Tabitha Babies

The first floor of Tabitha House is one big room, a bathroom (shower curtain for a door), and a kitchen. People are constantly coming and going through the front door. Just outside the door there are people sorting through trash, stray dogs, and various wandering people. Inside there are babies sleeping and playing. The toys these kids play with remind me of happy meal toys. And their toys are few. Many of the babies do not have diapers on yet they are under 2 years old. The funny thing is that you never hear any of these babies cry, whine or fuss. They have learned that crying doesn’t help, I guess.

Most of them will run and sit in your lap if they see your lap is empty. Generally at Tabitha House your lap is never empty. You have at least one child clinging to you. There is one girl; however, that does not like “gringos” (white Americans). The first day we were there she cried when any of us just looked her way. The interns met her in May so they warned us not to try to hold her. Why the fear? This little girl has had two surgeries on her fingers (and I think toes) because large RATS have gnawed on them while she sleeps at night in the dump. She is all around a fearful child and I can see why she might be nervous about 30 + gringos surrounding her.

Girl in yellow is the one who is scared of "gringos"

Surprisingly, though, by Thursday she improved. She smiled and waved at me! Then at lunchtime she let me lift her into her chair!!! In just a few days time this girl learned to trust me! I don’t know how she acted around everyone else on our team but it was a small victory for me to see her let her guard down. I pray I will have the opportunity to see her again and that she continues to improve!

My most memorable moment in the “baby room” is prayer time before their meal. The sweet ladies that work at Tabitha circle around the table making sure their eyes are closed and thanks God for the food they are about to eat. The babies recite the prayer with her and its just beautiful. They seem so genuine when they pray even at such a young age living in such horrible conditions.
 

 

How precious is this!