Every Wednesday and Thursday I work at the nursing home here
in Granada. This
particular home is for seniors who were abandoned by their families or fro
those in a tough financial situation. Before I go into some fun stories of the
nursing home, let me paint a picture of this particular home.

Unlike nursing homes in the states, no one has individual
rooms. There are two huge rooms, one for men and one for women, lined with
beds. There are about 30 beds in each room. The bathrooms are not handicap
accessible. There are little stalls that the seniors use with out any
complaints. To be quite honest, the people at this nursing home are in pretty
good shape compared to the people I worked with at Homewood.
People here do not have the money for medication to stay alive when their
bodies are shutting down. For that reason, they die sooner, and are healthier
while alive. All of that to say, most of the people are fairly independent.

In the middle of the facility there is a courtyard, it is
very open. Birds are flying around, cats eat spilled food and flies are
everywhere. At times I just cringe because of the safely violations all over
the place. To name a few:

-A frail man was walking barefoot on a just mopped floor.

-No one is around when the residents eat meals. They could
easily choke!

-Pretty much everyone has a wheel chair that is too big or
too small for them. They are either squeezed in or sliding out of the chairs.

-When someone is sliding out of their chair, the nursing
assistants tie a piece of fabric in a knot around them!

- No beds have side rails

No
one sees an issue with these. Oh my, I just cringe and do what I can to watch
out for the old folks.

            My role at the nursing home is solely a volunteer. I was given free range by
the Nuns who work there to take on whatever I feel necessary. So I usually
spend an hour serving the workers by cleaning, then I visit with the residents
until lunch time. I help serve lunch and feed a lady. Then until two, usually
get involved in more discussions, card games, chess, nail painting or make-up
applying.

           
On Wednesday a youth group from a local church came in with guitars, a key
board and an array of percussion instruments. The group played for about 45
minutes, which turned into an all out dance party with the seniors. It was a
blast. We were clapping and singing along with the songs and everyone had a
smile on. The group finished by playing the Nica version of the chicken dance,
which is called El Pollo. My friend Annie and I danced El Pollo with the

men in
wheel chairs and with the hopping ladies.We are bringing a guitar this week to
keep sharing in the happiness of music.

            Yesterday I talked with two men who are devout Catholics. We had an interesting
hour and a half discussion about the contrast between Catholicism and
Evangelism. I believe by the end of the conversation we both understood each
other better and came to the glorious conclusion that we both serve a powerful
and all-loving God.

            Overall the Nursing home has been a joy to me. I am meeting sweet and unique
people every day and I love the relationships being built.

            I would like to ask you to please pray for protection, physically and
spiritually for my group. God's name is being exalted in Granada
and the devil is just seething. We have encountered some strong attacks from
the enemy this past week. So please pray for Satan to have no hold of us and
for God to continue revealing His power in this place.

 Side note- as I am writing this the boys in my group
are slaughtering then butchering a goat for our Valentines Day present. 
With that lovely picture in your head, Feliz Dia del Amor y la Amistad!