I thought you all might enjoy getting to know some of the girls I work with. I want to try and feature one girl each week...we'll see how it goes.
Manuela is 44 years old. Not only is she deaf, but she also has a developmental disability, which gives her the sweetness and innocence of a child. Despite being half toothless, Manuela has the most beautiful smile, which lights up her whole face. She also has a real servant's heart. One day I found her in the kitchen washing the pots, a chore that belonged to one of the other girls.
Every morning, when the other girls head off to school, Manuela heads over to the kitchen where she helps the cook make lunch. In the afternoon, while the other girls are doing homework and such, Manuela often likes to keep herself occupied with her attempts at embroidery and knitting.
Manuela is really quite intelligent, and she understands when she is asked to do something. She is also able to communicate in sign language. I confess, to my shame, that at first I assumed she didn't know how to sign properly and assumed that her signs made no sense. As I have gotten to know her, I've begun to understand some of her signing. One of her favourite subjects is her teeth. She often points to them and asks us to take her to get them pulled, because of the terrible tooth aches she suffers from. The only problem is that if she gets them pulled, she will have no teeth left to eat with. As it is, she finds it hard to eat some food items. At breakfast the other girls are always considerate enough to find the softest bun for Manuela.
Manuela sometimes will talk about her "mom." Sadly Manuela has no family and lives here at the centre year-round.
At Thursday evening meetings and on Sunday mornings, the children usually take turns going up and leading a song. Sometimes Manuela is asked to go up. I love to see the love and joy that shine from her face as she shines: "Thank you Jesus!" I don't know how much she understands about God, but I believe she loves Him.
RANDOM INFO. (about my life here): It's very convenient living with deaf people when you have a sore throat! There's no need to tire my voice by speaking, because it's all signs! In fact, I didn't even realize I had gone hoarse last night until I got a call from my mom and I could barely talk!
THANKSGIVING (Blessings):
-Manuela's life.
-I got to see my dad briefly on Friday morning as he was speaking at a pastor's retreat in Cochabamba.
-This last weekend was my first weekend off, and I had a very special time going into the city and spending time with friends!
-Apart from a sore throat, I have been healthy!
-God is giving me joy and contentment!
-The girls are responding positively to my attempts to read the Bible together in the evenings after dinner.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
-That God's love would be very real in Manuela's life.
-That my life would be an example to the girls in everything I say and do.
-For lots of wisdom and patience in my role as a "mother."
-For continued joy and contentment.
I love the way you write. I'm going to enjoy "meeting" each of your girls! I'm still working on ideas for keeping them occupied during quiet times.
ReplyDeleteAww, she sounds so sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteIs it difficult to understand one's "level" of faith, or how much they comprehend it when you can only communicate through sign language?
My work verification was "swedi".
ReplyDeleteI thought that was cute. :)
Thank you for this look into some of the difficult realities of life for the deaf & disabled in Bolivia! To want to have your teeth pulled but not be able to because you need to eat; to not have an earthly family; I can't imagine either of those things in my own life.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad for a God who loves us and who we can love without having to understand! Because really, when it comes down to it, how much do any of us understand about God?
Yes, it is VERY difficult to understand each girl's "level" and understanding of faith! Language is such a big barrier. Their vocabulary is so limited, even in sign language, and my sign language skills and comprehension still need a lot of improvement! I think most, if not all, of the girls would claim to be Christians. Only God knows their hearts, and I trust that He will work in the hearts of those who maybe don't yet genuinely know Him.
ReplyDeleteSO true!!! Everyone's understanding of God is SO imperfect. I'm SO glad God accepts simple faith like that of Manuela. I doubt she could list the attributes of God or explain redemption, and yet I bet she has a more genuine faith and relationship with her heavenly Father than many of us intellectual people.