Adios Amiguito

In 2014 I traveled to Honduras for the first time. I found a ministry online, booked a flight, and traveled by myself to stay with strangers in a different country for three months. It was the best, craziest thing I’ve done so far (with the World Race coming up I’m sure there will be other stories that could sound a little crazier). The staff and children at this ministry quickly became my second family. I’ve since traveled back numerous times, sometimes for a week, sometimes for months. I genuinely feel at home as soon as I hit Honduran soil, hearing Spanish all around me, seeing street-side fruit stands and vendors. I fell in love with the country and its people as a whole.

 

There are so many kids there that hold a special place in my heart, but this is specifically about my amiguito. He was two years old when I first traveled there. He was the tiniest little thing with the tiniest little voice. I very quickly took to referring to him as “amiguito,” or little buddy. He calls me the same in return to everyone’s entertainment, especially since there is nothing little about me amongst the generally small people of Honduras.

 

Over the years I’ve watched him grow, learn and change. While he is still small, he is nowhere near the tiny little toddler I first met. He went school and on my visits, I’ve been able to walk him to class and drop him off at school. We have a special little bond he and I, even the staff comments on it when I visit. 

 

And now my sweetest boy, my amiguito, is being reunited with his mom. In December of last year, the children’s home was notified that his mom had been doing all the work she needed to regain custody of him. She completed parenting classes and visited him regularly. He spent weekends with her. There were just some final court hearings and paperwork to make it official. I was already scheduled to have a week off of work in January because my boss was going out of town. I was able to book a quick flight and hop over to my second home on pretty short notice. 

 

This trip was the sweetest blessing. I was able to spend quality time with all of the kiddos, but especially my amiguito. I walked him to school, played games, pushed him on the swing and chatted about how exciting it was that he gets to go live with his family. I met his sister and step-father. Most of all, I was able to say goodbye. Because he is the absolute sweetest, the day I left he prayed for me. He knew he wouldn’t be at the ministry for my next visit. He prayed that God would always protect me and angels would always watch over me. 

 

I will miss him terribly and I am sad that he will not be there the next time I visit. BUT, he is going to live with his mom, dad, and sister. Their family unit is restored in a beautiful story of redemption. I’ve prayed for years that my amiguito and all the other kiddos there would find forever families. That they would be placed in a permanent home where they know they are loved. HIs family is restored and my prayer answered. He is home where he belongs. Where he is loved. 

 

So, to my amiguito who will forever hold a piece of my heart. I will miss you, but I am so excited to watch this miracle unfold as you are reunited with your family, restored to where you belong. 

Hasta luego amiguito, que simpre sepas lo amado que eres.