Love Until It Hurts

My name is Isaac. I’m 11 years old and I’m a missionary kid. For about one year, my family served in Mexico. I liked living there because there were multiple things I could do: help with mission projects, make something out of scrap wood, hike and climb mountains, make new friends, and visit ranchos. One of my friends is Saúl. Two of my other friends are brothers; they live right up the street, and their names are Aaron and Noé. Another friend lives about half a mile away, and his name is Gerardo. Sometimes I would round up my friends, and we would make a bonfire at my house. When we visited the ranchos, I would join in praise and worship, make chalk drawings with the kids, and play soccer with them. At one rancho, I helped make a fire for the Easter Vigil Eucharistic celebration. At another rancho, I helped with a roofing project. I like working with my hands. Anytime there is a construction project, I want to go. That is my favorite way to serve the poor.

I enjoy spending time in nature. Before we left Mexico, some of my siblings and I climbed the face of the General Cepeda mountain. The view was incredible. It reminded me of God separating the light from the darkness since we climbed in the dark early morning and made it to the top with the sunrise.

We moved to Dallas suddenly. It was hard moving because we had to pack everything and say goodbye to friends. Now that I am in Dallas, my family and I are finding ways to serve as missionaries. On St. Mother Teresa’s feast day, we volunteered with Project Finding Calcutta and visited a nursing home. Before we went to the nursing home, my sister read a prayer reflection. Later that day a lady at the nursing home said, “Love until it hurts.” Those are the same exact words I heard earlier that morning in the reflection! I was surprised because I remembered my sister saying that too. I felt the Holy Spirit at that moment.

I miss my friends and serving in Mexico. Now, I’m looking forward to making new friends at the middle school youth group. I want to live by St. Mother Teresa’s words: “Love until it hurts.”