tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72123503041351375972024-02-07T04:51:02.107-07:00Hope Fulfilled"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-7561526673806225442020-04-05T13:41:00.001-06:002020-04-05T13:41:31.243-06:00When A "No" Can Mean Starvation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I type these words, all my devices have been set to Do Not Disturb. I had to. I was reaching a breaking point at which I could not face any more needs.</div>
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For the last three weeks, all nonessential work has been suspended in Guatemala. Two weeks ago a 4pm to 4 am curfew was implemented. And, as of this afternoon, inter-departmental travel is banned for Holy Week. We are not supposed to leave our department of Sacatepéquez.</div>
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Because of our humanitarian work, we have been told that we can have an exemption and be allowed to travel for the purposes of delivering food and medicine. But we will see tomorrow if they will, indeed, allow us to pass.</div>
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This shutdown has created a humanitarian crisis. In Guatemala, many people live hand-to-mouth. They depend on what they make today to feed their family tonight. And with so many being suddenly unemployed, families are hungry.</div>
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For the last two weeks, the calls and messages have been coming. And with each passing day, their frequency is increasing. This morning we took part in our church’s live streamed service, and during that one hour I received three requests for assistant to feed starving families.</div>
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In the last two weeks, we have distributed almost 3.5 tons of food to assist almost 2500 people. But by the time we meet one need, another five requests for help has arrived. So, I snapped. I put my devices on Do Not Disturb and walked away for a while. </div>
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Don’t worry, I will turn them back on again. And we will do all we can to help. But this situation is completely overwhelming.</div>
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Please don’t write to me and tell me that I can’t save the world. I know that already. I have no illusion that I am some kind of savior. I am not. There is only one Savior, and I follow Him. I am just Daryl. Tired, overwhelmed, and very insufficient Daryl. </div>
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I am surrounded by an incredible team, both in our homes and in the field, and they are doing a fantastic job under the worst of circumstance. They are fighting every day to keep families fed and to make sure that children are receiving the meds on which they depend. They are delivering babies, running feeding programs, and fighting malnutrition. I could not ask for a better group of people to be in this foxhole.</div>
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But we are tired. And the needs are increasing. And people are afraid. And the requests keep coming.</div>
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Have you every had trouble saying no to someone? A friend asks you for a ride to the airport or help to move. Maybe they need to borrow money or a babysitter for their children. You don’t want to do it, but you don’t want to let them down or leave them in a tough spot. It can be hard to say no.</div>
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Now imagine if your saying no means a family or multiple families will not have food. Tonight people will go to bed hungry because you told them no. And, eventually, that no means that malnutrition will come, followed soon by starvation. These days, that is what it means when I say no.</div>
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Jeremiah and I have been on the road almost constantly since this crisis erupted. We have not traveled this much since the volcano eruption in June of 2018. We have been traveling to pick up food and deliver it as fast as we can. Jeremiah is 19 years old and has a heart of service and seemingly endless energy. But even he is tired. </div>
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On Thursday we purchased another ton of beans and rice, and on Friday we weighed and bagged them in 10 pound portions. This coming week we will need to do more.</div>
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Yesterday (Saturday), Jeremiah and I were scheduled to do a quick run to Jocotenango, a town about 10 miles from our home. We were supposed to pick up boxes of concentrated soup from a ministry partner and then deliver some of it to another ministry partner. But when we showed up at the second ministry partners home, there were 80-90 people waiting for us. They had heard that we had food and had walked in to see if we could help. So we spent time passing out the soup to these people, each of whom represented a family in need. When we arrived back home, we were too exhausted to unload my truck.</div>
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Out of sheer necessity, we chose to not go out today, even though people are waiting. We have to get some rest. But tomorrow we will hit it again hard, providing help to three other towns. Then on Tuesday we will head to Jutiapa to provide assistance to another 70 families. The entire week is filled.</div>
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Meanwhile, we are getting calls from families requesting acetaminophen because their children have cough and fever. And our supplies are low. So this morning I spent time trying to track down channels to get some. I can purchase from our pharmacy, but it is expensive. But we have some donations coming our way, and another friend is working to get us the meds at a cheaper price. I estimate that we need around 300 bottles in total.</div>
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In just a moment, I will turn off the Do Not Disturb feature on my devices and see how many messages are waiting. And we will get back to work. But I ask you to please not forget the people of Guatemala. I know the world is suffering now, and everyone has their own battles to fight. But in the developing world, lives are literally hanging in the balance. Please pray and do what you can to help.</div>
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<b>Tomorrow, beginning at noon EST, some dear friend of ours will be offering a matching campaign for every gift given to our Coronavirus Relief Fund up to $2500. If you visit https://hopeforhome.org/locations/coronavirus-relief.html you can donate to that fund via PayPal. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR GIFT WILL GO TO PROVIDE FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS CRISIS. NONE WILL BE TAKEN FOR ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES OR OTHER COSTS.</b></div>
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Please pray that we will be able to save lives and proclaim Jesus during this time. Pray that we can say yes instead of no.</div>
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Blessings from Guatemala,</div>
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Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-18329340083691434512020-01-07T16:02:00.000-07:002020-01-07T16:02:06.190-07:00Why Keep Fighting?<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gPyY6I-2URKUf6i2ICu68rqqf91oxkRmfxVthRgU63ozIKhbXfNRFqQ-tHZ3_2srEZAX4OTa5zTgMgBAjXwavGJjfkxjFUqYPUuRClHDzqpg9EZcUN2_4MIWZbSPymLxbM9PMUssMNI/s1600/A2030678-7D4B-4CB1-9157-C969125D35A4-1246-000001FEDDFA95AA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="576" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gPyY6I-2URKUf6i2ICu68rqqf91oxkRmfxVthRgU63ozIKhbXfNRFqQ-tHZ3_2srEZAX4OTa5zTgMgBAjXwavGJjfkxjFUqYPUuRClHDzqpg9EZcUN2_4MIWZbSPymLxbM9PMUssMNI/s320/A2030678-7D4B-4CB1-9157-C969125D35A4-1246-000001FEDDFA95AA.JPG" width="320" /></a>There are periods when I feel like giving up and surrendering. At times, it just feels like the fight is not worth it. So much of this life feels like a multi-front battle in which all the enemies have the high ground. I am not complaining or whining. I do not want your sympathy of pity. It’s just how this ministry often feels. Every day we face the battles, usually multiple.