It’s been a full week as I start this. Already I have too much to write about. I guess I will just ramble for a while because it is too hard to concentrate and organize my thoughts.
The two contrasting events are the baptism of and funeral of baby girls.
Reyna’s brother Marvin and Maria just baptized their 7th child Angela. She is 8 months old; full of life and has inquisitive facial expressions.
While at the service that included 12 children; my unaccepting side said to itself stand up and tell these people baptism isn’t what they need. Instead it is an accepting of God’s love, nutrition and health.
I don’t want to remember the last two days. To comfort the family is an impossible task. Our attempt was void and useless except for a forced smile that I could give them.
Katy was a 1 year 11 month old that was loved by the extended family. Mom did more than her best; Shenny married the Father in an attempt to give Katy a complete home. Because they lived with both sets of parents, they as grandparents were very involved. Aunt Lidia in fact passed on a translator job with the United Nations in order to support and love them. Uncle Jose’ Leon would care for and play with Katy a minimum hour a day and look for more. Grandpa Tomas would not pass by, but stop for 10 minutes to do “Grandpa Things.” For Aunt Lorena, Katy would be the priority as she came home from school. Grandma Ines and Estar had the best job as Grandma’s do.
Infant mortality here is one of the highest in the world and I don’t see a lot being done to change it. This is our second baby funeral from within our family.
Another thought that congests my mind is Sue and I will soon be Grandparents. This puts us more close and personal to this situation. We are not biological parents (apparently Sue experienced menopause at 25.) In our late 30’s, we started our international family, parenting 31 exchange students. Well, Maria Sara and Angel are expecting later this month. To congratulate is obvious but fear for her future can be numbing.
To give support emotionally, I can only smile. To give support spiritually, I can tell them what I know about the healing power of God’s grace. But can I make a promise in God’s behalf, giving encouragement when in fact God is the One to make the promises not me. And in fact God’s plan for Katy, Angela and our granddaughter are indeed just that. One can say generally but as I recall for myself, following God’s plan from initial thought to doing took 5 years and this was only a small plan of, where to go to church.
Concluding this rambling, I say. We believe to be doing God’s plan in Guatemala. Explaining what we know of God’s love and grace and smiling.
Please pray for our effectiveness while we plan and assume this to be our last year in Guatemala.
Let’s see what happens next week.
Dennis and Sue
