an open heart

I was recently listening to a podcast and they spoke about living life with an open heart, acknowledging the longing and ache for home with the Lord. This week was tender and I experienced many aching moments that reminded me of my longing for us all to be living in community with the Lord. I said goodbye to two of the kiddos who had been here since the beginning of my time. I had the opportunity to go with the director to bring Erik back home. It was a long drive but the views were absolutely stunning. Driving through the mountains, along the coast, and over rivers made me fall in the love with the beauty of Guatemala again. Seeing the joy on Erik’s little brother’s face as they hugged tugged my heart. Here was this child who I had come to love the past few months being reunited with the ones who love him most. It was hard to say goodbye and I notice the gap of his presence at the center, but my heart is happy knowing he is home healthy again.

I also said goodbye to another little one I had grown to adore since the beginning. They jokingly called him my son at the center cause he was always calling for me. The rest of his family came to the center to bring him and his mom home. It was a tender goodbye but the joy on his mother’s face made me smile. My heart aches desiring so deeply to be able to give these children more.. always wondering how they are doing but a dear friend of mine reminded me that one day we will all be reunited in heaven and what a joy! Saying goodbye to the kiddos made me reflect on how precious this time at the center truly is for them. How for a few months they receive the gift of living in a safe stable joyful environment and how more than anything I want them to know that they are precious to me. That the Lord brought them into my life for a reason. I want to keep my heart open as my time comes to an end here. Acknowledging the aches I feel for the children for my besties Deisy and Josue and the challenge of preparing to say goodbye.

But lets be honest I tend to process change weeks early because I still have 3.5 weeks left here! And this next week is packed as I am working with a visiting therapy student team for the week. It was hard to leave the comfort of the center for this week but I am reminding myself that just as I am called to care at the center equally I am called to welcome these students into the Hearts in Motion family.