</div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We fight battles with grief and fatigue, some of our greatest enemies. We have lost so many children that we love. And some of them were lost through traumatic fights for their lives that involved CPR and frantic ambulance rides that left us traumatized and broken. And, following these times, we have had to find a way to get out of bed the next morning and face tiny bodies in tiny caskets. Sometimes we are just tired out, from long days and short nights and the never ending list of questions and challenges that are constantly brought to us. Fatigue takes its toll, and can be our greatest battle. Yet, somehow, God has given us the strength to take one breath and one step at a time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We fight battles against the culture that surrounds us. We fight against the mindset that children with special needs are curses that are better off dead. We fight against stereotypes that assume that people with disabilities cannot learn or be productive. We fight against a culture that seeks to set unnecessary limits on people with special needs because they refuse to see their potential. We fight against traffic, crowds, and long lines. And we fight against a negative mood in the midst of it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And we fight battles with government agencies all the time. Just like in every nation, government bureaucrats are often more concerned with wielding power than acting justly. Instead of being public servants, they see themselves as lords who need to control their subjects. And they make our lives and work exponentially more difficult.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yesterday I sat with our wonderful Coordinator of Homes, Claudia Escobar, as she went through a list of things with me that CNA (the government agency responsible for the licensing and supervision of private homes) is insisting we need to change. Some of these include hiring addition staff. Some are demands for more paperwork. And most of it is foolish and completely unnecessary. So we have to fight some of the demands while trying to accommodate others. And both of these require time and resources that would be better spent on caring for children. But we have to spend it fighting with an agency that should be helping us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We fight battles with PGN (think Child Protective Services). We regularly show up for hearings in which they were supposed to have done home studies and investigations, only to find out that, once again, they did not complete their work. So, we wasted another trip to another hearing. We will report a child to them that is in imminent risk of death due to a lack of care, and they do nothing. Two months later they have not done even a basic visit to check on the child’s welfare. And, with increasing frequency, the courts are asking us to do CNA's work for them, because the judges know they will not do it. So we are doing home studies and supervising placements that PGN should do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We fight battles with the courts, who are returning children to horrifying conditions at a rapid pace. Last year we lost two children who were returned to their step mother. </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">And that step mother is a sex trafficker</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. We presented evidence to the courts showing that was true, but that evidence was ignored. Meanwhile, the wicked stepmother made ludicrous accusations against us, and the judge chose to investigate us instead. So we faced more inspections to show that we had, in fact, done nothing wrong. And we wonder how those two sisters that we love are doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This weekend we were told that the judge was considering returning our little Olimpia to her biological parents. We had previously been told by the courts that she was with us permanently, and we had celebrated that decision. She arrived in our home at the age of five and a half months of age, weighing only five and a half pounds. We nursed her to health. We watched her grow and learn to crawl and walk. And while we saved her life, this little girl with Down Syndrome saved our broken hearts. On the hard days when we were broken by fatigue, frustration, illness, and/or grief, she would crawl into our laps, and the broken pieces would come back together again. We have often told others that she has the magical power of healing. And now, almost six years after receiving her in our home, they are saying she may leave us and be returned to parents and a home where she will lose access to therapy, doctors, and education. She might leave the only family she has ever known and go live with strangers. And when I heard this news, I broke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Wanda followed me into our ministry’s office where I was trying to hold it together. I was grieving, I was angry, and I was ready to give up. My beautiful wife reached out to me and hugged me while I vented. “What is the point of continuing to fight?!? At any moment a corrupt court or agency can make their wicked decisions and strip away everything we have done! I don’t know how long I can keep fighting!” (This is a general summary. Due to the pain and stress of the moment, I cannot give your a verbatim script.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At that moment, I felt like a punch-drunk fighter who did not want to leave my corner for another round. I wanted to throw in the towel, head to the locker room to wash off the blood, and go live a normal life far away from the battle. And, if I am completely honest, there is still a part of me that feels that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I know that I won’t. I will not walk away from the fight. And I have been asking myself, “Why not?” Far better men and women than me have walked away and gone on to easier work and ministry. Why can’t I just turn around and walk away from the fight? I have spent a lot of time over the last few days asking that question. And here are my answers:</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>My heart will not let me.</b> I know that this is what God created me to do. My life, experiences, and relationships all prepared me to do this work. And I know that if I walk away, I will not be happy. I might be more comfortable, and life might be easier, but it will be empty. What is the point in living an easy life is you aren’t living your purpose? At the end of the day, the battles might leave me broken and bleeding, but God redeemed me and called me to this fight. And I will not walk away.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Obedience is my call, not results.</b> I often forget this. God calls us to hear His voice and follow. The results, or the lack thereof, are up to Him. And those results will not be known in this life. I often think that some of the accomplishments of which I am most proud are not even a blip on God’s radar. But there are likely moments that I would label as failures that have produced eternal results. I cannot know the consequences of my obedience. Only God knows and measures those. My responsibility is to hold tightly to my Daddy’s hand and do what He asks.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The alternative is to surrender to evil.</b> If I walk away from the fight, I am telling the enemy that I surrender to him. I am surrendering these children and families to him. I am leaving behind those who cannot fight for themselves and giving them over to the evil one. And that is just not in me. No matter how many times I am knocked to the ground, I will find a way to stumble to my feet again and taunt the enemy, “I can do this all day.” Not by my strength, but by my Jesus, who is strength in my weakness.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Even if I lose the battles, I want these children to know that I at least fought for them.</b> I refuse to leave them to fight alone. I refuse to surrender them to the evil of government orphanages. I refuse to let them live and die alone, forgotten in some hellhole. I refuse to quit on them. At the end of the day, they will know that I fought for them because they are worth fighting for.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>I do not fight alone.</b> I am blessed to be surrounded by family, missionaries, and staff that refuse to quit as well. I am blessed to be surrounded by supporters and prayer partners that fight at my side every day. And, most importantly, I am blessed that the Lord of heaven’s armies fights with me.