Words from Mema

  Monday started early for Alli as she got up with Mema to take her to the airport.  If you don't know, Mema is Alli's grandmother and she has been living with us for the past 3 months.  You may be thinking that we were taking care of her but that is actually quite opposite.  See, when we started praying about moving to Costa Rica a few years ago Mema was also praying about moving to Costa Rica with us.  Mema has a desire to serve the Lord wherever she goes.  She knew that our little family would have many needs in moving to Costa Rica.  She made it her mission to bless us in many ways as possible.  She has already spent a total of 5 months down here with us.  She has been such a huge blessing to us and a dear friend to Alli.  Recently she wrote a letter to her daughter sharing some of her thoughts.  With her permission we would like to share it with you.

                  Hi love. 

I wanted to send you information about Verbena, the poorest of poor area where the Nicaraguan squatters live. I went with a team from Denver. Spencer drove Alli and me there as I couldn't walk that very rough mile in and out. Those people live in tin and cardboard houses with human waste running by their homes covered by decaying old wood. But the children come out by the dozens to play with the people from 6:8. They play really hard for about an hour and a half.

Then it is a long, difficult climb over those rotting boards to a very simple little church building run by a local Pentecostal church. We have a Spanish speaking pastor on staff that leads singing (with lots of movements) and tells a Bible story that everyone can understand. Then a few more songs and finally, lunch.

The ladies from the church bring a huge container of soup. It is very good but very hot. I was holding a little boy on my lap and put my purse between him and the bowl so it wouldn't burn him. The little guy was so hungry, I could hardly get him to wait while I blew on the soup to cool it. Once he sucked it right in and had to spit it right out. At one point he wanted to help, so he blew so hard the hot rice flew into my purse. He ate every bite of a fairly large bowl that had lots of good ingredients. He smiles up at me so sweetly, I'll be praying for him for years to come.

Yesterday I went to the local orphanage for the severely handicapped. There were many very young children but also older (16 - 30 yrs) that I saw which were still very young mentally and some physically. I fed an 18 year old her dinner. She could not speak or walk, not sure if partly blind, but she ate every bite of her dinner.

There was a precious little boy (3yrs?) that had his hands and feet burned off by his father. He has to be fed thru a feeding tube. His little body and mind will never recover here. But he loved to smile when he was held and rocked. There were several children with feeding tubes because they couldn't learn to swallow. But all those orphans were clean, feed and helped as much as possible. There are six nuns that take care of everyone every day of their short lives. I left thanking God for those Catholic nuns. We are blessed to go and help feed and play with those that can respond. I had pushed a young girl (13yr?) in her wheelchair, and when I patted her hand to say audios, she grabbed my hand so tight I could not get it free. I finally asked one of our staff to come take my place because I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

As sad as the orphanage was, it is not as sad as Verbena. The needs are met at the orphanage and the children are content. The children at Verbena have so little hope for a better life than their parents. It isn't the lack of wealth, but the filth, drugs and sins as a way of life that breaks your heart. Only Christ can break that bondage and one heart at a time. This may be where the children for the ranch may come from.

Wow, this is long, but wanted to share a part of 6:8 Ministries as I can. The staff goes out almost every day serving in so many areas and ways. Alli takes and includes me as much as possible. It is truly amazing how many poor Ticos know the staff of 6:8.

Boys are up from nap time and a group of young believers are coming over for game night later. So, will run and help where I can.

Mucho agape,
Mom

Mema will be missed for now.  She is planing on coming back in April for a 6 month stay.  When you remember to pray for us please pray for her too.