Only God knows their stories. When I entered Hermano Pedro Hospital in Antigua, Guatemala, I knew that the people would be permanently etched in my brain. Their faces and lives will always be with me…affecting my outlook and appreciation towards life. There are around 2,000 individuals living inside these walls. Each individual is also living inside the confines of their own minds and bodies – as each one is either mentally or physically challenged – or both. People of all ages are welcome: newborns to abuelitas. I want to share these precious individuals with you.
Matilda turns 73 on March 13 – one day after I turn 25. We are birthday buddies! Three years ago she had a stoke and has been living here ever since. Her husband died a while ago and she has no children. Her days are spent in her wheel chair or in her bed, yet her faith in the Lord’s provision is encouraging. Upon request, she serenaded both Shawna and I with a gorgeous, old spiritual.
China is an extremely slow eater. Just like me. If she is not finished with the food in her mouth before I try to feed her more, she’ll turn her head away. If she’s ready for more, she’ll eagerly take another bite. China is 20 years old. Her days consist of lying in her crib, getting in her wheelchair for meals, having someone brush her teeth and change her diaper, and more lying in her crib. She can hear, but cannot talk.
Rosie is one of her roommates. For about 20 minutes I stood at the foot of her crib and we played catch with a huge blue rubber ball. She has quite the arm and the ball would often sail over my head and bounce off another crib. This garnered quite the laugh from everyone in the room. Such a simple, pure joy. Looking at their smiles, I couldn’t help but smile myself.
I walked into the children’s ward. The walls were lined with cribs. Some of the kids were sleeping, some were crying, others where banging their heads against the bars of their cribs. I was drawn to a tiny figure that was lying motionlessly on her back. She whimpered softly. As I drew nearer, I noticed a feeding tube coming from her belly. The minute I picked her up, I knew I was done for. This little soul had my heart in her hand. Her hair on her left side was matted to her head from laying on her back for so long. Earlier this morning they had just inserted the feeding tube. Come to find out, Patti is 20 months old. She has lived all her life in a hospital in Guatemala City and just transferred here five days ago. They are not for sure if her parents are still alive, but since her birth they wanted nothing to do with her due to her handicap. So she has been subject to a life of lying on her back – day after day after day.
Siedy is a cuddlier. Every few minutes she would bury her head into my chest. Affection poured out of her as she drank in the physical touch she was receiving. Once again my heart was ripped out of my chest and I felt like I was wearing it on my sleeve. (Fif – I think that I found some kids for you!)
Katerine was the last baby I held for the night. She was the smallest of the bunch – 2 months old and no bigger than a newborn. As I held her, her head fit in the palm of my hand. I don’t know her story. But I know that she needs love. She needs touch. She needs the affection of a mother and a father. I was privileged to feed this little one. She is a precious creation of the Lord and her Father cries out for her.
Our Lord cries out for an abundant life for each of his sons and daughters. A life filled with his love, his hope and his touch.
