Thank you for following along with my journey. This week was really good. A couple times a week we go to the Arco Iris Hospital, which serves those in poverty. At the hospital we visit the children, those that are sick or have sick family members, and we give them toys and play with them. It's a really simple and humbling activity, but it's amazing to see the joy that it brings to the children. A picture book or a rainbow sticker is often enough to make a child feel special and loved. Last Wednesday, when we visited the hospital, I met a young boy named Christopher. He is about seven years old and is very sick. He has been fighting a chest infection that has led to infectious arthritis. That means, along with continuous coughing, he has extreme joint pain. That's a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone a young child. In addition, his mother wasn't with him because she had to leave the hospital to try to find money to pay for his care. So this little boy sat in his room all alone. What could I do? Nothing much. I'm not a Physician Assistant yet, so sometimes I feel helpless in these situations. But I remembered that showing love is a simple task that makes a big difference. So I carried some children's books up to his room. "Quieres leer?" I asked. "Si" he whimpered. So that's what I did, I read him some books. After each book he would say "otro libro", meaning he wanted me to read him another. Book after book I sat with him, butchering the simple Spanish words, reading to him the playful children's stories. Reading Dr.Seuss in English is hard enough, but reading it in Spanish was nearly impossible. But, despite my poor reading skills, he seemed to enjoy my company. After about six books he told me he was tired and wanted to rest. I told him that's okay, you can rest and I reminded him that God cares for him and is going to help him get better. He nodded and pointed to a cross hanging above his bed. I left his room feeling such love for him. I was reminded that before I can serve as a Physician Assistant, I need to learn how to serve with simple acts of love. I was reminded that God cares for His people and that he sees the little child alone in his hospital bed. He loves them so much. I couldn't do much that day, but I think the simple act of caring was enough. It showed me that loving others isn't difficult and can be as easy as taking the time to read a book or just smiling at someone.
4 Comments
Lisa M Plummer
6/19/2016 04:07:20 pm
This is so very true. Love the one in front of you. Love well. Be present. Pour out all the love inside of you. Give it away! Watch God fill you up again and again!
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Margaret Sheller
6/19/2016 04:29:50 pm
That is "TOTALLY AWESOME', don't you just love the way the Lord is using you to show His love to others!!! Your pictures are awesome too!! wish I was trhere with you!! Love, Hugs & Blessings, margaret
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Ally Bulvin
6/20/2016 12:26:59 pm
So beautiful, Chantal. Hearing about the ways God is using you to love his people makes me so happy!
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Jennifer De Barros
6/22/2016 10:12:40 pm
You are truly making memorable and happy times for those with whom you are sharing love and doing the same for yourself in the process. I am so so happy you made this trip. It has enriched your life is so many ways. I continue to be super proud of you.
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