Thanks again for all of your emails and comments- it is so wonderful to hear from you.
I am currently at the American Embassy in Armenia, and am writing for what will probably be the last time for a little while. I leave the capital for Spitak on Friday.
I am doing well over all. I am going to write just a little bit under a couple of headings, as before.
Bread, bread, bread, BREAD!
What is food like in Armenia? Well, I'm not really sure exactly. The Sisters do not necessarily eat like your typical Armenians. A couple of Armenian foods we do eat often include this sour yogurt "matsoun" (I think) and BREAD ("hotz"). There were a couple of days when all I ate for breakfast and dinner was loads of bread. We often eat sliced tomatoes and bread or cheese and bread etc (basically everything + bread). I have never eaten so much bread in my life- it is very good, but, you know.
Armenians also seem European in taking tea/coffee after every meal. Some American volunteers donated chocolate chips and baking goods etc, and I made some good ol' chocolate chip cookies last night for the kids/sisters/workers/etc. Everyone calls them "biscuits". Some American also donated instant oatmeal, and one of the Sisters realized it was American and absolutely insists that I eat a packet for breakfast every morning (whether I want to or not). haha.
My Latest Challenge
So I hate to admit it, but for a couple of days, I was finding other work to do so as to avoid spending the day with the Down Syndrome kids. That sounds awful- I know it is, but regrettably, it's the truth. I can't explain how depressing their little play area is- they play there day after day after day. And the one worker just watches them, but can't really play with them. The thing about Down Syndrome kids is that they are naturally less social. They'll all go off and sit in their own corners alone. I tried to get them to play games etc with me for the first couple of days, but I grew kind of depressed and frustrated with the situation that I learned to avoid it.
For me, "Christ in His most distressing disguise," as Mother Teresa would say, is in the Down Syndrome kids. I realized my fault in avoiding them on Sunday, and decided on Sunday night that I would really try to spend the day with them on Monday. Well, I was humbled before I made this effort. Sr. Nelena pulled me aside early Monday morning and asked me to spend time with them; she didn't reprimand me as much as she pleaded for them. I was so frustrated with myself. I have made a greater effort since then, though I admit it is still very frustrating work. I long too much to see the fruits of my labor- and working with the Down Syndrome kids is difficult for me largely for that reason. I may not see any fruit, they may not respond, but they still really do need love like all persons and I am so selfish to avoid them because it doesn't leave me with any affirmation or sense of accomplishment!
Anyway, that's all for now. Thanks for everything- I love and miss you!
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5 comments:
Are you sure these kids have Downs Syndrome? Have they been diagnosed? Do they have that characteristic "mongoloid" look about the eyes? The reason I ask is that their behavior sounds more like autism than Downs. Autism is a whole different animal. Kids with autism need lots of sensory stimulation -- rubbing the arms and back, but not necessarily big hugs. They also need activity, movement. Autistic kids are also often sensitive to sound; they can't filter 'stray' sounds (such as the dog barking down the block).
Or it might not be autism (I am rather far away and far from expert), but this doesn't sound like Downs.
In any case you can always pray with them and sing about Jesus, right?
WOW Genevieve! I wish so much I was there with you and the children. We could play so many singing games, etc. Remember when you were a child in the backyard and you created an imaginary ride to place in a theme park. I remember so well getting on your ride through "Fruit Land".
My experience with Downs Syndrome children as a pediatric nurse has been quite different. Usually they are overly loving and engaging and laugh so easily. I hope the children you are meeting are getting enough loving attention and affection. I wish they could have musical toys to play with, like tamborines, and xylohones etc. Are there sidewalks? You know, for chalk art? The water and splahing is a delightful image I now have in my head. "A child's play is a child's work."
I love you and am so amazed by you.
Rachel Ann and you, should both be journalists.
Howdy from downtown Allied Gardens, G. Thank you for your service. I hope that your efforts are fruitful, your wisdom grows, and you are serene. Don't get (too) boney of finger and remember to moisturize....howard
Gen, the thing about the down syndrome kids is...they are loads of fun- they are just big little kids. And I think that Adrian is right, a friend of mine has an autistic girl- and she is shy, wont make eye contact, and you do have to rub there arms sometimes--- the father (Gregg) of the little girl i'm talking about, sometimes taps her gently on the face. The first time I saw him do it I thought he was smacking her (I thought "how awful!!") but have learned since that he was just getting stimulation into her face. I don't suggest you smack the kids, but that was just an example.
Love you big sis.
Genevieve,
Thanks for sending me your blog address. Your experiences and writings remind me to be thankful for all we have here in the U.S. and to continue to pray for those who are not so blessed! I know how being on your own in an unfamiliar country can be very lonely at times, especially if you don't speak the language. It will get better. In the meantime, take comfort from the fact your presence there is surely enfusing others with hope, joy and faith! Robert Kennedy once said, "It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
Keep up the good work!
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