There are specific memories over the past several weeks that I am asking God to erase from my mind and my daughters’ minds. However, there are specific memories that I am asking God to etch in our memory forever.
On October 4th, I walked onto the basketball court for the Guatemala memorial service, the first people I saw were the Marroquin family. My mind immediately raced back to June 2017 when Soy and I were helping other ministries. There were many times that we fed the students of My Special Treasure School (established by the Marroquins) Pastor Luis, Luis, Vanessa, and Faby have always been tremendously kind to us. During the memorial service I looked at hundreds of people who have been impacted by Soy and our ministries. The firemen, the students, the grandmothers, the families, people from other communities, the teachers (past & present), our closest friends, etc. The basketball court was filled with overflow on the outside of the court. It was as if God allowed me to see the very beginning of our ministry in Guatemala to our current ministry. As I sat down, I leaned over and told my dad “Soy only lived in Guatemala for six years and look at the impact!”
The following Wednesday, I had just finished our fourth visitation. I was physically and emotionally exhausted. We were on day 11 of trying to wake up from this nightmare. We had people from out of town coming to the funeral, and we were afraid that we would not be able to properly express our appreciation for them on Thursday. In true Teddie and Lisa fashion, they invited the out of town guests to their house for coffee and cake on Wednesday night. We were prepared to see about 15 of the people traveling from out of town. We knew many people were driving from a great distance and we did not expect them to visit us after traveling all day. We pulled up the house at 7:45pm and I was confused about all of the cars parked in the yard. When we opened the kitchen door, I saw 80 people who came to love on our family. I held it together, but I wanted to weep with gratitude. A house full of people who love us. How do you properly express appreciation for people who are coming to love you, pray for you, and support you during your darkest days?
I stood at the head of the casket as people came by to express their condolences. There really are no words to say and I am completely fine with no words. There were so many people who came to just to hug us, tell a story about Soy, and pray for us. There were 11 states represented at Soy’s funeral–Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. Amazing! I will forever be grateful to each of you. In the moment of our deepest hurt and pain, God used you.
During the funeral, my dad asked for the people who have ever been to Guatemala to stand. Oh my word! I wish I had a picture of the number of people standing. It was the common thread that brought so many of us together. So many of you have the same heart and love for the people of Guatemala as our family has for them.
The following days after the funeral, I began to find gifts and cards for my girls. My girls told me the names of each person who had shown them some extra love. They feel so loved. Thank you for loving our girls.
The cemetery—Oh My! It is in the middle of nowhere! We expected only a handful of people to join us for the graveside service due to the distance and people needing to travel home. I was shocked, amazed, and humbled at the number of people who stood beside me as we said our final earthly goodbye to Soy. My Uncle Mac and Aunt Jane opened their home for everyone after the graveside, and they graciously served us.
To the Friendship Baptist Church— During our most difficult days, you have wrapped your arms around my family. You have allowed my parents to sit beside me with no strings attached. You have reassured us of your prayers now and in the future. There is no way to list all of the ways you have served us—cutting grass, cleaning, cooking food, hosting visitors, haircuts, buying funeral clothes, etc—you have been the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you is simply not adequate.
(As I am writing this blog, my 9 year old, Audrey just returned from going to the grocery store with her Mimi. She immediately ran to me and said, “Mom everyone at the grocery store is praying for us!”)
These are only a few examples of the kindness, the love, and the support we have seen over the past couple of weeks. I could write a book about how God is using people to remind us of HIS goodness.
I have cried many tears of hurt, confusion, and pain. However, I have cried many tears of gratitude, praise, and pure love.
I TRUST in God’s UNFAILING love
for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will ALWAYS PRAISE you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will HOPE in your name,
for YOU are GOOD. Psalm 52:8-9
Shining Light Abroad Ministries 