Scattered Memories and Events

Baby Washing
Saturday is baby washing day. Each Saturday the homeless have an opportunity to have their babies washed. These women and children have hard lives. There are no homeless shelters to turn to for help, and they are left to fend for themselves and their children. Saturdays are a small way to help these children. Giving them food and a bath...but a week ago things were a bit different. We had a Christmas party for them! Over 100 children came and each received a bag of treats including a toy and food. I was stationed at the craft area where we helped the children make star ornaments. The delight of the children was seen as their smiles lit up their faces. All around the art station children sat eating food and opening their gift bags. Each bag was filled with special treats and a new toy.


A Movable Clinic
This was a first for me. I diagnosed for the first time on my own. Yep. It was a small group that went to the boys home. A colorful house that was filled with love. Many boys had health issues including HIV, but you couldn't tell by looking at them. Well fed, cleaned and loved, there was a huge contrast between them and the street kids. One little boy kept wanting hug after hug while I attempted to check his eyes, ears, lungs and heart. We had a small group and worked together on the healthy check-ups. (This was vital as my Spanish was quite limited). This is why I am getting my Masters. Even the little knowledge I've learned so far in school was helpful as we completed assessment after assessment.


Other memories from the past week...
Speaking in Spanish, the testimony seemed close to the man's heart. Nine in all were dunked under water that day...outside the building in a small swimming pool. Their lives were changed, and the excitement was real. What a blessing to be apart of this...an unexpected surprise.

Joyful music floating through the air. Tambourine in one hand and singing songs, just by listening you'd never believe this woman was not only extremely poor, but also blind. The Morels know her well and were surprised to find her at the top of the hill. Stopping to talk, she was joyful in speech, and I believe we received the greater blessing in the end.

The Morels have so many different responsibilities and jobs! Going to the guest house, we cleaned and rearranged the furniture...preparing for a family to come from the jungle. It's a Bolivian couple that is planning on taking in orphans. Sorting through sheets and going through closets, we prepared for future teams coming as well. It took time, but was satisfying to look at the end result.

I have learned a few phrases of Spanish since coming down here, but it's impossible to talk beyond extremely basic words. However, I've gotten to know some of the other workers' kids and this has been so much fun. I love hanging out with kids and have gotten the opportunity to do this a bit. Listening to them and loving them. It's sad to think in a few days I'll be gone. Part of me wishes I could stay and continue to be apart of their lives. Living down here is an adventure, but sometimes can be hard. I'm thankful that there is a community down here that supports each other and will continue to invest in the children.


Last Thursday, with Christmas approaching, the homeless seemed to multiply. Going out on the streets, the Catholic ladies had made invitations to invite the homeless to a Christmas party. Most of the people are known so well down here that new used clothes were bought for each individual so that they would have something clean and nice to wear on Christmas day. What a blessing to be part of this ministry.







Christmas day...what can I say? I thought waking up at 5:30 would be a sacrifice, but really the sleepiness wore off quickly. I loved this Christmas day! This is what it truly is all about...helping and loving others. We worked hard preparing the meal. I've never peeled so many tomatoes in my life...actually I don't think I've peeled tomatoes before. We set up tables and chairs, and with the decorations it almost felt like we were preparing for a wedding. Then the people came. Laughter, bright smiles and joyful voices they filled the hall. Some children stared in awe, while others giggled and whispered in groups. I didn't understand their words, but as people stopped and talked to me their tone brought tears to my eyes. These people are precious and loved and today I believe they felt that. Music was played and one elderly man got up and as he danced lightly on his feet, ages fell off his body. You could almost see a young man dancing instead. I wish Bolivia wasn't so far away. I'd gladly spend next Christmas like this again.

I've gained a new perspective of the homeless. The extreme poverty and hardships that these people live through in Bolivia are things most Americans will never face. The poorest of the poor in the US are far richer than most of the poor down here. Going down and feeding them at night is one way to help them. Loving on them and listening to them is another. Even though my Spanish is basically nonexistent and I've only been here a few weeks, part of my heart will be left here with the men and women I've gotten to know a bit. Their faces are etched in my head, and I know they will remain in my thoughts. Each has a story. Each needs to know they are loved. I'm thankful the Morels and others have been caring for them and will continue to love these people. They have formed relationships with them. I am thankful for the time I've been able to be apart of their ministry. It truly has been a blessing.

A blur of time

It's Sunday. There's much I could write about, but time is precious and it's hard to take the moment.

First I love being here with the Morels. This family is just amazing, and I love their heart for people, God and each other.

So let me fill you in on my first week...

