My first day at Baca Ortiz was something I will not soon forget: throngs of people sat listlessly in a dark waiting room as an unfamiliar smell permeated the air. Many parents with children bundled in their arms looked longingly at me as I wandered by. In that moment I realized that this hospital was unlike any I had ever been to. And I was in for far more than I expected.
After 5 flights of stairs I entered the hematology and oncology floor. It was bright as the sun shone onto the walls, illuminating colorful paintings of butterflies and flowers. The rooms were quiet with the flicker of cartoons and the beeps of monitors. The kids were of different ages, from all parts of Ecuador and at different stages of health. I saw the desperation and exhaust in the faces of the parents and knew I had to put my feelings of anxiety and sadness aside to be the much needed distraction for the patients. I sat down with Jenifer, an 11 yro girl from a province outside of Quito. Her hands were sore and bruised from many injections and couldn't grasp markers or put together a puzzle. We read a Barbie princess book that seemed to put her mind at ease and take her to another place. When I left I promised that the next time she would be coloring her own magical pictures. She did just that. Every week Jenifer's strength grew along with her smile. We made necklaces, clay figurines and one day she was even able to get out of her bed and walk to the toy closet with me. On one of my visits I saw her mother packing her belongings away into a suitcase and she gleefully told me, “we get to go home!” She hugged me and with a warm fuzzy hat on she happily walked to the elevator. I still see her occasionally, but it is only when I catch her coming or going to one of her bi-weekly treatments. Her resilience and attitude are an inspiration to me, but she is not the only one. All of the kids at Baca Ortiz have tremendous spirits to overcome leukemia. Their ability to smile in the face of something so scary reminds me to be grateful for what I have and never hesitate to smile myself.
-Emily Terrell
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Jesus said: It is more blessed to give than to receive" ~Act 20:35
ReplyDeleteJesus said: "The King will reply,'I tell you the truth whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ~Matthew 25:40
We give this monitary gift in honor of my sister Emily. You have witnessed first hand the needs of these children and their families and made it possible for them to be blessed in their time of pain and uncertainity. I pray that Jesus will give them all peace during these times and that God's will will be done in all of their lives. ~Amen
With love,
~The Garcia Family
~Merry Christmas....Jesus IS the reason for the season. May you all be richly blessed!