January 28, 2011
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Cesar. Yep, my favorite. Yesterday I saw him for the first time since 2009. He, like all the kids, has changed, and is all 14 years of grown up. Last night I made him a card, because I wanted to let him know he was special. I went to the PETI program to visit this morning, but it was raining and by the time I got there, they had let out early. Shortly before I got there, Cesar had been playing soccer and someone pushed him. He lost his balance and fell, head first, into the edge of the fence about four feet high. He hit right between the eyes, the top of the nose. Cacau ran to him to see if he was alright, but he was already running home—he didn’t want anyone to see his face or his tears.
They had the kids go home while they found someone with a car to try to find Cesar and take him to the hospital. I went to go visit him in the emergency room, but they had just released him and taken him home because they car was needed elsewhere. Later, they finally got an ambulance to take him to a different hospital to do a face exam to see if anything was broken. It was a very emotional roller coaster for everyone. After the party we had today, Cesar was released from the hospital and came to the church to see me.
Cacau had gone to get him in the ambulance. When she got to his house his aunt was there, yelling at Cesar. Cesar’s grandfather, who was taking care of their family, passed away last week. His mother is in the hospital. His aunt, like his mother, calls his brother a saint and him a devil. Literally…”Satani” is his name at home. Cacau told him how much I was worried (I was very worried), and he smiled and said “She cares about me, really?”
So I was rewarded with a great big hug by my boy with a sore face this afternoon. I gave him my card, even though it was in English and I hadn’t gotten to translate it into Portuguese. I told him about the party and how I would bring pictures to show him on Monday. He said he would see me there. He said his face was fine, but I am sure that is the response all 14 year olds must give. Please pray for him and his family.
More information and pictures about the party are yet to come!
