So Gema and Anna are 2 little girls that touched my heart especially this month. I noticed our first day in preschool that they were different. First I noticed that the teachers gave the leftover food to them, which they endeavored to eat long after the other kids had gone to play. Then I noticed that they didn’t smile, or talk, or play like the other kids- they stared off into space. Then I noticed that they preferred being held, or any sort of attention, to playing outside. I know that kids like attention, but I also know that 3 and 4 year olds like to play! Then I noticed that the other kids also gave them their leftovers. Then, what alarmed me the most, I noticed that whenever they would get hurt- they wouldn’t cry. I saw Gema fly off the slide and land flat on her back (I was watching, I guess not closely enough. Im not a bad baby sitter I promise!) but she didn’t even whimper! Its scary that a little one her size would be able to endure such pain, without even thinking it relevant to cry…
I noticed if you asked Anna what was wrong she would burst into tears…
I noticed that while all the other kids, while most were still quite poor, were cleanly dressed in uniform- while these two looked disheveled and were covered in filth.
This is Gema, Carin, Me, and Anna- from left to right. Carin and I decided we wanted to both adopt one of them 🙂
Soon I discovered just a little of what was going on. We went one day to do ministry, into the barrios and came to the home of Gema and Anna. They shared their tiny one bedroom home with their grandmother, their mothers, brothers, and sisters. 9 people in all, with one on the way, sleeping in 3 twin size bed frames. I say bed frames because you could hardly call them beds. The wire springs were covered with pieces of cardboard, much like the rest of their house. Gema’s mother is just 17. She has Gema, 3, another little boy thats one, and is pregnant again.
That on the right is their home. Its made of basically sticks, tin, and tarps. Behind the girl in yellow is their dishes, which sat for days because they had no money for food, much less dish soap.
This is Gema’s mother, in yellow, little brother, and Grandmother, in red.
Front door
Back of the house
Preschool Class- Anna is on the far right
This was my first time meeting little Gema
I think the thing that broke my heart the most was when i saw how happy and amazing they could be. There were moments when they decided to play, and when you gave them 1-1 attention they would laugh, and seem just like normal, beautiful little girls.
Little Anna- i loved her the most because she was the hardest to love..
This is Johanna, another girl that lives in the house. She cant speak or hear
I think what made me start asking questions was the day that Gema and Anna got left at La Quinta- all day. Their mom just didnt come get them, and knew that at least here they would be fed. After a few hours, and meals, they began to play and talk more- almost like normal kids. Then their smiles went away when their family came to get them. Not like the bratty “i dont wanna go home” fits, but like the light went out of their eyes. Then Johanna was trying to sign to one of us- motioning someone cutting themselves, getting punched in the face, and a little one crying. We decided it was time to talk about what was best for them.
So we talked with our contacts, who run several ministries in Nicaraqua- La Quinta being one of their passions. They have a huge heart for the kids of Nicaragua and were really concerned about these little ones. They gave the ok, and within the week it was arranged that the 5 children in the home, and 2 teen moms would be moving to La Quinta- to start a new life. Praise the Lord! I still am amazed at how they walk out what they believe, and undertook such a big task! They said it costs around $100 per month to care for all of one persons needs at La Quinta- and they are trusting that the Lord will provide for these needs.
if you would like more information or to help in any way this is the ministry thats helping these little ones and their young mother. visit:
www.ministeriomateo516.org
