This past Friday, the 14th, we had a house warming party/ thank-you event for the new refuge home. We have been in the home for just over a month now probably, and already I can see what a blessing it has been and will continue to be for the girls.
This day was special as we got to do some of my favorite things and all in a place I love. We ate tacos, worshipped, and a lot of gratitude was shown all around. It was awesome to be with other volunteers, staff, coaches of the girls, friends of the ministry, and the people who really made this home possible taking a moment to just soak in all God has done through this home. I think it is also a really special thing because the other places the ministry has been, the building was rented, where as this place has been purchased and truly is the Pozo de Vida’s. Such an exciting step for the ministry.
The most special part of the day was all the “thank-you”s that were made. I was moved to see the gratitude of the founders/ leaders of the ministry, thanking God for all their hopes and dreams coming true for this ministry in the form of this new house, and then going on to individually thank some really important people in making this happen. They thanked the lawyer and president of El Pozo de Vida, telling her just how impossible this would’ve been without her and thanking her for being by their side all along, from the very beginning. They thanked a couple who was a big help financially, and of course in prayer, for this new home and her speech was also very inspiring.
This woman talked about how from the minute Benny, the founder, came to her she knew God had great plans for this home and these girls. When speaking to the girls, she encouraged them to continue to be strong, to never let anyone tell them they can’t do something, and to never stop dreaming. She was so sweet to say that she believed, knew, that God has great intentions and plans for the rest of their lives. Not only that, but she made the connection that this place means nothing if the girls don’t take the opportunity and all the resources here and run with them. The girls so needed to hear everything she shared with them, and it was a blessing for me too.
They then went on to call up all the staff and volunteers in attendance and give us these sweet certificates of recognition for our dedication and belief in the ministry. It was a very nice gesture that showed how much they appreciate our help and all we give to the refuge. Paulina, the leader of this specific ministry spoke about how thankful she was for the teachers, coaches, volunteers that come every day and do the best they can with excellence for the girls.
One thing I really loved was when Benny’s wife Janice shared about how she had this vision for these girls, some without parents to care for them, but that by bringing them to the home and then on top of that giving them this new home now, God was showing them how he wanted to be their adopted father. Each of these girls had been wrapped up in his arms and taken in by Him, and I totally agree with her. Her heart for each one of these girls is so apparent and admirable.
What a blessing it was to see how God has worked in the lives of all the leaders of the refuge and El Pozo to allow this ministry to flourish. God’s hand is all over this place and I’m lucky to be one tiny part of it. So today, I’m thanking God for ever bringing me here in the first place. If God puts a dream or desire in your heart, you best believe it will come true. And it’s truly beautiful when it does.
What dreams or desires has God been calling you too lately? Even if it seems crazy, impossible, too hard, unreasonable, or all of the above… chase after it. No matter what others say about it. No matter how scared you may feel at times. If it’s really of God, he has plans to make it happen, and often to a bigger scale than we can imagine. Don’t put limits on that. Instead put your faith in Him, and watch him work his will.