Our family has been very busy the last few weeks. Last week Jeremiah finished helping another group with work projects in Limonada. The girls and I also got a chance to participate in the program for the kids at the school. There are many stories to share, though one of the greatest privileges during this experience has been getting to know Tita, the woman who runs the school in La Limonada. She lives her life for God like no one i have ever met, blessing everyone around her. I am not sure exactly what washing feet looks like in our modern world, but i felt like i needed a way to wash Tita's feet.

 

So yesterday I took Tita to the mall to get a pedicure, her first. We sat in our massage chairs as our feet were washed, as well as beautified. As we drank our tea, I listened to some of Tita's experiences and how she has allowed God to use her. As she shared stories from her experiences in Limonada, I was specifically drawn to the story of a young lady who lives in Limonada named Tanya. One of Tita's first experiences with her was 8 years ago in the community hospital. At 16, Tanya was raising her younger 4 siblings, selling drugs to help. Tanya's mother died several years prior, though Tanya had taken the mother role long before her mother died. Tanya had been in the hospital after one of her brothers had died from a gun shot while a bullet in her spine left her paralyzed from the waist down. Tanya's hospital roommate told Tita she wanted to live, while Tanya prayed to die. However, Tanya did live and her roommate died.

 

Tanya has been begging for food at an intersection for the last several years. A few weeks ago, another one of Tanya's brothers died from a gun shot leaving a wife and kids, and Tanya is in the hospital once again. On Monday she lost one of her legs, resulting from a bad break which she had ignored since she has no feeling below her waist. As my own feet were being massaged and cared for, I was struck with a feeling of unworthiness. Today, I went with Tita to visit Tanya in the hospital. She is an absolutely beautiful young 24 year old woman. She is confused and desperately trying to make sense of everything. Tita brought her a stuffed bunny which Tanya named after her recently deceased brother, as well as some Ensure and vitamins. Due to the poor conditions of the community hospital Tanya remains very malnourished. Tita's ability to love so passionately and provide immediate needs for those in this community is such a blessing to witness. I began to cry seeing the tears in Tanya's eyes as Tita prayed for her.

 

I don't know how this experience will effect my future, but i feel so blessed to be here at this time. I so long for the things i have seen to continue to remain with me.

 

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.  Romans 10:15