September 4, 1997
Well, I did it! I am sick and tired of people on the streets, coming up to me when I am with one of the cave kids and telling me how crazy I am for buying these "vagabonds" food at one of the local hamburger stands, or even for being with them at all! So, I lost it yesterday.
I was meeting Jacomin yesterday morning, in front of Sora, a grocery store in the center of town. He's been having pain, so I agreed to take him to see a Doctor Stomatolog. Figure that one out. Here's a multiple choice. A Stomatolog is: a. Pediatrician; b. Dentist; c. Internist; d. General Practician. I'll tell you later what a Stomatolog is. Think about it.
Before I took him to the doctor, I had some errands to run, so he came along with me. My last errand was to the "Posta" (post office) to mail a letter. Returning to the car, Jacomin was stopped by a large man wearing a nice suit, standing on the sidewalk across from the Posta. In a very assertive voice, the man asked, "Unde mergeti?" (Where are you going?) Jacomin responded, "Acolo." (Over there) To which the man began questions like, "Where have you been?" and "Were you with this lady?" pointing at me. Jacomin responded in a very "low key" manner to all his questions.
About this time,the American, "fight for the underdog" spirit rose up in me as we turned to go and I could stand it no longer. I turned around to face this "bully," and striding up to him I inquired, "What is your problem??!!"
The man responded, "Ce problema?" (What problem) Then he proceeded to say something in Romanian about "vagabonds" and I don't know what else, but by the tone of his voice, I could tell he was caught off guard by my confrontation, but he was also trying to tell me what kind of person I was with, so I continued. "This boy is homeless. Have you got a problem with that? He has no food, no home. What business is it of yours where he's been or where he's going?!" My voice was quite forceful and, I hoped, authoritative! Of course neither of us could understand the other, but to me, that didn't matter. I had to make a point.
After a few seconds of this encounter, I turned to leave and took Jacomin by the arm. We got in the car and it was then that Jacomin broke his silence with, "El politist."
"El politist??!!!" I asked.
A sly grin crept onto his face. He nodded his head and affirmed, "El politist."
The man was a policeman! I had just gotten "in the face" of a policeman!!
"Oh Doamne milueste!" (Lord have mercy!!)
People keep asking me what is going to happen to the cave kids once I leave. To this I respond, "Lord only knows, because I certainly do not know." This is the reason I keep asking for prayers for the cave kids. Thus far, some answers to those prayers have come to light!
Through the Goodwins, I have met a doctor named David Ille. He works at a private clinic that is run by an Evangelical wing of the Orthodox Church called "The Lord's Army." The Lord's Army was started back in the 1930's by a priest who realized the need for people to get together and share with one another in an informal setting, about the Lord, reading poetry, singing songs, and in general, for fellowship. During the communist years, The Lord's Army became a very radical, underground group, instrumental in helping distribute Bibles that were smuggled into the country, and risking their lives for the sake of their faith. After the revolution in Romania in December 1989, The Lord's Army have focused their attention on the poor and needy, and serving each other as well as their own local churches.
After meeting Dr. Ille, one of the kids, Calin, complained of stomach pain as well as concern about a bald patch on the back of his head. He had told me about a month ago that somehow, and I'm not at all clear on exactly how, one of the plastic bags that they put their chemicals in to sniff, had burned that spot on the back of his head. I can't begin to figure that one out. The bald patch is about one inch by two inches, and bothers Calin a lot. So, I thought I'd take him to see Dr. Ille.
Dr. Ille was so kind and concerned about Calin. He checked his urine, and determined that he could be getting a bladder infection because of the symptoms Calin was experiencing. And as for the hair, he indicated that there was some growth already showing through, but that most of the spot would remain bald.
I began telling him about the rest of the cave kids, and he became very interested. He even told me to tell them that if any of them were ever sick or needed his services, to please come to see him and he would take care of them for free. What relief swept over my soul at those words! He seemed so genuinely concerned for the boys that I asked him, "Dr. Ille, why don't you come up with me to see the kids tomorrow night when I take food to them."
Much to my delight, his immediate response was, "What time?"
So, we were set. I met him at his office the following evening, Tuesday night at 6:00 and we drove up together, along with his 6 year old son, Andrei, to see the kids.
