Work and Play (July 23, 2010)

Today I got to spend quite a bit of time with a number of kids working on a simple task.  The job I brought today was working with plastic cubes.  A couple of kids could take apart a stack stuck together, one could snap the blocks together, but, for most it was a challenge just to pick them up one by one and put them in a container.  This sounds like such a simple task, but for many of our kids, just this basic use of their hands is a challenge.  Once again I am amazed at the effort they are willing to put into doing something so difficult for them.  We had a great time, though, as you can see from these pictures.

To give you an idea just how challenging it is for the kids to do this, I shot some video.

Now this is what I call DETERMINATION!

Some new friends, Dave and Lou, who live in Ontario were visiting Hermano Pedro yesterday with their daughter.  Together with Dick we took a few kids to lunch.  Again, this simple activity which we take for granted (going out to lunch) was a huge treat for the boys.  I took Carlitos, and I wish I'd had a video running when we entered Pollo Campero.  He recognized it from his first trip there a couple of weeks ago, and let out such a whoop when he saw we were going in!  I don't think I've heard him vocalize as much as he did on this outing and even when we returned to the orphanage.  He's quite the kid.

Carlitos usually eats pureed food and drinks from a bottle at the orphanage.  As you can see, he's very well able to feed himself, if given the chance.

As always, Ervin had a great time and cleaned up all the leftovers for us!

Dave and Lou graciously invited me to dinner with them, Dick and their daughter.  We ate a Picadilly, a restaurant here in Antigua that has great pizza, as well as pasta dishes.  This was a great way to celebrate the end of another week, and my "one month anniversary" living in Antigua.

The Daily Routine

At home in Antigua
A normal day here begins with breakfast around 7 am. For those of you who are worried about my nutritional needs, you should know I eat better and healthier here than I ever did in the States. Breakfast always includes fruit and bread Most days there are eggs (scrambled or in an omelette), or pancakes (the lightest and tastiest I've ever eaten) or Avena (an oatmeal "soup" much richer and more flavorful than any oatmeal I've eaten at home).

The morning
When I'm home here in Antigua, I usually spend some time with Jesus after breakfast, and then check my email and sometimes Facebook. I have to admit that I enjoy keeping up with what everyone is doing back in the States.

After getting dressed, I head over to Hermano Pedro, usually walking the 10 blocks to get there. (If it's raining I'll indulge in riding a tuk-tuk.)

I bring with activities that I hope to do with certain children each day, but these are quickly put aside if a more "urgent" need appears. Usually, this is one of the kids who seems particularly sad or lonely that morning. In this case we sit and talk, and, if they are small enough for me to carry, we also rock. This is one of the things that can make me feel a little guilty. Did I really come all the way to Guatemala just to sit in a chair and rock a child? My blog entry about Patita gave me a clear answer to this questions.

Activities with the kids

I've discovered that an even greater need than communications systems is finding ways for many of the kids to do more than vegetate in their beds or wheelchairs. Hermano Pedro is designed to give custodial care to the kids, and they do this quite well. Few kids, however, receive any kind of schooling--most who do are taught by Ninette, the Bethel Ministries teacher at the orphanage.

So the "non-academic" types and I do "chores" together. Stacking cups, sorting silverware, matching socks, etc. seem to be great fun for many of the kids. While not "real" work yet, I look forward to the day some of the kids will bein to help the nurses with folding laundry!

Lunch and Siesta
Most days I help with feeding lunch to the kids. This is one of my favorite parts of the day. As I've come to understand how "therapeutic" meals at Mari's are because we take time to visit while we eat, I try to do this with the kids as I feed them. I have to admit that it can be challenging to find things to talk about with a non-verbal child who takes 20 minutes to eat a bowl of pureed food. A few days ago, I was "inspired" to start telling Bible stories to the kids at this time. Its fun to see how engaged they become, and even more fun to see some of the nurses and volunteers "eavesdropping" on what I am saying.

About 1 pm the kids are put to bed for a while, and I return home for my lunch (the main meal of the day). I often take a little time to "recharge" and return to the orphanage between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. When I first came the kids were usually gotten up around 2, now it seems the time has consistently been creeping later and later. If find, usually, if I ask the charge nurse if I can take one or two kids out and put them in their wheelchairs, I am given permission. This is a good time for me to work one-on-one with some of the kids.

I hate the fact that the kids seem to remain in their beds longer and longer each day. I can somewhat understand the reasoning of the nurses. It takes so long to get the kids cleaned up from lunch, changed, and into their beds from their wheelchairs, that it feels like you no sooner put the kids to bed than you are taking them out. At least now, though, the kids are just about all put in their chairs for at least a portion of the afternoon.

