Every Friday we load up in 4 or 5 vans and head out in
teams to visit the sick and elderly in the area surrounding the Lord’s Food
Bank in Juarez, Mexico. Each van is assigned a different route with about 10 -
12 stops to make. Besides bringing groceries for the week, we also spend some
time chatting with whomever we are visiting, finding out how each person is
doing and what new needs they may have that we can help meet.
There are two very beautiful children with special needs
that we get to see on these weekly visits. Mayra, a 14 year old girl, has been
cared for by her grandmother since birth. She was born severely disabled and
cannot move or talk, although she can hear. Her mother felt unable to care for
her and gave her to Mayra’s grandmother. Since Mayra is bedridden, we include a
supply of diapers along with the usual groceries that we bring.
Nearby is Rafael’s family. We just found out about Rafael
recently and have added his family to our routes. Rafael’s dad struggles to
support his family by working at a bakery, while Rafael’s mom stays home to
care for her special needs son. Rafael is also confined to bed and cannot
speak, but he gets very excited when visitors drop by to see him. He has a huge
smile and his whole body jerks in delight when we walk in.
Both of these children are lovingly cared for by their
families — families that face such hardship and challenges in their poverty and
need but who have deep faith in God and real love for these precious children
entrusted to them. On my first visit to meet Rafael, I was struck by the photos
proudly displayed on the walls of him as a baby and as a younger boy.
As we were leaving, we sensed Rafael’s mom wanted to tell
us something but seemed embarrassed to do so. Apologetically she said, “The
diapers you brought last week are too big for him.” She showed the size he
needed held next to the rather large size we had brought. Happily we assured
her we’d bring the correct size the following week.
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