The boys were waiting for us when we arrived. Claudiu had gotten a haircut and was as clean as I'd ever seen any of the kids. Joseph was his usual smiling, quite self, Cristi was running on and on at the mouth, and Jacomin was standing off a little bit, and was unusually quiet. They all greeted Dr. David and Andrei and we all grabbed bags out of the car and proceeded to our "dining" area right above the cave where they sleep.
As they spread out jackets on which to place the food, they began to eat and fight with each other over who got what. I had to intervene and explain that there was enough for everyone. Then I took Dr. David and Andrei down to see the smaller, sleeping cave, and then a few meters away to where "grota mare" (large cave) was. He was very quite and thoughtful as he peeked inside the small cave. At the larger one, he simply shook his head in disbelief and sadness.
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We went back to the boys and settled in with them as they finished eating. Dr. David began asking them questions about their home situations. Each one confirmed what I'd already heard two or three times before. Alcoholic parents. Abusive fathers or stepfathers. Too many children at home. Mother living with abusive boyfriend. The streets were a much more attractive alternative than home.
When Jacomin finally spoke up, it was to tell Dr. Ille that he had pain in his mouth. The right side of his face was swollen, and his eyes registered suffering. Dr. David poked around in his mouth, and said that it looked like he had an abscessed tooth, and most likely an infection from the tooth. The doctor told me that next week the clinic would also be set up with a "Doctor Stomatolog" (dentist) but that Jacomin needed to see a dentist right away. We decided to take Jacomin with us back to the clinic where we could possibly find a stomatolog open, nearby. He agreed to go with us.
Upon arriving at the stomatolog clinic, no one was there, so we went over to the clinic where Dr. David works. There, he gave Jacomin some antibiotics and Advil for the pain. Dr. David reiterated, "Jacomin needs to see a dentist tomorrow, first thing." I agreed. Jacomin agreed to meet me that next morning in front of Sora in the downtown.
Taking Jacomin back up to the cave that night, we were stopped at a red light, and I spotted a young coupe getting off a bus, walking hand-in-hand. Jacomin was watching them too. I was struck by the fact that Jacomin, as life stands for him now at 18 years old, he will never ever be like that "normal" young man and woman we watched together. I had to turn away and bite my lip to stave off the flow of tears. "Does Jacomin know that he is different?" I wondered.
When I was driving to the parking area near the cave to drop Jacomin off, he said, "Stop!" Then he made a fist and put his hand to his mouth and nose and indicated to me that he saw the others sniffing chemicals. "Unde?" (where) I asked. "Acolo," (over there) he said, pointing to an area of the park. I couldn't see anyone, because shrubbery was blocking my view, so I backed the car up and simply stared, unbelieving! "What's happened?" I shouted into my brain. "WHY?" The only answer to that was, "Why not?"
Jacomin honked the horn and they saw us and waved. I drove over to a parking space and began to cry. Jacomin asked me, "De ce, Zan?" (Why, Zan) He tracked my tears with his finger and asked again, "De ce?"
To me, it was clearly a combination of two things, one of which I would never be able to explain, that being the fact that Jacomin and all the other cave kids were different. If things remain the way they are now with these boys, they will never have a life allowing them be what society considers "normal." They are shunned because of their fate in life.
I chose the second explanation, and told him that I was upset because of the chemical sniffing. That was the easiest to explain, and the one he would understand. I started by saying each boy's name then made a fist with my right hand, brought it to my nose and mouth, indicating their chemical intake.
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I do not expect that simply because these kids have been getting some decent meals, or because I've taken them to get clothes and shoes, and a few extra "goodies" or because I've befriended them, that they would make a complete change in their lifestyle. I'm much more realistic than that. I was simply overwhelmed because I've come to know and love them and I hate to see them destroying their brains with those chemicals! These are good kids who have been ostracized by their own people, and there appears to be no hope for a future for them! This is my main concern more than anything else!
I turned to Jacomin. His face looked truly troubled for me. I told him I was "bine," (OK) and that I would see him in the morning, in front of Sora. I told both of them that I loved them, then I said, "Noapte buna" (good night) and left.
So it was, when Jacomin and I were running errands before heading to a stomatolog that we were confronted by the policeman, and I lost my cool!