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of my college profs said something that has always stuck with me. “Until you find something for which you are willing to die, you will never really live.” And he was right. I am willing to die for my Jesus and these children. And, as a result, I have a reason to live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I will get up tomorrow morning and keep fighting. And the next...and the next...and the next...until God takes me home or I decline physically to the point that I can no longer fight. I will never surrender. I will never walk away. This is the hill on which I will keep fighting, and eventually die.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, bring it on, Satan. I can do this all day.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-62962175218714746102019-11-06T11:32:00.001-07:002019-11-06T11:32:23.983-07:00Valleys that Prepare<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">My faith has been tested over the last two months. And, as a result, it is stronger than ever. Let me share that journey with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Almost three months ago, our ministry hit a financial crisis greater than any we have faced before. Literally, our group homes were out of money with our monthly wire transfer to Guatemala coming quickly. We have faced financial crises before, but this was a new level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are used to trusting in God for what we need. Wanda and I have done that for our entire married life. We never pursued money, instead pursuing Jesus, trusting Him to provide what we needed as we served Him. We have faced financial need more times than I can count, and each time God showed up, usually in just the nick of time. So, I rarely worry about money, focusing instead on ministry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBafAZub8FGbfGHO3vJoFfiWAGFdgIeWWbTNvHbubEXzWxd3nGMwEt1n9vTYNsdquIgs29DC37hwwuwMaSgAuckNWThaG-idp011f9W9sL6xkAf-P3_VU_uae7XDqKO0FoX4oN339ZNs/s1600/10162013_Stressed_Man_Laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="984" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBafAZub8FGbfGHO3vJoFfiWAGFdgIeWWbTNvHbubEXzWxd3nGMwEt1n9vTYNsdquIgs29DC37hwwuwMaSgAuckNWThaG-idp011f9W9sL6xkAf-P3_VU_uae7XDqKO0FoX4oN339ZNs/s320/10162013_Stressed_Man_Laptop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But this most recent crisis was the biggest I have ever faced. And fear threatened to take me down. What will happen to these children? What about the faithful workers we employ and their families? They are not just employees, they are family. What if we can’t pay them? It was a dark valley of fear and self-doubt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But, in the midst of it all, I would remind myself that God has always been faithful. He loves these children far more than I ever could. He will not abandon or forsake them. And I would lay my fear at His feet and experience peace and joy. But a day or two (or maybe only an hour or two) later, I would realize that I had picked it up again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We had enough funds in our overall bank account to transfer what we needed down, but it would throw our group homes’ account severely in the negative while draining our other accounts. But as I prayed, I sensed God asking me to trust Him. Order the transfer from the US and trust Him to replenish all the accounts by the next month. So, I did. And I waited, prayed, and surrendered. And then would find myself carrying fear and worry again. That cycle repeated itself several times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">About halfway through the month, I was spending time with God in prayer. And as I was openly confessing my fear and lack of faith, I heard Him speak. He said this: “Daryl, your faith needs to be bigger for what lies ahead. I need you to trust me more than you ever have before.” It was not a harsh voice spoken in anger. It was gentle and loving, like a father encouraging his child’s toddling steps. And it took my breath away. Suddenly, I understood the purpose of this trial. And I was finally able to lay my fear and doubts at His feet…and leave them there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, over the next two weeks, I enjoyed peace and joy in a powerful way in my life. God began a process in me that I can only describe as revival. My relationship with God became more intimate than I have ever known, my hunger for the Word exploded, and my joy began to overflow. And, with a snap of His fingers, the financial crisis was resolved. God met our needs in a way that was exceedingly and abundantly more than I would have ever imagined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And my passion for Jesus and His Word has continued to grow. And He has continued to speak more clearly than ever before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last month, Wanda and I were given an opportunity to spend two nights away in a little cabin on a mountainside. It is only about a 40 minute drive from our home, and it is beautiful and quiet. So, we pulled together a last minute retreat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We needed the time together, but we also needed time to talk and pray together about what God is doing. And, during the time, He confirmed what He had been saying for the previous three weeks: “Prepare yourselves.” He is getting ready to call us and stretch us in ways that are unlike anything we have experienced in the past. So, we are buckling our seatbelts and getting ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time, I have been hearing another message. It is not really a new message, but it is louder and more urgent: “Stand with the broken!” And I believe this message relates to standing with the least of these both physically and as an advocate. Where there is suffering, I need to run to it and help. But I also need to cry out on their behalf to a church that is distracted by everything from politics to comfort and security.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Three weeks ago, we received word that the town of Florido Aceituno, Escuintla had been flooded. Homes had been destroyed and hundreds had been displaced. This is the town in which we run our Aliento Feeding Program. In fact, our team had just left the town when the rains began. And the river spilled over its banks just a few hours later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">My truck was in the shop when I received the news, so I called my mechanic to see how soon he could get it ready. He pushed it through quickly so we could hit the road mid-day, and we gathered food and supplies while we waited for the repairs to finish. Then we headed out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When we arrived we found a town that had bonded together to help one another. They had opened a shelter in the school and the Catholic church across the street. Neighbor was helping neighbor. Those unaffected by the flood were bringing donations, preparing food, and helping with childcare. But there was very little assistance from the outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">CONRED, the nation’s disaster relief organization, had come that morning and taken photos for their website. I confirmed that they had posted the pictures and were asking for donations, but they were not there. They did nothing to help. Likewise, the Red Cross had shown up for a couple of hours and then left, the only evidence of their visit being a Red Cross banner hanging outside the school. We, along with one other Christian organization, were the only outside presence in the town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">They needed food, and we were able to provide them with 2160 meals of fortified rice. We also had several large boxes of donated clothes. When we realized that they had no toilet paper for the shelters, Jeremiah and I made a run to a store to buy 240 rolls. The next day, we returned and moved the feeding program from the health center to the shelters. We also delivered enough water filters to assure both shelters clean drinking water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And I was grateful to see more assistance show up. The Church of the Nazarene had shown up with a doctor and supplies. Another Christian group was passing out excellent hygiene kits to families. CONRED and the Red Cross were still not found there, but the church was stepping up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And that is the key. It always has been. The church is supposed to STAND WITH THE BROKEN. We see it in both the Old and New Testament. We see it clearly in the words of Jesus. Our Savior is the hope of the world, and we are His hands and feet. It was God’s plan from the beginning that we be His channels of grace, mercy, and hope to a suffering world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But we have gotten distracted, and the enemy is delighted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the days since, God has continued to unfold opportunities to stand with the broken. So, this ministry is continuing to expand. Here are a few examples:</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">In the next year, we have numerous children in our group homes turning 18. Our plan has always been for them to remain in our home after they age out. But some of the courts are making it clear that they have to be in a separate area for adults only. And we have no space for such an area. So, we are faced with a choice. Do we surrender these young adults that we love to the system to be placed in an institution, or do we open a home just for them? If you know us at all, you know the decision we made. So, we are beginning work to open Hogar Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Home) for adults. No, we don’t know how we will do it. But we know that God would not have us allow these young men and women to move from our family to a crowded institution. So we are confident that He will provide.