I left my heart in Venezuela...

We're all home safe and sound...Other than almost missing one of our flights and having to run like crazy people to the gate, the trip back went very smoothly. I'm really missing everyone right now. I couldn't have dreamed of a better mission trip and more amazing people to spend it with. God has taught us all so many things this week, one being the power of love. There was so much love everywhere we went this week...within Las Buenas Nuevas Church, among the staff and volunteers of Project Jonas, and within the hearts of all the boys on La Granja. We grew to love each other in just one week...and I know it's because God was in the middle of it all. I feel so fortunate that I was able to go on this trip, thanks to those who so generously supported me. It was the most amazing week ever with so many wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Although a few mishaps may have occurred likeee busting heads on trees, getting poisonous caterpillar hairs in fingers, falling and twisting ankles, slamming fingers in doors, and busting chins from dancing, "no te preocupes, it's ok!" It was still by far one of the best experiences I have ever had, and I know the rest of my team agrees. God is so good and I am so thankful for Him keeping us safe and allowing us to enjoy the wonderful company of all our new amigos. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of those who are involved in and so deeply dedicated to Project Jonas...God's light shines so brightly through each and every one of you. You are doing an amazing thing for these boys. And please give them hugs all the time for us! It was so hard to leave...I will forever love Venezuela. Mis queridos amigos siempre estarán en mi corazón :)

DIA 6: Work Hard, Play Hard

We just got back to our hotel from saying goodbye to everyone. I already miss everyone so much :( What an amazing, life changing week. The beach was absolutely gorgeous today. We took boats out to an island and spent our last day together there. I can not begin to express how grateful I am for this experience, and I speak on behalf of my entire team, as well. The relationships we have formed this week have forever changed us. Many tears were shed tonight as we said our goodbyes, and many kind, encouraging words were exchanged. We have so much faith in these boys because they have such wonderful hearts and they now have a desire to follow Jesus. They are so inspiring...It took us about an hour to hug everyone over and over again. We really didn't want to leave. The people of Venezuela are filled with so much love and this is definitely something we want to bring back with us to Atlanta. Tonight, the boys asked us to write down our facebook names and emails so we definitely all have plans to stay in touch. Everyone we met this week, including the boys and staff and volunteers of Project Jonas, made such an impact on us and we will be forever grateful for the relationships we now have with them. God has done countless amazing things this week and we couldn't be happier to call Him our Heavenly Father, nuestro Señor. Buenas noches <3 

DIA 5: I need 2 hearts so I can love Him more...

Our present to the boys to put in their new garden...two hearts together por siempre :)

Ok so today's post is going to be short because we have to wake up at 3:45 tomorrow morning...oh my! We are going to the beach with the boys, and because it's 4 hours away, we have to get an early start. Today, we spent most of the day finishing up all our projects on La Granja. The exterior of the home is all painted, the gardens are looking beautiful, there is now a roof on the outdoor laundry room, and all the landscaping is done. It was a very productive day! Then, we hung out in the pool (after several of us got pushed in), and the rest of the night was a fiesta! We had such a delicious Mexican dinner, and then we played "Musical Chairs" and a "Red Light, Green Light" dancing game with everyone. We danced all night and learned some super chevere ("cool" in Venezuela) salsa moves. Such an amazing night with amazing people. Although I can't say I'm a morning person, I'm super excited for the beach tomorrow and to spend as much time as possible with the boys before we leave...Buenas noches mis amigos :)  

DIA 4: It just keeps getting better...

Davis, our handsome hermanito!

Just returned from dinner with several families from the church. It was wonderful to be invited to the homes of local Venezuelans! During the day today, we worked with the boys on La Granja until lunchtime taking care of some more landscaping, roofing, and pressure washing. Then, we went to a juvenille detention center here in Barquisimeto. Several of the Project Jonas leaders are also involved in a specific ministry serving the boys at this center. Two of them go each Friday to meet with a group of boys there to share with them God's story. Before we arrived, they told us we were going to meet with a group of 35 boys who have committed crimes of various degrees. Apparently, they were really looking forward to today because they hardly get the chance to do anything or interact with others during the rest of the week. When we arrived, our team of 15 convened on the outdoor basketball court as we waited for the boys to come out. Once they arrived, we all made a large circle and played an ice breaker just to help them feel comfortable. Then, we were separated into 4 groups, 3 people from our team, in addition to 1 translator in each. We were then told to share our stories about how we came to know Jesus with the boys. I can only speak for my group, but as we spoke, the boys were so engaged and asked lots of challenging questions about our testimonies. The main theme of our stories was that, in the past, we constantly tried to control our own lives. Through trials of all sorts, we came to learn that Jesus is the way...we believe that He has a perfect plan for each of us and we all chose to submit our lives to our amazing Heavenly Father who loves us more than anyone on this earth possibly can. It was just so cool to see the boys so curious about how we were able to find our faith; their questions made it clear that they wanted that security and relationship with God, as well. After we met in our small groups, we all joined back together and Flor, one of the leaders from Project Jonas, asked several boys from each group to share what they had learned. It was the most amazing thing listening to what each one had to say. They really related to some of our team members' stories...Many of them said they wanted to change and begin to put their hope in Christ. It was honestly one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced in my life. We originally went knowing we would have some sort of impact on the boys, but I left today knowing that they have forever impacted my life. They were locked up in a jail essentially, guarded by men with machine guns, yet the love, selflessness, and innocence deep down shown through each and every one of them. It was such an amazing and life-changing experience. We want to do the same with the boys on La Granja when we go to the beach together on Friday! 

