Love & Hope Children’s Home had a special guest during the months of February and March. Niky, who had visited El Salvador twice before with her high school, volunteered with us for about eight weeks. It was a pleasure getting to know her better and it was easy to see that she and the kids really enjoyed each other. In the short time she was here, Niky became a playmate, cook, friend and confidant for us at Love & Hope. She was gracious enough to share some of her experiences in El Salvador with us. Keep reading:
There are moments in life when my eyes are opened and I can see the corruption and struggle of this hurting world. And I am overwhelmed. Glimpses of thin children sitting beside a busy highway, a wealthy shopping mall over shadowing a needy community, a young boy fleeing for his life from a blood-thirsty gang, children being sent home to abusive, negligent parents. Utter brokenness. Complete despair.
Yet out of the darkness comes a light. Make no mistake, the words “I will never leave you nor forsake you” are just as true today as they were 2,000 years ago. There is still love. There is still hope.
For the past two months, each day spent at Love and Hope has been a blessing to me. Not only was I able to get to know a group of awesome kids and the people who take care of them, but I was also able to learn more about beautiful El Salvador and the work God is doing there.
My days were filled with little projects Rachel and Kirsten had for me to do, anything from cleaning out the ludoteca to typing up an inventory of the kids’ novels for school. One of my favorite projects was the Easter Cards the children were working on for their sponsors.
Every Wednesday and Thursday I made lunch for the Home. Honestly, it overwhelmed me at first. However, everyone was super helpful and after a few weeks I really started to enjoy it. I know I’m going to miss it.
A few favorite memories from my time spent at Love and Hope are; having a water fight with Jacobo and Esau, playing Dutch Blitz with Linda, hunting for mangoes with Vanessa, swinging on the hammock with Aly, going to the theater with Irene, Brenda, and Kirsten, working on Easter cards with Chamba, long talks with Raquel while cleaning up after supper, making a huge cupcake with Esau, listening to songs from Grease with Irene, and playing cards with Eliseo.
I feel like the months of February and March went by way too quickly and I can’t believe it’s already over. I’ll never forget what an impact the Home had on my life. I can’t wait to visit and see everyone again!
Niky was a wonderful help to Love & Hope in so many ways, and had a great attitude about doing whatever needed to be done. Come and visit us soon, Niky; we miss you!