I know the cost of living will be higher during my time in the US than it is here. Here I live on beans, fruit and homemade soups where I throw everything in the kitchen into a crockpot. I'd like to cancel my trip and just stay here. But I can't. I have to believe that God planned this trip for a reason and it's not to leave me broke.
One good thing is that Impacto Juvenil has officially put me on staff as a volunteer and volunteers get paid $55.31 per month. I appreciate every penny! Just got my second payment. Every bit helps. I also have to fill out a schedule now, which is good because I don't think my boss realized exactly how much I am working.
Today one of my coworkers thanked me for all I do. I told her thank you, casually. She stopped me and said, "No. Really. I want you to listen and hear this. You always offer to help us, all of us. You ask us what we need and you are willing to help in any way that we need you. I am grateful for you and your work." The woman next to her said she agreed. I thanked them very sincerely. I am glad they know they can count on me!
I'm disappointed the swimming class is going to end when I leave. The lady who started it only came one and 1/2 times out of the 8 scheduled classes. We were supposed to have 20 classes but my boss said in two weeks we will celebrate with a cake and end the class until I return. That swimming class and the pilot project for sexually abused women make me wish I weren't going back to the US right now. Plus my bank account...
It looks like the donor who donated all of the books for one community library may help us with a library in Los Pinos! I sent her video of the kids all reading. Last night she said she will need more information but I am very hopeful. Praying! Last time she sent a HUGE box of awesome books. They were books I never would have chosen, but they were exactly what the kids needed. Thus, she is in library ministry and I am not - Hahaha!
Being in Los Pinos Saturday was great! I had been so worried about Misael looking scrawny, but he is growing and looks healthy. His sister is gorgeous and super healthy too. The most surprising part was Lorenzo, his brothers and cousins. They have all been in tutoring with my coworker and their families are working hard in therapy with our psychologist. For the first time, they have clean clothes and clean bodies.
I told Tania that I am happy to see the way she is taking care of her clothes and her body. Her sandals were new and pretty. She wiped the dirt off them as she played. Her physical boundaries seem to be better too. I asked how she has changed so much and she told me, "Talking with (my coworker who is a psychologist)." She sees the changes too!
But there is still a lot more work to do. About a year ago the psychologist assessed that her younger brother would be best off in a residential treatment program. He was tiny and spending too much time on the streets. He used to be completely wild. But they see great changes in him because of the treatment he has received. Now he is studious and calm. Even his physical features have changed and there is a light is his eyes that was absent before. The change in him has been incredible. It's almost time for him to move back home.
I am afraid that he will regress when he comes back to Los Pinos and is introduced to the same environment. But the therapist has been working hard with his family to teach them how to put structure and limits in place. They said personal hygiene suffered for lack of water, but they worked that out too! I am happy and very pleased to see the huge steps those families have taken. They are still a work in progress, but it is extremely satisfying to know that they are finally receiving the help and support they always needed and deserved.
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| Working on the community project in the shop of a man who agreed to donate his time |
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| Clean Lorenzo with his hair cut and combed! |
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| David hard at work. His hands were pure black. |
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| I got lots of hugs |
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| There is a small library in the office The kids who weren't working were reading |
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| And writing |
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| And reading and writing |
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| ♥♥♥ |
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| Look at this tall, healthy girl! So beautiful. And Ana serving the food for the clubs. |
