El Cercado

What I have experienced today is almost surreal. An incredible range of emotions. I hope writing them down helps me process through them. Nicole and I left this morning for El Cercado. We took her daughter and brother-in-law. Nicole started her ministry years ago in El Cercado and her Dominican husband has family there.

Nicole checked in with the clinic. I was responsible to get some pictures of students for an Solid Rock publication. It was recess and I joined a baseball game.

They wanted me to hit. In a stroke of pure luck, I launched it over their school and into a patio. Once a Dominican, always a Dominican. LOL. It was a steel bat, an underhand pitch and a tennis ball, but the details are overrated.

After the ten year olds carried me around the bases, Nicole took a local doctor, an administrator and me to check on a malnourished baby. Esmalina, the baby's mom, is 13 years old. She lives alone with her 2 month old baby boy (Isaiah) in the house below.

The baby's dad is long gone. Esmalina's dad is gone. Her own mother was ashamed of her, so she moved too. We walked into a dirt floor house, with sheets for interior doors, to give formula to an abandoned child, who has a child.  

As we left the home, Nicole challenged the neighbors to provide meals and care for Esmalina. We drove to the home of her mom in hopes of getting some documents and assistance. Mom wanted nothing to do with her and provided us nothing. How could we leave a 13 year old all alone in that home with a baby? My mind and emotions struggle to comprehend. My heart even now continues to ache.

We drove home a different way than we came. Our journey took us thru Vallijelo. The family of the Compassion International child we supported for 12 years lives here. It was my fifth opportunity to see them. What a great reunion we had.

Such extremes - A 13 year old who we struggle to help, sandwiched between a joyous reunion with a family who's child we did help and 10 year olds playing at recess. 

My fear is I will leave and I will forget.