A word I did not know the definition of until we started playing and working with lots of children here in Guatemala. For those of you who are non-spanish speakers “cuidado” means “be careful”. Lets just say it has come in very useful. I love children and always have, I mean I graduated from college with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Wso Im learning that a child in America has the same tendancies and behaviors as a child in Guatemala……I know such a revelation, right?
Well anyway I am going somewhere with this……..
We have been spending more and more time at a local orphanage that our contact has been in ministry with on a regular basis. There are about twenty children who call this place home. They ranged in age from 4-20. Juan is autistic and has cerebral palsy. The first time we visited he was in a back room with an older lady that we later found out was in charge of him. Well the more we found out about him the harder it became. He often wets himself and will just sit in it until his caregiver decides to clean him up. Then we found out that his hands are tied down so he is unable to more even an inch. He can’t wipe his own nose, scatch his head, or play with his own hair. And he doesnt speak so he can’t communicate verbally either. Or there is Eva who we guess is probably around 20 years old who has down syndrome and is picked on by the other children. She spends the day sitting by herself while the other children spend their day playing and interacting.
The first time we went there it was hard because it was so dark and very gloomy, toys were absent save the ones we brought with us. But we were able to play with them. We brought a jump rope, nail polish for the girls, a soccer ball and music, which they loved. Today was by far the hardest day so far. In the past the older boys have been in school and so it was mostly just the younger girls. Well school is out for awhile and so there were a few older boys that were there playing with the rest of the kids. Lets just say it was not a good interaction. The older boys were quite rough with the younger ones especially one little guy in particular named Raquel. He is probably 4 and clearly receives the blunt of the teasing as he is the youngest. At one point the older boys made a noose and were pretending to hang themselves and the younger children. Simply by watching and observing their interactions, it makes you wonder what happens behind closed doors.
On one hand I try to think that this is not worse case scenario. They have a roof over their heads, they have food, and they have the companionship of each other. That is more than many children have in this country.
But of course it is still so hard. We are here playing with the children and spending time with them, showing them affection you can tell they rarely receive. But we are Americans, we speak a limited amount of their language and what authority do we have over them? Not much, if any. Especially when there is no adult supervision and the only adult is the lady that is watching over Juan. It’s a free for all, there is no discipline and it seems that every child is for themselves. I am reminded that the Lord is in this place that and that these are His children. He holds each of them in his hands and has a plan for all of them even if I am unable to see it. I just have to remember that I am doing what the Lord has called me to do at this time, the rest is completly and utterly in His hands.
Until next time
AV
