Thanksgiving

Of all the thanksgiving celebrations I have participated in, this year was definitely the most rewarding.  I went with the YWAM base to Zona Norte (read earlier posts for more info) to bless the homeless & deported people with a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner. Along with this we washed and cut their hair. As dirty ran down the back of their head I realized how thankful I am for a shower. Some students performed a play about prostitutes, AIDS, drugs and then Jesus ultimately giving hope.  It was very well done and the reactions from the people were indescribable. We also had a mini service by a pastor who grew up in Zona Norte.

Me, being the social one, got to check in with my friends and hear how they are doing. Let me present one very special friend to you. Her name is Teresa. She is “state raised” but is living in Mexico because her husband was deported a few months ago. Last week I met her and we talked about her kids. She told me about her five children and how two were taken by social services. Then she looked up at me and said, “You know what? You remind me a lot of my 20 year old daughter.” Looking at
me again she commented, “You’re tall, and you are so happy, and you
look like her- especially your smile.” She started to cry telling me how she missed her and how life on the street is so tough. I gave her a hug like I would give my mother and she said, “but at least I know my daughter is safe in the US.”

Yesterday when I saw Teresa again she gave me a little update.  She
said she was able to get 20 pesos (1.60 USD) from washing a woman’s clothes yesterday. Showing me her cracked and dried hands from washing she began to cry.  These tears weren’t all that bad this time. “Emily, remember how you prayed for me last week?” She began to tell me, “I prayed before going out a day ago and I felt like someone was actually with me. Like someone was by my side.” She continued to tell me how she felt safe and protected. I went on saying God is always by your side, he wants to be in your life, and ultimately wants a relationship with you.  She replied, “I know, I felt Him then.” 

Would you partner with me in prayer and lift up all my homeless/deported friends of Zona Norte? They are God’s children just
as much as the preschoolers at Timberline Church are. They need love and prayer just as much as me and you do.

 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people
will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 )

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!