Friday, March 2, 2012

Pancakes and Lice




This is my little 1-year-old friend Esdrys but we call her Essy for short.  She is Vanessa's baby sister and I am taking my turn watching her today because her regular caregiver has company in town and so Vanessa can go to school.


I started my day out wanting to complain about something insignificant.  Then Vanessa knocked on the door and less than 30 seconds later, I got a little perspective.  I am to spend my morning with one of the sweetest babies in the world who has lice in her hair and fleas jumping off her clothes.  As Essy eats pancakes, I comb out the lice and boil water to kill the lice and fleas on her clothes.  My thoughts turn to her mother who is heavily involved in drugs, prostitution and who leaves her 4 children home alone for weeks on end to fend for themselves.  I can't tell you how sad it is and if I let myself go down that road, my heart will be heavy and I will be in a rut for the rest of the day.  Instead, I am thankful that God crossed our (the Steed's and Schmidt's) paths with this family and our families get to love and care for these kids when their mom won't.  None of my silly complaints compare to the problems this precious little girl has.


On a lighter note, I can't help but to feel itchy and would love some more lice kits.  :) 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Miriam and Marco

Last week we celebrated Miriam and Marco's new home.  They are a sweet family and have 2 children (Selvin and Kelly) -  I can't ever get over baby Kelly and her cheeks.
Kelly is a almost as big as her mama

Miriam is Melvin's sister - see Melvin here -  both families live on the same property down the street from us.  (Melvin's new house is in the process of being built and will be done in a couple of weeks).  During the construction of Miriam's house, Marco was there every day working hard.  Normally you don't see the men much but Marco doesn't have work right now.  He could have been out doing all kinds of things but he was right there, with Selvin by his side, doing all he could to help.  I am always touched at the ceremonies because the families get bathed and wear their best clothes and shoes.  Sometimes their best look like rags to us but to them, they are proud.  For Marco it was pants that were too big and a shirt that was worn and thin and too big, worn white sneakers.  He wore the best he had for one of the biggest blessings his family has ever received.  This family doesn't have much.  But it doesn't really matter.  What matters is what our hearts wear and their's were clothed in gratitude to God for His amazing blessing. 
Marco and Selvin helping the crew

New home

Old, tiny corn stalk shack

Their small bed for the four of them to sleep

Old bathroom

Inside their new home with plenty of light

Their new stove and those cheeks again