First - I want to thank everyone who comments on my blog - for those of you who send words of encouragement and support - you have no idea what it means to me...so please, keep reading and keep praying and keep those comments coming....they are my life line!!
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Today was when the Consejo was to meet - not unexpected - but still disappointing - we learned that they did not meet today! So again, we find ourselves in a holding pattern - they may possibly meet sometime this week but for sure, next Monday - that is what we are being told. Tim and I have never known the Consejo to meet when they say they will - we hear from all our contacts that yes, they are meeting and then they don't. What I have learned is that I have no control over this and all I can do is ...... wait!!
Well, I had bigger plans today besides waiting to see if the Consejo would meet or not - I had plans to take a very special young man to his new home! Let me tell you a little bit about Alberto. Many of you know about Alberto - he has been one of the young men at Puente de Amistad since I have been going there - Alberto is one of the special children who stand out - he connects with so many people on many different levels. He wants to know who you are, all about your family and why you come to Nicaragua. He is a spiritual young man - who loves God and has such a strong spirit. He has touched many people.
Alberto is 17 and due to his age, was asked to leave the orphanage. Last Spring when our team was here, Alberto was making plans to go home to his family. His family life has been difficult - his mother is a prostitute, he doesn't know where his father is, he has several siblings who are also struggling - I met his young 14 year old sister who had just had a baby. Alberto wanted to go home and support his family in any way he could.
Soon after Alberto went home - he realized that the situation was dire. They had no food, he could not attend school and he was seen in the streets of Managua begging for money. This young man with so much potential was now in a very bad situation. When we heard of this, we started to look at options - the organization we work with, OrphaNetwork assisted us in identifying places he could go that would support him.
When I came to Nicaragua - I asked Maria Jose (director of the orphanage) what the status was with Alberto and I found out that he was still in the streets. So I contacted OrphaNetwork and discussed options with them - we had several conversations with Maria Jose - who contacted Alberto and asked him if he would be interested in living at Casa Bernabe.
Casa Bernabe is another orphanage outside of town that has many older children - they have a fabulous school (one of the best in Nicaragua) and they also teach the kids trades such as; bike repair, agriculture and baking/cooking, to help prepare them for the outside world. The issues were to insure that they had room for Alberto and that we could afford to send him. Well, we worked everything out and picked up Alberto today and took him to his new home!!
We met with the director, Carlos who explained all about Alberto's new home - we met with the psychologist who will assist him in the transition, and help Alberto get settled in his new room. We got a list of things he needs for school (uniform, school supplies etc...) and some things he wants (music, music, music) and the girls and I will be coming back on Thursday to check on him and bring him what he needs/wants. He is - of course - extremely apprehensive about his new surroundings, he doesn't know anyone and is starting over - but we explained to him how incredible it is that he has this chance to shine. He has opportunities again - he will be able to focus on school and his future!! I am so excited for him!!!
Driving away was difficult - he was walking by himself towards his house...walking slowly and with his head down. I kept imagining how scared he must be - how discouraged he must feel about his family and how he couldn't help them - how his dreams have been shattered. The loss that this young man has felt so early in his life - it's unimaginable.
We have been sharing Alberto's story with our church family and a very good friend of ours felt so devastated by his situation - she wanted to do something - so she went to a local food bank and donated food. If she couldn't help Alberto directly, she would help someone else. How amazing is that? Isn't that what we all should do when we feel helpless? Make a difference in any way we can? Our sweet Alberto is helping people he doesn't even know!!
Alberto helped me today. Helped me take a little control and to make something happen. To let him know how much he is loved and how we are all pulling for him. Today was a gift to me - one that will keep on giving as Alberto keeps on shining.
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Hey Love...I found myself the other day describing the situation with Alberto and your ability to be engaged in his life. At the end of this conversation I said "it is such a blessing to have you in Nicaragua"...and then it struck me...WHAT DID I JUST SAY? You are on Day 45 as of today, I have seen you 5 of those days which leaves 40 without you (not that I am counting!) and it is a BLESSING that you are in Nicaragua?!?!?! Lets see...all of the things I caught myself saying "BLESSING about" involved someone else's life...all of the others? Involved me :-(...just a little self centered eh?. Hummmm, maybe this is a lesson for us all. Getting involved in other people's lives is hard and involves sacrifice for sure...but it can be such a gift in the end. You know how I always talk about the fact that things involving God tends to be "logic upside down"...this is yet another case of it. Know that my gift is the sacrifice of missing you BUT knowing the impact you are having on Alberto, our girls and the people you touch in Nica. Love you soooooo much. p.s. AND COME HOME SOON!
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