DIA 3: Hermanitos

Having the best time ever :)

We just got back from the Barquisimeto centro de comercial (mall) a little bit ago. We went with the Project Jonas team leaders after a hard day at work on "La Granja." We did a lot of gardening and landscaping today, in addition to a few of us laying tile in the new outdoor laundry room. The last two days, we have been working side by side with the boys and you can just tell from their expressions that they are enjoying themselves. Many of them are really starting to open up to us too...they're sharing the difference Project Jonas has made in their lives and how much our group and past ones have encouraged them and helped them conquer their drug addictions. One of the guys, who is 43 years old, keeps telling us about all he has lost because of his drug problem, but he continues to share how grateful he is that we have come down to help and spend time with them. Another guy, who is 24, told Becki about how he hurt his loved one and caused her so much pain because of his addiction. Comments such as these serve as reminders to us that, although gardening and painting may seem trivial at times, we are here for a reason...and that reason is to spend time with these boys and share with them the amazing love of Christ.

Kate and Kyle teaching Cesar English...I love this!

Several of us were walking through the house this afternoon, and happened to walk by the "detox room" while one of the boys was receiving a detox treatment. It made it so real and, even though the boys seem happy and like normal teenagers around us, it reminded us that they are going through a really tough battle right now. Only weeks ago, many of them were just recently admitted to the program and are still currently in the intense stages of detox. Some of the boys have only been there for less than 2 weeks, others nearly 2 months, and others have been living there for 2 years. They are like family, and treat us the same, as well. Tomorrow, we will be working in the morning and then we are visiting a juvenile detention center in the afternoon. We will end our night by visiting the homes of several families from the church, which will be really nice. Anddd I think I'm starting to fall asleep...buenas noches mis amigos :)

DIA 2: Na Guara!

The Symbol of Venezuela

Well what do ya know, today was another awesome day. We went to the boys' house early this morning and got to work right away painting, gardening, and landscaping...the boys were helping us the entire day too! Everyone worked so hard today and the house looks so much better already! We tried to paint the back of the house, but the paint kept chipping off so we're probably going to rent a pressure washer tomorrow. I wouldn't mind getting assigned to that job :) We had such a great time working and hanging out with the boys all day. They are such gentlemen and so much fun to be around. Despite all they have been through, they are all absolutely amazing and I see so much potential in each of them. Around 4:30, we were finished working and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing by the pool and getting to know our new friends, playing frisbee, swimming in the pool...and today, they were able to convince even more of us to join in on the soccer game. It was so much fun!

Most of us after dinner...Hermanos en Cristo!

 It was just really cool to watch everyone interact today. I see such amazing qualities in everyone and I feel so blessed to be here. Project Jonas, as I said in an earlier post, is an organization within Buenas Nuevas Church in Barquisimeto who runs a Christ based drug rehab center for boys of all ages. In Venezuela, the Government considers this drug issue beneath its concern, and these boys are essentially discarded because they "got themselves into it." Project Jonas not only views this as a physical condition, but more importantly, a spiritual one. Filling the environment with people who love them is really what is going to help them overcome their drug addictions and have a hope for a brighter future. Several of them told us today that it's not just the fact that we have come to help them work on their home, but that we have come to spend time with them and care enough to get to know them that is most important. I can't wait to continue building relationships with the boys and all the amazing members of Project Jonas, and to see how the rest of the week unfolds. Buenas noches and God bless :)

DIA 1: Getting To Know You...

Before Church this morning!

Us with some of the church volunteers...they're amazing!

Wow, what an awesome day! This morning, we got to go to Las Buenas Nuevas Church with the members of Project Jonas (the group we'll be working with this week)...and every single person we met was so warm and welcoming. The church was built 16 years ago to serve the people of Barquisimeto, since there was only one church in the area at the time. They currently rent out the space each Sunday so they are required to set up everything early in the morning, as well as clean up after the services are through. That is A LOT of work! As we were given a tour of the facilities and all that happens on Sunday mornings, we were able to meet many of the amazing volunteers. Their dedication and willingness to put this much effort into serving the Lord and their church family is so inspiring. The environment was just so positive and inviting...and, not to mention, it was so awesome worshiping in Spanish. It was an all-around great experience if I haven't made that clear :)

Chillin by the pool with our new amigos :)

So after church, we drove to "La Granja," which means "The Farm," where the boys live. It was a beautiful drive up - rolling hills, palm trees, and a gorgeous bright blue sky. When we arrived, the boys were hanging out by the pool waiting for us. Just as we were told, the home is absolutely beautiful on the outside. We were warmly greeted by all the boys, and then we were given a tour of the property so we could get an idea of the projects we need to tackle this week. We spent the rest of the day just hanging out with everyone...playing games to get to know each other, playing ping pong, soccer, swimming, and, of course, trying to speak Spanish. Oh, and I forgot eating...we did a lot of that. Lunch was wonderful, in addition to the two other snacks they provided during our 5 hour stay. We definitely won't be going hungry while we're here :) We're all really looking forward to spending more time with all the boys. You can tell they all want to be there...they want to get better. Even though it's so hard what they're going through right now, they seem so happy. The leaders and volunteers of Project Jonas have such big hearts and are doing an amazing thing. The undying love and support they give these boys is so evident, and we are extremely grateful to be a part of this. Thank you God for an awesome first day!!