Tonight I was able to watch a dvd of our time in Waspam. My children all commented that it looked like a National Geographic channel special and I felt the same way. We boarded our small 12 seater plane on Wednesday afternoon. I had never been on a plane this size and was nervous about the flight. I had to remind myself that the Lord was in total control.
We were in the air for a little over an hour and it took me a little while to get over the uneasiness in my belly every time the plane tipped to the left or the right. The pilot and co-pilot were literally a few feet away from me and I kept an eye on them watching for any sign of a problem.
The landing strip was nothing more that a dirt road with livestock running across it. A cow was shooed off just before our little plane landed. I was relieved to be on the ground again but everything around me was so very foreign. Children stood around watching us as we unloaded. We had two barrels of food to give to the Casa de Esperanza orphanage there and looked around for anyone who was able to help us get them to the hotel. Fortunately the Town office officials showed up in their truck and gave us a lift. The Town of Waspam was like stepping back in time. There were only 2 taxi drivers available and most people either walked or rode a bike. We were there to move the orphanage from one location to another. The home that they were in did not have running water or electricity. The new landlord assured us that this new home would have both.
The hotel we were to stay in was small but very comfortable. Coffee was always available and so was the internet. Our room was air conditioned, though we never turned it on and the only draw back was the lack of hot water.
Our first stop after dropping off our bags was to pick up a rental van from our friendly neighborhood rental car lady.
Trust me when I tell you that this van was nothing to be desired. Before we could drive it we had to wait about an hour for her to bring the battery to start it. On the way to the gas station to fill up with some diesel it ran out of the little it still had inside of it. Fortunately the four men with us took care of the van that needed a little tlc the whole time we had it.
We headed to the orphanage and met the 4 children there. They were beautiful kids of which two had the misfortune of contracting chicken pox. We had to get a hold of the local pediatrician (who happen to ride by us on a bicycle) and asked if he would come by and take a look at them. He came by a bit later and said that they were at the end stage of the chicken pox and just needed a little cream to help with the itching.
The day was a success and we were able to move all of the furniture over to the new home and the children settled in nicely that evening.
The next morning we headed out to the Rio Coco River and watched people load their belongings on canoos that would take them up river.
Some of these people lived a very long way away and going up river was the best means of transportation for them.
We spent a little more time in the orphanage that Thursday as we had to get the electricity on and find out about the water. We were told the water would be on about 2-3 times per week. Well, I guess that is better than never.
I was fortunate to meet a lovely 14 year old young lady that Mi Familia (Waspam’s version of child protection services) sent to the home a few short days before we arrived. She was 7 ½ months pregnant and my heart went out to her as she looked very young. Charity (New Hopes director) did her best in speaking to her through a translator as her only language was Miskito. It was later discussed that she would be better off in the Hope house in Managua, at least until she had the baby.
The rest of the day was spent running around town getting things done.
Friday was by far my best day. We were up bright and early with an appointment with the vice Mayor and two police officers that would escort us to the remote areas of Waspam to look for children that may be in need. We picked up a few drinks and snacks and headed out to pick up our escorts. The police officers were armed with a shot gun and a hand gun, not sure if that is the proper names for them but never the less one was small and in a holster and one was long and hung on the younger officers back.
The rode to the remote village was not an easy one. The van literally jumped up and down with the dips in the road as we swerved left to right trying to avoid bigger ones. Twice we had to cross a bridge that you couldn’t pay me to walk across let alone drive a van full of people across. I just closed my eyes and reminded myself…God is in control!
After about 2 hours we pulled to the side of the road and walked the rest of the way.
We arrived at the home of an extraordinary child named Ruby. She is 12 years old and has weighed in at an astonishing 18 pounds.
When I first met her she was sitting at the doorway of her house staring out at us. I had never seen a child so small for her age. Charity had seen her before and had worked very hard trying to persuade the Father to give permission for us to offer her some help. This time he agreed. After we held her for a bit and gave her and her sisters lollipops and kisses, we told her we would be back to get her in about an hour.
We walked a few more kilometers and met up with an elderly woman who was separating the husk from rice. She was hitting the rice with a very heavy wooden mallet in what looked like a very large wooden cup. We were so fascinated by her that we had to stop and just talk to her. Of coarse she spoke to English or Spanish, so the Vice Mayor did all of the translating. When we asked how old she was, she told us that she did not know.
I wish I could explain how it felt to be among the Miskito people. As we walked to the next home I watched the children run around us. The live stock roamed freely together, none were caged in. The chickens ran with their chicks behind them likewise the pigs wallowed in the mud with their young. Horses and cows walked by close enough to graze my back pack. I had to remind myself to keep an eye on the ground because as you can imagine there were lots of piles that my sneakers were trying their best to avoid.
We stopped by one home of a grandmother who was caring for 3 year old granddaughter. She had a disability that made her unable to stand, walk, talk or eat solid food. She was the size of an 18 month old child. She was not malnourished or uncared for, but the grandmother said that she was unable to continue to care for her. She said that she would get her ready and agreed to let us take her to get her some medical attention at New Hopes expense then reunite them in the future. We waited outside as she got her ready and she agreed to come back with us to town to fill out the necessary legal paperwork.
After a few more stops to talk with the villagers and pray with a mom who had reently lost her daughter, we headed back for Ruby.
She was dressed in a small dress probably for a one year old. As soon as she saw Charity she smiled and held out her arms. Tony held her all the way to the van and her mother followed behind us.
The ride back to town was uneventful except that Ruby was terribly afraid of the van. She cried a bit in the car before she calmed down and put her blanket over her head.
Having the officers with us was a good idea, especially when we would get to a road blocked by workers who would look up at us and go right back to their work in the middle of the road. The officers would then jump out of the van brandishing their weapons to which the workers would promptly move out of the way with apologies.
I was exhausted that night and slept very well. The next day was Saturday and we were scheduled to fly out at noon.
We spent the morning running around trying to tie up loose ends and get things done. I was to fly back with the 3 year old and hand her over to the missionary doctor. Ruby was being seen by a pediatrician who let us know that she was severely dehydrated and sick. He suggested that she stay at clinic for a bit with an IV and take some medication. After purchasing items to take care of the home and sitting with Ruby at the hospital for a while, we headed out to catch our flight. The plane was scheduled to land and take off in within 15 minutes and Charity and her husband Leo had not arrived with the 3 year old. I was beginning to think that they were not going to make it, but as we stood in line outside of the plane I could see their van racing down the road.
They made it! The grandmother handed me her grandchild with tears in her eyes and my heart was very heavy for her. She kissed me on the cheek and I kissed her back, I wanted to cry with her. I told her that her granddaughter would be ok, and that she would see her soon and a woman in line translated to her.
We boarded the plane and it was off in a matter of minutes.
Thank goodness she slept the whole flight and I took the cue to do the same. Tony took more pictures of the scenery.
When we landed we were greeted at the entrance to Managua airport by our drivers and the doctor who would care for the baby. She was very happy to receiver her. I was happy to be back in Managua, but was very sad to leave the children needing help behind. Tony is very interested by the prospect of flying back and forth every month to help out over there, so please keep us in prayer.
more to come...
