In reflecting with staff, we´ve laughed, rejoiced, and been moved this week by how God's goodness has been so clearly displayed through small moments at our base, Casa MARKED. There is such significance to the little, everyday experiences in which we see God move so we thought others might like to hear about some of those small-yet huge-moments we´ve lived over the past week.
One thing our San Pedro staff has noticed that has become a daily occurrence, is more kids staying for more time. In fact, each morning when staff arrives, kids are already outside waiting for the front gate to be opened. Then, in the evenings when it's time for staff to go home to their own families, the kids beg to stay. To us, it's a great sign that these children want to spend time at Casa MARKED yet it also points to their desperate need for love.
Even though there are daily scheduled activities and feedings, each day looks a little different. This is because during the day, people arrive to Casa MARKED at different times as well as for different reasons. Some kids come very clearly burdened or upset while others come happy and simply looking for attention. No matter the reason or time, there´s an open-door policy in effect meaning that anyone can show up and-as our staff so beautifully words it,- “can be hugged in the way that they need”.
It's not unusual for kids to come teary-eyed looking for advice, encouragement, or maybe just a listening ear. A little girl who is not a regular and who actually our staff had quite a long time without seeing, showed up one day and immediately began to open up to a staff member about struggles at home. She stayed for nearly two hours getting everything off her chest and then asking for advice. Of course, these moments are bittersweet. It is difficult to hear about someone's suffering but also, we are delighted to see that even people who are not involved with MARKED are aware that staff can be trusted. Since that day, the little girl still hasn't come into Casa MARKED but we´ve seen her around town and she always smiles, waving from afar as if the heaviness has been lifted off her shoulders.
It's also not unusual for kids to come happy or even wanting to help. Our community center director, Sam, often jokes that if you come through San Pedro you´ll see the cleanest truck in town and that's because when he goes to wash it, lots of little hands want to help too! Even if the truck is washed one day, the kids who come the next day offer to wash it again. He promises he's not putting the kids to work but instead, simply lets them be a part of daily activities around the base and afterwards, they are invited to stay and eat. So simple, yet, a sense of belonging and purpose is found.
Similarly, when kids see the truck drive down the hill full of food for the week, they come running, all eager to unload the truck. Kids aren't the only group that show up. There are also several moms from the community that regularly come by Casa MARKED to volunteer. This team of women has grown into a little family of its own where the ladies come together to catch up, talk about how things are going, and encourage one another. There are also grandmas who come under the guise of accompanying their grandbabies but pick up toys themselves and play or connect with other adults around. It's the look and sound of community and healing.
Just like the back of the MARKED truck reads, “Romper ciclos, empoderar vidas” or, break cycles, empower lives- that´s the mission behind Casa MARKED and that´s why there´s no one size fits all approach to interactions or activities. It´s not always about food or even handouts. Lasting change starts in the heart and that´s why our staff aims to attend to not just physical but heart needs of each person who enters, knowing that each need, each day, in each person may be different but at the root of it all, people need to be heard, seen, included, and feel God´s love in big as well as small moments. These are just a few snippets of our week but we can see how God is moving in the hearts of so many and we are thankful Casa MARKED can be a part of that process.