Have you ever had to say bye to someone and all you could do is give them a tight hug? That as much as you wanted to say something to them, you couldn’t because you were so choked up you couldn’t speak? Well, that’s how it was for me when I had my hardest goodbye on the Race so far. Saying goodbye to my 8 year old Honduran bestie, Sari.
Sari was a little girl who lived next door to the property we lived on and were building the church on, here in Honduras. She wasn’t in school because her school was shut down due to covid and still hasn’t been re opened. She would come over every day from the time we ate breakfast to the time we ate dinner. She’d bounce around from person to person during ministry. Often times she would just watch with the other kids but sometimes she would even help us. She quickly captured my heart during the first week on the mountain. When I saw her teasing my squad mates with cicada’s and laughing as they screamed running away from her, I knew she’d be my friend. She was kinda shy at first and didn’t talk much. The language barrier probably had something to do with it. But that didn’t last forever! She eventually started talking to us and trying to understand our broken Spanish as we tried communicating back. We got by with the little Spanish we knew, haha! Overall this friendship I had with 8 year old, Sari, was such a sweet testimony to God’s goodness. Language barrier or not, the bond we had was deep. You don’t need to know the same language to paint each others nails, braid each others hair, give hugs or share snacks. God knew we needed each other during this season and he allowed that friendship to form. Now I’m not sure why she needed me but God definitely used her friendship in my life for so much good.
Sari always brightened my day. She would always come find me with the biggest (mischievous) grin on her face. She would sing me silly songs in Spanish (that I for sure didn’t understand) and make me skip up and down the road with her. She even introduced her mom to me and told me all about her family! She was the youngest of 4 kids and all of her siblings were much older than her (in their 20s). I’m sure she was lonely and bored at home and that’s why she found her place at our camp…. making friends with everyone! A day didn’t go by without her making an appearance and I sure am thankful for that. Some days she’d come over so excited to show off her new shoes or dresses. Other days she’s show up in her pj’s making the rest of us feel okay for also not changing out of ours hahaha! She’d eat meals and participate in what ever she could, with us. She quickly learned who’s tent was who’s, calling them our “casitas” which is “little house” in Spanish. Some days she would come find me in my casita and wouldn’t leave me alone until I got out. Hahaha! She was honestly like a little sister. We even picked on and annoyed each other… in the most loving ways possible, of course. We’d take turns braiding each others hair and she’d always steal my phone to take goofy pictures. Her joy and energy always made my day so much better! So did her jokes… which she was full of, hahaha! This friendship was such a sweet gift from the Lord.
It was hard to say bye to her because I knew she didn’t go to school. We were her friends the last two months. I was also going to miss the little squirt, a lot! And honestly, I might not see her again. I knew coming into the Race this was a reality we had to face but I guess I didn’t realize how hard some of the goodbyes would be. I guess we should be grateful for hard goodbyes though. Thankful that God gave us such sweet and special people that do make saying goodbye, tough.
Sari did make friends with a few other kids at the camp, who live close to her. She also became friends with the long term missionaries who will be continuing the church project. I know she’ll still have them to hangout with and be friends with even though we are gone. I pray that the Lord continues to give her gifts that will teach her, make her think and challenge her. I pray that those friendships she has on the mountain will last forever and that they glorify God. She’s a remarkable child. She would come to church service without her parents, as a 9 year old! Now that’s pretty freaking awesome if I do say so myself. The Lord is definitely after that little girls heart and I’m so excited for her future. I pray she changes things in those mountains. That she helps others see and know God’s goodness and His faithfulness. I pray she helps the generational sin in those mountains come to an end. I pray that she continues to skip through life with the joy and innocence that she has. There’s no doubt in my mind that God’s got her wrapped up tight in His arms. He protected and cared for her before we got there and he will continue to. Thanks for being such a good father, God! Thank you for giving us sweet friendships and goodbyes that are tough. They might be the hardest but they’re also the best! <3
Wow, Brianne! What a beautiful story of a precious friendship. I am so proud of you and how you have grown into such a godly young lady. You are an inspiration! Your friendship with Sari will last forever in your heart and hers. I’m sure you made such an amazing impact on her life that will change the trajectory of her life. May God bless you greatly for all you do!
With love,
Aunt Debbie