Smile.

 

Through series of undeniably God events this past weekend, we met Ludi (who is originally from Texas and moved to La Paz to do what the Lord has called her to), the Volunteer Coordinator at a local hospital who happen to know other contacts in the area. She’s been such an angel to us helping us navigate the city and connecting us with as many possible contacts as she can.

 

We had the privilege of hanging out with the children at the hospital today. There’s a little playroom filled with games, coloring books, puzzles and lots of sanitizer. The six of us met with Zaida (that’s my Nanay’s name! I’ve never met another until now) who was in charge of the playroom and we jumped right in. The kid to volunteer ratio was enough so I was tasked with organizing the puzzle shelf. I was happy to do this not-so-glamorous task. Counting puzzle pieces to make sure the kids are playing with complete sets? Sure! Plus, I wasn’t feeling very well. I haven’t been feeling well since this past Thursday. Bolivia, what are you doing to me!? After an hour or so of rearranging, I had to sit down. My insides were turning and I wasn’t having fun anymore. I sat in the waiting area, endured the pain and watched people. Minutes later, Betsy came over to inform me that we were relocating to the 3rd floor to hang out with the kids that have been hospitalized. I wasn’t feeling too good and I was already thinking that I wouldn’t be of much help but I pressed in. I’m out of bed, I was present and the Lord’s got this.

 

When we arrived on the 3rd floor, Ludi briefed us on what was about to happen.

 

“Who is not comfortable with their Spanish?” Ludi asked.

 

I raised up my hand fast. My team preferred those who weren’t comfortable to have the first pick. I expressed that I wanted to be in the baby room since my Spanish was at a level of a pre-schooler. The babies don’t care if I conjugate or don’t conjugate my verbs. Thanks friends!

 

Betsy and I were partnered up this time. As we walked in the room, I counted four occupied hospital cribs. The little boy in the upper left hand corner was sleeping. One little girl was being held by her grandma and she was very shy. There were two left. Betsy approached the older little girl with the IV and I played with the little boy in the next crib.

 

This good looking young man had the biggest brown eyes and chubby cheeks. He must’ve been about 11 or 12 months so he didn’t talk. Perfect. I grabbed the “Maria Tenía Una Llamita” book and began reading. Instead of Mary having a little lamb, their version of Mary had a llama. The book took two minutes for me to read. Now what? I started singing to this little boy. I went through all of the Spanish VBS songs that I could remember, which wasn’t much. I did learn “This Little Light of Mine,” in Spanish last week (Ivan, thank you buddy!). I repeated that song over and over again; he just stared at me. My

voice cracked and that was his cue.

 

As my little guy prepared to leave, the nurse walked in with an infant girl. She doesn’t talk; score! I walked over and asked the nurse if I could help. She responded in Spanish but didn’t understand a word so I assumed yes? It was feeding time so I carried her while she ate. She was the sweetest little thing! Though I wasn’t feeling well, my focus shifted to her pain. Why was she in the hospital? She doesn’t look sick at all. I began to sing to her in Spanish and she kept smiling at me. My heart was so full!

 

I ran out of Spanish songs again. I yelled across the room and asked Betsy if she knew anymore. She didn’t. So I sang in English. The song that came to mind comes from the movie, My Girl 2. There’s a scene in the movie where Vada watches her mom singing this song. Here are the lyrics:

 

Ludi caught me singing to her and she encouraged me to continue. Later on, she shared a little bit of her story. Her name is Vada* and she’s about 6 months old or so. The last time Ludi saw her, she was in tubes fighting for her life. I grabbed her tiny hands and found the scars. Vada has heart problems and needs to gain weight before the doctor can perform open heart surgery.

 

As I held her in my arms and she continued to smile at my singing, I began to pray in my Spirit. The Father in Heaven is not surprised by this. He is in control no matter what. I know that He will use her suffering for His glory!

 

Moments later, Vada’s eyes became heavy and fell asleep with the bottle in her mouth. I didn’t want to put her back in the crib. I could’ve stayed there all day but my hour was up. 

 

If you’re reading this, please join me in praying for this little one. I’m hoping to see her again soon.

 

Stay tuned…