Despedida

I'm sitting here, home, in Minnesota with the chance to reflect for probably the last time in this manner, on how God has blessed my life through Children's Haven International. These last two summers have been an incredible journey. I often feel that I don't have the words to completely describe all that I feel when I think of CHI and the brothers and sisters in Mexico I have come to love. I hope that these photos, of the ones who made my summer spectacular, will speak the words that I seem to be lacking.

BJ and me at our Despedida (Good-bye) with members of Casa 4

Poncho, Me, Juan

Betsy Chacon, CHI director and me

BJ & Benjamin

Miriam Sarai

My adopted family: Brad, Ann-Marie, Brandon, Miller, & Jackson Boyles, and most importantly mi hermanito, BJ Mestnik

Thank you to those of you who have allowed me to become a part of this ministry, thank you to those I love who have become my family in Christ, thank you to those who have prayed for my safety and well-being, and mostly, thanks be to GOD for this place in the center of it all.

Signing off in Christ,
Eliza
Numbers 6:24-26

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I absolutely cannot believe that today is August.

All summer long, when asked about my date of departure, I have answered "Oh, I´m not leaving until August", stressing the fact that August was eons away. Well, August has arrived, and in less than one week I will be on a plane Minnesota bound. I am once again so so excited to see everyone from "home", but once again, I´m leaving a little more of my heart here than I had planned.


Throughout this year of preparation for my Summer 2009 in Reynosa, Joshua 1:9 was continuously running through my head and heart. "Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take." I now, once again, find this passage comforting. To know that God is watching over each and every one of us, with the big picture in mind, will help me get onto that plane. I step forward knowing that God has my best interests at heart, if I only listen. I have learned so much from mis amigos here al Refugio. God has blessed me incredibly by allowing me a spiritual sanctuary for two consecutive summers. I hope to take this peace that I feel and share it with all those who have supported my time here. Thanks to all who made my time here a realistic possibility.




I will be seeing you all, oh so soon.



En Cristo,

Eliza