in class I sat in the office with the other teachers and shared a little about my life.  As 430 got closer my eyes got heavier! Doraine was ready to go and so was I, so I told all the girls goodbye and we got onto the next bus to Bogota.  About 10 min into this trip I think both of us were asleep!  That night I got home and ate dinner and showered and went to bed.  I couldn't remember the last time i was asleep at 730 but these girls are def worth the sacrifice of all I have.

This past week the love of a father has really been on my heart.  I have always wondered how great the love of our God really is.  I think the closest we can come here on Earth is the love of our children.  I have prayed for a few years now for children of my own. I prayed for one or two but God gave me about 400.  I have a few here that are very dear to my heart, a few that I love and look at as my own children.  When they hurt I hurt; when they are sad I am sad.  My girls got in trouble for bad behavior this week and Thursday they aren't allowed to play with me.  I have been asked to talk with them about their behavior and bring them no surprises.  This really breaks my heart but must be done.  The love I have for these children doesn't even compare to the love my Father has for me.  I wish I could grasp the depths of His love but its just so much on Earth we never will.  I think about having to give on of my children up and I know I couldn't.  He did.  I am so grateful to serve such a mighty King.  I look back on where I came from and where I was saved from and I am still in awe!

Two years ago today, well by the time most read this today, I made the best decision of my life.  I decided to put down the bottle and follow Christ.  Have I failed him? Yes I have; we all do. But I have taken the hand I was dealt and decided to use my life for His cause and not my own.  When I sat in the lobby of Celebration Church that morning I asked for help.  Alcohol had a hold on my life and was leading me into destruction.  I asked God for help and His response was simple; "Follow me." So I did.  I messed up still. I made mistakes still but I followed Him. Never in a million years did I think He would tell me to leave home but He did.  I am now living in a country very different from home.  A country that I constantly have to look over my shoulder as I walk.  I have to learn a new language and a new way of life.  Here I have nothing. I don't have a car or my own house; I don't even have a job with a paycheck.  But what I do have the love of a Father to share with hundreds of kids that are searching for love. Kids that will give anything to receive that love.  God will provide everything else I need here, I'm not worried about it at all.  He even comforts me as I miss home.  When I left everything, I literally left everything.  Today was my mother's birthday. It was very hard to not hug my mother and kiss her. It was hard to not be there to make this day special for her. She brought me into this world so I could work for my Father and she continually prayed as I was away from the Lord.  Thursday my family and friends will celebrate Thanksgiving.  This holiday isn't celebrated in Colombia and will be my first away from my family.  The thought of Christmas without my family is heartbreaking as well but every time my heart breaks and my eyes tear up, God provides.  My spiritual mother here wraps me up and tells me how much of a blessing I am to the foundation.  These are all things I never anticipated when I said, "I will follow" but I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  I love what I'm doing and I love where I'm at.  God is taking care of me and everything else while I enjoy my daily work for Him! I will continue to "love the least of these" with all I have! These children all have my heart and I am thankful for everyone of them!

From His Front Lines,

Chris