What a difference a day makes...

John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

The day began with the hot “wintery” sun shining down on us as we awakened and began to prepare our hearts to serve at Potters Field Kids Home. Potters Field Home is home to 18 energetic boys from ages 2 to 14. These boys come from government run centers, abused homes, or extreme poverty where the families just cannot afford them. What a difference there was from the first government run center to Potters Field. It was so encouraging to see that there are places like Potters Field for kids, but it was also heartbreaking as we thought of the kids we were with at the government run center. The first and major difference is that Christ is the center at Potters Field. There is a pastor who is their “Papa” and his wife who is “Mamma.” And a large Christian staff who loves and cares for each and every one of these boys. When we arrived the boys were outside doing chores. The presence of the home was very clean and neat.

(Christina & the youngest boy there)

Once we arrived (after we opened the door and threw out the 5 soccer balls we brought) the language barrier did not matter anymore because we were able to connect through the amazing game of soccer. There is a passion for soccer in El Salvador that is more than just a past- time, and is rather a way of life. These boys know how to play. Immediately Stephen, Nico and I made our way down to the soccer field, and played “futbol” till we were called up for lunch. The joy of soccer filled all the boys’ faces at every touch of the ball. As I was here with the boys on the soccer field, with little communication except for yelling “Pelota! Pelota!”(Ball! Ball!). It was such an awesome reminder of why I am able to play soccer and who I play for, which is only Christ.

The home also serves as a center for kids to come to after school to get tutored and learn the Bible. We broke up into three stations. The first station was Christina, Emily and Jenny painting nails and doing face paint. One girl ran down the hall after her station showing off her nails. Steven and Nico were doing the sports or “soccer” station while the girls enjoyed the pampering. Susan and Julia led a crafts stations that the kids loved. And Jenni, Stephanie and I were blessed with the opportunity to share our testimonies with the kids. Many of the kids asked questions about our lives and we deeply enjoyed it.

Futbol is more than just a game. I was blessed with the opportunity to share my story about how the game of futbol affected my life. It was such an awesome way to see how I can use my story to witness to little boys who love the game as much as I do. Blessed by their joy earlier by playing soccer with them, I was excited to share my testimony with the kids about just trusting in Christ, in the good times and the bad times because He has a plan. Stephanie and Jenni shared their stories and drew questions and eyes of engagement from the girls, by focusing on the peace that they found in their lives through Christ. The verse that Jenni shared with the kids was John 14: 25-28 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We left the kids with the excitement to play more futbol tomorrow and to just create relationships with each of these boys and to just love on them.

Please pray for Jenni and Emily as they go tomorrow to OPA (Office of Adoptions) to meet with the adoption attorney. Pray for favor and for open doors for adoption in this beautiful nation!

Con much amor,
Brittany for the El Salvador team

(Our bedroom at the Mission House)

(Stephen & Santiago our driver for the week)

(It's all about Pinata's here)

(Jenny and one of "her boys")