Hola Americanos! It’s
Claudia, Claud, Claula, Gaga, or whatever you want to call me.
This trip has truly been one of the most heart-moving trips.
From seeing the sweet and beautiful faces of the kiddos, to looking at all of
what God has created. My heart is so much more appreciative of what I have now,
after seeing how minimal others live. A storm occurred last night and the only
things on my mind were the families that have cracks in their roof or unstable
walls. It broke my heart to think how wet and cold they must be. My mission is
to come back here multiple times because this is a country that is dear to my
heart and I want to help it. People say
that we will change the kids’ lives, but they truly are changing ours. – Love,
Claudia, Claud, Claula!
It is unbelievable the things you
realize on a mission trip. No matter how many times you go on one, even if it
is to the same place and you are doing the same service, you always end up
learning something different every time. This time, God has chosen to show me
how important of a virtue joy is in this world. He has taught me exactly how
much a simple smile or “Hola” can make someone happy for even just a few
seconds. You never know exactly how much those few seconds can mean to someone.
For example, on this trip, I met a girl who did not remember me at all from
when I came two years ago. But today, she whispered in my ear the words, “I
love you” in English. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live,
because it showed me that I was helping spread God’s love in an indescribable
way. I want all who read this to remember how important joy is. Go out there
and give someone a smile, or give someone a compliment. It will amaze you with
how good it will make the both of you feel.
See you Thursday.
~Grace Dickmann
Bus ride to the beach
Claudia and her sweet group of girls
Grace and her friend, Francheska
The girls were especially competitive;)
The whole group at the Olympic Village
