Team Guatemala is made up of an incredible group of people! Today I was with the planting crew in the morning. We had an easy planting day minus watering at the top of a hill, but Nicole and I conquered that mountain...and found an easier way down; we climbed UP to a walkway!
After lunch, our whole team traveled to El Modelo. On the way I saw a sign which said "Disponible." I had been singing "I am available" to myself in preparation for our next assignment. I knew it would be difficult because I had heard the stories of this village. Singing always helps me communicate with God.
Later along the journey, after seeing more signs, I realized the billboard which said "Disponible" was "Available" in English. Duh! I had been thinking how close the word looked to disposable. This realization kept me humble and was a gentle reminder that God didn't need ME to help these people....rather He was giving me the privilege to love them. What a privilege it was!
El Modelo was just as I imagined from the many pictures, but it was much vaster. The people began crowding around the bus spying the food bags on top. The pastor of the town aided us in identifying mothers of each family so we could evenly disperse the food bags. Sadly, we were told some children had been taught to lie for more food and it was hard to deny them.
Joanne, our trip leader, took Chrys, Tom, Alexis and I to see Alba, a mentally and physically challenged, young girl. We arrived at the house to find Alba maneuvering to us as quickly as she could on her knees and then her FEET! We neared the house and heard a baby crying. Entering the house, we found a baby lying on a twin bed. No one was in the house.
After holding the baby and getting him to sleep, we investigated. We deduced that the baby belonged to Alba's younger sister. The mother was finally found and returned declaring that she had gone to play cards with the boys. The floor was dirty with a knife, screwdriver and assorted trash items scattered across it. No extra diapers could be found, and the only available water was out in the Guatemalan sun. We bathed Alba with baby wipes and found some clean, cooler clothes for her to wear. The bus had been waiting for us so we left iced water bottles and a couple bags of food. We alerted the mission and the pastor of the village to the situation.
Before leaving we visited the two houses Soul Discovery had built last year. One mother had pictures of the team members on her wall along with large gold letters spelling “Jesus” painted beside them. She encouraged us sharing that she prays daily for the team who built her home.
Back at the mission, Jim closed the day with a talk on humility: "Your attitude should be that of Christ."
(Readers, please know that I do not mean to belittle the way the people of El Modelo live. Guatemala has poverty that is incomprehensible to us as Americans. This poverty can create unimaginable desperation. We must try to imagine how it feels to walk a day in their shoes....)
1 comment:
Mel, thank you for sharing another day in Alma's life. I remember the first time I met her and it was difficult to say the least. She is a young lady who needs prayers. thank you for sharing your experience.
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