Week two began for us on Monday morning as we sat in the lobby of our hotel waiting to leave for our visit at the Children’s Home in Mexico City. Around 10 a.m. we met Fernando and Ezequiel (cousins) who work at the Children’s Home in the music department. Altogether, we rode on the Metro (Subway) for about an hour and they taught us where to go and when to get off, so that the rest of the week we could do it without them. When we arrived to the Home, we met with the officers, Captains Luis and Noemi Camarillo, who used that time to give us a schedule for the week and to welcome us into the new place. After getting to know them a bit more we got to meet most of the 90 kids that live there! They welcomed us by speaking English. Then of course, they topped it off with a huge hug for each of the team members. Fernando and Ezequiel gave us a tour of the home and gave us advice on what we would be experiencing during the week. Christy, the officer’s daughter, became part of our team as she would help with translating and would help prepare our meals. When we returned back to the hotel on Monday night, we gathered in one of the rooms for devotional time and we prepared to say goodbye to Viki. After having her by our side for a week, we were not ready to depart with the one who believed in us and encouraged us on a daily basis. Viki left Tuesday morning.
We taught the kids some English songs, and they walked around for days singing them to each other.
On Thursday, our schedule changed a bit. Instead of teaching our music classes, we used that time to share our testimony with them. After dinner, the team went up to the roof to get one last glance at the beautiful city from above, and as we were walking back inside we heard music playing from the chapel. It was Fernando and Ezequiel, who wanted to play a worship song for us. Then as we sat there singing along and watching them play, kids started running in and getting their chairs because they wanted to be part of the worship experience. This meeting was not mandatory and it had not been announced, but the kids were choosing to praise God that night. When the altar call was made, we realized how much hurt all the kids were experiencing. Many of them were under the age of 14 and they had already lived through fear, pain, abuse, and things we would never wish on anyone. Regardless of the language barrier for some of the team, we still prayed for each kid and while we hoped to impact the kids, they were the ones who touched our hearts and helped us realize how much we need to constantly seek God’s help.
Dios les bendiga,
Shannon Cabrera and Equípo México