The goodbyes began today. We all knew the time would come.
The drive into El Obraje was full of chatter and laughter as those of us who were here last year reminisced and told stories of the 2014 trip. We sang a rendition of Desperado to the team, substituting the name of the hotel – Esperanza – and felt as if we were sharing a true glimpse into the joy of last years adventure.
The roller coaster of emotions set in when the team split to cover as much ground as possible and complete as much as we could on the projects we had been working on throughout the week.
For some of us it was a solemn walk to the school. Instead of recreation we took as many goofy and loving photos with the kids as possible and hugged as many as we could.
The look in their eyes when you bend down, connect one last time and say goodbye is heartbreaking. It takes everything to not well up with tears.
Over at the church, a multitude hands were feverishly working in sync to accomplish as much as possible. In those busy minutes and hours – deep conversations brought team members closer together, and laughter could be heard throughout the site. The amount of joy, pride and sense of accomplishment was felt by all – yet we all yearned for more.
Some of the group went to purchase local coffee that had been grown in a nearby community. They took the beans to the home of Vanya, who graciously offered a gift to us of roasting and grinding the coffee beans. She shared her home – she shared her stories – she shared her heart.
With time limitations setting in quickly, the team insisted on pushing on a little longer to complete the last project that had been started that morning. Once completed – the next round of goodbyes commenced.
Pastor Alejandro, his family, and the men we had worked along with, took time out of their afternoon to see us off. When we looked each one of them in the eyes, embraced and said thank you for the hospitality and the love that they shared with us – a deep rooted understanding was apparent to all – this truly is a partnership. What we are doing here and coming back every year is so vital.