Tuesday
During my first full day we went to the Nutrition Center. It was rainy and muddy. The streets here are different than at home, and attention is necessary for each step you take. (To say it another way, puddles aren't always filled with just water). Cold and a bit wet, we met friends to travel the rest of the way to the center. Warming up in the wonderful SUV, we slowly made our way. Despite the rain, people in brightly colored outfits covered the streets unprotected from the down fall. Almost there, we turned on a road going uphill, but our ascent didn’t last long. Tiny pebbles and dirt obstructed the road. Someone put them there, but no one knew why. It was a mountain of stones and with no way to turn around, we drove backward down the hill. I mean we literally put the car in reverse and went downhill. This was the easy part…there was an alternative route…a route up a dirt path. Looking at it, it didn’t look big enough to hold a vehicle let alone a SUV, but being a four wheel drive we took it. Bouncing and wheels spinning, we crawled up the hill. Looking out the side of the car, it seemed as if one wrong move would send us rolling down. White knuckles and holding my breath, we climbed. Whew…happy to be at the top, a laughter of relief filled the car. Too bad I hadn't video taped it. Breathing a sigh of relief, we soon reached our destination. It was a large building at the top of a hill.

Stepping inside and walking up the stairs, colorful walls and a clean environment greeted us. It was just about lunch time, and we joined in feeding the babies. These children came from all over the place, many would be starving without this center. They were being physically nourished, yet there were so many of them! Glass rooms sectioned the area into about six rooms. Each one was filled with five or more babies. The older ones silently stared at you with large brown eyes, while the little ones cried or slept. One boy played in his crib, making a game out of the bars that held him in. This center does all it can for these babies, yet there are never enough hands.

A tiny one in the corner softly cried almost in a whisper. As my arms embraced and held him close, he fell silent. His body frame was premature, but his eyes focused making him much older than just a few months. He was nine months to be exact and had probably only been at the center for a few days. Holding him in one arm, I used the other to play with another girl in a crib near-by. Smiling, she also grabbed at my heart.

You’ve all seen babies…and cute little toddlers. How do I tell you about the rest of my time there? Time slipped, and we stayed later than intended. There was always a baby to hold and cuddle or a small one that just wanted someone to play with. It was just so hard to leave. Such a simple act, yet so needed. These babies crave not only physical food, but love. I’m thankful for a place such as the nutrition center, and for people that help run it. They literally save many lives each year. And I’m thankful for people who do come in and hold the priceless little ones. Today I was honored to be one of those people. Such a heart grabbing opportunity. I wish I could go back.

Wednesday

I feel like I am cutting out so many details, but I need to make this short. Today was the day we were to take the homeless man, Marcos, to the doctor. Danée and her family have bonded with this man, and he is dear to their hearts. Danée has learned Spanish these past few months and her abilities amaze me. Walking the final steps to the square, we went straight to "Marco's spot", but only his friend Renee was there. Searching, we came up empty handed. With a genuine concern for the man, there was nothing more that we could do at the moment. He needed medical help, and this was the third attempt Danée had made. Life is just different down here.

Moving forward with disappointment, we had other things that had to get done including going to the largest market in South America, La Concha. Why? Saturday a Christmas party of sort for the homeless children was to take place, and we had 100 toys to buy! La Concha was the place to go...a market that twists and turns for miles making it into a maze perfect for pocket picking or prey to the newcomer who could become severely lost. Tents squeezed closely together and people everywhere, I was glad I had been in other markets before. Not even Walmart can compare to the quantity and variety of items found in La Concha.

Thankful for Danée and Natalie (another friend helping with the Saturday event), we set off. Toys were not cheap, but finally we were able to located both cars and little Tinker Bell toys. Winding around the bright colored tents and carefully making sure not to step in puddles, we miraculously made our way out onto a street. Exhausted, we took a bus home. Thankfully there were seats available, and we didn't have to stand or be smashed tight against strangers. Maybe that's why they prefer the kiss on the cheek down here instead of hugs. "Hugs" of sorts happen all the time in public transportation. There is no such thing as personal space. Even in cars that at home would hold a maximum of five, easily fit ten people down here and no one thinks anything of it.

Thursday

Another new day! Rising with the sun, we left the high rise early to meet some workers at 6:30am. We were going to the mountains to work on an orphanage! The drive was like watching a National Geographic. The city scenery gave way to hills and mountains covered in foreign vegetation. I tried taking a few photos, but it's impossible to capture the depth of color or dimensions that surrounded me. Reaching our destination, we started working on covering up a water pipe that led to two homes being built for orphans. Each house will hold ten children plus two house parents. There are a few people that work here consistently, and slowly the houses are being built.

Deciding to have a picnic lunch, we hiked up a near by hill. Two crosses stood overlooking the valley and despite the cloud, the view was outstanding. It was like looking down on the earth from an airplane.