The Afternoon

This time of year there seem to be a lot of volunteers both in the morning and in the afternoons. Some come for a single day, but others are here for a week or more. I’m trying to invest some of my time in helping those who are here for a while understand the needs of the kids, and find things to do with them. This isn’t as much fun for me as working directly with a child, but, I can either work with one child, or help five volunteers give effective attention to five (or more) children. This part of my “job” was not expected, but I think is important. Often now the nurses will also use me to interpret as they explain something to one or more of the volunteers. I try to find time each afternoon to spend an extended period of time with at least one of the kids, though. It’s good for them and even better for me!

At about 4 pm, we begin feeding supper, and changing the kids for bed. Do I change diapers? Yes. I think if any one thing has earned me the respect of the nurses, it’s my willingness to help with this task. Is it my “job” as a volunteer? No. Is it “ministry” to the kids? Beyond a shadow of a doubt. I feel this is my special way of “washing the feet” not only of the kids, but of the nurses. If I ever begin to think I am too good or too important to do this simple act of caring, I’ll know it’s time for me to find something else to do.

Returning home for the evening
I often walk home from the orphanage, usually about 5 o’clock. If I have any shopping to do, I do it on the way. Though I’m usually tired from the day, I find this walk a good time to talk over my day with Jesus. It’s also enjoyable to be part of all the other people who are going home at this time of day.

Whenever I walk into the house in the afternoon, I can be assured of Mari coming to me, asking, “Cafecito?” This is the time we drink coffee and just talk about anything and everything. Many times we are joined by one of Mari’s many friends, and I am enjoying getting to know folks in this informal way.

Supper is between 6:30 and 7:00. This is usually a vegetarian meal, though if I have missed the larger noon meal, I’m given the “leftovers” from lunch to eat. We eat with the students, and this is a very enjoyable time, as I mostly get to listen to the stories of their day and their studies.

After dinner, the rest of the evening is my own—to journal, read, pray, study (yes, I try to study a little Spanish grammar and vocabulary each day), listen to music, Facebook, or really do whatever I want. Television is available, even some channels where the program is in English and subtitled in Spanish, but I seldom watch it. I’m finding I’m staying up way too late in the evening, and am trying to develop some kind of discipline in going to sleep at a reasonable hour. I know I’m sleeping much less here than I did in the States, but also find I never want for energy when I need it. This yet to be a day when I’ve gone to bed not looking forward to the day to come. Thanks be to God for giving me this experience.

Special Delivery to Santa Maria de Jesus (July 21, 2010)

Dick called this morning to say he'd be taking a power chair up to Luis in Santa Maria de Jesus, and wanted to know if I'd like to ride along. This very traditional Mayan village was my first introduction to the "real" Guatemala when Dick took me there four years ago. I was anxious to go back and see it again, so of course I agreed.

I did get to spend some time at Hermano Pedro while waiting for Dick to get into town. Ervin and I worked together on a number of tasks, and, though at times he wanted to do things his own way, he was pretty willing to follow directions if I was firm with him. One of the greatest compliments I've received I got yesterday from a retired nurse volunteering at the orphanage when she said, "I've never seen him (Ervin) so engaged in anything before!" That's exactly my hope in being here and the confirmation was great to receive.

Dick arrived and we were soon on our way. This chair was for Luis, a young man who attends a private special school (New Life School) in Santa Maria de Jesus run by two Americans. Judy is a nurse, and Amy is an occupational therapist, and together they have managed to build an amazing three story building in which many kids who would not otherwise be in school receive a quality education. I finally got to meet Judy yesterday, and hope that I'll be able to work with them a bit in their school.

Luis has difficulty propelling himself in a regular wheelchair so Dick wanted to give him more mobility with this power chair. In addition, Luis, is kind of an "underdog" among the children at the school, and we're hoping having this chair will improve his status with his classmates. The power chair will remain at school, since Luis lives a number of blocks away, over some very rough terrain. His younger brother has to push him to school each morning, before he himself heads off to another school.

After many adjustments and refinements, Dick decided it was time to give Luis a "test run" in his chair. We all had a blast as he learned to maneuver the chair around the school. His best teacher was not one of us "professionals" though, but the school custodian, who seems to have a great relationship with him. This man was able to direct and encourage Luis in a way none of us "gringos" could. Both he and Luis enjoyed themselves immensely.

First atttempts at "driving" 

 

Getting the hang of it!

I was truly humbled by this man when I spoke to him later. I thanked him for helping Luis, and told him he worked very well with him. He responded, without hesitation, "These children are a gift from God to me." I almost burst into tears right there. To truly understand the significance of this statement, you need to know the history of this school. When Judy and Amy came her a number of years ago, kids with disabilities were totally shunned in this village, and were primarily thought of as a curse upon their family. To hear this indigenous man from the same village describe them as a "gift from God" is truly a work of God in this community. Dick reminded me on the way home that our titles and our accomplishments don't really mean much. When God wants to use someone for His purpose, he will pick the best person for the job--and often this is the most willing rather than the best qualified. Our new friend demonstrated that for us today.

