We are here. After a thrilling ride in the back of a pick up truck up and down twisty dusty roads we arrived to Villa Hortencia 2. My heart beated SO fast, tears of joy filled my heart and that feeling of arriving home took over me.
Villa Hortencia is tucked among beautiful mountains in northwest Guatemala. The vegetation is rich and diverse. The blue hydrangeas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrangea) grow wild, corn is high and furs are really big. It is so high in the mountains that clouds are below us. The views are magnificent, no picture could ever do justice to the Creator’s majesty that is on display here.
The progress in my “third home” is evident. As we go down through the last curve in the road I pointed out to my friend Samantha all the projects our church have partnered in to help VHII to become self sustainable.
This village was the only community when we visited in fall 2008 they brought out what they could offer. They showcased their citrus, sugar cane and crops. Their people were also very proud of their products and willing to be an active part in the betterment of their community. Their smiles were wide and their enthusiasm contagious.
We unloaded the truck, made our beds and familiarize ourselves with the house we are living in for the next five days. No long after we were ready to take a walk and say hi to our brothers and sisters here.
As I stepped out of the yard and started walking I heard my name shouted “it’s Mariela! Mariela!.” I turned my head and I was ushered into this house where the man and the woman kept saying my name and welcoming me warmly. I remembered them from last time but could not figure out why they knew me so well. As my team and I stepped in this humble space I saw my family picture hung on the wood boards that serve as wall and realized my husband, Steve, have developed a deep friendship with them.
Their daughter Martina recited all my kids full names, in order and with precision. I don’t know all my relatives could name my kids like she did. As she pronounced each of my children names my heart grew, my eyes filled with tears of joy and I felt the undeniable love of my Creators through this girl.
There is no other explanation to this. We were made by love and to love. My Steven loves this family. He has invested in them. He prays for them, specially for their daughter Maria Victoria who lives with cerebral palsy and shakes with joy when she sees people smiling and visiting her.
Javier and Isabel smile wide and ask for Steven. They keep telling me how much they enjoy him and appreciate his friendship. I feel humble by their words and the way they love me just because of their bond with him. They tell me over and over they are so happy I am here.
There are many questions that flood my mind and I cannot simply answer. But I DO know this family feels loved by the same God who loves me.
It is undeniable, unexplainable. It simply fills you up with joy and make you smile from the inside. I wish I could just freeze this moment and stay a little longer. My excitement is greater now for my friends that are for the first time as they are about to develop this kind of relationships.
Getting to love the way this people do is an inspiring goal to reach for! One that motivates me to let go of what does not matter and focus in the Giver of Love.
Do Love and shoes!