Our ministry this month has surprised me every single day. When I was told that we would be ministering in an elderly home called Casa Maria, I thought to myself, “I’ll get to know some names, smile a lot, have a little conversation, play some music, and it will be cute.”
After just 3 weeks of spending time at Casa Maria, I now know 90% of the residents’ names, as well as several details of their lives. I know that if I offer Clara my hand upon arrival, I might not get it back for 15 minutes. Carlos will always greet me kindly and then spend the rest of the afternoon shouting demands at Luke to move his wheelchair to different places. I know that Armando has 2 daughters that live in California and they never send letters or visit and that he suffers from depression and pain in his ribs. Beatriz has ulcers in her leg and desperately wishes one of her 3 sons in Florida would allow her to live with them. Gorge loves to play ball, and every time we have drawing time he carefully draws 2 volcanos, a river, trees, a sun, and finishes it with his initials so I know who drew it. Flor is always crabby and you can guarantee that if you get too close, she will pinch your butt and shout at you to go away or she’ll call the police.
The first conversation I had with Malina was different than most I’ve had with the residents. She told me that her kids are all married with children, and her husband died 10 years ago. Then, as casually as she told her life story, she smiled and said, “I’m just waiting to die”. I apprehensively smiled back and waited for her smile to diminish into a frown. After all, death is usually not accompanied by happiness.
I asked her if she knew what would happen after she died. She gladly pointed to the ceiling and told me she would be with her savior Jesus Christ in heaven. There was no question; she knew where she was going after death and that is every reason in the world to be happy.
Everyone at Casa Maria has a different attitude toward life. Some are content, others are depressed or angry, but those who are joyful are the ones that have hope in eternal life with Christ after death.
The reality is that death has lost its sting, because of the promise of heaven for those who believe in Him.
Malina and I
Luke and his new best friend Carlos
Sidney and I leading the group in some exercise!
Luke giving Clara some helpful instruction during exercise
It took Luis several days to warm up to us, but now he loves to play ball!
Giving Cristina a turn on the guitar 🙂
Thank you to all of you who are continuing to follow our blog and pray for us along the journey. We start debrief tomorrow here in Antigua, then we will be leaving for Nicaragua late next week!
Please pray for safe travel as it will take about 2 full days by bus to Nicaragua from Guatemala, as well as several border crossings.
We love you all!
