Home Visits

Today we embarked on home visits with Pastor Felix.  It is a special day here .. the National Day of the Woman.  That means no school – and also an opportunity to wish each lady a “feliz dia de la mujer”!  We walked house to house and listened to the thoughts of the women and youth.  We also ran into a few men!

As I listend to the ladies speak and watched the joy of their children hustling about – I caught a glimpse of what may be missing.  The joy in the children is certain.  Children play from their heart whether they play in the sewer or the playground.  They squeal with delight as they play with a chicken, the same as if it is a pure bred canine.  The spark in their eyes is alive!

But there is a different look in the eyes of the older youth and the adults.  The light is a bit dimmer…the questions show through more than the bliss of not knowing.  I think what they are wondering about is hope.  Will there be better nutrition for their families? Will there come a day when they do not walk for water or travel long distances for medical care?  Will there be a time when their children’s education results in consistent work that does not always mean the sugar cane field?  And the question no one wants to ask…”Does anyone even care?”    The women I met today were courageous and full of grace.  They welcomed us and welcomed our prayers.  They are eager to learn and poised for change.