Real Update!

As I promised, here are some stories from outreach. This little angel is Gina. Her mom brought her in for counseling, along with her teacher, because she was having trouble in school. One day she could write her name, and the next day she couldn't. They told me (right in front of her) that they thought she might be mentally handicapped. So I talked to the girl by herself, and what a doll! Nothing wrong with her. She did mention that she has no one to play with and that she plays with an old dish towel by herself in her room. (I made sure that we got her one of the dolls that was donated- see photo below). And she told me enough to know that there was stuff going on in her house.

So I brought her mom in and gently explained to her that when children don't have their basic needs met (love, safety, security, etc), they can't perform in school. So she mentioned, "Oh, by the way, she was raped by her neighbor last year." Now, I am no Nancy Drew, but maybe there is a connection? Oh, I was so mad and heartbroken for this little girl. Here she had been through this TRAUMA, and her family responds by calling her retarded, saying that she was slutty because she puts on high heels and wants to be a singer. AH! So she became my special most specialest friend at the brigade. She was with me all the time. I made a big deal about her doing everything with me, that I picked HER to be my helper, etc. And one day I was in a counseling session and I asked if she could stay in the room in there with us. Why? Because she randomly sat down and said, "Do you want to see me write my name?" I almost cried. When she feels loved and special, all of those secondary things just come. Of course she can write her name when people believe in her. This was another little girl named Jinet in another city. She brought me mangos every day. So cute.
These were two sisters that came in for counseling. We had a great time. She wept and wept. But it breaks my heart that we can't do follow up. One counseling session can't undo years of heart break. Pray that God would send godly women to Callejas to disciple these young girls.
After being on this outreach, it is more evident to me my passion to work in counseling and with the family. I really want to continue growing in this area. I especially want to study more on sexual abuse in the family. So predominant here! Especially in the smaller towns. It is so heartbreaking and families just don't know how to deal with it.

Update on my health- I am dengue free. I did my blood control test yesterday and my platelets are back to normal. Thank you for praying!