All in a Week...
Wonder what it’s like to go on the weekly visits to these guys’ houses? Let’s follow Anna around…. Anna wanted to give the guys and their families something tangible, so as she visited homes, she took a copy of El Alcohol. It is an article, written by a physician, that outlines why he chooses not to drink intoxicating beverages. Anna also bought 24 pastries for 100 cordobas (about $3) that she took with her to distribute. Pablo wasn’t home, and Alcides wasn’t home. Jason was home, but he was asleep on his bed. Jason’s mom talked with Anna, and Anna gave the family 5 of the pastries. Jason’s little brother began eating one of them right away. He seemed pleased to have this treat. Jason’s mom comes to the Thursday meetings, even when Jason doesn’t come. Next, it was on to Herling’s house. Herling was gone. Then Elbin. Not there either, so Anna left a couple pastries in a bag, and the article, just inside the plastic curtain that serves as a door to his living space. As Anna was walking down the street after leaving Elbin’s house, Elbin called out to her. He seemed grateful for the things Anna had left him. Next stop was Karolyna’s place. Karolyna was making guirilas, which are like thick tortillas made with tough Nicaraguan baby corn. Karolyna invited Anna to stay so that she could learn how to make them. Anna worked with Karolyna for a couple hours. Anna ground the corn, put the masa on a banana leaf, and then cooked the concoction on a hot iron plate. Karolyna promised to show her how to make buñuelos (a type of fritter) for next Thursday’s meeting. After cooking at Karolyna’s house, Anna headed out to Ramon’s house. Along the way, she saw Pica and Osvaldo. They each got a pastry. Pica followed Anna down the street to Ramon’s house. Ramon was drunk on the couch. His mother roused him so that he could go outside and talk to Anna. Ramon asked Anna for money to get medication that would help ease the pain of a problem he said he was having with his back. Anna suspected that Ramon was using the back pain as a ruse to gain money which could be used to purchase alcohol. Ramon and Pica both wanted Anna to go with them rather than to listen to the other guy. Ramon left, so Anna continued on her journey. At the park near Anna’s house, Pica asked for more food. He took Anna’s hand and pulled her closer to him. Anna pulled away and went home, with Pica following. Anna did not give Pica more food at that time, so he left. But not long afterward, Pica appeared at the house asking for food again. The next day, as Anna was coming back from the land where, Lord willing, the alcoholic building will be, Anna saw Pica and Osvaldo and Ramon. Ramon wanted money for his back again. Anna offered to go with him to the Health Center and buy the prescription medication, but Ramon declined. Later that night he came asking for money to go on the bus. Anna told him that she would give the bus fare to his family for him, but he declined that, too. After the Thursday meeting, attended by 14 people including Anna, Anna noticed Pica slip a wrench that was on the table into his pocket. Anna protested loudly, so Pica quietly, without looking at Anna, put his hand back into his pocket, took the wrench out and put it back where it had been. Pica took one of the bags that Anna was using to carry things for the meeting, and told her that he would carry the bag to her house for her. Anna objected, but Pica was adamant. Efrain and Karolyna warned Anna not to let Pica carry her things, but there didn’t seem to be a gracious way to refuse his help. Pica did carry the bag, gave it to Anna, and went home without incident. Today Anna went with an alcoholic to Matagalpa and back (75 minute bus ride each way), looking for a phone. This week is a fairly typical week for Anna. There is potential danger and loss, but Anna marches forward. She feels that if she does the Lord’s will, good things will happen.
