On Monday, our last full day in Antigua, we took nine of the
women out for lunch at Pollo Campero. I was actually feeling pretty sick that
day, but decided to go anyway. I’m glad I did because it was a lot of fun and
you could tell the women were really excited even before we left. It was only a
few blocks from the hospital, so we wheeled the ladies outside and into the
streets. We went through the main park in Antigua and then on to the
restaurant. The women rarely have the chance to get out, and for some of them
this was only their second or third time. We were each kind of in charge of a certain
woman—wheeling them and helping them eat if they needed it. Some were limited
to a milkshake and flan that we fed to them, while others were capable of
getting their own nuggets or bone chicken. The women smiled and laughed and
seemed to genuinely enjoy themselves. 
Part of me wondered if these types of
experiences are the only times they don’t feel like a part of an institution,
and rather, like a real person able to make decisions as simple as what type of
drink to order. I hope that they realized their individual importance to us and
to Christ that day. It was so special to share in the fun with them.
