In January, preparing to meet with our rehabilitation promoters at ASELSI in Guatemala, I picked two words to describe traits I recognized in each of them. I hoped to encourage them, individually and collectively, to help us all recognize the gifts and strengths of our team. The writing and blog posts have been a bonus.

The first day back this year, two people were absent: Tomasa and Shes. We knew Shes would be returning the following week, but no one knew Tomasa’s plans. Unfortunately, as I discovered later that afternoon, Tomasa would not return this year. After praying with her husband, they both felt she needed to stay at home with her family for a season. We hope she can return in the future. As a tribute and thanks to her, I am including her in this blog series about our local workers.

Tomasa, unlike some of our other workers, didn’t study beyond grade school. So the training at times overwhelmed her. Fear of hurting a child or not being able to do the work gripped her her first year working in the program.  As children learned to do things they could not do before and she came to know the patients, families, and our team, her confidence grew so much that a couple years ago she took the next step and learned the skills to work with our adult patients. Her patients love her!

Last year, we really started seeing some changes in Tomasa. She began taking on more leadership, including helping us train one of our workers in how to work with adult patients. She became more open and outspoken with staff, patients, and families. When a patient’s mother shared about her difficult family situation, Tomasa openly shared her own and told how God has worked in and through it, bringing hope and healing to them both.

So when I think of Tomasa, I think of courage, devotion, justice, and leadership. We will miss her this year but wish her and her family the best. Whether she comes back or not, Tomasa will always be part of our ASELSI team.