Something beautiful

Last week we discovered a 91 year old grandma living down the street from our safehouse in a little hut by herself. She has no one to look after her, and she has lived in poverty often going out without food, never bathing, and everything she owned was dirty. She has been so neglected. She has open sores on her legs from where she fell down (and no one was there to help her). We were so sad and shocked to see her living all alone in these conditions. The first day, we gave her a bath, wrapping her in a sarong, and sitting out in the sunshine, we poured warm water over her and scrubbed away layers upon layers of built up dirt. Her body is so fragile, my fingers can wrap around her arms and legs, she is literally skin and bones.

Everyday little by little, we've gone over to help her, washing her clothes, cleaning her house, bringing food, and bringing the children to play with her. They both love it, it's so amazing to see these kids, who used to live on the street and live in pathetic conditions but now who live in a place where they receive love and care, come over to her house, feel sorry for her, offer to help sweep her floor and wash her clothes, and sit with her. Her eyes simply light up when they're around.

Today we got to buy some new clothes and shoes for grandma (she only had 2 mismatched worn out flip flops and raggedy stained clothing). After a bath and powdering her face, and combing her hair, she put on her new clothes and we all had tears in our eyes, something beautiful was happening.

We replaced her musty very dirty bedding and ripped up mosquito net and replaced them with a new clean mattress, sheets, pillow, blanket and net. I love being able to help people in this way, it makes all of us smile.

Praise God that we discovered grandma, we've received such a blessing from knowing her, and she has been able to receive so much love and care as well. She is a source of healing for the children, and also receives healing from her loneliness from being with them. It's truly a blessing from God that we met her. It has brought meaning and purpose to all of our lives. Even the community is coming by to visit her now, bringing food, curious about who all these kids are that are visiting her.

Love and blessings to you all! I hope you can share a taste of this beautiful something that is forming here.