| The Albert and Catherine Reasoner
Medical Clinic in Palmas treats patients and has wellness programs
that range from home visits to newborn babies to exercise and
social programs for older adults.
To my great joy, I have returned to working directly with Bethel
Children’s Home part of the time. During the organizational
turbulence of the Association, Bethel Children’s Home lost
the vision and practice of putting the children’s needs
above administrative convenience. The staff was reduced and various
problems ensued. Housemothers did not live in, but worked 24-hour
shifts on alternate days. The family atmosphere became fragmented,
and the children lost the sense of stability and belonging.
In January 2005, Ana Lucia became the new coordinator at the
Children’s Home, and in time, we were able to evaluate some
of the difficulties that had become apparent with the help of
Ester, the Christian psychologist, who has been working at Bethel
for about 18 months.
Last June, Rose, a long-time housemother, moved back into the
girls’ household to begin return to the “major mom
with helpers” concept. Only 3 of the current 12 girls were
there in the “old days.” For a few weeks little Adriana,
3, and Rafaela, 5, would ask Rose each day off, “Will you
be back tomorrow?” A few weeks later the boys’ house
also had house parents. Socorro and Arlindo brought three children
to live with the boys, who love having a father figure. Little
Diego arrived a couple of months before the change in system,
and although he was already 3, he had not been potty trained,
and spoke only a few words. Just a few weeks after the system
change I was having afternoon snack with the boys and a visitor
arrived. Socorro was introducing people (big and little) around
the table and before she got to him, Diego popped up loudly, “I
am Diego!” We all chuckled. The improvement in the lives
of the all children has been gratifying and comforting.
At my own house, son Andrew (21) is changing his major in college
from physical education to computer systems. Michael is beginning
a course in philosophy at the prestigious and public (tuition
free) University of São Paulo. He is living with a friend
from Sorocaba in an apartment and comes home for weekends.
In Jesus’ amazing love,
Virginia
The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 45 |
