Tias
I walk to the home and step in. One more pic is needed. Snapping pics has become a gift this time round. You see...I brought my big camera this time round. Without hesitation...this time round...and now we need one more photo of a Tia (an auntie figure whose role is to give care) whose face I somehow missed.
You see, there is a covert operation on campus of this children's home, hashtag Hogar de Vida, hashtag Homes of Life, hashtag Atenas, Costa Rica. Cards are being made for each Tia, each worker, each pseudo mama here. Mother's Day is just around the corner...a special day in August... and they will be honored...but they do not know. It's a surprise.
Blessed are they who are called. Blessed are they who lean not onto their own understanding but in all their ways acknowledge Him and He will direct their paths. The paths of the Tias were directed to the children. And as a thank you, the Tias are being blessed by Dena. Dena is a Tia to the Tias...a caregiver if you will...of all who enter. She desired to honor them on this special day with a personal note, a personal thank you, and so I entered. I entered on behalf of Dena, into the kitchen to snap a final photo needed. The children were napping. This would be a good time.
One foot in, and I stopped. I stopped as the scene to my left caused me to pause. The voices were not expected. The quiet was not expected. The gathering before me was not expected. Together the three Tias...in the midst of the humid heat and breathless air with no children to tend ...sat. They sat at the table...and prayed.
They could have slept as did the wee ones, they could have put their feet up, they could have taken a second portion, they could have chosen to visit. They chose to sit at His table of grace, and they chose to pray. And pray they did. I paused. I listened. I waited. Camera in hand began to feel weighted; I waited. They prayed. One rose to change a diaper. The others prayed.
I stepped quietly...just a bit deeper into the room...turned, and unbeknownst to them, I snapped the pic. I made my exit. They prayed.
And this is how Hogar de Vida, Home of Life, continues to give life, continues to be a home for all who enter. And this is how Hogar de Vida continues to grow and resuscitate all who enter. And this is how even those who lift their weary hands can pray...because He sustains. It is a home, it is a sanctuary, it is a stronghold for Him. A mighty fortress is our God...a mighty fortress is Hogar de Vida...so when those who have entered find that it is time to leave...they are restored. They are renewed in order to go, therefore, and live the Gospel.
The instructions are clear...clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Pray without ceasing." And so they do. Amen.
Submitted by Kathleen Kjolhaug, Volunteer.
