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God bless you, too, Jorge
Jorge lived on the streets a long time. He is an artist of sorts, more sensitive than most men who come to La Encina, a hospice for people living with AIDS. He draws colorful creations with markers and reads books while hooked up to the IVs that are restoring his strength. He says he’s written poetry in the past, but not for a while. He likes fine things and admires a visitor’s camera. While he hasn’t done photography in the past, he would like to try. Jorge tells his guests to speak English — he likes to hear Americans talk. He does not speak any English himself, though Connie Byler, mission worker in Spain, teaches him one phrase: “God bless you.” He tries it out tentatively at first, then gradually gains more confidence. “God bless you. God bless you.” “It sounds beautiful,” he tells Byler in Spanish. According to Byler, nearly 95 percent of HIV-positive people in Spain contract AIDS through drug use. Street people often end up at places like La Encina, a government-funded hospice. For two months before arriving at La Encina, Jorge had been in the hospital being treated for his illness. When he arrived, he could barely get out of bed. But Byler recently spotted him sweeping the floors with more energy than she thought possible. Jorge hopes to travel. He said he would like to visit New York and California
so he can see those places and hear more Americans speak. He may never get that chance. Also in this issue: Features Related articles Regular features |