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Aliento Feeding Program in Aceituno is going wonderfully. But there is a spiritual darkness that we are fighting in the town. People are trapped in cycles of poverty, abuse, and addiction. And the local school is a nightmare that is feeding the crisis. Crowded classrooms and burned-out teachers lead to a setting in which very little learning occurs. But we now have an opportunity to make a difference. One of our ministry partners, BuildingGuate, has been used by God to transform the local school near our birthing center. The Departmental Superintendent of Schools has asked them if they could reproduce that program in other schools. So, our ministry will be stepping up to provide a sponsorship program for students through which we will pay for additional teachers and provide incentives for current teachers in Aceituno. In exchange, we will be allowed to provide Bible and character development classes to address the systemic issues of physical and sexual abuse and the identity crisis that many children face. Again, we are not sure how we can make this work, but God does.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our home’s school for children with special needs has outgrown the single teacher system that is currently in place. We have three more children from our homes who need to begin classes in January, as well as families in the community asking for admission. So, we need to add an additional teacher and expand. Here we grow again!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">And we just made contact with a ministry in Chiquimula, Guatemala. That department borders Honduras and has the highest level of malnutrition in the country. In some communities, stunting malnutrition tops 90%. I have wanted to begin ministry there for over four years, but God kept closing the doors and telling me to wait. Now we have an opportunity to begin a formula program for malnourished children and for pregnant and nursing mothers. This will be our third formula program in our attempt to fight the growing nutrition crisis in Guatemala.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And there is more coming. I can feel it in my times with God. I can sense His hand on my shoulder and His voice in my ear telling me to prepare myself to see His wonders revealed. I praise God that he saw these expansions coming long ago and is sending help, with three new couples and a single young lady joining our team in the first half of 2020.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Pray for our faith, that we will continue to trust the One who is more that trustworthy. Pray for wisdom to recognize God’s guidance and hear His voice. And pray that God will do God-sized works that are above human understanding and imagination, so that He will be made famous!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-84371368436547327362019-05-20T16:47:00.003-06:002019-05-20T16:58:24.056-06:00The Person in Front of Me<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I can be impatient, and I am usually in a hurry. These two facts are a deadly combination, especially living in a country like Guatemala.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Before moving to Guatemala, we lived in Troy, Ohio. My ideas of a traffic jam were rooted in my regular trips to Dayton. During rush hour, the amalgamation of roads known locally as “malfunction junction” could cause a traffic jam that could delay you for up to (gasp) 45 minutes. Until I encountered traffic in Guatemala City, I had no idea what a real traffic jam could be. Now I know that if I leave for the airport at 4:00 am it will take me 55 minutes. If I leave at 5:00 am, it will take me two-and-a-half to three hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Guatemala is crowded. If you go to most restaurants over lunch time, you will have to fight for a table. And don’t even think about going to a mall’s food court during a heavy traffic time. A trip to Walmart in the city on a Saturday can look like the last shopping day before Christmas in the States. And a simple visit to the bank can leave you standing in a line that extends out the door and down the street. In other words, this is not a good place to be either impatient or in a hurry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And God, with His infinite sense of humor, sent me to live and serve here. I can picture Him laughing so hard He has to wipe tears as He watches me in another line of traffic. And I think He especially likes it when I, the guy who refuses to leave my house on Black Friday, find myself pressed into a massive crowd at the Pricesmart checkout area. He enjoys highlighting my weaknesses to keep me humble and reliant on Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But the big problem with my whole impatience/hurry problem is the way it causes me to see people. In those moments when I am looking impatiently at the time on my phone and then looking at the people in front of me and calculating how long it will take me to get done or arrive, the people in front of me become an obstacle. They become “things” that are standing in my way. And I just want them to move and let me through. After all, “I have ministry to do.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In 1991, when I was in one of my first youth ministry positions, I was preparing for our annual winter retreat. It was a big deal that attracted lots of teens and required lots of work and planning on my part. There were lessons to plan, activities to schedule, youth leaders to coordinate, and more. I had set aside a full day to work on just the retreat, but I was constantly interrupted. The parents of one of the teens who was dealing with depression stopped by to ask for counsel. A teen who was struggling to fit in at school stopped by to just visit. My phone was ringing frequently with questions about the retreat and other events (this was before the days of e-mail and texting). And I was feeling the pressure of another short night of sleep due to my “unproductive” day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I went down to complain to the Senior Pastor, Clark Miller. I leaned against his doorway and explained how lousy my day was going and how little I had gotten done. I told him about all the people that had interrupted me and kept me from my important ministry work. He smiled and nodded, even as I did the same to him. Then, as I turned to go back to my office, I heard him yell out, “Yeah, Fulp! Ministry would be great if it weren’t for all the people!” I returned to his doorway with a pained expression and mimed pulling an arrow from my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">His words were true and powerful. The very people who I had seen as a barrier to ministry were, in fact, crucial ministry</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have had to re-learn that lesson many times over the last 28 years. And it seems I have to re-learn it daily here. These people that crowd me in traffic and lines and stores are not obstacles on my way to do ministry, they are my ministry. In fact, God is showing me that <b>my most important ministry is whoever is in front of me right now</b>. No person is an obstacle, they are someone created in the image of God for whom He died. And yet, I often fail to even notice them on my way to “ministry.