“The work that Potter’s Field is doing in Antigua is changing lives…”
The following was written by IGNITE Class 12 interns Nick and Julie Borghi of Calvary Chapel Chattanooga. Our interns have already spent over a month serving on the field and getting to know the children who attend our various Kids Clubs around the world! One little girl, in particular, caught Nick and Julie’s attention.
Since our first Kids Club in Guatemala, five-year-old Marianny has grabbed our attention. This sweet five-year-old is full of energy and always on the move. Her mom, Sylvia, summed her up in one word – “active.” Usually, Marianny can be found on the trampoline near the tent. She loves to jump and climb. Besides play time, Marianny’s favorite part of Kids Club is the songs that we sing under the tent. Her favorite song is “Tu Me Renuevas” (You Renew Me). She even sings and dances the moves to that song at her home.
Julie and Marianny at Potter’s Field Kids Antigua
Also at home, Marianny loves to pray. She always volunteers to pray for meals for her family and before going to bed. Her older sister, Natalie, and baby brother, Alejandro, are watching her pray every chance she gets at home, and I believe that Marianny is showing them the light of Jesus that lives inside her. Her heart is so big that not only does she want to pray for other people, but she also wants to be a veterinarian and help save the lives of animals. Her dog and turtle must be very lucky to have her as an owner! She also has chickens that she takes care of with her parents’ help. Sometimes her cousin likes to help her, too.
Her cousin is her best friend and comes to Kids Club with Marianny every Wednesday. When the two are not at Kids Club, they enjoy drawing and painting and coloring and playing princesses. Marianny is always Elsa, but dresses up in pink because it is her favorite color. Marianny has a big heart for others and a personality that draws people. She loves Jesus, and we believe God has great plans to use her as a light in this world. When we asked who Jesus was to her, the answer was, “everything.” Out of the mouth of babes… (Matthew 21:16).
Julie and her son with Marianny and her family
For two years now, Marianny has been coming to Potter’s Field Kids Club, and we are so happy to have her. She found out about Kids Club from a pamphlet she received while an IGNITE class was doing an outreach. The reason that Marianny’s mom keeps bringing her back is because our Kids Club teaches children how to pray to God. Marianny was once ashamed to pray but now loves to pray every chance she gets. This child’s biggest prayer has greatly impacted her Mom and Dad. She prays every day for her Dad to get a job.
The change of heart in her prayer life happened during a medical clinic at Calvary Chapel Antigua when someone with Potter’s Field prayed over her. Since that day, Marianny’s attitude has changed, and she has grown a love for the Bible stories. The work that Potter’s Field is doing in Antigua is changing lives. What we may see on the front end is just seeds being planted, but other classes of IGNITE get to see the fruit that comes from it. Marriany is a little girl who not only has been transformed by the Holy Spirit that lives in her, but she has also been a light to her family and ours as well.
