After lunch we dropped off the boys and went to Fernando’s house so I could say hello to him. (He’d traveled with us when I was here last January.) As we approached the house, he came running out telling Dick there was an emergency, that his “mother” was sick. (I think this really is his aunt, but she’s the closest thing he has to a mother in Guatemala. His mom is working in the US.) As we entered her bedroom, I became grateful for Dick’s EMT experience, since she was having chest pains and difficulty breathing. Dick checked her over and she began to settle down and breathe more easily. She was adamant that she did not want to go to the hospital, though her children were scared and encouraging her to do so. Dick asked me to talk with her about this, and then suggested that if she was having no further pain it might be better to wait until tomorrow and go to the doctor then. The look on my face must have told him I thought he was out of his right mind, so he went on to explain that on Sunday, in the national hospitals, there are few doctors and they would probably admit her and she would not really be examined or receive any treatment until tomorrow. (Later, in the car, he explained that she didn’t seem to be experiencing the typical symptoms of a heart attack, and he didn’t think she needed critical care so he suggested this.) We also talked with her about the possibility of seeing one of the doctors at Hermano Pedro, but she was resistant to this also. We made sure they had “minutes” on their cell phone, instructed the kids to call an ambulance and Dick if the pain returned, and left. As we walked out the door I was wondering what on earth we were doing, but trusting in Dick’s assessment of the situation. I have so much to learn about the realities of life in Guatemala. . .and am grateful God has given me some good teachers. It was still hard though to walk away not knowing what was happening with her. Dick promised he would check back with them tonight, and when he called at 4 this afternoon, Fernando said she was doing better. So my anxiety level is a bit lower, but I pray she will decide to see a doctor tomorrow.
We returned to Antigua, and Dick thought I could probably get in to see the kids at Hermano Pedro if I went with him. Did I want to? This was what I’d travel 1900 miles for. Don’t get me wrong—I love going on the road and doing other things here, but the kids are the ones who have grabbed hold of my heart. I figured it was worth a try.I did get in and was grateful I went. Moises and Sonia remembered me immediately, Henry, who I’d not met before came up wanting to know my name, and David, who does not speak much, came wheeling directly over to me. I don’t expect that the kids will remember me, given the number of visitors that come through Hermano Pedro, so I’m always humbled and grateful when the do. I was surprised to see a number of the kids up in their chairs, though there were many more stuck in their cribs. It is so hard to decide who to take out when we’re only here a short time.
Dick got Byron up (supposedly his chair hadn’t been working, but worked fine when we were there) and predictably went over and got Leonel out of his crib.
I predictably went over to Ervin’s crib. Ervin is quite a handful, so spends way too much time in bed. The rebelliousness in me comes out each time I walk into the dormitory, and I’m bound and determined he will get out for at least a little while when I’m here. Last January I didn’t get to do much with him, because he had a skin infection they were concerned might spread to the other kids, so it was especially sweet to get to spend time with him today. Ervin can walk, but often refuses to do so. I explained to him today that I didn’t know where his wheelchair was (this wasn’t a lie, since I hadn’t looked and therefore truly didn’t know) and that if he wanted to come out, he’d have to walk. As I lifted him from his crib, he tried to get me to carry him, but I told him (truthfully, he’s gotten to be a big kid) that I could not. So he walked. . .and walked, . .and walked. Around the dormitory, outside in the yard, even through the small hallway where the nurses were trying to work. I figured if he was willing to walk, I was willing to go wherever he wanted. While his gait is still awkward, his balance and stability have improved a lot. He then stood by Dick for a long time, just watching him and teasing him by snapping Dick’s suspenders. He even showed off by standing on one foot part of the time!
Dick was worried Ervin would fall and we'd
be in trouble. But he had a blast!
Since Ervin was walking, a number of the other kids wanted to get into their walkers. So Moises and Elmer, and Henry, and Maynor were all up and playing kickball before we knew it. At one point I looked up and it seemed like there were kids scrambling everywhere! What a great experience. I don’t know if they enjoyed it half as much as I did, though.
I wish I could write about each of these kids, but no one would ever want to read that much. But there are so many amazing stories here. Sonia, a beautiful young woman who goes to regular school each day, was working on her homework. I was pleased to see a number of staff members stop from time to time and help her. Then there’s Veronica, who seems to be the “mother’s little helper” of the group—wheeling around today with a small pan of water, a rag and a scrub brush, cleaning whatever she could find. Dick tells me that she often helps feed the other children.
And Miriam, who is quite disabled, but beams whenever you walk over to her bed, and cries whenever you walk away. And I can’t forget Melvin, a.k.a. Romeo, who loves to flirt and cackles with delight when I call him “mi novio guapo” (my handsome boyfriend). His condition seems to be deteriorating and I fear this may be the last time I get to visit with this dear one.
I couldn’t help remembering today that Jesus said He came to set the captives free, and that’s the ministry we seem to be doing here. Whether it’s free to move through a wheelchair, free to communicate though pictures, or just free from imprisonment in a crib, I see captives being set free, if only for a time. But each time matters to the one who is given freedom. And it matters more to us who follow Him in setting them free. . .we get to experience being Jesus to the least of these. We get to touch Jesus in each of their frail bodies, see Him in each of their eyes, feel His heart beat in each of their chests. I can’t help but stand in awe each time I experience Him in their presence.
When today started, I had no real plans except going to church. Am glad I didn’t because, it seems, my lack of planning gave God more freedom to work. I’m not saying we should be irresponsible, but I am saying that we always need to leave room for Him to move, and maybe even change our direction. I feel much more comfortable now, when people ask me what I’m going to do, with responding, “Whatever God tells me to!” I’m sure I’ll be with the kids at Hermano Pedro, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be working with communication systems, but beyond that the field is wide open. I have to keep reminding myself
When today started, I had no real plans except going to church. Am glad I didn’t because, it seems, my lack of planning gave God more freedom to work. I’m not saying we should be irresponsible, but I am saying that we always need to leave room for Him to move, and maybe even change our direction. I feel much more comfortable now, when people ask me what I’m going to do, with responding, “Whatever God tells me to!” I’m sure I’ll be with the kids at Hermano Pedro, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be working with communication systems, but beyond that the field is wide open. I have to keep reminding myself
that God didn’t give Abraham much information until he got up and went—even though he had no idea even where he was going. Or, as a friend of mine says so aptly, “You can’t steer a car until it’s moving.” So, I’m glad my car is moving. Now I need to make sure I’m not His back seat driver!
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