Guatemalan Journey: Hermano Pedro through a Team Member's Eyes (Thanks, Cathy Christensen)

Four of us managed to make it 3 days in a row to Hermano Pedro with great success. We even took Byran, Sonya and Moises out to lunch as arranged by Chris and Nanette. We must confess that two college girls, Andrea and Malissa, who are staying at the Fulps' house, were the reason we accomplished the task.

Needless to say each day was different and a blessing. The first day, Tuesday, we met a lot of volunteers, some from Seattle. We also met Jane, the woman with MS who comes to the hospital to massage the feet and legs of the children. It was such a blessing to see so much love given to the children and youth. Ted and I spent most of our time in the older girls and boys areas, and introduced our team member Susan to these incredible people. Susan is an assistant in the work study program of a high school near Seattle, so she is used to being with the physically and mentally challenged young adults. She just fit right in!!

The second day, Wednesday, we took the kids to lunch, then hung around the children's ward. It was quiet, so we had a chance to get to know Leslie a bit more. Man, is she a pistol!! We also held and played with kids we hadn't before. Don't remember all of their names, but I can say that it was a treat to spend even fleeting moments with these angels. They do more for us than we could ever do for them.

The last day, Thursday, was by far the most fun. A group of Guatemalan high school students were putting on a big "show" for the kids. Evidently it was a holiday so they didn't have school. So, on their day off they came, with amazing energy, to Hermano Pedro. They dressed like clowns and danced, fed, face-painted and loved on the kids. One young man even wore stilts!! We tried to mingle without intruding because it was such a blessed site to see, and something none of us will ever forget. Even when the nurses put the kids in their rooms because it was too cold (77 F) the youth went in with them and gave them the cutest song and dance show ever!! At one point they managed to include Ted, Susan, Emma and me. It was crazy, crazy fun, and the children were in 7th heaven.

Cristina

Christina from the older youth area watched, tentatively through the gate. I couldn't persuade her to come in, so I went and got Mercedes. The nurses were so generous to let Mercedes join the children, and she was so happy. However, she didn't really care for the guy in stilts. So, we hung out in a corner where she watched the craziness and I messaged her feet and legs.

Mercedes

Once again it was hard to leave. However, this time we left them with love and attention from others. One thing we noticed is how much more loving the nurses appear. We can only surmise that the work the two of you have been doing is reaping great benefits.

Here is a video I put together of our three days so you could see just how much fun we had.