Guatemala, September 3, 2012 FBC Columbus, GA

After an hour long ride, filled with bumps, twists, turns and laughter, we arrived at the center for our first day of work.  The center was bigger than I realized, yet there wasn’t a space unused.  I was struck by the babies and how well behaved they were waiting in their cribs for their turn to bathe.  At home we would expect babies of all ages, especially younger babies, to be energetic and rambunctious.  Here, it was a different story, for the most part they are quiet and content, just longing to be held, rocked and loved on. 

Each age group has a nanny that tirelessly works to keep them fed, clean and content.  It is an endless job and leaves little time to give individual attention to the babies. That is where we were really able to come in and make an impact by being able to provide that next level of care through our hugs, kisses and cuddles.  While the nannies love the added help and support they sadly hardly ever get the chance to just love on the kids because so many demands require their attention. 

A few things that impacted me immediately: the smallness of the 3lb baby, the lazy eye of one toddler and the fact that one 5 year old looked more like she was 15 months old.  While most of them cannot communicate, especially in English, some will respond to their name. I was also impressed with how much more self sufficient some of the toddlers were compared to what we are accustomed to in the States. At just 2 or 3 most are able to feed themselves, pulling chicken meat off the bone or eating hot soup.  In some ways they seem so stunted compared to what I am used to with children in the States, but in other ways, you see where they have had to develop self-sufficiency more quickly from necessity. 

I was shocked when I walked into the bathroom and saw ten tiny little behinds sitting in ten pots. They were training to go in the potty and they were patiently waiting their turn to get a new diaper before nap time.  It was almost humorous but also deeply sad at the same time. You can’t help to think of how limited their knowledge of the world is because the majority of their lives are spent in the confines of the center. 

While I think about the struggles these kids already face at the start of their lives, I also am somewhat envious at how easy it is for them to smile, to hug and to trust me as a stranger coming into their world to love on them for a mere few days.