For the Generations: My Favorite Day

What a sweet day Thursday was in Colombia. We had no set plans since VBS was over, so we got to spend the majority of the day at Aljaba hanging with the kids and helping out around the property.

Jhonathon helping BJ manage the Colombian heat!

The suitcases brought in were full of clothes
that had been donated to Aljaba. Thank you to
everyone who gave!

One of my favorite things on Thursday was getting to watch some of the children receive gifts from their sponsor families. I can't describe the joy each one had as they held new backpacks, opened fresh boxes of crayons, admired new clothes, and clutched the family photo albums and personalized notes.

What surprised me most was how excited the other kids were for the one receiving the gift and how willing the receiver was to share their new things with their friends. Within seconds one of the little girls had given away every piece of her new pack of chewing gum (that is one hot commodity!). No one had even asked her for it. She just offered it up so that the others could share in the joy.

Y'all...the harsh reality is that some of the kids don't ever get to experience this kind of love because not everyone has a sponsor. Yes, their most basic (and I mean basic) needs are taken care of by La Aljaba. But beyond that they're not getting anything extra. Even my three year old knows she can anticipate new toys at her birthday or mail from her Grammy. What a luxury. Oh God, please! Break our hearts for what breaks yours!

Whether you have been to La Aljaba or not, please prayerfully consider how you might be able to partner with this incredible ministry. Maybe it's going on a short term mission trip, donating to the operating fund, actively praying, or sponsoring a child. You would be utterly amazed at what they are able to do with what money they have, but how much more amazing it would be if we could increase their funds in order to care for more children.

For more information on how you can be part of the Aljaba story visit www.laaljaba.org. You can also email julie@orphanos.org.

Michael and his sweet sponsor child.

Dagiana had just received a gift from her sponsor family,
and she was thrilled to show all her friends!

No matter where you're from,
every teenage girl loves emojis!

Nancy and Heidi sharing in the joy.

Jana and Paolo were playing a game where you had to pass a
piece of candy from one straw to the next without using hands.

Thursday night was a joyful time as we got to celebrate with the Aljaba staff and other friends all that God has been doing and continues to do in Leticia. Lucy and her team do an incredible job and spend countless hours pouring all that they have into the children. I'm sure it isn't often they all get a night off, so it was fun to watch them laugh and interact with one another. They are co-workers. They are friends. They are family.

To the Aljaba staff, if any of you happen to read this, please know that you are loved and valued. Your work has not gone unnoticed. You are faithful servants fulfilling a high calling, and on the days when it feels like you can't go another day, remember that our God is El Roi - the God who sees. He sees every drop of sweat, every tear, every heartache. He sees your patience and the love you have for La Aljaba. He sees you. And He loves you. Press on, dear friends. Your reward is coming!

Lucy and Pastor Julio expressing their gratitude to the team.

Chad and Lucy planning and dreaming.

We hadn't celebrated quite enough, so we thought we'd throw in a birthday party too! Sweet Rachel Daniel celebrated her 18th birthday on Thursday. How cool is that? And, of course, no birthday is complete without a cake!

Happy Birthday, Rachel! It was a pleasure to serve alongside you this week. You have such a sweet and gentle spirit. I pray the Lord will bless you in a special way this year!