In Cluj, there is a Catholic mission group from Germany called the "Maltese Order" that helps feed and clothe the homeless, gets medical care for the sick who cannot afford doctors and brings goods into Romania from Germany to help the needy. On the way to pick up Dr. Ille to go to the dentist, Jacomin indicated to me to stop the car. He wanted to go into some building, and wanted me to come with him. I had no idea who or what was going to be inside, so I entered very cautiously, but we were greeted by two gracious men who obviously knew and liked Jacomin. I found out they were part of the "Maltese Order" mission in Cluj. They told me about their background, and what their mission was in Romania, part of which had been to feed the homeless everyday, but about a month ago, they had to stop until more money came in from their headquarters in Germany. They then informed me that soon, they were resuming this part of their mission. WOW! What a relief! Another answer to prayer!
When we reached Dr. David's office, Jacomin indicated to him that the pain was not as severe, and I had noticed earlier, that the swelling had decreased, somewhat. But Dr. David insisted that we find a stomatolog, which we did in about half an hour. One of his biggest concerns was finding a dentist who would work with a "vagabond." Prejudices toward Gypsies is quite intense. Jacomin is not only a Gypsy, but also a "vagabond," which makes two huge strikes against him already.
We needn't have worried though. We found a very kind dentist. Dr. David explained the situation, and she told us to wait for about 15 minutes while she did an extraction, then she would see Jacomin. Dr. David bid us farewell, and Jacomin and I sat down to wait.
I don't know what I expected to find in a Romanian dentist's office, I guess I had visions of American dentistry 40 years ago, dreadfully slow drills, those awful, stiff chairs, no novocaine, suffering, pain and agony! Something more like out of the middle ages! I couldn't have been farther from the truth!
There was no receptionist, the dentist answered her own phone, and made the appointments. Since her office was in a room in front of her home, friends and family walked in and out of the room where she was extracting a tooth, but that was about the only thing out of the ordinary.
The office was clean and bright. Everything appeared very modern and hygienic. When she was through with the person ahead of us, she ushered Jacomin in and I walked in behind him. He told her what his symptoms were, and she poked and prodded inside his mouth. She spoke no English, but indicated to me that he needed that tooth to be taken out NOW! I agreed and promptly went back to the waiting room.
When the "operation" was over, in about 5 minutes, I asked, what I consider to be two of the most important words to know in Romanian, "Cat costa?" (What's the cost?) "Doua zeci de mii," was her reply, or 20,000 lei which is slightly under $3.00. I thanked her and we left.
Getting into the car, I told Jacomin that he must continue taking the medicine Dr. David gave to him, and he nodded his understanding. Then I asked him where he wanted me to take him. "Zan, e foame," (Zan, I'm hungry). I tried to tell him that eating right now would upset his stomach, but he didn't understand and kept telling me he was hungry. So, we headed for the hamburger stand in front of Sora where I bought him two hamburgers, a cola and fried potatoes. I told him he needed to get up to "grota mica" (the small cave) and get some rest. He nodded. I asked him to let me drive him up there. He shook his head. I drove home and had a good cry!
Last night, Thursday, I took Doris and Alicia Goodwin with me up to bring the cave kids their evening meal.
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and Doris Avram, one of my translators. Doris has a fantastic rapport with the cave kids. They really like her and seem to trust her. |
The dentist was as gracious as usual, and we had to wait about 15 minutes until she was finished with the woman she was working on in the chair.
The dentist sat Jacomin down, looked into his mouth and pronounced his upper left teeth and gums as very damaged! She extracted the bad tooth from the upper left side, then we took him back up to the cave.
I will be returning to the States on September 16, and it's difficult to even think about leaving. People here in Romania as well as via email have asked me why I've been taking food to the cave kids. A standard answer I've given is, "Well, it's better than buying porcelain and crystal." I suppose that response could seem a bit cynical. Actually, establishing a relationship with these boys has been much more satisfying than purchasing fine, Romanian porcelain, or the exquisitely etched crystal that tourists snap up as fast as they can. My life has taken on different priorities after meeting these precious cave kids. Even though children like these are considered nearly less than rubbish, and to quote Mother Theresa, they are "nobody to no one," in God's eyes they are potential "treasures" in the making.
The world has lost a living saint today in Mother Theresa. I pray that God will raise up a myriad of "Mother Theresas" in her place to love the world. People here keep telling me that the cave kids only tolerate me because I bring them food and will get them clothing. Perhaps so, but one day they will truly begin to trust those of us who love them unconditionally, and eventually they will truly love us. Mother Theresa's message was that the down-and-outers need not only bread, but love, not only clothing, but the human touch of love.
Please remember to pray for the cave kids of Cluj, Romania.
Cu mult Drag. . .Zan
(With much love)