Beautiful

While still wrapping our minds around what we'd just witnessed at the dump, we made our way to a children's home in the city.  

Mama Carmen is a 63 year old Guatemalan lady who has opened her heart and her home.  Years ago, her son was kidnapped.  She prayed and promised God that if he would safely return her son, she would never turn away a homeless child.  He was returned safely to her, and she is fulfilling her promise.  

At the time of our visit, there were 66 children living with her.  Additionally, 22 children stay with her during the day while their parents are working.

We pulled up to the curb on a city street.  Her home is part of the city block. Nothing identifies it as different from the other doors lining the street.  

We entered through the door and were greeted by sweet little faces.

Seriously.  Those eyes.

Within minutes, we had children hanging from our arms and legs.  Each wanting our attention.  How do you choose which one to hold?

            

It is my understanding that the home is run by Mama Carmen and her adult children.

We were supposed to meet Mama Carmen to go with her to see her coffee farm that afternoon.  I'll share more about that in a bit.

Mama Carmen was running a couple of hours behind.  We knew from her calls with our translator that she had been having some car trouble. We hung out and played with the kids while we waited on her.  

This is Erma.  Erma hasn't been at Mama Carmen's very long.  She was brought to Mama Carmen by another orphanage who couldn't care for her.  Erma has (what was thought to be) epilepsy.  At the time of our visit, they were having trouble regulating her medication.  She was so medicated while we were visiting that she could barely put words together.  

Her eyes were truly a window to her soul.  

It seemed they were pleading to let her out of her medicated prison.

The medication also made her vomit each time she took it.  The evidence was all down the front of her shirt.

She clung to me for a while.  I tried to communicate with her.  She would grow very frustrated.  She kept repeating the same phrase to me over and over and over with those piercing eyes.

Finally, I called the translator over and asked her to help me understand.  

Erma was saying, "Why are you such a flirt to be wearing that jewelry in your nose?"

I cracked up laughing.  

So did Erma.

It was lovely to see her smile.

Erma's medication was $200 each month.  We have since found a way to get it for her for $50. Now we are working on how to get it to her.

One of the doctors whom God placed in our path for La P agreed to see Erma a few weeks ago.  He determined that she does not have epilepsy, but has brain damage from something he believed occurred during birth.  The medication will still be able to control her seizing.

After a time, Mama Carmen arrived.  Honestly, my expectation was that she would bail on our plans.  And I thought she would greet us with some degree of aggravation.  Kind of like we were another group of Americans who take pictures and then disappear. 

Which, sadly, isn't far from the truth.

However, Mama Carmen got out of her van, came to me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

I was so shocked that I could barely hug back.  Seriously.  She did not have an ounce of frustration anywhere on her face.

And get this...Mama Carmen and several of the older kids had been out since 6 a.m. (it was about 4:30 at this time) doing VBS in a worse part of the city!

I was absolutely blown away.

If anyone ever deserved to be served, it is her.  Yet she was out serving others.  

And with a beautiful attitude.  A kind and generous spirit.  A lovely demeanor.

After being broken down on the side of the road...and running hours behind.

Y'all.  I would have been fit to be tied. I would have been irritable and ugly and hateful.  I would have bailed on the plans.  My day, and the day of those around me, would have been shot.

I can honestly say that the graciousness that she displayed that day has made me reevaluate much about my life.  My priorities and my attitude.  

My heart, really.

I can't wait to share the rest of our day with you.  Next post, ok?

***

Please be in prayer for Joanne from The Simple Wife.  As you may know, she had a stroke Tuesday morning while on her treadmill.  Let's go before the Lord and ask for complete healing and restoration for her and her family. In 2007, I read Joanne's book, Living Simply.  It was the catalyst for many changes in my life.  God used her words to begin whispering to my heart. Keep her close to yours today. 

 

 

Comments

[Dawn W]

Enjoying reading about your travels.

Joanne and I have communicated over the last two years or so through blogging, email and facebook. I hadn't heard about her stroke. Where are you getting info? Please update as you hear more.

Be blessed!

[Dawn W]

Well. Guess I should check Facebook a little more often. Just saw the info there. Thanks for alerting me, though! Did you see this link? http://mustardseeds.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/01/joanne-update.html

[Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife]

I was so incredibly happy to see your name today. I've wondered about La P and if you'd been able to bring her home yet. I appreciate your taking the time to share not just an experience but the way this darlin' girl has tilted your entire universe. Thinking about Joanne and reading things like this is shifting mine, too.

Much love,
L

[Michelle]

I'm taking the word "graciousnes" with me today to meditate on that...there's something very powerful in that attitude, and I want it!

I'll be praying for Joanne.

[Heather]

Those eyes....oh my goodness. That is exactly what I thought even before I saw that you had typed that very same thing.

I've told people that if we ever adopted internationally, I would want it to be from Guatemala (this is when they were still allowing it). Not that we're going to adopt or anything, but we have good friends who go there often to work and those kids just get me every time.

[Michele]

I'm sitting here drinking Mama Carmen's coffee from Guatemala as I'm reading your blog!
Keep sharing...

[Headless Mom]

w.o.w. I'm loving your tales. The next time you go I have a friend for you to visit. She runs a ministry with the street kids in G.City. You'll love her.

[Diane]

Each moment you shared was so moving, and each picture so touching at a deep level. I didn't just read this and skip on to my next blog read. This will linger. I prayed for Mama Carmen, and I'll pray for my own perspective to be altered. Thanks for writing this.

[Your mother]

Wow. I don't even know what to say. Most of us just have no idea of how many people throughout the world live. Thanks for sharing your story.