When we first arrived in our village we relied on our prayers for "people of peace" to gain entry into the village. We had been living among our people for a few months and had some new friends. We had come into the village and everyone was looking to take advantage of the gringos living among them. We were asked for "loans", asked for jobs, food, you name it. I am generally very giving but was tired of this! However we had decided to donate some sports equipment to the elementary school as a "good will" offering. As we were dropping this equipment off at the school a woman came to our car with her two daughters. I was sitting in the front seat with the window down and she began to tell me how her husband left her to go to the United States 5 years ago and had never sent her any money. Of course my defenses went up and I was already trying to figure out what I would say. She told me she needed new shoes for her daughters and had no money. I think smoke was coming out of my ears as I again was feeling used. So I kindly explained that most of the village had similar needs and we couldn't meet all of those needs. About that time my discerning husband came around the car and asked her what it was she needed. She told him the same story. He then asked her if she could go into town with me the next day. Then in English asked me if that was okay. Hmmmm.... well... I guess since you already asked her, I guess I will go. (Very submissive wife, I am!!) She said she would be ready in the morning.
So, the next day I had a better attitude and went to pick her up. She climbed in the car with her two children and we headed off for the nearest city. We talked the whole time and we started getting to know eachother. My heart started to melt for her as I realized just how tough her life really was. We went shoe shopping and generally had a good time. As we drove through town, she kept doing her "persignarse" or crossing herself, like they do over her chest. I told her I didn't understand much of her religion and asked her why she did that. She said because Jesus lived in the temple and we had passed a temple. I explained that I wasn't Catholic but I really wanted to learn more about what she believed. I asked her if we could start studying the Bible together so that she could help me understand more about her beliefs. She was so excited and said she would love to study the Bible. So, the next week she came to our home with her girls and we started listening to Bible stories. After studying with us for about 6 months she gave her heart to the Lord. That was 3 years ago, since then God has used this uneducated, unhappy, unloved lady to begin His work in our village. Little by little she would bring more and more people to our home. God had a larger plan when all I saw was a woman needing shoes.
I have to tell you something funny that happened on that trip. We didn't have Internet at the time, so when we would go into town we would stop by some apartments that had wireless Internet and with their permission we would use it to check our email. So, before we headed back to our village I told my new friends I had to make a quick stop. So, I pulled up to these apartments and I got out my laptop. I was checking my email and I think I probably responded to a few really short ones. So during that time they were talking back and forth in their mother tongue and I had no clue what they were saying so I finished what I was doing and we headed home. Now, about 6 months ago these friends of mine confessed to me that during that time they thought that I was having them sold to some Americans. They really thought I was sending someone some kind of message to come and get them and take them to America to be their slaves. Now we all laugh hysterically over this as they beg us to take them to the US and promise to work for us for free! ;o) Soooo funny! It is amazing how little we know about culture. We are scared they are going to kidnap us and they are sure we are going to do the same. So, there is my first story from way back when! Kinda funny, huh?
