Divine Appointment I

Wes refers to "Divine Appointments" as special encounters with people that are unplanned. In other words, a meeting that only God orchestrated. While in Concepcion, God scheduled 2 "Divine Appointments" for me.

The first occured as our team was walking the streets of a neighborhood called Collao. At the end of one street was a gated community that caught mine and Meriden's eye. Frances, Miss Go-Getter, approached the gate entrance and opened it. Spontaneously, Frances, Meriden, Reid, Wes and I ran through the gate into an unknown community. Thankfully, curiousity didn't kill the cat this time! We quickly learned that we were approaching a nursing home, one of only 2 in Concepcion. Two elderly ladies, Lily and Rose, eagerly invited us into their homes and offered us a tour.

Lily and Rose showed us all over, even into Lily's room. The nursing home was exceptionally nice and offered 27 single bedrooms. It reminded me very much of the current nursing home I work in, Wesley Court. We were able to speak with a nurse about rehabilitation services that are offered. Unfortunately, services for the elderly are only offered in the hospital. For example, if a resident has a swallowing disorder, they send them to the hospital to be treated. Meriden and I were beginning to tangibly see how our current profession and passions could be useful in Concepcion.

Lily and Rose ended the tour in the Catholic chapel. Lily shared how she used to sing with the choir during services. Frances asked Lily to sing us a song, which she did beautifully. We then reciprocated the singing (in 4 part harmony!) for Lily and Rose. As we were leaving the nursing home, Lily followed us out the door, singing a Spanish blessing over us. Every one of us knew that it was only God who orchestrated this "Divine Appointment."