A New Hope

On March 5^th, at around 4 pm the door opened and in walked 2 social workers and 3 children. It was my very first day at Casa Shalom and already we were receiving new children.   Ages 8, 3, and 15 months.  Scared, filthy, exhausted, and eyes filled of hopelessness.  The 8 year old girl looked more like she could be 6 and had what could be a sunburn across her face.  Raw, red skin with little bumps that looked like a rash or small blisters.  When they took the 8 year old away to her separate house the younger children screamed and cried.  I held the 3 year old boy as he screamed.  He smelled like he hadn’t taken a bath in months.  It took about 20 minutes before he was calm. 

(Posted on the Casa Shalom blog: Pictures of 8-year-old Candelaria, 3-year-old Wiliam and 1-year-old Roxana when they first arrived at Casa Shalom. They've been living on the streets with their parents who made them beg for money and wash car windows for spare change. Candelaria has never been to school and the children are all malnourished and small.  The picture of the 8 year old and baby girl does not do justice to how small they both are.)

The house mom and I took him into the bathroom to bathe him.  First we pulled off his black rubber boots.  Immediately I could smell the sweat of dirty feet.  He had no socks on and his feet were stained with dirt.  We then took of the rest of his clothes and he screamed for his older sister. Awww… I will never forget what he was wearing.  As we began to put the warm water over him his tears began to fade.  A warm bathe in Guatemala in more difficult to come by so I’m assuming this was his first one.  He looked almost paralyzed from the fear and the warmth of the water on his skin.  The first few days he hardly spoke two words.   The 15 month old, Emily Roxana, wears 6-9 month clothes.  She is very malnourished.  For the first 5 days she looked exhausted like she hadn’t slept in weeks.  She wouldn’t smile and her eyes seemed so empty.

It’s been two weeks now and you wouldn’t even know these were the same kids.  William, the 3 year old, has one of the most handsome grins I’ve ever seen.  He is very sweet, loving, and energetic.  He constantly cares for his little sister.  Every day when we give out vitamins to the children he always gives half of his to his sister.  We have to tell him every time that we give her one to and he can have all of his.  He still doesn't stop giving. There are no words for Roxana. If I could take this girl back to the states with me I would. Frankly, I would take them both.  Roxana is hilarious.  Anytime another child cries she looks at them and fake cries.  I swear she does it to make fun of them.  She is constantly trying to mimic everything the big kids do.  Today she learned how to roll her eyes and I was her first victim. Of course I laughed so she repeated it over and over.  Everyday, more and more of the true Roxana comes outs.  I can’t wait to watch her grow over these next 3 months.

I am blessed. I am here in Guatemala by the grace of God. Even though I know how blessed and lucky I am, I still have to remind myself daily of God’s loving grace.  It’s not always so fun and easy, but then again that’s life… no matter where you’re living it.  I know it’s been a good day when I crawl into bed and my back and arms hurt from holding too many children. Those are wonderful aches and pains.  Thank you all for your prayers.