This week I was reminded of the harsh realities of life here!
We were on Boulevard Morazan at Baskin Robbins with Jonathon, his family and friends celebrating his birthday. As we approached the door to enter, from behind I heard dar mi una limpira...dar mi' una limpira (give me money) . This isn't an unusual event..so as I turn I looked down and looked into the eyes of a small boy who was no more than 8, he had a dirty face and I saw dazed & glassy eyes that made me aware that this little one was very high and totally unaware.....it startled me . I have seen high..I have been high and to see that in the eyes of a baby?!!! Lots of kids sniff glue here, I "know" that, but I had never looked into the eyes of one of them. I held his little face in my hands and told him no...that may seem cold, but the thing is..if he had gotten money he would simply buy more glue.
The really sad thing is that most young street kids begin sniffing because it curbs appetite..they are hungery ( and Jesus said...feed my sheep). In the beginning glue sniffing seems like a good idea, "I don't feel how hengry I am" and then one day they are so addicted and so messed up they cannot function without it. These "children" walk down the street with an empty plastic soda bottle under their shirts with the top just sticking out and sniff every few mins. it is a very scary thing!
As I watch this little boy, my Melvin was sitting beside me and said "Lori..that is very bad" (in spanish of course) and we had a talk...I felt my chest get tight and fear over take me when I realized that could be Melvin with any turn in his life!
I also thought of 5 little boys in a children's home that are now safe from the streets and our being loved and cared for and I thank God for Jen and Karen who left their nets and boats behind , if you will, to follow the Christ's call in their lives to care for children so that some would not end up on the heartless and cruel streets of Honduras.
I have thought of that little boy often since Thursday especially at night and I pray for his safety.
As we left Baskin Robbins Melvin and I were hand in hand and that little boy came back up to me...I ask him for the plastic bottle that had the glue inside and he ran from me...Melvin held my hand tight and got really close to me..I looked at him and his eyes were full of fear...
I pray for Melvin and the boys of San Miguel that God will keep their lives safe and they will never know life on the boulevard.
3 comments:
Hey Tia Lori...
You know it's so funny, we had a similar experience the other day at Pizza Hut on Morazon and fell in love with these two little feller's that need to come and live with us. I'll have to show you their pictures and see if it was the same little guy...cause it seems as if God is not letting it go in my world, like I need to do something. I have driven down Morazon everyday since we met them looking for them again and asking God for a sign about what to do. Please pray for that too.
You know I thought after reading your last post...I think you beautifully approach the sick and the hurting and the dying. You do. This post proved it. Sometimes it's in a hospital where God uses your heart, sometimes it's on a boulevard, but you know I'm learning it's all about entering in to someone else's pain...to their life, instead of running from what might hurt...being willing to take the risk of your heart shattering into a million pieces at some point...that's Jesus!! You do that, you do that with Melvin, you do that with little boys on the Blvd, you do that with these boys out here!
I'm learning from you and that crazy husband of yours example so much this summer. Love you both bunches!!
Hey Lola, in your last post, you talked about what you were not. Well after your last entry I can definatly relate. As you turn from the smells sounds and sickness in the hospitals, an encounter like you experienced would bring me to my knees. That kind of saddness and despair paralyzes me. If we are there together next year, I promise to help you through the trips to the hospital if you promise to pick me up off the ground in an encounter such as this one. We all have our special strengths and it is up to us all to share these gifts and help others. I love ya tons. Cheryl
Ok Tears!!! I pray we are here together next year and yes we wil walk side by side! Love you too!
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