Okay, so here’s something crazy. You’re not going to believe what happened on our last day in La Paz. 

Remember Helen and Mariella? The girls from the documentary? 

THEY SHOWED UP AT OUR HOUSE. 

(If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read this blog)

One of the teachers we spoke to when we visited the school was able to get in touch with their mother, and tell her that we had gifts and money for her and the girls. They came to La Paz to meet us. 

What a bizarre feeling

To see these two girls 

Who we watched a documentary about

Come in through the gate of our house in La Paz. 

They were shy, hiding behind their mother and grinning sheepishly when we said hello. 

We invited them in and they settled on the couches in our living room. Over some sodas and Doritos we gave them the shoes and toothbrushes and toothpaste we had bought for them, as well as money for food and school supplies. 

The shoes are the ones from the day in Caranavi, when we got all the supplies and then set out to find this school where we learned that the girls were living elsewhere. I remember how we prayed and agonized over the shoe sizes, trying to estimate from the documentary how big the girls feet might be and then guess both how long it might have been since the footage was actually filmed and how much they may have grown. 

When we finally decided on some shoe sizes, we prayed that they would fit. 

We learned when we met the girls, that it had been about a year and a half since the documentary was actually filmed. The girls have grown significantly, 

But the shoes fit perfectly. 

After giving them the shoes and brushes, we walked to the nearby mall where the girls (and their mother) rode an elevator and escalator for the first time. We got them ice cream and took them to the arcade. Helen and Mariella loved playing air hockey, while their three year old brother threw some hoops with the help of Patrick, who held him up so he could reach. 

The girls were the sweetest ever. Full of smiles and laughter. Throughout the afternoon they warmed up to us and by the time we had to say goodbye they gave us the biggest hugs. 

As they drove off waving we couldn’t help but just marvel at it all. This definitely goes up there with one of the coolest, weirdest, craziest things that has happened on my Race. 

One of the craziest things about this already crazy situation is that they weren’t even supposed to come to La Paz until the Monday after we had left (because of everything going on with the elections). Instead, somehow, for some reason, they came on our very last day in La Paz. I’m very thankful for the Lord’s sweetness in making sure that we got to meet these girls. 

From talking to their mother it sounds like next year the girls will be coming back to live with her and once again making the same grueling and dangerous treck to school. Our hosts are hoping to be able to raise money to get the girls a place to stay closer to the school that will be safter and where they will still be able to hike up to see their mother anytime they like. If you would like to support them you can reach out to Joey Kittelson (back right in the photo) at medfund.online.  Please keep this family in your prayers. 

You can also be in prayer for Medfund and our hosts in Bolivia. Because of the elections there has been a lot of unrest. Pray for safety and that they would be able to be a light to the community in this challenging time.

Much Love and God Bless, 

-Hattie 

P.s. I’m officially a Tia! (Aunt in Spanish). Little Henry Ephrem Hart was born at 9:03 pm on October 21. He is health and happy and so is his momma. Thanks for your prayers. I am so excited to meet this little nugget in November.