Yes, Jesus loves me

           This story is not easy for me to write about. Vilvia is 10 years old and she is currently at the hospital. I met her today and when Kathy relayed to me the information given to her by Pastor Roni, I was speechless. I walked in the room with Kathy and saw Norma, Vilvia’s mom drying her tears.
            It’s been 8 days that Vilvia has been in the hospital. The reason being is very tragic. She was sexually abused by her 18 year old uncle. Her mom found them inside the house and I couldn’t imagine the feeling of a mother towards her hurt child.
            Vilvia was asleep the whole time and according to her mom, she’d been sleeping since the incident. She hasn’t been eating and you can tell by the protruded bones on her knees and skinny legs. Vilvia has special needs and does not know how to talk yet but she used to be really happy. She’d play futbol with her brothers and sisters and would spread laughter to her family. Now, she is lying in the hospital with her mom taking care of her.
Her mom has been sleeping on the floor right next to her. ON HARD FLOOR. Not only that, the AC is on top of Vilvia’s bed and it’s been dripping. So whenever Norma goes to sleep, she’d always feel cold due to the dripping water from the AC.
            Vilvia is only one of the 5 children that she and her husband take care of. Since she has been in the hospital, her husband has to stay home to be with the kids. Her husband has no stable job at the moment and with everything that’s going on, she really does not know what to do.
Visitation was over and on the way back home while we were all in the panel van, my heart was restless. I didn’t want to believe what my eyes saw and what my ears heard. I had to do something for them. As soon as I stepped out of the panel van, I went to Kathy. I found out I was not the only one. Kathy was feeling the exact same way towards Norma & Vilvia. We hurried inside to get our wallets and headed to Maxi Bodega (grocery store). Pastor Roni was so kind to come with us.
             We bought juice, fruits, crackers, bread, etc. — foods that Norma & Vilvia can eat during their further stay at the hospital. We went to another store to buy Norma a fleece blanket so she can be more comfortable when she sleeps.
             We took a taxi ride to the hospital and the guard at the hospital was nice to let us in with our groceries. Later that night, we found out from one of the parents that groceries are not allowed to be brought inside.
We went straight to where Vilvia was laying and Norma was nowhere by her side. Vilvia was awake though and it was nice to see those eyes!! Kathy and I attended her while Pastor Roni looked for Norma. Kathy held her hand while I caressed her gently. Finally, Norma showed up and she was overwhelmingly happy at the gifts we gave her. She couldn’t stop thanking us and our good God.

             While waiting for Norma, Kathy encouraged me to sing a song to Vilvia. And this song is my prayer for this little girl. I encourage you to pray with me and let truth and love set her free.

“Jesus loves me, this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.