Meet Lienal

A new little boy was brought into Hermano Pedro today. His name is Lienal - he's nine years old and weighs 19 lbs. Can I just say that I don't think I've ever seen anything so heartbreaking before...nor anything so gruesome. His eyes were sunken into the back of his head and he was literally skin and bones - his skin was paper thin and his rib cage looked as though it was going to poke through his skin at any moment. He only a tad bit taller than my four-yr old-sister. It took my breathe away and I couldn't seem to stop weeping over him. It's an ache like no other to see a child suffering like that - and be able to only hold his hand and tell him in my own language that he is loved and that his life is a priceless gift - and nothing more. What I'd give to wipe the pain of starvation away. How did his situation get to be so bad? how did he end up here? - unlike so many of these kids though ... this little one has a family who loves him and loves each other - they are mayan and speak a language called Mam - I've never heard it before ... Lienal's father is all of 4 1/2 feet tall - and treated Lienal as if he was made of fine china - which...he might as well have been - the father looked at his tiny, shriveled son with pride and love ... that was really incredibly encouraging - to know that this little boy, despite his circumstances is so loved.

Dick tells me that this little boy is just one in a city of many who is slowly starving to death - and that he has worked for EIGHT YEARS to get into this city and win the people's trust. Run by superstition, the townspeople are sure that any white person entering their town are out to steal their children. - praying, praying, PRAYING that Dick will continue to find favor - I'm excited to go along with Dick to this city (I can't spell it for the life of me...I'm not even going to attempt to try :) and see what can be done - aside from the obvious of bringing the kids into Hermano Pedro where they will be fed and cared for ...

How many can be saved? How many are slipping between the cracks? How fast can we work? - More and more I'm discovering the truth of holding to the vision God gives with hands open and palms up. - More and more I'm discovering a desperateness to defend the helpless. More and more I'm seeing the face of Jesus in these children - but not longer do they look like the least of these to me ... they are rich with purpose - defined by grace - and unexpected and selfless. And all I can seem to think of as soon as I leave the hospital - is how soon can I get back to them? And why on earth do I ever have to leave them? - that's the hell of it ... the leaving. Ever notice that love is simply impossible? The soul deep love - no matter what relationship you're applying it to ... love is just a helpless place to be. -but it's rich and a life without it would be lacking in all things meaningful and good.


It's been such a good time here - I've met some really awesome people, whether through crazy amazing salsa lessons or volunteers at Hermano Pedro or those who's path I keep crossing in Central Park or the many teams that come down during the summer to work. Most of them are from Europe and Asia - and many times, we have to converse through (broken) Spanish - but it's all good ... I LOVE the travelers that roam ALL over Antigua ... those earthy, arty, soul-searching travelers who are ready to share their stories and friendships.

Thank you, Jesus for the life You bring into every moment.