Daphne

Today I was so blessed to be able to spend the day with one of my favorite ladies here in Venezuela, Daphne.  


Daphne has been a member of our church for many years.  She is a part of our women's ministry and a special gift from God.  You can always find her helping out somewhere and somehow.  She is one of our cooks at church and always helps us to cook delicious Venezuelan meals for our teams with Bread of Hope.


Daphne and I share a special bond, we are both "extranjeros" foreigners in Venezuela and we both come from English speaking countries. Daphne is from Grenada, a small caribbean island north of Venezuela.  Anytime I need to hear a few English to get a break from Spanish, I know that Daphne is always there for me. 
  

Daphne is seen here on the far right.  Today, Hebert and I went with Daphne to buy her a plane ticket to go back home to Grenada to spend the Holidays with her family.  Now, Daphne has not been home in 26 YEARS.  26 YEARS.  I have spent two years from home and I thought that was a lot.  I cannot imagine 26.  


Last week, Daphne was able to get in touch with one of her sisters whom she hasn't heard from in 33 years.  You can imagine her excitement for sure.  While she was telling me her story, I saw her face fill with joy and emotion and it reminded me of my mother when we went to the Philippines and she reunited with her famiily after 14 years.  I've never in my life witnessed so much joyful crying in an airport and I can imagine that Daphne will have a similar experience when she goes home this December.  

Earlier this year Daphne talked about wanting to go back home to see her mother and her family again.  However, plane tickets are pretty expensive in Venezuela, so going back home for Daphne was easier said than done.  When a team from First Baptist Alpharetta Church came to work with Bread of Hope, they heard of Daphne's situation and decided to surprise her by raising money for her plane ticket home.  This picture, on the left, (with my handsome hubs) was taken in July when Daphne found out about the surprise.  Thanks to the wonderful team from FBCA Daphne will be able to spend her first Christmas at home after 26 years.

God is Good.  All the time.