Clarification

To avoid losing Dick's friendship (and to avoid being bugged about this for the rest of my life), I want to make clearer what I wrote yesterday. The added material is in red.

It never ceases to amaze me the patience of the Guatemalan people, and their good manners, while waiting so long. Dick got stir crazy after about 5 minutes of waiting in his third line of the day, after having been "at" this for three and a half hours before I arrived at the hospital, and went to take one of the boys back to Chimaltenango for school. I on the other hand am known to be much more patient--it took me a full 15 minutes before I wanted to start banging my head on the wall!


I would NEVER want to imply that Dick was impatient.  Those of you who know him know that his patience is exceeded only by his total truthfulness with never an exaggeration. And his love of standing in lines is exceeded only by his love of shopping.
 
There, now Dick.  Is that better?

Navigating the Clinics (July 20, 2010)

Maria (on the left) with her father and mother

When I got to Hermano Pedro today, Dick asked if I would help Maria, a young widow with four children, work her way through the clinic process.  I'd only done this once before, but that was one more time than Maria had.  Her mother and father had come with her from Comalapa, a small aldea (village) about an hour and a half drive from Antigua.  I was particularly happy to help Maria, since the Josiah Foundation has taken a special interest in this family over the past few years.
 
I didn't know much what to expect from the clinic, except long lines and lots of waiting.  I wasn't disappointed.  First Maria had waited for the doctor, then for an ultrasound.  I joined her when she was waiting for the doctor a second time.  This time I went in with her to make sure everyone knew what was going on.  Dick had asked me to do this, but why he thought I'd understand with my limited Spanish was beyond me.

I soon learned why I was there.  The doctor spoke quickly, giving much information in about one minute.  Maria sat there smiling and nodding her head.  When I asked her if she understood, I received a "deer in the headlights" look.  So I began asking questions, and you could see on Maria's face that things were becoming clearer to her.  We also needed this information for a sponsor from the States who has offered to help pay for her surgery.  So I learned why I was there--because I was not afraid to look stupid by admitting I didn't understand what was going on.  Of course, I've had years of practice at this!

We stopped at a secretary's desk, and she wrote down some information in a ledger, and we were sent to another secretary's office.  Here there was a 30+ minute wait, to get a piece of paper to take to the office of a third secretary, this time on the second floor.  (For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to get to the second floor, and then I realized there were clinics up by the malnutrition ward.)  This time we received an appointment to see a surgeon--Sept. 12th! 

I asked Maria if she would be able to wait this long, as she's been in a lot of pain.  She replied that really wasn't a long time at all to wait for a doctor.  So she'll come back down then, and hopefully receive surgery the following week. 

It never ceases to amaze me the patience of the Guatemalan people, and their good manners, while waiting so long.  Dick got stir crazy after about 5 minutes and went to take one of the boys back to Chimaltenango for school.  I on the other hand am known to be much more patient--it took me a full 15 minutes before I wanted to start banging my head on the wall!

So why do we do this?  Picture a young woman, who until only a few years ago spoke no Spanish but only Katchical (one of the 26 Mayan dialects in Guatemala).  A woman who seldom has gone outside of her aldea, and never had been to the city.  Picture her coping with a large hospital, multiple secretaries, unfamiliar doctors, and the fear of having to have surgery.  Can you imagine what it would be like to go through this alone?  A couple years ago it became clear to me what was a distinctive part of how Bethel Ministries offers medical care.

Most mission organizations tell folks they will pay for medical care if the person can figure out how to get themselves to the city and the hospital, and then navigate the "system of care" of that particular hospital.  And we wonder why these folks don't take advantage of this generous offer.  It would be like me going to the moon to get medical care from a martian--the environment of a city and large hospital is just that unfamiliar to these people from villages.  (I need to point out, however, that most of us from big cities wouldn't survive 3 days if we had to live in a small aldea on our own!) 

Bethel is different, though, thanks in large part to Dick Rutgers who picks up or meets many of these families at the bus, and walks them through the clinic process. I am grateful that I can be part of this important ministry to the sick and injured. To many this might seem like a waste of our time, but without this individual attention I believe many would not receive the care they need. It kind of reminds me of the Good Samaritan who didn't hand the injured man some money and tell him where he could get help. He engaged with him and brought him to where he could receive care. A good reminder to all of us that we are called to invest personally in those we seek to help.

Pictures from January, 2009, the first time I was with a family in the clinics.

Unfortunately, Lisvi died shortly after these pictures were taken.