This place. This home. These girls. Gods place. Gods home. God’s girls. To describe this home in one word it would be “love”. A word that seems so simple and self-explanatory yet it’s so much bigger than that. When you pull into the gates of Prince of Peace, it immediately feels like home. You feel the presence of Jesus more than you ever have before. It feels like God is sitting there with his arms wrapped around you in every moment. You think you’re going to this place to make an impact on these girls, but they already have someone making an impact on them… it’s Jesus.
When they come into the home most of them don’t know who He is, but His love is so strong and so faithful that it isn’t long before they do. Their faith moves mountains. It inspires you to completely give your life to Jesus not just on Sunday but every day. It shows you how much worldly things take your life over back home. My first trip was in 2020 right before COVID and then I finally got to go back in July of 2023.
As a kid, my Dad went every year for about 6 or 7 years of my life. It became something I dreamed of always doing. I dreamed of getting to experience what my Dad had for all those years. In 2020 I came home knowing I was going back to see them again. In July I couldn’t contain my excitement; when we got to the home all I wanted to do was just hug the girls. I had missed them so much. They became my sisters. It was like I had 30 sisters and best friends. Leaving them might have been one of the hardest things I had to do but I know God was holding their hand every day and he was always holding mine.
These girls are full of life. They have been through so much and some are still going through things with unanswered prayers, thoughts, and situations yet they are so reliant on God. They put all their trust in Him and they keep walking the walk with the biggest smile on their face. The giggles, the laughs, the ‘I love you’ whispers, the hugs. It’s everything. POP has become my second home. These girls are family. Their tias, Gaby, Ody, Vilma, Lisette, their teachers are family. I encourage everyone to take that leap of faith. Go on a mission trip. Step out of your boat fully in faith that God is working, and He will provide. – katierea08