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I shudder to think of how many times I have likely rushed past a person whom God has led into my path. Even worse, how many times have I frowned or rolled my eyes at them in frustration? He put them next to me and slowed me down so that I could acknowledge them, engage them, listen to them, and extend love to them. But I was too busy checking the time and calculating an exit strategy to notice them. One of my great sins is that I am often so far-sighted that I fail to see the person right in front of me. Jesus, please forgive me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Busyness and rushing is the enemy of love and ministry. Which means, all too often, I am their enemy, as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I keep reminding myself of some basic truths: 1) I have no control. I cannot control the traffic, crowds, or lines. 2) God IS in control. He is sovereign over all those things, and uses them for good all the time, even when I don’t see or understand that good. 3) I do have control over my response and attitude in the midst of them. When my attitude goes south, I bring harm instead of the healing and hope God intended. 4) Every person that God puts in front of me is my most important ministry in that moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Recently I began to pray a prayer each morning as I walk out of my bedroom door to face the world. I am making it into a little sign to post next to the door to keep it in the forefront of my thoughts each morning. It goes like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Lord, with your help, today I will be last and least. I will not demand my rights, but will lay them aside to bless and help others. I will be a servant, and expect no one to serve me. I will remember the mercy I have received and extend it to others. I will notice the person in front of me, and I will honor and love them in Your name. With your help, I will be more like you than yesterday. Jesus, please help me. Amen.</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As soon as I finish typing these words, I will leave this place and head to another in order to minister. But every step and mile along the way, there will be lots of ministry waiting in the form of people. Please pray that I will notice and minister. And I will do the same for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Every person we encounter every day needs more of Jesus. Let’s slow down and give Him <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-23139896012381356192019-05-10T09:38:00.000-06:002019-05-10T09:38:18.693-06:00Grief and Grieving<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We lost another child last week. It was not a surprise, but it still felt like a kick in the stomach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Little Edy had been struggling for most of his time with us, which was over three years. He was missing a large part of his brain, and his brain stem was damaged. As a result, he would stop breathing on a regular basis. At some point, he stopped swallowing, so he had to be put in an NG tube. We never bothered having a G-tube installed because we were told that he did not have long to live, and we did not believe he would survive the surgery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But day after day and month after month, Edy continued to fight. Many times we thought the end was near and we would say goodbye. But, in typical Edy fashion, he would turn a corner and improve, moving from near death to laughter in a few hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Over the last year, he had declined significantly. His bad days outnumber his good days, and we all began to pray that Jesus would take him home. But he continued to fight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Wanda and I flew to the States on April 25th. The night before we left, I said goodbye to each of the children, and when I came to Edy I stayed with him a little longer. He was looking bad, and I wondered if he would live out the week. But, since I had thought he was dying so many times before, I shook it off and told myself he would fight through it, as always. But, as I said goodbye, I told him, “Little buddy, I will either see you in eight days, or when I get to heaven. Either way, I will see you soon.” It was the last time I saw him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Wanda and I flew into Pennsylvania and participated in a family wedding that Saturday. On Sunday, we drove to Ohio to see our daughter, Ashley, and her family, including our new grandson, Sonny. We also visited with friends and spoke at a church. And on Thursday we drove back to PA. Before we left, I received a message from Katie Riley saying that Edy was not doing well. He had not been conscious for three days and was bloating badly, a sign that his internal organs were shutting down. While in the States, our Guatemalan cell phones do not work, so we rely on WiFi for communications. We committed to connect every time we stopped to check for updates.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRXZS-_bz8j1y6hCy6rnp9I27AcjQGmYT4ZDJ_3HSt4ViL_gegS7M90tbCNLUtzjzZIHoolg595SZdhcbIPpkMt2TS61LE5u4MWeTbDRycxBX5xj1hnBeLKHgx2r2BtAhCiJhVOq2_m0/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRXZS-_bz8j1y6hCy6rnp9I27AcjQGmYT4ZDJ_3HSt4ViL_gegS7M90tbCNLUtzjzZIHoolg595SZdhcbIPpkMt2TS61LE5u4MWeTbDRycxBX5xj1hnBeLKHgx2r2BtAhCiJhVOq2_m0/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At around 11:00 am we stopped for gas, and Wanda’s phone connected with someone’s WiFi. The message arrived then. Edy had passed away at around 10:25 am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had listened to his struggling breathing for the last two years. I had seen him worsen, and I had prayer that he would go to Jesus. Many times I held him and comforted and told him to stop fighting. Yet, when Wanda told me he was gone, it felt like a ton of bricks hit me. The grief of losing him, combined with the reality that we were not there and could not make it back by his funeral, completely overwhelmed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We stopped shortly after for an early lunch and to use WiFi to connect, comfort, and make sure the details were covered back home. Then we drove to get back to PA so we could fly out the next morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next 36 hours until we were home with family was a blur. Grief, traveling, concern for those back home, thoughts of the funeral…they all came together in a fuzzy ball. When we were finally able to enter our home and hug our children (by blood, adoption, and internship) I finally felt like I could breath again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For our family, grief can be difficult, because we are not allowed the same space to grieve that others are given. We have lost nine children from our two homes. Each time, the grief threatened to overwhelm us. And, in some case, the grief was accompanied by the trauma of sudden death and the frantic activity of CPR. And, each time, our family and interns grieved deeply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But, in many cases, there is a failure to understand our grief. While it is never spoken out loud, the attitude is regularly conveyed that it is not as hard for us when we lose a child because they are not really our children. They are just children in our group home, and we signed up for these kinds of things. So we are not given space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am not trying to complain, just making an observation. More is expected of us than would ever be expected of other parents and siblings that had just lost a son or brother. Whereas other parents who had just lost a child would be visited, comforted, receive food gifts, and be encouraged to grieve and talk about their loss, we are not. Brief words are exchanged, and the conversation moves on.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l_qZYn_wp0AQEQRlnv9R3_dcJ9YbYmYbvmiuL7tjc3B5spWaN5IrAg8zDWy_AnxDZkue0HX3pLVFbVXBF1HSUOsP4xAfqUQwOGzfpi4WkdpxE8DLOwx63gdtg0c5mNrYgJXgUtpPToI/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l_qZYn_wp0AQEQRlnv9R3_dcJ9YbYmYbvmiuL7tjc3B5spWaN5IrAg8zDWy_AnxDZkue0HX3pLVFbVXBF1HSUOsP4xAfqUQwOGzfpi4WkdpxE8DLOwx63gdtg0c5mNrYgJXgUtpPToI/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We moved to Guatemala to be a family to children without a family, not to be an institution. Ever child in our home calls us mom and dad, and we call them our sons and daughters. Our biological and adopted children call the kids in our home their brothers and sisters. We love them as our own family, because they are. Yes, our family is way bigger than most, but the size makes us no less of a family and does nothing to diminish our grief when one of them leaves us. It does not make it easier when we prepare their little bodies for burial and place them in little coffins. It does not diminish the grief of standing beside their tomb. It wounds us to the core of our being.