What a dear sweet lady. The first night we had Pan y chocolate I spotted a bundle across the street that looked like it had someone in it. I’m pretty sure God spotted her out to me. Andrea, Mary and a couple of the guys from church came over there with us. She was beautiful. I loved her from the moment I saw her. Do I believe in love at first sight? Yes. I believe God gives us that ability. We chatted with her for a while, gave her some food and prayed with her as she cried. Her Spanish was really hard to understand. As we walked away the boys with us said “she’s loco.” Sigh 🙁
It was really sad because the second time we saw her she started talking to Andrea like she was someone from her past. Andrea said something to her and she said, “no you died in the war on the street behind us.”
Last night was ourthird time seeing her and the highlight of my night as always. She always holds our hands the whole time it’s really sweet. When we got there I told her “Te amo” (I love you.) And she looked at me, smiled and said “Te amo.” My heart melted.
Our visit was similar to the others but this time we sang “Sanctuary” with her. The first time we sang by ourselves but by the end she had closed her eyes and sang along with us, so we sang a second time and she sang along. I have no idea if she even knew the song, but she definitely didn’t know English.
Maria has no family and she sits alone, away from all of the other homeless people. She is a tiny fragile woman covered in wrinkles. This woman should be at home surrounded by grandchildren, loved and cared for by her family. She has no one to love her but Jesus. I wonder when the last time was that someone said “Te amo” to her. It breaks my heart. I wonder how cold she is at night, how scared she is alone on the streets in the darkness, how sad it is being alone in the world, and seeing people from her past who are dead. If only I could take her home with me, love her and take care of her the way she deserves.
I hope to see her again before we leave but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to 🙁 I’m so thankful that she has Jesus in her heart so she’s not completely alone.
