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.