Below is a brief insert from a previous post on Yolanda.
This past month, we had the opportunity to witness a reunion like no other. After 3 years, Yolanda finally made the journey to El Limon Camotán, where she lived until 2012 when she rescued after suffering from severe malnutrition.
Yolanda’s transformation is like no other – not only has she become a healthy and strong young women, but she has thrived with her education. Yolanda has taken on the challenge of learning sign language and is excelling! She has overcome tremendous hardships and has become a pillar of inspiration to us all.
Never meet a physical need without meeting a spiritual need – this is the philosophy we live by and practice, repeatedly – fully realized when experiencing a child rescue journey. We are aware that the most immediate need is physical and must be overcome before the spirit can be healed. The story of Yolanda embodies this philosophy and is a beautiful example of the process of healing.
Yolanda’s story dramatically changed 3 years ago, when she was rescued from El Limon Camotán, Chiquimula Village, where she was suffering from severe malnutrition. We thought it best for Yolanda to revisit her home to give her a chance to rekindle the love for her village and reunite with her family – a chance for her to finish healing.
The trip was a somber experience for everyone involved. It was a Thursday and the morning produced a heavy humidity that could be felt by all the passengers who were preparing to make this journey with Yolanda. The community is approximately 3 hours away from Hope of Life and the terrain is challenging at many spots, with the rough roads only adding to the anticipation of the day.
Expectations were uncertain, we did not know what the reaction of Yolanda who since 2012 had been away from the place she once called home. When she left 3 years earlier, she was severally malnourished, weighing pounds less than a girl her age should. To ease the initial reaction of Yolanda, we had decided to have her speak with a psychologist on numerous occasions beforehand to prepare her for this very day and the unexpected feelings that could arise.
The journey to the village was surreal. Typically, 3 hours traveling on these roads seemed like a lifetime, but time seemed to standstill as we sat in silence, all of us mentally gearing up to take on this once in a lifetime reunion. Would the reunion be one filled with joy and relief or pain? Whatever the outcome, we were all prepared to care for and comfort Yolanda in anyway possible – this was her homecoming and we were very proud to be by her side. The trip was like a tour – Yolanda pointing out places she remembered, guiding us through her memories as we traveled further up the mountains, deeper into her past.
When we finally arrived, neighbors had gathered around our car, as we studied their faces their eyes lit up, looking at Yolanda amazed at the beautiful young women she had become. Yolanda recognized them and started to greet them, smiling, and making conversation with the people from her village. Minutes later we saw her mother accompanied by her brothers running frantically down into the village to greet Yolanda. Her mother was trembling, tears of joy running down her face, while her father and sisters hugged her tightly. We all felt healed at that moment.
Eventually, we moved from the center of the village to Yolanda’s childhood home. En route to Yolanda’s homecoming the road was narrow and muddy, Yolanda fully recognized every detail of this road – the bends, the trees, the entire atmosphere was present in Yolanda’s mind. A humble house appeared, built of mud walls and a tin roof was tucked away between many. Yolanda invited us to come in, and we could see pictures of Yolanda on the walls throughout the house. She shared memories with her family, she played with her brothers, met her newborn nephew, while we remained silently observing.
After a long reunion, it was time to return to Hope of Life. Yolanda’s family was left with hearts and hands full. They had all healed and shared in this homecoming together – a journey like no other.