I am working in a retirement home this month. It has been heartbreaking (inhumane conditions) and challenging (language barrier). I have had to consciencely choose each day to bring joy and light. After my first day in the home I cried so hard feeling so sad for the people and powerless to really help them. Our first day in this ministry was horrible. We walked in and the first thing we saw was a dead body. To better understand this please check out Maggie Lavigne's blog "Praying for People to Die"…
http://maggielavigne.theworldrace.org/?filename=praying-for-people-to-die
Each day God has encouraged us more and allowed me to discover why He has shown me this and placed me here. After a few days we were greatly encouraged that the holy spirit was present with us and moving. Then a week into our ministry, as us girls were standing outside the home, waiting for the door to open, we were attacked and robbed. This was obviously a clever tactic by satan to kill our spirit, instill fear, and stop our success. However, God protected us and even through the horror I was able to see that none of us was really hurt and nothing that was taken was irreplaceable. I seized the opportunity to pray over my girls that the spirit of fear not win. I prayed that our light would continue to shine in the home. I prayed that this would not steal the only joy the people in this home get … US … JESUS!
I have bonded with several of the ladies in the home. Marta captured my heart day one. She is the one I cried over, the first night. She is in a cast (I could totally relate) and has a deformed arm. There is no medical care or pain meds here really. So she spends most of her time crying. Ive been praying for God to give her peace and comfort. It was heartbreaking to sit next her, everyday, begging me to hold her arm up for her. Then just a few days ago I remembered that my doctor in Bulgaria had given me some pain cream. I had never used any. I started applying this to her arm and it immediately soothed her.I am now going to go to the local pharmacy to get her some pain relief meds.
Marta & Me (she is napping here … AMEN!)
The women here are so lonely and have nothing to do all day but sit and stare. I have loved filling their time with stories, laughter, and song. They have helped me a lot with my Spanish. I've painted their nails and rubbed vanilla lotion on them. I've been dreading the day I will leave them and things will go back to the way they were. (Im actually praying against this) One of the ladies Beatriz made me a scarf saying "Recorder" which means "to remember" I was so touched. I decided I need to leave them something to brighten their days and give them a happy memory of my time with them.
My Girly Gifts of Love to Them …
I went to the local market and I bought 7 purses for the 7 ladies I've been with all month. I filled each one with girly things (lotion, jewelry, chocolate, etc) I've also taken a picture of me with each lady and Ive included it in each purse with a letter. I felt these women needed something to call theirs. Something to make them feel special. They don't really have any belongings., pictures, or visitors (or family.)The few things they do have get stuffed in their pockets. I was also going to include a bible but most of them can not see well enough to read. I did place a cross in each one that says "Dios Te Bendiga" (God Bless You) I will continue to pray for each one of my Guatemalan Abuellas (grandmothers)! I want them to know that they are God's beautiful & loved daughters and he is eager to welcome them home
Some of the pictures in the purses…
I didn't forget about the guys … I have a few that I play cards with every afternoon. I bought them a new decks of cards, cross bracelets, and am including a pic for them as well.
