What I love about our work at International Samaritan is how often I see and feel the presence of God in what we do.
Recently, I had the unique privilege of sitting in on the conversations that our scholarship students in Guatemala were having with a woman who has been generously supporting our mission in Guatemala for the entire 25 years since our inception. The investments of this woman and her family have enabled hundreds of young people to escape a life working in the dumps by learning a trade or getting a degree. She has visited them in Guatemala every year, remembers them by name and knows their stories. Watching their conversations, I felt like I was on the set of The Avengers, each of these young people a superhero in their own battle to overcome the worst of poverty, and she was a genteel Nick Fury in the background, helping them find their power. They knew what she has done for them though, and their bonds of gratitude to her were as strong as her bonds of love were for them.
One of the final scholars to speak was Rudy, who is taking classes to become a mechanic while also earning his high school equivalency degree. This, after years of working in the dumps. When he walked in the room, he grabbed a guitar from the corner, sat down, and asked if he could sing a song. Without pausing, he started to play and sing in Spanish, “This is Amazing Grace”, as the only way he knew to express his gratitude for the support he has received.
Rudy, his benefactors and I live thousands of miles apart. We speak different languages. We face very different realities each day. But we are one in the body of Christ, and to be in the room that day was to feel the presence of God. The gifts you have shared with International Samaritan made moments like this happen for 355 young people on scholarships last year, and I’m confident there are moments in your work, school or life where you see this too. If you have a moment, please write me and share your experience. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Rudy pictured left with Angelica Cancinos, singing “This is Amazing Grace”.
How’s Honduras?
Last week I wrote to you about the pressing need for food and water for all 621 families we support around the world. Eighty-eight people have responded so far with a total of almost $30,000 in donations. This is amazing and beautiful to me, but it covers the cost of...
How a Little Help can go a Long Way
Over the past year, I’ve written this reflection 22 times, and I’ve never written with as heavy of a heart as I do now. The Coronavirus has spread across the world and through entire cities like New York and Detroit so quickly and so devastatingly, I shudder to think...
Updates from Around the World
Every two weeks, I send this email to reflect on challenges and victories in our mission together. Today I thought it would be helpful to simply send updates on how each nation is doing in our shared goal of defeating the Coronavirus. Ethiopia Ethiopia, like most...
