(Note: After feeling fine for over 24 hours, Katherine once again came down sick last night and had to remain behind at the motel this morning. Then Rachel began to feel sick mid-morning and needed to be escorted back to the motel. Both are better now, but they missed our day with the kids.)
We spent our final full day in Guatemala at Hermano Pedro, and the day started off…interesting. When we arrived this morning we were met by the head Nazi…I mean nurse…who seemed to hate life in general and us specifically. Her scowl and snapping tone put our team off and ended with the two of us exchanging words. Of course, neither of us could understand the other, so I am unsure what words she exchanged. In spite of our best efforts to be friendly and helpful, nothing we did was good enough.
However, the day improved when I was able to arrange to check some of the little kids out for a trip to the park. We took along a couple of young people who were experiencing their first time in Guatemala and Hermano Pedro. One of them, Anna, was a unbeliever from Guatemala. I was able to share Jesus’ heart for a hurting world with her, so please pray that God takes those seeds and produces a harvest in her life.
We had a great time taking of shoes and socks and splashing their feet in the water. After that we bought ice cream for the kids and made a mess of them.
Shortly after we returned to HP a clown team arrived to entertain the kids. I pulled out water guns and gave them to the kids who could handle them, and we quickly filled the courtyard with laughter and water! I put on a rain poncho and the kids (and clowns) had a great time squirting me. After a little while the head nurse came out and shook her finger at us saying, “No mas agua!” But we (both kids and adults) had a lot of fun while it lasted. I don’t know why they do not allow the kids to simply be kids.
Near the end of the day one of the nursed approached me and asked me to feed little Estuardo. I quickly agreed, even though feeding him is something like running a marathon. He has autism and does not like to sit still. In fact, he quickly screams a piercing squeal if he is restrained, so his feeding usually involves following him around the courtyard trying to hit his mouth with the spoon. But tonight he seemed especially hungry and was standing still for the first four bites. Then, the head nurse arrived, took the bowl out of my hand, and said, “No comida por Estuardo!” (No food for Estuardo!) Are you catching a theme to our day? She then told me to put him in bed. When I tried to argue with her I could get no reason for why he was not to receive food apart from her bad mood and her dislike of Estuardo. So, my little buddy went to bed hungry and I left angry.
This evening I find myself praying a very simple prayer: “Lord Jesus, come quickly and bring healing for these children and shut down Hermano Pedro and every place like it for eternity. And meanwhile, help me love and fight for every child who is oppressed, neglected, and ignored. Let your kingdom come through me!”
This is my last blog from Guatemala. I hope to update again on Monday after our travel day tomorrow. Please keep following and praying!
Here are a few more pictures of our day for your enjoyment and consideration:
