Marcos

As the day approached for the team to go to a boys´home in Ancon, I was anxious to see a little boy that touched my heart during last year´s trip. You see, last year, when we were done with the games, crafts, and christmas gift giving, Marcos gave me a really tight hug and held his clenched hand up towards me. As he opened his hand, I noticed his beautiful smile. In his hand, was a necklace made out of blue colored stones. He motioned for me to put it on but I hesitated. I told him that I could not take it and his smile disappeared. He continued by saying that he wanted me to take the necklace so that I would not forget him. I quickly hugged him and said that I would be honored to take it but that even, without the necklace, I would not forget him. For the rest of our stay at this home, he held my hand and would motion to his friends that I was wearing his necklace. Marcos is one of the many children that I have been praying for during the year. I, even, have his picture by my computer back home.

When we arrived at Ancon, I looked around for Marcos but found out that he was one of the many boys that was transferred to another home which we would not be visiting. My heart fell but I prayed that God would continue to take care of him and that he would be able to go back home, some day. Today, while visiting another home, I came across one of the boys that used to live at Ancon with Marcos. Immediately, I spoke with the director about Marcos and asked if he was living there. She said that he didn´t. A few minutes later, she came up to me with a smile and said that she had called the other home where Marcos had moved to and was informed that he had gone home to live with his mother. My heart was filled with joy knowing that he was with family, again!! As I played and talked to the other children, I prayed that they would have the same outcome as my little Marcos.

These children are children just like the children back home...they laugh, cry, joke around, and, most importantly, need love. Please, continue to pray for the children of Peru.

Sandra Martinez
Buckner Mission Trip Leader