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When this happens, I want to be able to take a week off to be with my family and grieve. I want to be able to talk with friends about it instead of receiving a cursory condolence and moving on to the next topic. But I don’t have that freedom. Nor do Wanda and our children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">My friend, Drew, helps me a lot. He listens and understands my need to grieve. He keeps encouraging me to talk and let it out. I met with him two days ago and told about my fear. I am afraid that if I let down the spill gate on the dam that is holding back my grief of all the children we have lost that the flood would drown me. That, once it starts, it might never stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time, I realize that holding back my grief is ugly, as well. It bottles up inside me and comes out in the form of anger and impatience. I lose my joy and begin to isolate myself. Even small tasks seem overwhelming. So, I have to let it out. But I have to find people who understand and will give me room to grieve. Drew is one of those people. Wanda is another. Dick is another. And I am learning that they have to be enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">People often tell Wanda and I how strong we are. They really have no idea how weak we are. If they could see us in the privacy of our room as we struggle to figure out how to keep going, how to keep our marriage and family healthy, and how to get up the next morning…they would not call us strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, we can only throw our tired and discouraged selves into the arms of Jesus and trust God’s promise that in our weakness, He is strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A song that has ministered to me over the last week has been “See You In a Little While” by Steven Curtis Chapman. I will leave you with the lyrics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I hold your hand and watch as the sun slowly fades</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Far in the distance the Father is calling your name</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And it’s time for you to go home</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And everything in me wants to hold on</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>But I’m letting you go with this goodbye kiss and this promise</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj100Y_IL9F0hyphenhyphen-1LLpVJtDKHr3pU9Mb6JkQ6oLlG2spRSO8yecVkwSYYoVtlnNsBd7xkCJPTcP0dlzxOBUFF-RsnxRQUDdOikuKiie_U89FryDdEvtdJVEvF4db-1OPAkt2c1z4CyhTUE/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj100Y_IL9F0hyphenhyphen-1LLpVJtDKHr3pU9Mb6JkQ6oLlG2spRSO8yecVkwSYYoVtlnNsBd7xkCJPTcP0dlzxOBUFF-RsnxRQUDdOikuKiie_U89FryDdEvtdJVEvF4db-1OPAkt2c1z4CyhTUE/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>It won’t be too long now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We’ll see it on the other side</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The wait was only the blink of an eye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So I’m not gonna say goodbye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>‘Cause I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And just one more thing before I let you go</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Please tell my little girl I love her</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Though I’m sure she already knows</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And ask the Father to please tell the Son</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>That we’re ready and waiting for Him to come</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>It won’t be too long now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We’ll see it on the other side</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The wait was only the blink of an eye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So I’m not gonna say goodbye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>‘Cause I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Maybe you’ll teach me all the songs they sing in heaven</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Maybe you’ll show me how you can fly</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And I’ll hear you laugh again</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>And we won’t remember when</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We were not together and this time it’s forever</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>It won’t be too long now</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>We’ll see it on the other side</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>The wait was only the blink of an eye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So I’m not gonna say goodbye</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>‘Cause I’ll see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>I’m gonna see you in a little while</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala,</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-3572211672961056562019-04-24T14:58:00.002-06:002019-04-24T14:58:48.948-06:00Dangerous Prayers<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I have been thinking a lot about the prayers we pray and how dangerous they can be. I want to take a few moments to pour out my heart about those dangerous prayers, but first I want to tell you a few stories about our lives and ministry that have occurred recently and apply to those prayers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Story 1:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">About 6 weeks ago I was contacted by my friend, Dick Rutgers, regarding a child with whom he had been working. He found little Kevin some months before, lying in his home alone and covered with urine. He was horribly malnourished and suffering from cerebral palsy. Immediately, Dick found sponsorship for him, and we began providing him with formula.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But he did not improve. We questioned if his family was feeding Kevin the formula or if they might be selling it for money. The answer was unclear, but it was clear that he was getting worse, not better. Dick called me because he had, once again, found him alone in the house and soaked in urine. He was also sick with fever and a respiratory illness, later diagnosed as pneumonia. His mother had agreed to take him somewhere for treatment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I heard more about his illness and the severity of his malnutrition, it became clear that he would die soon if he did not get out of his house. We had wanted to welcome him into our home, but we were full. Yet, when Dick called me this time, I asked him to give me a few minutes to talk with my wife. I spoke with Wanda, and we agreed that we would find a way to fit him into our family, even though we did not know how it would work. We had no more room to put a bed. Our staff and interns are stretched thin. And our finances are thinner still. But we prayed and said yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It was decided that Dick would find a hospital that could admit him and treat his respiratory illness while he worked with the mom to get him placed in our home through the courts. Dick spent days driving, waiting, and talking with courts, social workers, and the judge. Due to his heroic efforts, they finally got the necessary court order and he came to our home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It has been around five weeks now. Kevin has gained around five pounds. His face has a pleasant roundness to it, and baggy skin has been filled in with fat. The little guy that would not smile when he arrived now gives a beaming smile to those around him, and even laughs. His high tone spasms have lessened by around 60% and he can sit upright with support comfortably.