We have built quite a few relationships in San Nicolas. We have really invested in them. We always took the time to talk, asked specific questions about people’s situations, and took advantage of every opportunity to help. We prayed with everyone, brought their needs before God, and asked Him to guide and bless them. We brought birthday cakes and presents to birthdays. We promised little, delivered much, and had clear boundaries about what we could and could not do for people, and we stuck to those. We communicated these boundaries regularly when we were asked if we could help in specific ways. In everything we did, we focused on the relationships themselves and made every effort to really see people.
When we changed our food distribution from weekly hot meals to a monthly addition to groceries earlier this year, it meant that we would not be visiting the families as often as before. To make this transition go smoothly, we took the time to show people that we were just as faithful as before. We did not go from weekly to monthly visits all at once. In between, I visited the families extra, so that they knew that I was still thinking of them. I still make regular extra visits to San Nicolas, just to connect with people and pray. I am always welcomed with open arms, especially by the children. From the beginning of our ministry, I have worked really hard to connect with them in particular. Knowing their names, their ages, their likes and dislikes, and always taking the time to greet them and look them in the eyes, even when I am in the middle of a conversation with an adult. It is amazing to see the children smile again when we are there.
Last Friday, I delivered the monthly food packages again. When we arrived at the home of a family with children, one of the little girls ran up to our bus, happily calling out to me, “Saturday, Saturday!” I was surprised that she called me Saturday, especially since I had told her my name before. But then I realized that I used to come over on Saturdays and that she had linked me to the day I always came to her house. What an honor to be given this beautiful nickname. I am Saturday!
Photo by Michael Mims on Unsplash.