After only four nights in Cartagena we were surprised to hear we would be moving to Palenque for the next week. With no idea what to expect we packed up our stuff and left our cozy compound with a small team from YWAM, making the three hour bus ride to the small African village.
To avoid writing a novel, I’ve broken this blog into two parts, the facts and the heart. I will be posting more about the village and what exactly we did asap!
But now for the heart.
I want to tell you a story about a girl who refuses to dream. She doesn’t dare to imagine being a teacher, a doctor, or a lawyer. She sits in class learning mathematics, science and history. She is intelligent, resourceful and knows three languages, but still she believes what she’s been told all her life. She is good for one thing and one thing only, to find a husband and have a family. This is why she was created. If she can’t find anyone willing to marry her, she will be worthless. The mainstream Colombian culture has told her this. Her own culture and family has told her this. The media tells her this every day. Even if she DID step out of her society’s norms and her family’s expectations and applied for college at the public university in Cartagena, they only select ONE black student from the village to attend each year. To say the odds are stacked against her would be a gross understatement.
She asked me how I knew I was loved if I didn’t have a husband. As I tried to encourage her that together with Christ He could offer her a life of meaning and joy, I found myself suddenly feeling very guilty. Realistically, what DOES God offer these people? Is “anything” really possible? In America sure, but a place like this? Where the girls are only worth something if they are married and able to have children. Where even the government views her people as a nuisance and the majority of Colombians see them as mindless animals.
While talking to this girl, I saw a spark of hope in her eyes, as she thought, maybe.. just maybe I AM unique. Maybe I CAN do this.
And honestly… it broke my heart. I suddenly saw all the obstacles she will have to overcome, all the heartbreak she will have to face, the discouragement and the lies she will have to listen to, and I find myself second guessing. Did I do something wrong in telling her that? Have I given her false hope? Is that worse than no hope at all?
With these thoughts banging around in my head I couldn’t sleep through the night, so I began to pray. God quickly reminded me of Moses and all of His chosen people who wondered in the desert for forty years. They were all promised a land flowing with milk and honey (Joshua 5:6). A land of safety and prosperity, but only a handful actually got to see it. Does this mean He broke His promise? He revealed to me that I was missing the whole point. The promise isn’t about being a doctor or a lawyer or a famous athlete. It’s not about being a stay at home mom or a farmer. It’s about knowing God personally and getting to spend eternity with Him. If I can get these people curious to know more about this God whom all things are possible with (even eternal life!!) then I’ve done my job. Whether we grow up to be rich and powerful or we stay in a small village for the rest of our lives, the REAL promise land is waiting for us. We don’t need money or education or a spouse to receive it, we need only to accept what is already ours.
This week I discovered an oyster hidden in Colombia. A village full of untapped potential and wisdom. Like a rare oyster, it may have been hard to find. It may have seemed dull or unattractive or dirty at first, but when I finally pried it open and was able to look closer, I found an incredible treasure waiting inside. One that is stunning and unique and priceless.
I don’t even know her name, the girl who dares to dream. In my heart and in my prayers I remember her as, Palenque.
So precious are his little oysters. We never know how we may influence others. May God lead and guide you dear Emmy J. I love you and am praying.
You’re amazing so proud of you. Stay strong and keep spreading love and hope! Love you!!!
By sharing God’s love, the grain of sand inside the oyster you found, now has the potential to become a pearl! Keep looking for more oysters! Love, Molly
WOW! What an amazing experience you have had in Palenenque. God will continue to plant many seeds as you continue in obedience to Him. I will keep these precious children in my prayers.
This is amazing!