Guatemalan Journey: More Family Finds Fidel

When I met Fidel, even when he moved in with us, he thought his only relative was a grandfather who had died, and two sisters in the US. Last November we were surprised when his uncle, cousin and nephew on his mother's side visited him for the first time. They had located him on Facebook, but really had thought it was someone impersonating him, who would try to extort money from them. They had been told that Fidel had died, and were overjoyed to find him alive and well and living in a home in Antigua.

The Saturday after I returned from the US, we got another surprise. Fidel received a message from his Tio (uncle) Miguel, his father's brother, who had also located him on Facebook. He and his brother and their wives were on their way to Antigua to meet Fidel--again, to insure that it was his nephew. (For all the problems presented by Facebook, this ability for long lost family members to reconnect cannot be ignored.)

They, too, were excited to find him healthy and happy. They could not express their gratitude enough for our care of him.

A couple of weeks later, fourteen members of his family drove down to Antigua to meet Fidel for the first time. They all piled into one car, and made the four hour plus drive from San Francisco el Alto, Totonicapan, in northwest Guatemala to celebrate. I couldn't help but think of the Scripture:

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24.

This time, though, the "lost son" had not left of his own accord, but had been separated from his family through the deaths of his parents and a society which, 18 years ago, did not see the value in a child who could not walk or use his arms.

But the family came looking for him. And celebrate they did! They did not want to impose, and brought chuchitos (Guatemalan tamales) with them, as well as coffee, to share with us.

This day, Fidel had another surprise. He had two sisters, two brother-in-laws, and two nieces and nephew he didn't know about, who he met today. His sisters sobbed when they embraced him, so excited to have him in their lives.

Though there were a boatload of children, they were so well behaved they were no problem in a house designed for adults. They did enjoy our legos, though, and Tony couldn't resist playing soccer in the parking area with them. (Thankfully, all our windows remain intact!)

Fidel enjoyed sharing some of the videos and other graphics he's done on the computer.

I think the sweetest moment of the visit was when the family was preparing to leave. They each came and prayed over Fidel. The members of the family are Christ-followers, and are as concerned for his spiritual well-being as well as his physical. Since Fidel is still somewhat on the fence about how much God loves him, this is a great blessings.

Then, last Sunday as I was preparing for church, Tony got a call that the family was on their way to Antigua to surprise Fidel for his birthday. Twice in as many weeks, these fourteen folks have traveled the equivalent of an entire day to be with Fidel. This time, they brought tamales, balloons and birthday cake to help him celebrate the completion of his 29th year of life.

Even with the difficulty Fidel has controlling his breath, he managed to blow out the candles, one at a time.

And Dick, who had stopped in with some of the guys on his way to church, and was invited to join the party, had to make sure there was at least a little frosting on Fidel's face, in accordance with Guatemala's tradition of the birthday boy "tasting" the frosting (or having his face shoved into the cake, depending on the kindness of his family and friends.

Fidel enjoyed playing kickball with his nephew who summed up their relationship in a few words: "Tan chulo mi tio!" (How sweet is my uncle!). That he is. . .that he is. . .