JOURNEY OF THE HEART: A WIFE & MOTHER'S WORSE NIGHTMARE & A BLESSING

I started out the day at the dental clinic, but that's not where I remained. I would much rather be there holding children's hands as the dentist tugged in their little mouths than to witness a funeral leaving behind ten children and a young widow:( I was asked to go to San Jorge to attend the funeral of a man who was murdered the day before. I truly think it's the saddest farewell I have ever witnessed. The casket was set up for viewing in a family member's home where people crowded inside the home and yard like sardines in a can. Near the coffin sat a weeping widow who could barely compose herself long enough to receive condolences from family and friends passing through. Over night she not only lost her beloved husband but became the sole provider for ten children!! The children range in age from 4 months to 14 years old. I tell you this is every wife's nightmare!! I cannot even imagine the emotional strain she's going through!! Barely surviving with a husband's income she's now faced with even harder times as she's forced to look for work to support her children. The room where the family lives was such a sad sight! Dirt floors with straw mats as beds and a few straggling clothing was all that was to be found inside. I mean can you imagine living with your spouse and ten children inside one small room?? A tin roof is the only protection from the weather but you're still going to get wet when it rains as the tin is used and many previous nail holes go unfilled. The dirt becomes mud as the rain pours in and all you can do is remain there and pray the weather gets better soon! I mean this is no life for anyone to have to live but it's a reality for so many!! This family is going to need so much help because there was VERY little food inside the kitchen! And now that there main supporter is gone they're struggles are just beginning!! They can really use food and beds as a beginnings amongst other things!! I left that home and funeral very heart broken for the young widow and hopefully we'll gain some funding to help them before I return to Guatemala in December!! So if you're interested in helping please let me know because they sure can use it!!

As I returned to the clinic Sharon asked if I wouldn't mind going with Gloria to the small hospital in Panajachel to visit Baby Miguel and his mother. This is also another very sad situation. This 19 year old mother leaves a two year old son at home to be cared for by his grandmother so she can remain by her four month old son's bedside. Miguel is having major respiratory problems and the situation remains touch and go. Right now the doctors are trying to ween him off of the oxygen a little at a time so he basically won't forget how to breathe. Sometimes they're successful and he can manage to breathe on his own while other times they have to put him right back on it! His breathes are hard on his little body and you can tell he struggles with each one he takes. It's so heartbreaking to see his mother look at him with so much love and sadness in her eyes. Without the help of strangers her dear sweet child would merely be a memory, but thanks to people who are willing to step up and help he can be given a fighting chance by being hospitalized!! The young mother knows this is a reality and is so grateful, but her own health is at jeopardy!! She is terrified she will return home with her son after losing a child one time before and is slipping into a depression. She barely sleeps or eats and never leaves his side. She's anemic and the lack of appetite is dangerous for her. The doctors have warned her that she needs to eat but I can only imagine the toll this is taking on her. Please pray for this family and for a complete healing of Miguel. They are also in need of support. They will continue to need help paying for his medical cost and food. The two year old son is malnourished and the home also had very small amounts of food. I know if everyone gives a little it will make a HUGE difference. I left the hospital with an even heavier heart but full of prayers for the situation!!

You can only imagine the happiness I felt when I once again returned to the clinic to find out my final assignment of the day was a happy one. I would be traveling to El Tablon with the construction team to install an onil stove!! That really was like witnessing a blessing!! I mean this mother use to have to cook for her family on an open fire but now she would have a stove requiring WAY less wood lessening the amount of time she had to spend collecting firewood! Her and the children would no longer have to breathe in all the smoke so this is also a plus:) While we were there I had a chance to meet the neighbors and play with their small children. As I walked past the bamboo gate into their field I saw the cutest little dirty children ever!! They quickly began to run and play and finally led me to their home. I spoke briefly to the mother and I was able to meet the baby boy of the house as well. He was simply adorable because as I spoke to him he would laugh so loud!! You could tell how poor they were, but man the joy they shared with me was amazing!! I was welcomed into their home and allowed to photograph the children which to me is a true blessing!! I had to say my goodbyes all too soon as I had to return to the home where the stove was being installed. I also photographed those children right before we loaded up to return to Panajachel. I would say this was a blessed way to end an emotionally draining day!! How could I ever ask for anything more?

Walter

Dental exams

Me and the first patient of the day!!

Hiding from the dentist

Young husband's funeral

The mourning widow:(

The family in San Jorge

The family's room. There will be ten children and the mother sleeping here. There are no beds at all in this room! They're sleeping on a straw mat on the dirt floor!