Across Paraguay are 'refuges' or shanty towns, they are dwellings made from scrap material although many have water and electricity.
Our first two visits today were focused on the needs of these areas in San Lorenzo at the Tekatou Clinic and then where we are staying in Asuncion at Rayita del Luz.
The programmes here work on an integrated mission approach with service and Corps listening to the people and then working with them to provide faith base solutions.
The clinic serves an area of dire need: terrible malnutrition, low hygiene levels, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, and prostitution. Childhood health is extremely low with worms and parasitic commonplace. The milk and oats programme provides for childhood nutrition to bring to an acceptable
weight and healthcheck; home visits and group work provide for those facing domestic violence and prostitution, education programme deal with sexual health in the young... The programme goes on and on. It is not funded externally with the exception of medication provided. There is the officer and just four employees and other volunteers from the corps in order to serve thousands of individuals effectively - their 'success' rate is at 70%!
The doctor in charge, Dr FloriaSanchez de Velasquez, has been at the clinic for very many years and sees the integrated mission approach as supporting the medical work of the clinic.
It is a life changing place.
We headed from there to the outskirts of Asuncion and Rayito de Luz. This Corps is in the middle of a flood plain area which recently devastated the housing driving those who were not already living in the refuge to seek shelter there. The conditions are indescribable, with open sewers flowing alongside the rough paths, children playing amongst the rubbish which covers the ground. But there is hope and laughter and many smiling faces.
Our community visit takes us into the home of one of the soldiers, Ethita, we spend time with her: the room is probably twelve feet square, with walls of plywood and a roof of corrugated plastic, a washing line hangs across the room. There are wardrobes to support the walls and provide some stability but, by necessity they take up much floorspace which is hard packed dirt. There are four beds in the space which accommodates Ethita, her husband and three children. Privacy is gained by dressing under the sheets of the bed, the same room is kitchen as well - foodstuffs occupy many available surfaces with the families possessions covering the rest. There is nowhere to put anything.
'How do you cope?' I ask.
The answer is powerful: 'this is what I have in life - God has been good to me! Although things are difficult here I know that I am not alone and because we are in this together we can support each mother and be good friends.' Ethita's smile is infectious as is the grace that she exhibits in these dire circumstances. She is, in every respect, a model Salvationist: her faith shines through, she helps her community in it's time of need, she witnesses to Christ's work in her life. I am deeply and thoroughly moved by this lady - then we discover she is the president of the national World Day of Prayer committee: she is a woman of prayer.
We walk away knowing we have had holy moments as we shared prayer in her home.
The corps hall is impossible to use - the Central sewer from the city runs next to the building and when the floods came the sewer filled flood waters filled it to a level of approximately five feet. It is still drying out and further floods may come in the next few weeks. But the corps' main ministry is providing educational support to the children of the refuge. The corps officers now carry out this programme from their own home having 65 children attending for various homework and educational support throughout the week - gathering in their yard and learning from the Salvationist teacher who provides the education.
Our last visit of the day was to return to El Redil children's home - as we arrive early I play football with some of the boys on the grass at the front of the home. They are not dazzled by my soccer skills! We are treated to a magic show by Elwyn Harries which the children enjoy and then a beautiful thing happens. The Captain at the home starts to sing and the children join in, a couple of worship choruses and then three of the children offer prayer. All is still, all is peace. These children who have known the worst forms of abuse and unkindness have a serenity which is hard to describe - but it is beautiful. As the captain says it is time for bed they move amongst the adults giving each one a hug and often a kiss on the cheek, thanking them for being there, receiving words of encouragement from the adults who in one way or another are surrogate parents to them and even to those of us visiting receive a warm farewell. One or two of the children hold tightly to the hug given - knowing they are loved, cared for and in a safe place.
God speaks in the words and touch of a child.
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2 comments:
How moving it was to read about Ethita and the children from the refuge. They have so little, yet they are so happy...we have so much and are not. What a blessing you must have received from these wonderful people x
Heart Rendering
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