Katie visiting with Ponciano’s mom and Guadalupe
Dick, Katie and I have been on the road in the department of Santa Lucia visiting families we know, or finding new people in need of wheelchairs. Dick often talks of this part of the ministry in terms of the story of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 to go after one who is lost.
While those we have served today may or may not be lost, I know that many of them have felt forgotten by the government, the church, and even perhaps their God. So, we spend some of our time going after the “one” who may not be found and served otherwise. It is always such an amazing privilege and blessing to watch the faces of these dear people and their families when we tell them we believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God has led us to them. That He has seen their need, and has allowed us to be His servants in responding to that need. It is really a holy moment for all of us. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Blessed be the Lord.
Since this was to be Dick’s first over-night trip since surgery, our plan was to take it slow and easy. And we did, though our “agenda” grew to what seems like God-sized proportions.
Originally, we had only planned two stops: La Gomera and Cerro Colorado. As we got near Esquintla, Dick was feeling pretty good, and suggested that we go to visit David in Las Palmas as well. David needed a better seat cushion, we needed paperwork completed on Ponciano who lived nearby, and I wanted to stop and visit Reina, an elderly lady who had been very sick the last time I saw her.
Visiting David’s family is always a treat,
and I was excited to introduce Katie to
them. This was her first trip into the
back country, and she fell into the
routine like an old pro. I’m sure it was
hard for her to try to keep up with what
was going on, since she doesn’t speak
Spanish. Then again, neither does Dick,
so that made them about even.
We visited briefly at David’s, showed him how to use the new gel/air cushion we had brought him, drank the pop his family graciously served us (as they always do) and headed off to Ponciano’s, accompanied by David’s mom. Guadalupe has found many of the people we serve in this Aldea, and they seem to love her as much as she loves them.
When we arrived at Ponciano’s he was just dressing. We were surprised to see him in his old, broken-down wheelchair. When we asked about this, his mother explained that he “saves” the new chair for when he goes to church. We reassured him that, if and when the new chair wears out, we will help him get another. Somehow, though, I think he will continue to “save” it for special occasions. We were all touched not only by his desire to care for his chair, but the fact that, for him, going to church IS a special occasion. Oh, how I wish I always realized what a blessing worshiping together is. First lesson of this trip. . .
We moved on next door to visit Reina. She was sitting in her doorway with her feet propped up, and a cool rag on her head. She looked like an entirely different woman from the one I met about three weeks ago, who could barely breathe. After going to the Centro de Salud and receiving proper treatment thanks to the efforts of her family, she is a new woman. While still frail (she’s in her eighties, after all), she was happy and energized to see us. We could only stay a short time, but she insisted on gifting us with a papaya (sorry, Dick) and some plantains. Though we repeatedly told her this was not necessary (Dick especially emphasized this about the papaya) she insisted and I left with my arms full of fruit. Second lesson of this trip: accept gifts graciously. . .
Our next stop was to visit Jorge, a young man Dick had recently given a wheelchair. (We still need a sponsor for this chair—if you are interested in helping with the cost of this chair, please email me at guatemalagrandma@gmail.com .) Jorge had been brought to our attention by Brenda, the principal of one of the schools in La Gomera. Brenda has a real heart for children with disabilities, and though Jorge does not attend her school, she wanted to find him help and contacted us.
Jorge has two very deep bed-
sores that needed treatment,
and he had not been able to
see a doctor the last time he
was in at Hermano Pedro
because no more
appointments were available
that day. So, we brought
some medication to tide him
over until his appointment on
June 21.
When he examined the sores, Dick discovered that Jorge’s mom has been doing an excellent job of treating them without any medical help. They were very clean, and while needing some dead skin removed from them, were well cared for. So, we left some gauze, tape, saline and salve, and prepared to leave to head to our hotel for the night.
God had other plans, however. When we got outside, Jorge’s mom pulled me aside. She shared with me that, because she had been putting all of their meager earnings (she tries to sell used clothes, while his dad works as a helper on a chicken bus) into buying medicine to treat his sores, they had not been able to pay their rent for the past six months. They were facing eviction. Was there any way I could help?
After quickly consulting Dick, we decided that we could each contribute one month’s rent (about 600Q or $80) if that would allow them to stay in the house. (Daryl Fulp had found a sponsor to pay for Jorge’s medication, so the family could put their wages toward rent once again. ) When we told Mom this, she was extremely grateful, and said she thought it would help significantly. But. . .would I be willing to go with her to talk to the landlady about this?
Usually we believe it is best if we North Americans stay out of these kinds of negotiations. It often increases the cost of things when folks see the “rich American's” coming. However, Mom assured us that the landlady was a good woman who just needed some reassurance that she would be paid. So, hesitantly I agreed to speak with her, if Brenda would come with us also.
When we arrived, the older woman who owns the house in which Jorge’s family lives was a bit stand-off-ish. I let Brenda do most of the talking at first, and we discussed how hard life has been for this family. Mom could barely speak herself, she was so choked up. Gradually, the landlady’s face softened, and shortly I asked her if she would be willing to hold off the eviction if we could pay 2 months back rent.
You could see her struggling with this. Who could blame her? How many landlords would wait six month (now seven, as it was the beginning of June) before taking action. I suggested that it was win-win situation to accept this offer. If she evicted the family, she would receive no back rent, and would have to find new tenants. This seemed to make sense to her, and she agreed to the deal. The family now has two months to try to stay on top of their rent and catch up with what they are behind.
Lesson Number Three for today. . .sometimes, even though I’m a gringa, I must speak on behalf of those who cannot find their voice, even when I feel uncomfortable and insecure. . .God will handle the rest. . .
When I got back to the car where Dick and Katie were waiting for us to head to the hotel for the night, I was more than ready to leave. As much as I love what we do, some days it is just very draining. Today, between the heat here at the coast, the struggle of helping Dick as he treated Jorge’s bed-sore, and the over-whelming concern for a family who could be homeless in short order, I was pretty well done in.
As we were preparing to leave, we were faced with yet another request from a lady who just happened to have come by. We helped with wheelchairs, right? Could we come and see her neighbor, who was a young woman badly in need of a proper wheelchair?
It was late, and we needed to reach our hotel by dark. We had a full day planned for tomorrow. I felt utterly helpless as I translated this request for Dick. He didn’t let me down. Without hesitation, he said to tell Annie (the woman making the request) that we would return to La Gomera tomorrow if she could meet us to take us to the home of the lady who needed the chair. She reluctantly agreed, almost as if she didn’t think we would really show up. After exchanging phone numbers, we finally began the half-hour drive to our hotel.
Lesson Number Four. . .make your plans, and then be prepared for God to change your agenda as He sees fit. . .
We arrived at the hotel too tired to even enjoy a swim. After supper (which took it’s own sweet time to appear, though we had ordered ahead of time!), we headed off to bed. Tired, spent, and satisfied that today we had served the “one” who might otherwise be ignored. And tomorrow, we get to do it all over again!
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