The Boys and Their Stories (oh, and a little princess)
This will be my last blog post for Guatemala even though at the current moment I am in Honduras (safe and sound). I’m doing a little catch up on some blogs from Guatemala since the last week was dedicated mostly to movie making. I couldn’t move on to the next month and ministry without sharing the kiddos stories from The Great Commission Children’s Home.
I miss them INCREDIBLY. Our entire team misses them (you can pray that we’ll process through that and be able to pour into the current ministry this month). So… meet the boys and girls who stole our heart at the home and at the hospital.
Manuelito, Alejandra, Danny, and Alex.
Alex – He came to the home with vodka on his breath. He has fetal alcohol syndrome. He walks and talks (a bit) and sings “Bingo” and “Happy Birthday” often. Some days he moves and eats really slow and other days he is super energized. Alex goes to food as his addiction since he doesn’t have alcohol. Sometimes he just spaces out – lost, drunk, not there. I know I’m not supposed to have favorites but I love Alex.
Alejandra – She was left at the hospital. Born as a premi, she was 3.5 pounds at 2 months old. Ali fusses A LOT (is very particular how she takes her bottle). We kid she is a bit of a diva and strong willed – then again, a kid would have to be strong willed to survive what she has. She’s now 7 months.
Danny – The future star athlete. Danny was the first orphan to come to the home. He was left in the gutter with a severe hemorrhage on his head. The only trace of his injury now is a speech impediment. He only says “Mom!” (and not just for Glendy), “tuk-tuk,” and “Dad!” He’s 2 1/2 and full of energy!
Manuel or Manuelito – He’s only been in the home a few months but the difference is apparent in his eyes (a spark is there now that wasn’t in the photos). He arrived severely beaten, his nose has a scar from plastic surgery where his father beat him with the end of a machete. He still has nightmares of being beaten and he hides under his bed. The psychologist has recommended a decorated cardboard box to be his safe place. Manuelito is age 4 and starting school this month. Glendy has researched and found an exceptional school that will provide a quality education for Manuel though expensive. He will learn his own language (Spanish). There is still a good chance that his family could take Manuel back (I know, stomach churns to imagine him returning to that environment) so Sean and Glendy want to make sure he knows his culture and language well.
Martin – This little guy, nicknamed Gordo for his chubbiness, can barely see and hear. His disabilities are the result of incest (a brother’s rape – very common in Guatemala) and family mental illness. Most likely Martin will not be adopted and will stay in the home forever. Glendy and Sean are prepared for this – and love him. He has a special wheelchair, is fed well, exercised and held.
The month we spent with these kids (and the family and nannies) was rich with laughter, hugs, and love. We cleaned, cooked, shoveled, played, and loved well. We witnessed the drastic difference from the hospital where we served on Tuesday and Thursday to a home of peace and love centered on the Lord.
I honestly wake up thinking of Gloria, the little girl from the hospital. She is the tenth child in her family. The mother died and her father brought her to the hospital because he didn’t know how to take care of her. He left her and hasn’t returned. She is absolutely gorgeous and has a smile on her face constantly. But amidst the 70+ wheelchairs of screaming and brawling kids, her smiling face and pleasant nature is lost, her wheelchair lined up along the wall. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
But God sees her. He knows her. He loves her. More than I ever could.
Gloria and me (a sneaky snapshot -shhhhh!).