Skipping ahead to the evening, we went back out on the streets. Working with a local Catholic organization, we gave food and drinks to several people. Each of these people have a name and story and are known by the volunteers. Names are written down, and they keep track of these people that the rest of the world ignores. Marcos was among them. Laying on a cardboard box, he talked with Danée. Thankfully his eye didn't look worse and hopefully we can get him to the doctor soon.

These were just my first few days. So much to take in and see. The time has blurred, and I haven't even gotten to Saturday's Christmas party or the other things that have happened, but I must stop writing for the moment. It's dumping rain outside, and it's time to celebrate that with the girls and just hangout with them a bit. Yay for rain! =0D

A roller coaster day

An afternoon of bliss. That's how I spent my first day. Talking and catching up. Opening the suitcases filled with wonderful items. Smiles. Tears. Laughter and so many hugs. Later we went to the store. Whenever I travel I usually have trouble at first taking in everything around me. It's like my eyes can't quite focus on all the new sights, sounds, colors and maybe even a few odors.



That night we went out. Out with a purpose to find a homeless man with failing eye sight. A man old with wrinkles that penetrate his face. Wrinkles that break through the language barrier displaying the harshness of life. Giving out hot milk with oatmeal and cinnamon, his decaying teeth displayed a grateful smile. A doctor's appointment had been made for Wednesday and hopefully he could get the help he needed. Praying with him, we had to move on. He wasn't the only one on the plaza. They were on every corner and in between. People trying to survive. People thankful for even a small cup of oatmeal. We ran out quickly, but there sat a woman with her small child. His large eyes cut to my heart, all he wanted was something to eat. Going to a near by store, we bought bread and fruit. A small thing, yet it's what could be done for the moment.

This is Bolivia and this is where I am. This was my first day. From airplane to friends to the streets. So many emotions and feelings for today. It's a roller coaster kind of day, but so thankful to be here.

Christmas was on December 12th this year

Totally at peace and can't seem to keep the smile off my face. It's true. Maybe it's the fact that I had the most amazing check-in and even though I was slightly over the weight limit, I wasn't charged any extra for baggage (and was able to take everything with me...a HUGE blessing!) Or maybe it had to do with the fact that security was a breeze with no one else in line and friendly TSA staff. (Although they did look at me a little closer when I said I was going to Bolivia...but I'm pretty sure I don't look like the drug type). Normally I am a bit nervous flying. You'd think that with all the traveling I've done it would be easy, but my heart still pounds. I ask too many "what if" questions, but not this time. I was at peace and couldn't keep the smile off my face. I was going to see the Morels! Just thinking about it made me break into a smile. I couldn't help it, but I did try to cover it a bit. It's not normal to see people walking alone with smiles plastered on their faces. The flights went smoothly from Fort Wayne to Chicago to Miami to La Paz! Almost there, I got off the plane not knowing if I would experience altitude sickness. I was blessed to have no side effects and before I knew it my last flight was taking off.

Looking out the window, mountains etched designs into the ground. Covered with snow, some seemed to reach up to the plane then slowly they turned brown and soon the puffy, fluffy billowing clouds surrounded the plane. I couldn't keep tears out of my eyes as I thought of who I'd soon be seeing. Amazingly during the thirty minute flight, they managed to serve us breakfast. Can I just say I love foreign flights?

Landing I couldn't get off the plane quick enough. And there they were...high on the balcony...all four of them!!! Waiting for baggage was a challenging task. I just wanted to run out the door and was thankful my bags came quickly...one, two, three, four plus a pillow piled on to the cart and I was out the door.

Let's just say the rest of the day was an amazing gift...a magical Christmas day for sure. I am so thankful to be here and know the time will go fast.

Indescribable Thankfulness

As I sit here late at night (at least for me), I can’t help to feel beyond thankful. There’s this indescribable feeling…wow...

Usually when I travel I go alone. I save my money and then I leave.

This time though I’ve been in school, only working part time. The situation is a bit different, but still I had planned to manage on my own.

But then something happened. I thought it would be a small help…but people ended up blessing me and over half the cost of my trip is paid for! Incredible. Unexpected.

The finical part is nice, but there is something SO very much more about it. It’s like I know people are behind me. I can’t quite express how I feel. It’s a silence that goes deep. People gave from their hearts, and I know I am supported and taking them with me. It’s a humbling thing for me. (I like to be independent). So many unexpected people helped me, and I know for a few finances are tight! It’s a bit overwhelming (but in a good way).

As I sit here typing with an extremely busy week of finals ahead of me, I am looking forward to the near future. I can’t wait to see the Morels and join them in their ministry! Anticipation.

=0)