Today
has almost come to a close here in Magdalena. I just finished a delicious dinner with my
host family and roommates. I am now
sitting on my bed as I write, surrounded by the sounds . . . culture shock just
a week ago, but now I take comfort in. I
hear the dogs barking, children playing, and the occasional fireworks exploding
in celebration of someone’s birthday.
It is Sunday. The team and I had the
opportunity to go to a bilingual church today in Antigua. The team and I went to the Spanish service. I’m glad we did as it was great to worship
with our sisters and brothers in Christ in Spanish!
Today
was a great time to rest as God has been preparing my heart for the week to
come. This next week, I will continue to
serve, with two other LIFters, Aimee and Lynette, in the special education site
alongside the missionaries from Students International. I am excited to tell you a little bit about
my site! At the school, the missionaries, Brenda and Shelly, serve and teach
students with a variety of intellectual disabilities. There is a morning and afternoon class that
meets three times a week. During class
the students practice their math skills, play games together, have a
devotional, do a craft, and have time to socialize with each other as they
enjoy a snack. Brenda and Shelly are so
loving and patience with the students as they demonstrate God’s love through
their actions and kind words.
Also,
two young boys with autism, come to the school three times a week. Both of the boys are nonverbal but they
clearly communicate with their smiles and laughs. The boys love playing outside in the school’s
small garden as they joyfully interact with whoever is kicking a ball to them
or spinning them around in circles. Also,
a couple of days a week people within the community come to receive physical
therapy at the school.
Aimee,
Lynette, and I asked Shelly about how special needs is generally viewed in
Guatemala. She said that it is commonly
looked down upon. She told us that
students have often told her stories of people calling them ugly and stupid on
the streets. Shelly also shared with us
that some of the families of these children are often unkind to them as well. She shared with us that when one student walks
up to his cousins they run away from him. They do this because he scares them as they do
not understand his disability. Hearing
about how special needs is viewed here continues to break my heart. I feel a heavy sadness for the students at
this school. Yet, I am happy and
thankful for the privilege to serve these students with God’s love in me. Because
they are discarded by society, the students believe that they are less
important.
Shelly and Brenda have been
working on self-worth with the students to counteract these lies. I created a sign that was hung in the
classroom that says, translated in English, “I am intelligent. I am handsome/pretty. I am invaluable”. Brenda talked to the students about the truth
of who they are. Also, with the students
we made paper machete balloons and wrote Psalms 139:14 which reads, “I praise
you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I would encourage you to pray for these
students as they begin to believe to the truth of who they are. Also, pray that they would believe the truth
that God created them with purpose.
Shelly
told us that a mother shared with her that when she had her son, who has
autism, she believed that it was a punishment from God because of the sins she
had committed. Shelly told us that this
is a common belief within the culture as intellectual disabilities are
misunderstood. Yet, the mother of this
boy has now come around to believe that her son is a blessing and has been
given to her by God because God has entrusted her to take care of him.
Last
Friday, the special education team went on a house visit to see Pablo, who has
muscular dystrophy and intellectual disability. When we got to the nearby town we sat and
waited for Pablo’s father to find us so he could walk us to his house. Pablo’s dad spotted us and led us to his home.
The path to where Pablo and his family
lived looked over a big valley towards a mountain. We walked
awhile on the steep rough path, until we reached dozens of tin houses built
with steal sheets.
We
walked down makeshift concrete stairs, where many houses on both sides were. Pablo’s dad then invited us into his home. There we meet Pablo, who was being held by his
mother. We sat down in the small, well-kept
room as we talked with the family. Pablo’s mother looked into her son’s eyes with
so much love. She talked tenderly to him
with gentle words as she held him securely. Shelly asked Pablo’s mom, “What’s the best
thing about being his mom?” She smiled
warmly and answered right away with, “The fact that he is my son and that I get
to love him.” Also, throughout our
conversation the dad was lovingly trying to get Pablo’s attention as he smiled
and gently waved across the room. Yet,
Pablo remained limp and verbally unresponsive. I was so moved by the love Pablo’s parents
clearly displayed. I also learned, from Shelly and Brenda, that Pablo’s mom
carries him all the way up the steep and crooked path to get to the bus to take
him to physical therapy. I was
amazed. The walk to the house felt more
like a hike and I was not carrying a six year old like she does!
During
our visit Pablo’s father poured us each a glass of Pepsi. This was a small, but telling gesture that
revealed his hospitality and gratitude towards our visit. Shelly told us that Pablo’s dad is the only
father she has even seen at the school revealing his dedication and care for
his child. At the end of the visit, we
gave the family fresh cut flowers from the garden at the school and a homemade
card with a bible verse. We prayed over
the family and Pablo and thanked them for letting us visit them. Pablo’s mom
gave each of us a hug and thanked us again for visiting.
The
visit reminded me of the danger of the single story, as Christy mentioned in yesterday’s
blog. I do not want to tell Pablo’s
story wrong. Yes, his parents are
financially poor. But, more importantly,
they are rich with love as I watched them care deeply for their son as they
clearly reflected Christ’s love. They
choose to love their son as he is despite what society says about him.
I
encourage you who are reading this and support us in prayer to take time to ask
people their story and listen to what they have to say. This is one of the most dignifying things you can
do to another person. Instead of judging someone on the outside or by what they
have, I encourage you to dig deeper and learn about the people around you. When we are willing to be in relation with
another person and listen to their story, it opens doors for us to share the
hope and truth that is revealed in the gospel.
Thank
you so much for taking the time to read the blog today. We are so thankful for
all of your prayers this week. I ask that you pray for continued strength and
reliance as we continue to serve. Please pray that we continue to not dwell on
our needs but rely on Christ throughout the day. We are all so thankful for the
privilege God has given us to serve here in Guatemala!
Sarah
Dietz
See photos in the LIFT 40 photo album on Facebook at the LIFT
Discipleship Program page:
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