An 80 year old woman sits in her wheelchair, paralyzed and unable to escape the reality that has become her life.
I sit by her side and hold her hand as she smiles at me. She tells me stories and constantly reminds me of how beautiful I am. I can see the love in her eyes, but I can sense the sadness that haunts her soul, stealing her strength.
She is alone and scared, and wants nothing more than to find her life again. She longs to break free from this place.
She tells stories of how her father and mother are now with the Lord. The rest of her family has abandoned her, leaving her here to die.
Her best friend is a blind woman named Irma Rosa. Together they encourage each other’s strength and speak into each other’s souls.
She speaks in Spanish, a language I do not fully understand. But her words speak straight to me, and her tears challenge my heart.
Her name is Christina. She is an 80 year old woman who lives in a nursing home, Casa Maria, just outside of Antigua, Guatemala.
When I pictured ministry on The World Race I did not picture working in a home for the elderly. However, I have been so blessed by these people. I speak minimal Spanish, which makes understanding their stories and their needs difficult. But, I believe sometimes all they need is someone to sit beside them, pay attention to them, and hold their hand. They need to feel human, to feel as though they are respected and their lives still count.
How do we spread the gospel here? We walk in each day ready to show the love of Jesus to people who are desperately seeking someone to love on them.
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, brothers of mine, you did for Me.’”
I know Jesus uses this verse to describe the poor and the imprisoned. But I can’t help to think He also meant this verse to be extended to the people at Casa Maria. The beautiful faces we get to minister to in the nursing home are the forgotten people of Antigua. They are the “least of these.” The majority of them have been left in Casa Maria to die, abandoned by their families who are unable to take care of them. They have few visitors and few people to simply talk to. But they are people with stories, wisdom, laughter, and love.
-Caitlyn