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In order to make room for him, we moved little David out of the boy’s room. He does not sleep well many nights, so we now put him to bed in the playroom in a crib that allows our night nanny to respond to his needs without waking the others. God is providing financially one day at a time. And, thus far, this story is a happy one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Story 2:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week I was awakened from a deep sleep by a phone call. I stumbled to the phone and mumbled a bleary “Buenos noches.” It was a social worker from the local PGN asking us to take an emergency placement. I was able to wake up enough to activate my Spanish, and the details unfolded. A little boy...severe special needs...severe malnutrition...abuse and neglect...very sick and weak...may not survive. “Can you please take him? He will die in any other home.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">My heart sank. No more room. No more staff. We can’t say yes. So, I gave told them that I was sorry but we had no more beds and no more places to put a bed. They would have to find another home for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I hung up and went back to sleep...two hours later. It is hard to sleep after calls like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The end of this story is unknown. I likely will not know until eternity, and I fear to learn it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Story 3:</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhX4W2xlaWpmonKYVMUO6UHN-zpIs3QPTZ1WrJ4JSe_IHv-5a0ScmxEsHZlVHIP_59dU3UQejH0sjtVytTu2HjbfNLp7mv-G0MB6_xPpXvIr-CgOWJMS5TCsjVDE4FFnQTM_h78V1hEk/s1600/VeNomQVfTR2K5QPTXsXbPg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhX4W2xlaWpmonKYVMUO6UHN-zpIs3QPTZ1WrJ4JSe_IHv-5a0ScmxEsHZlVHIP_59dU3UQejH0sjtVytTu2HjbfNLp7mv-G0MB6_xPpXvIr-CgOWJMS5TCsjVDE4FFnQTM_h78V1hEk/s320/VeNomQVfTR2K5QPTXsXbPg.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">We have been dealing with numerous malnutrition cases in our rural village ministry. In two cases, the children have recently gotten sick due to their weakness and compromised immune systems. In both cases, the illnesses were serious and resulted in hospitalization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In these cases, we work hard to monitor the children as closely as possible. In one case, we arranged for the child to be seen by one of our nurses weekly to monitor his health. But a malnourished child can move from stable to sick and from sick to critical in 24-36 hours. We just cannot monitor them closely enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time, the choice to place the child in a malnutrition center has its own drawbacks. If you can find space available in one, the family is usually limited in their ability to visit the child. In some cases, they are only allowed to see their son or daughter for a couple of hours once a week. This makes is difficult on both the child and their parents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, what can we do? One of our staff offered a creative idea. We should rent a house in our town and open it up to children who are malnourished. They can live in the home with their mom and a director and receive daily check-ups and supervision. The moms would be in charge of their care under medical supervision. Our doctors and specialists would be close by and readily available when needed. Such a great idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But it has costs. There is the money (about $3500 of start-up costs and about $1500 a month in operations, based upon 4 mothers with their children). And there is the manpower issues. But it would have the potential of saving many lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Again, the end of this story is unknown. We need God’s wisdom to know if we should proceed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What do these stories have to do with dangerous prayers? The answer to that question is found in Wanda’s and my journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Back in 2004, I began to pray my first truly dangerous prayer. It was simple. “Lord, break my heart for the things that break yours.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This prayer sounds noble, even romantic. You picture yourself being sensitive to and responding to the things that make God sad. But that is a shallow understanding of the prayer. And it is ignorance regarding what it truly means to have a broken heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The result of that prayer was I found myself being exposed directly to human suffering that had previously been limited to news stories or distant anecdotes told by missionaries. I was not prepared for the reality of the world, and my heart broke. It shattered. I was not prepared for the dreams or the tears. I would experience weeks where I could barely function because of the grief. I was broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, in the midst of that time, God gave me a shocking realization. The grief that I was experiencing was just one drop of the ocean of grief that my Jesus carries. Every orphan without a home...every starving child...every grieving mother and father...every abuse and injustice...my God sees it, knows their pain, and feels it in His being. “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows...”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, at 4:30 in the morning after a particularly painful dream of a dying little girl, I cried out to God with my second dangerous prayer. “Okay! I understand! The world is broken and suffering! I get it! I can’t take anymore! I will do anything you ask me to do, JUST HELP ME MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Just help me make a difference.</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65bHP4TgnT3_NQNjWbXa5wx_g3W5ft1FwOCYt9dHf4leVUQOMvNzc6-aOjfvQNOJUwi-K1ffvllvHRdqzqcqoYNVnVmnD48nEXOeEZAC2Wb3e8CeSfEtvTZtnzVGHEBK9Gch7c0-QEKs/s1600/XCCj3Lc%2525TRal8MSbDGmlNw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65bHP4TgnT3_NQNjWbXa5wx_g3W5ft1FwOCYt9dHf4leVUQOMvNzc6-aOjfvQNOJUwi-K1ffvllvHRdqzqcqoYNVnVmnD48nEXOeEZAC2Wb3e8CeSfEtvTZtnzVGHEBK9Gch7c0-QEKs/s320/XCCj3Lc%2525TRal8MSbDGmlNw.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">If I knew then what that prayer would mean, I am not sure I would have found the courage to pray it. This simple prayer that I began to pray many times a day would completely wreck my life, and then rebuild it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I did not recognize the cost of making a difference. To stay where I was then would have been easy. No uprooting my family. No trying to speak a different language or learn to relate to an entirely different culture. And no excruciating decisions. I did not realize that, in order to make a difference, I would have to put myself in a situation filled with choices that really mattered. Overwhelming decisions. Scary decisions. Crucial decisions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I did not realize that, in order to save some children, I would have to hold other children while they died. I did not realize that it would mean nine instances of performing CPR in five years, and losing seven of them. I did not realize that making a difference would mean treating maggot filled bedsores or holding a teenager while he cried out in excruciating pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And I certainly did not know that making a difference would mean deciding to let some people die. I did not know that opening a home would mean saying no to so many dying children. (I have stopped counting how many because the pain was too great.) I did not know that I would be faced with decisions of whether a good ministry that can save so many is the right decision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But that is exactly where I live and exactly what I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of my favorite books is “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken. I am reading it for the third time as I write this. It resonates with me, because the author gets it. He understand. He writes the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“I was often forced to choose which villages we would go to, and where we couldn’t go because of limited staff and resources. Many of my daily decisions determined who lived and who died. These decisions were weighty and terrifying. It was an overwhelming responsibility.”