He has shown you, oh man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to walk justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Toothbrushes, Fires and Dolphins

"I'M GOING TO GO BRUSH MY TEETH!"
Those were the parting words from our little friend, Alejandro. We met him when he approached our restaurant table and asked us for some food. He was sullen and reserved, and kept his eyes rooted to the plate of leftovers that he shoveled into his mouth. Jonny ordered another lunch for him and asked his name, to which he only replied "Torro". He continued to eat furiously, only stopping to respond to our questions with monosyllabic answers until Jonny mentioned Jesus. "Jesus! He's my best friend!!" Alejandro's eyes lit up and he began to smile. He started to tell us more about how he's escaped from an orphanage in Guayaquil 4 times where the older boys violate the younger kids. He told us that he sleeps on the streets of Playas and a nice family lets him wash his extra shirt at their house. Jonny and I decided to take him to the supermarket and buy a few things for him, and when we asked him if he wanted to come with us he said, "I know where that is!" So we went, and he picked out some flip flops and a toothbrush and toothpaste, and was radiating excitement. We've been praying for little Alejandro, who claims he's 14, but looks closer to 10, that God will continue to provide for him and that Jesus will always be his best friend.
On a different note, here's a picture from New Year's! Bastion celebrates with a bang, as the streets fill up with people blowing up their "Ano Viejo" or "Old Year" dolls, filled with paper and fireworks. I've never seen so many explosions/fires and had such a fun/dangerous New Year's celebration.
On New Year's Day, Jonny and I fought the crowds to get down to the beach. After 2 hours of elbowing and trying to control my bad attitude towards all of Guayaquil cutting the line, we made it out of the terminal and were off to the beach. We stayed for the weekend, and went on boat tour to a little island and saw lots and lots of dolphins! It was wonderful!



1 comment:

Janna said...

i love your story about Alejandro! heartbreaking, and SO precious. that was awesome...don't you love it when God brings opportunities like that, right to your lap!?