Today we spent most of the afternoon at la Fundacion, the center that Centro Cristiano and Cornerstone support. Every day, from 11:00-3:00, kids filter in from the barrio to la Fundacion for lunch, some coming before school and some coming after. A few of the kids come with one or two parents, some come with siblings and others with friends or by themselves. Today, la gringa (me, the girl from the United States) was there, and some of the kids were anxious to show off that they can count to 10 or say “My name is…” in English.
So many of the kids that come to la Fundacion have been through so much in their young lives… much more than they should have. And yet their spirits are so resilient, so kind, not yet hardened by a world that they have and will struggle in. I loved watching the women who run la Fundacion work with the kids—since they come every day these women have built great relationships with the them, and as each one comes in they grab hands and pray before they eat. I wish you could all watch as these kids sit at the table with their friends or siblings, and they tease one another, laugh, and smile like life could not get any better.
All of them have a story… from where they are from, what they will go home to, to what they wish for their lives. Grace Alejandra and Andrea are two sisters who lost their father to the guerillas, and now they live with their mom and seven siblings and struggle every day. Carlos is a little more fortunate and can go to school. Nicole is a six year old beauty who talks and talks and talks and wouldn’t stop smiling for anything. And then there’s Leydon, Paula, Oscar, Tanya, Steven, Pedro… all such sweet kids and all with something unique to share with the world.
Pray for these kids, that the Author of Life would write them a story that protects them and brings honor to Him!
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