FL WMM - Day Three at the Center

Never underestimate the power of a woman, or better yet, 25 women filled with the Holy Spirit. We had a very busy day spending the morning with the children; and then this afternoon we tackled some much needed projects around the Center. All the mats, toys and chairs were scrubbed. The supply room was moved to a new location, and new shelving was installed. Most all the supplies are now put away. Several rooms have been painted or touched up, doors have been replaced and some glass windows fixed. Lunch was even served by 12:15! Everyone is in a rhythm, and the children are eager to see us. 

This afternoon, Maria Asuncion's family came to see her. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, cousins and all her siblings spent some time with her on the front porch. You could see how much she is loved, and her family was very happy to receive a picture of the entire group.

We are getting very attached to the children. Each of us has a child who is very special to us. For two of us who were here in January, it is Billy and Dalila, whom we met on our first trip to the Malnutrition Center. On the first day, Di was not even in the Center for five minutes before she had located her girl. It took me a little longer before I found Billy, but he was occupied with getting dressed for the day so I didn’t get the hug I anticipated and had to settle for a smile. Billy came to the Center so ill that he had to be fed with a dropper.

When I was at the Center in January, I was shocked to learn his age, almost four, because he was as small and as helpless as a toddler. He could barely walk and sat lethargically most of the day. He also had a rash and could not come out of his crib, so one day, when the other children were at play, I got to hold him, sing to him and pray for him as I rocked him and we looked out the window of his room. I have cried many tears over Billy in the last few months, many of them in sorrow, but some in joy as a few weeks ago,he was finally moved up to the “big boys” room. I was not assigned to work with his group, but during that first day, whenever I had the chance, I went by the area where he was. I talked to him, smiled at him, but he was always preoccupied, so I never got to interact with him like I had hoped. Then, almost at the end of the day, all the children came out to the front of the Center to celebrate the birthday of one of our team members with a piñata. Billy sat on the front row, laughing with the rest. He even took his turn to swing at the piñata. Once it broke, the children all scattered to gather the candy, but Billy sat in the midst of the group without any. You see, due to the effects of malnutrition, Billy will always be developmentally delayed. He can run now and play, but he will always be “slower” than most. I pushed my way through the crowd of children, grabbing a lollipop on my way. I pulled Billy out of the throng and unwrapped the lollipop for him. He smiled at me, and as I sat beside him, he backed into my lap and settled against me. At last! My time to cuddle with “my boy.” It was only for a few moments, but I soaked up the love he gave me, a pure stranger, who left a piece of her heart with him nine months ago. Billy will always have the mind of a child, but he reminds me that we are all to be like little children. To be loving and accepting. To be satisfied with simple things. Oh, how I long to be like Billy.