Women

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For most it is their only hope, for a few, it is their last hope. The Chorti indians were driven into the mountains as western civilization encroached on their land. As in all cases where civilizations clash, one group had to lose.

The City of Refuge is being built for a lost people. It will eventually house a technical training school that will give them a chance to survive in a modern world. Today, Building Believers In Christ assembled a makeshift medical clinic in a cinder block building that will one day be a school and a permanent medical clinic. The doctor and nurses administered medicines while a pastor from Alabama, along with others, gave the medicine of the Spirit.

One woman stood out not because of her infirmity, which is severe, but because of her perseverance. I do not know her name, but her walk was almost bold. She traveled alone for one and a half hours by bus today to reach the clinic. She walks with a straight stick for balance, and on the sides of her feet. Twenty-years ago, she fell into a fire and the wounds on her feet are yet to heal.

As the nurse unwound the ragged bandages and wraps, her raw flesh and deformed feet were exposed. Her wound has not healed because, in the harsh rural mountains, she is unable to clean her feet. It is not that she will not bathe or wash, it is because the Guatemalan mountains are harsh on those with afflictions where rain, for some, is the common source of clean water.

With gentleness, the nurse cleaned the wound and applied a common household antibiotic ointment. That simple medicine may help the wound to finally heal. To help in the coming days, the nurse gave her extra bandages and two tubes of the ointment with instructions to apply it each day.

After receiving medical care, she slowly, but resolutely, walked away on the sides of her feet. Her cane kept her upright and her spirit gave her a bold walk. She was not looking for sympathy, nor did she look for assistance in walking. Her posture was strong and had a sense of confidence that many who are much more healthy often appear to lack.

Though our paths crossed only for a short while, I know I will never forget her. If I start to feel sorry for myself, or think something is unfair, I will remind myself of the Guatemalan woman who came alone, but did not walk alone.

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