Refuge International

Saul arrived in the United States, not speaking any Spanish. By the time he left, he could speak both Spanish and lots of English. His favorite words were ICE CREAM, or HELADO in Spanish. He underwent 3 different surgeries and multiple cast changes. After his last cast was removed, he said he was afraid to walk, because his legs felt like "hair" and he didn't think they could hold him up. After wearing heavy casts for several months, we could understand his hesitancy. With a little coaxing, he left the hospital for the last time and we went directly to a shoe store. Having never worn, 'real shoes' he was so excited to get some. As he went in, he was told he could have 3 pairs of shoes, if he would walk out of the store, with help. Needless to say, he agreed and walked out the door with a smile on his face that went from ear to ear. Several weeks later he traveled home with Miguel Solis and Darrell Davis. We were all concerned about his re-entry into his home situation after having been exposed to the United States. Darrell says that as they got into the boat to take Saul home to a small village up the Sarstun River, “You could just see all of the excess fall off of him." Darrell said you could see him reentering his own environment. Once they reached the dock where Saul's mother saw him for the first time in 4 months, he called out to them in Kek Chi. Saul's mother stared at his feet through her tears with disbelief. His brothers and sisters gathered around him as he gave out gifts to every one of them. The little boy who came to the US with only 2 pairs of socks, one pair of pants, one shirt and one pair of under shorts had arrived home with three suitcases full of clothes and toys and most importantly shoes, shoes and more shoes.
None of us have seen Saul since he went home over a year ago, but we get reports that he is going to school and playing soccer. On rare occasions, Saul will get to a phone somewhere and he will call. He always asks for a gift, and when asked what he wants, he always says "Ice cream!"