Craig Vanhove is what many would consider a man’s, man. A middle aged man though you wouldn’t know it. He is strong, but quiet, firm but just, funny and witty if you catch him at the right moment. A welder by trade, Craig is probably the hardest worker I’ve seen at Casa Angelina. His job this week; welding rebar for the church floor. He doesn’t like attention, and his gifting is in his hands. He met up with our group to help us out this week. And what he accomplished amazed us.
An introvert by personality, and as a result, an observer by default, I watched a lot of people this week, working, growing, struggling, taking on adversity, and changing day by day. Some came here emotionally clogged, and a slow release over the last few days has allowed us all to catch a glimpse of who we really are, raw emotions and all. It’s one of the things I truly love the best about missions trips, is seeing the family that is birthed at the end of our time together.
Today we knew it would be more emotional than ever. However, we remembered what Mama Kim (the director of the orphanage) said to us the morning we first arrived, “Please don’t cry when you leave, as these children have had traumas in their life.” In essence, she didn’t want us to make the children feel bad, as if we were leaving them. The entire week as we have heard testimony after testimony of these precious orphans, we have all cried! And collectively we have all had the thoughts…when we leave…God help me not to cry!
As we had the bags packed and the bus driver honking his horn to alert us he was ready, several of us lingered not wanting to take the steps up the bus stairs. One last hug! Will it be Lord? God let me be able to come again! As I sat down, Mimi, a beautiful orphan came rushing onto the bus. She was carrying something in her hand and as I looked over I noticed she handed something to Craig. Craig received it and I’ve never in my life seen something so tender in my life. Craig laid his head onto the bus chair in front of him and just wept. Mimi had given Craig her prayer card; a card that gives statistics on each child and in essence asks that, the person who receives it pray. It didn’t escape anyone the exchange that had just taken place. Mimi saw Craig as her Papa and his heart had endeared her to him. This was just what we needed for closure of the trip. It was a testimony of the strength of love, the story of forgiveness, the reward of redemption, and the power of the cross.
-Suzanne Hubbard + Generations Guatemala Team
