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