One Thing Remains - Kristian Stanfill

To be known is to be loved. That's the secret. Knowing is loving and in order to love you need to know - or be known.

 

My most favorite part of this missionary experience has been exactly this. Getting to personally know the people I work with, the kids and their situations and the young people. And it is so amazing and insane how every single person has a story to tell. What defines them, what created and molded them into the person they are at that very second. And I love what I do here because I get to be more than an outsider coming to work for their oratory or just give - I get to be their friend. And to many I can say best friend. I've gotten to know so many different types of people. The gangsters, the poorest of the poor, the pregnant at 16, the drug addict, the foster child, the cancer patient - every single type you can think of. And it's sad that we categorize people if you really think about it. 

But what I love is that I have gotten to know their stories and I get to be the testimony for them. I can speak up for the people of this city and show the world that the beauty still lays here. There's still hard times, and I've heard and lived through a lot of sad, hurtful and tragic stories with them but I've also seen so much hope. And strength that doesn't come from drowning yourself in material things. I have seen strength in just the simple things like being a part of the oratory and being surrounded by a multitude of people who just spend time with eachother face to face; the real definition of a community. But all of their hope comes from their faith. Because there really is no reason to be afraid if you got he big almighty, powerful man on your side. And this is something beauiful let me tell you. 

 

So here's me speaking up for them. And this doesn't just go for Juarez, this is international. Stop stereotyping because of what you hear. I've met grandmothers, brothers, godfathers, teachers, doctors, lawyers and kids. Everything and everyone we could some how relate to because we know these are people who have affected our lives. That all goes for Juarez too, because these are people just like you. A bit darker, speak a different language and may not have the same education or up bringing but I promise - if you would get to know them and just devote some time to really knowing their story - you'd fall in love with this city as much as I do every day. 

 

 

¨My greatest sastisfaction is to see you happy. ¨ - Don Bosco