Today was our second feeding at the charcoal factory, thanks to some really special donors! It turned out to be really stressful because once they heard we were handing out tickets the line grew exponentially! We have never fed that many children in all the times we've been back there. The tickets, since you may be wondering, are for a gift I came up with for a little something extra this Christmas. A number of people have sent my team and the other team we are partnered with, money to do some extra things for the people here this Christmas season. I thought it would be nice to get each child a plastic container for future feedings, since many of them show up with plastic bags. Inside the bowls we are filling them with a pair of flip-flops, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, pair of undies, and a small toy. We are also providing an extra roll, tangerine and juice box to go along with the usual soup and hard boiled egg. So I don't blame the mothers for fighting for their children, it was just a very stressful scene. One mother was so upset that I had run out of tickets she threw her child's bag of soup!
On a lighter note, I was able to have the Pastor speak with Stephanie's mother about getting some financial help for Giselle's chemo therapy treatments. Here the only way for them to get help with these medical burdens is to appeal to a congressman for the funds. Jennifer, Stephanie's mom, will have to get some paperwork together first so we hope to take it all down to the office on Monday. Please pray for God's favor in this situation!
Since I ran out of tickets, I joined Stephanie's brother, Genos, who needed some comforting. I noticed that he had multiple sores on his head and other spots that clearly showed infection grew. He was the one throwing a temper tantrum today, and it's no wonder why seeing puss ooze from his ear. I'm sure he's in a ton of pain. I mentioned this to the Pastor and we will try to take him and Jeszel, who's eye socket also looks infected, to his friend that is a doctor.
Jeszel, despite her recent surgery, seemed to be in great spirits today. She smiled a number of times as we talked in line for soup. However, once she'd gotten her soup she was ready to head back home. I suspect it took a lot out of her to stand for that long waiting in line. She is a little camera shy, but Noah managed to capture this one. She wears something to cover her eye, but as you can see it doesn't help a whole lot. I think it's time I found her an eye patch!
Since I've mentioned it in other blogs I thought I would share a photo of Stephanie's home. It's from the first day we met. It sits up off the ground for when it floods. The span that you see in the photo is from wall to wall.
This is the little girl whose face God gave me when I asked for someone to connect with while I was here. It was so easy to fall in love with her and her mother and siblings. There are scores of children in this area, but God sent me to them. I'm so thankful that He did! I know that I can't change their life, but by showing them the love of Jesus their hearts will be forever changed, as well as, mine.
***UPDATE***
Today, Novemeber 13, 2013, I discovered that Jiszel has gone to be with the Lord. An organization called Project Pearls helps in the same area of the Philippines where we were living and posted her photo on their Instagram. She died in April of this year, just 4 short months after her surgery.
In good news, they also know her sister Stephanie, who I became good pals with and are helping me to sponsor Stephanie so that she can go to school.
