Update from Anthony, NM

May 10, 2023

Why is it that every mission town, no matter if it is in Africa, Asia, or Central America, has so many similar characteristics? Razor wire, broken down homes, bars on the window, dusty streets, and bleak exteriors. But then you get to an oasis of “Charity” here on the border in the outskirts of Juarez in a western suburb called Anapra. And inside the walls of The Proyecto Santo Nino, miracles happen.

This little clinic, open since the early 2000’s, now operating 4 days a week, up from two days, provides neural movement care for many children with significant disabilities, as well as Montessori classes for 18 or more children, preschool and up.

Volunteer mothers help with bathing, cooking, cleaning, and minding children as “Madre Carol” and “Madre Andrea” do their work. “Madre Romina” is away. All these women are Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati.

I say miracles happen because I met several of them. There is little Natalia, born prematurely

with brachial plexus syndrome, her right arm twisted so badly that the doctor told her mother she would never use it. At four months her mother brought her to Sr. Carol Wirtz and now at 17 months she is walking, pickup up things, alert and charming. A Miracle. The clinic ministers to children with disabilities ranging from Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and Autism. After eleven-year-old Chuy with severe CP gets worked on, he goes down for a nap. He sleeps next to year-old Michelle, who is an absolute doll. Suddenly, someone notices his color changing. Carol springs forward, calls his mother, Cristina. The mother scoops up Chuy, wraps her arms around him, and starts to work his chest. His color returns. She massages him and coos to him and restores tranquility. Baby Michelle sleeps through it all. Emergency resolved. Another miracle.

The Montessori class is the newest addition. Why not educate the captive audience of children? Just after a remodel, a surprise fire in the straw bale clinic in 2021 required rewiring the entire place. Now with brightly colored walls, a cat (Azul), and a dog (Daisy), the children attend sporadically but are learning while they and their siblings are treated. Many of these young ones, like Damian, move slowly along. If you want to overcome your “outsider discomfort” and feel like you fit in, befriend a child. Damian takes me under his wing on the floor. Sr. Andrea pops a Spanish primer in my hands and Damian begins to read. My Spanish starts to emerge slowly under Damian’s reading. At ten, he is already a flirt, but we so enjoy one another.

There are so many other stories from this Mexican island from despair. The mothers and their children get top-notch care for their children and great maternal support. It is such a joy to be here, even if it is only for a day. The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati have a powerful work here. This is work with chronic needs among people who, if they could, would migrate across the border, but their limits prevent it. Tomorrow I will join the Religious of the Assumption who care for those with acute needs who actually did get across. Same needs just different sides of a steel wall.

This is Nicki signing off from New Mexico. Thanks for tuning in.