Since there was no drinkable water in the house this morning, I bolted out of bed at 6:23 when I heard "Aguaaaaaa!" Of course the water man was on the block behind the house, where I can hear him best. I got dressed and grabbed my money, ready to play this game again. I still think the water man taunts me. Today it sounded like he passed by the house twice after that. He must have changed his route because each time I ran to the front gate there was nobody there. I gave up and showered, worried he would come while I was showering. Finally I heard him again, but this time I only stood outside my door listening. He was outside the gate! I ran down the driveway and caught him as he was headed down the hill. First task of the day - complete. Jett and I have water for another 2 weeks.
I kept that in mind today when one of the boys was disrespectful. He has no mother and no father in the home with him. He is raised by siblings who tell him he is worthless. He has no control over anything in his whole life. So when he is a little disrespectful, I need to keep in mind the delicate balance of teaching him how to behave appropriately, while still understanding that he lives in a world that I can never comprehend. In the grand scheme of things if he wants to laugh and giggle when I reprimand him, that is not so bad. I will pick my battles. I will learn to be more consistent with him. I will show him love even when his behavior is frustrating or disrespectful, but also give the discipline he needs to be a successful member of society. It surely is a delicate balance!
Then I was ready to go to the Breakfast Program, but it was only 8:30. (Yes, I spent 2 hours chasing after the illusive water man.) I considered taking a taxi to the church early, but realized today is pancake day so they wouldn't need help cooking. I grabbed my devotional and decided to use the time wisely until Jairo came.
Lourdes wasn't in the car today when Jairo picked me up. I was surprised. She has every Monday off. Apparently she spent the whole day ironing. Now her back is hurting a lot and she didn't sleep at all last night. We stopped and got a newspaper. Jairo asked if I had heard about the mass killing yesterday. Apparently someone entered a business building and started shooting randomly, killing 15 people.
I talked to Jairo about how I feel torn about how to punish the kids. I asked for an example of when they should be sent home with no food. He said very sternly, "Yesterday." And then it hit me. It is not really ME that is sending them home with no food. They know the expectations of the Breakfast Program. If they choose not to behave appropriately, it is THEIR behavior that causes them to go home with no food. Okay. I get it. Jairo told me that if anyone misbehaved today, they will be suspended from the Breakfast Program for the rest of the week! Needless to say, we fed about 50 perfect angels today. Lourdes and Walter were not there, but the kids prayed, ate, cleaned and did not hit each other. I made sure to send a text to Lourdes to tell her how well the kids did today. I told her if she needs another day at home, we are doing fine. At least I don't feel like a complete failure today.
Yesterday I contacted my boss at my last job, where I was known as one of the strictest staff of all. In fact my nickname was "Sarg" for Sergeant. He pointed out to me that the boys I used to work with in the US were in the position to be disciplined because they had done awful things to deserve to be there. (I used to work with sex offenders.) The kids at the Breakfast Program are in bad situations through no fault of their own. He said maybe that is why I am having a harder time disciplining them. He was right! That was exactly it!
I kept that in mind today when one of the boys was disrespectful. He has no mother and no father in the home with him. He is raised by siblings who tell him he is worthless. He has no control over anything in his whole life. So when he is a little disrespectful, I need to keep in mind the delicate balance of teaching him how to behave appropriately, while still understanding that he lives in a world that I can never comprehend. In the grand scheme of things if he wants to laugh and giggle when I reprimand him, that is not so bad. I will pick my battles. I will learn to be more consistent with him. I will show him love even when his behavior is frustrating or disrespectful, but also give the discipline he needs to be a successful member of society. It surely is a delicate balance!
I got a lot of emails today about my friend Pat, who has been unconscious in ICU for weeks. He is mostly conscious now, but weak. He may leave the ICU today! We are giving praise for this.
On the other hand Clara, the mother of Estefany and Karla, has been in the hospital for a few days. She keeps getting moved from room to room until the doctors have time to operate on her. We are not exactly sure what is wrong with Clara. She first had a herniated disc, but now she has horrible pain, sometimes with a lot of swelling and occasionally a rash, in seemingly random places on her body. Her girls are both teens. They seem to be holding up well, waiting for their Mom to have surgery. In the kind of hospital that she can afford, they never know when she will go into surgery. Basically it is whenever the doctors have time and nobody is there in worse condition than she.
The older kids had their class about self esteem today with the psychologist. They love the class, but it makes a long day for us. When everything was almost completely clean and only 3 kids were left eating, I saw Jario headed for his car. I asked if he was going to pick up Josselyn. He said yes, and he could drop me off on the way home.
Here not many teenagers drive. Jairo is the only one who drives in his family. That leaves a lot of responsibility in Jairo's hands. He has to get Joss to and from school every day. He usually drives me to and from the breakfast program. Lately he has been having to care for Lourdes' mother and brother as well. They are struggling and need a lot of help in various ways. On top of taking care of everyone, he has a full time job at the church. It is not easy to be in Jairo's shoes. I told Jairo that if I get the house in the mountains I would be happy to pick up Joss from school every day and take her home. That would help a little.
So, the Breakfast Program went smoothly today. It was a much better day than yesterday. Pat is doing better, Lourdes is having a tough time, Clara is waiting for surgery and I am going to pick some limes from my lime tree and make some corn on the cobb, with lime and salt. Yum! I love picking things fresh from the trees outside my house. Looks like a thunderstorm is rolling in. Evening thunderstorms are common and the perfect way to relax at the end of the day. I am already looking forward to tomorrow!
