Axel is 16 years old. She’s staying with her “live in partner” in a little add on shack behind her family’s house while trying to take care of her 14 year old sister, Kim, who has bone cancer, while her mother, Rosario, has been in jail for six years. Oh yeah, and she’s now five months pregnant. Talk about being in a rough spot…
When I first showed up to visit Kim last week, I asked for Axel because I knew she had to be around. We’ve done a lot to help their family so Axel was ashamed to come greet me because she was now pregnant. She hid out in the home next door until she realized I wouldn’t leave until I met her, so she gave in. I have heard a lot about her and have even talked with her on the phone a few times, but I’ve never actually met her. She hung her head and wouldn’t look me in the eye even though she could understand my English. I could just feel the shame all over her.
I didn’t really know exactly what to do because this is a tough situation to try and bring hope to. Finally, I just put my hand on her shoulder and told her that Rosario already knew about the pregnancy. She pulled back from me before I could finish the sentence. “But, Axel, you’re still her daughter and she is not ashamed of you.” This one statement carried huge weight for Axel and I could see her starting to trust me a little.
Two days later, Axel called me late at night and told me she was feeling sick. She said she didn’t know how she could keep taking care of Kim when she couldn’t care for herself right now. I drove up the next morning with a few friends because I knew we needed to visit again. The team I brought just sat with Kim and encouraged her while I sat with Axel. She still won’t talk much in my presence unless someone will translate because of the shame she feels. I pray that feeling will leave her soon because it is how Satan is attacking her. This family is getting hit hard and it’s tough for me to watch.
I told Axel I would come at least once a week to check on them and make sure everything is ok. It’s hard for me not to worry about both of these girls because they’ve been dealt such a rough hand. They’re in such a tough spot and they literally need God to show up big time, because they won’t make it out any other way. God, help this family, because I don’t know what else we can do…
