Last week a group of us played a game called We’re Not Really Strangers. If you don’t know, the game consists of three levels and simply includes questions to get to know those around you. The first round is more surface level questions and they get deeper as the levels advance. It was about 11:30 p.m. and we had been sitting on the kitchen floor playing for hours, eating cookie dough, and simply enjoying each other’s company. We had finally gotten to the last level and the question came up “why did we meet?” As the girls went around answering we ended in tears because of the genuine love we had for each other. Since that night I’ve thought a lot about that question. Why has the Lord placed each person in my life? What is He teaching me through them?
As our time at El Refugio comes to an end, I began to think of this question in regard to the people here. The first people that came to mind were the four local men we work alongside with each day. We spend 7 hours a day with them and have been blessed to form friendships with them. As I reflected on these relationships, I began to realize how much they have truly taught me about the Father’s heart.
Enrique: Enrique is a sweet man who will always be seen in his Cars bucket hat and tall rain boots. He will spend hours showing you pictures of his family and will often be seen caring for his bulls, Valentine and Richard. This man resembles so much gentleness. Through each action he cares so well for each of us and is beyond happy to just talk with us. While there is a language barrier, Enrique embodies the phrase “love needs no translation.” He loves those around him with a genuine love that can only come from the Lord.
Jorge: You will never see this man not on the roof. He constantly calls to us as “Niña” and will laugh alongside us all day. We are a group of teenage girls learning to roof so it’s safe to say there are some funny moments that Jorge will be the first to laugh about. I don’t think I have ever met such a hard worker. He is constantly at work and constantly teaching us exactly what we need to know. He gives us the tools we need and sends us off in confidence knowing we are capable. He knows we are learning and will mess up but approaches it all in patience and kindness that so obviously comes from the Father.
Holger: The first thing I think of when I think of Holger is from the first week we were here, when he brought a group of us up to the mountains to level out dirt roads. We had been working all morning and were running late for lunch so didn’t have time for the 20 minute walk down the mountain. He decided to load all 6 girls onto a tractor and as we hung off the side, he brought us down the bumpy road. None of us knew if this was even allowed but we trusted him. While he prefaced, “Hold on tight. People die falling off tractors,” we all had faith we would make it to lunch that day. He carries himself in authority and leadership. He proceeded to take selfies with each one of us as he drove the tractor and simply brought joy to those of us settled in fear. He embodies the authority each of us are given as Believers and he uses it for kingdom work.
Aurelio: This is one of the kindest, most patient, and loving men I have ever met. This sweet man’s native language is Cufon so he as well is newer to speaking Spanish. He lives right on camp with his family and is one of the fastest soccer players. I am reminded of a time we brought branches in a trailer to a dump spot. Little did we know it was probably a 50 foot drop off that we backed the tractor right up to. As we stood on the trailer navigating how to push these huge branches off this huge drop off, Aurelio sat in the tractor laughing as he watched us struggle. He ended up making his way back to help us and unloaded the branches in one swift push, putting our work to shame. I have never seen him raise his voice at us despite the number of times we mess up. He will patiently fix the problem and explain the task to us again for the fifth time. He has never made us feel anything less than enough, capable, and strong. He greets us each morning with the happiest smile and says goodnight to us with the same smile. His patience is nothing short of a beautiful reminder of how Jesus sees us.
These men had more of an impact on us all than they will ever know. They are some of the hardest workers, some of the funniest people, and by far the most patient humans I have met. Working alongside them has been the biggest blessing and truly such a gift.
The Lord has such a divine purpose in the people he places next to us. Whether it be the person in front of you in line at the grocery store or your best friend there is purpose behind it all. What is the Father teaching you through the person next to you? Why did you meet?
Enrique with his bulls 🙂
Us after riding down the mountain with Holger
Aurelio & Jorge