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Those two prayers have led me to where I am today. It has also led my wife and children to the same place. My children have watched children die repeatedly and then wept at their graveside. Those prayers have assured that my children will never be safe or comfortable or callous to the suffering of the world. Our teenagers and young adults have experienced suffering in a way that few people ever will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had no idea at the time, but those two prayers are two of the most dangerous prayers we could ever utter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, living where I live and doing what I do, am I glad that I prayed them? The short answer is, “Yes.” The longer answer is, “Yes, most of the time.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I won’t lie. There have been times in which I have regretted it. I regretted it as I held Thania’s lifeless hand in an emergency room after a frantic fight to save her. I regretted it the next morning as the morgue handed me her corpse wrapped in a garbage bag. I regretted it when little Maggie died on Christmas Eve after a 35 minute battle to save her life. There have been brief moments when, given the chance, I would have turned back the clock and stopped myself from praying them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But 99.9% of my life is filled with a quiet thankfulness that I prayed those prayers. Even with the life-and-death decisions. Even with the grief. Even with the overwhelming need that surrounds us. I am glad that I prayed those very dangerous prayers. Because, at the end of the day, I really do want to be broken by the things that break God’s heart. And I really do want to make a difference. I want my life and my family to matter, not just for this life, but for eternity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And for that purpose, I will leave behind comfort and easy decisions for the things that really matter. I will do it imperfectly and will regularly fall short. But I will do it with an incredible wife and children around me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you? I hope so. Pray dangerously!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-25943955768565481662019-02-13T16:24:00.003-07:002019-02-13T16:24:37.897-07:00Why?<div style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Why?</div>
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That little three-letter utterance is one of the most powerful words in the English language. Within it lies the cause that affects. Therefore, it contains the first step toward real solutions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRvApL0o0Oxr2MT60qzgX-UHhekPdTPzHMpYCOIPVB0POBFxezDNecR_6NxJ1EdXs6g1l0Qcg4Ef3zRkOp0isUnBwC4L6mbCinWuW6t72vdndz9apknaCJy23kpxTZ4tIJmoC0VbMWtg/s1600/IMG_0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRvApL0o0Oxr2MT60qzgX-UHhekPdTPzHMpYCOIPVB0POBFxezDNecR_6NxJ1EdXs6g1l0Qcg4Ef3zRkOp0isUnBwC4L6mbCinWuW6t72vdndz9apknaCJy23kpxTZ4tIJmoC0VbMWtg/s320/IMG_0745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I have been asking that question a lot recently. I live surrounded by brokenness, suffering, and injustice, and I desperately long to address the systematic issues that cause them. So, I find myself asking it repeatedly. Why?</div>
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It is easy to jump to quick conclusions and nice packaged answers. I find myself doing that at times. Why does suffering exist that could be prevented? Pre-packaged answer: Because people don’t care! But is that really true?</div>
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Most people I know do care. They care about orphans and will cry readily at their plight. They care about the unborn and are vocal about their opposition to abortion. They care about the poor and will send a check to help. They care about the displaced and pray daily for the refugees.</div>
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Most of us care, to one degree or another. The cause of injustice is not an absence of care, but the level of it. We care. We just don’t care enough. We care enough to do something, but we don’t care enough to sacrifice. So, we only scratch the surface of the need.</div>
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This has always been a problem with the world-at-large. However, over the last century it has become a significant issue within the church. The Kingdom built on sacrifice has opened itself to the American Dream of comfort and prosperity and confused it with the Gospel and discipleship. As a result, our picture of the church has been blurred, distorted, and stained. And so has our vision of a godly man, woman and family.</div>
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We expect and demand more for ourselves. As a result, we have less to give. We care, but we don’t care more for others than we do for ourselves. And real sacrifice has become rare.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_yZI4Z76bj_-kCJ3yhYmwvPN1DqoAcKTimieaA-mTlwoUiV4tBoUCM87RFPm_Wdx_bT4pxdP_mG9re3-6Wn-RHDLLJgWklwCxaF1fMFqXgenEMqOJ0qPeSTbi1Be5QgWFgAkvuFLjfA/s1600/15622472_10210812517336704_1060927232250823891_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_yZI4Z76bj_-kCJ3yhYmwvPN1DqoAcKTimieaA-mTlwoUiV4tBoUCM87RFPm_Wdx_bT4pxdP_mG9re3-6Wn-RHDLLJgWklwCxaF1fMFqXgenEMqOJ0qPeSTbi1Be5QgWFgAkvuFLjfA/s200/15622472_10210812517336704_1060927232250823891_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Why are their so many children without families? Because we don’t care more about their fates than we do for ourselves. There are way more than enough Christian families out there that have room for another child or two. Every child could have a family. But that might be messy. We can’t foster or adopt. We might expose ourselves and our children to icky stuff. We care, but not enough to act. So nearly 150,000,000 children will go to sleep tonight without a mom or dad to tuck them into bed. We care, just not enough.</div>
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Why will so many children suffer and die alone? Because we care, but not enough to expose ourselves to grief and pain. “It would kill me to love a child and see them die!” Our Jesus “took up our grief and carried our sorrows,” but we think He would not want us to do the same for others. So thousands of children will die alone today without ever knowing loving arms around them. We care, just not enough.</div>
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Why will so many babies die in their mother’s womb today? Because we hate abortion, but not enough to move beyond political activism. We don’t care enough to intentionally leave behind comfort to form relationships with struggling young ladies. We don’t care enough to love them before the pregnancy so that we can walk with them during the pregnancy. We don’t care enough to make family-wide sacrifices so that we can help support a pregnant girl and, soon, a young mother so that she feels that life is an option. We care, just not enough.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqOPdn_E_cunZoujGW3Bsw91loSJQOfB6How7qiFdvDP1dm4cRTpGpNPryC9QJuHmpIX9SJidVksR5etEmNiUKpy0aV7ewsTscS3yhHwpnE1lVNTf15dJOFJlG-ul-DIK2b9YC9d9C1k/s1600/Europe-refugee-crisis-Father-and-baby-Caritas-Greece_opt_fullstory_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="540" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqOPdn_E_cunZoujGW3Bsw91loSJQOfB6How7qiFdvDP1dm4cRTpGpNPryC9QJuHmpIX9SJidVksR5etEmNiUKpy0aV7ewsTscS3yhHwpnE1lVNTf15dJOFJlG-ul-DIK2b9YC9d9C1k/s320/Europe-refugee-crisis-Father-and-baby-Caritas-Greece_opt_fullstory_medium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why will so many displaced people have no safe place to sleep tonight? We care about refugees, and will even share that support online, but will not translate that concern into action that provides answers. We want them to be safe, but not enough to risk our own safety to make it a reality. We won’t risk the hostility of others who don’t care or agree in order to sponsor a family and help them find belonging and hope in a new land. We care, just not enough.</div>
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Why will so many die today apart from a knowledge of Jesus? Because we care about the lost, but not enough to go. That is for others to do. God wouldn’t want us to uproot our family. He wouldn’t want us to put our children at risk. The God who gave His only Son so that we might have life would never want our children to sacrifice for His Kingdom. Would He? We care, just not enough.</div>
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Millions live without hope today, not because no one cares, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">because not enough people care enough</span>. And that is the overwhelming cause that affects our world.</div>
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On a regular basis we have people visit our homes and ministry. They will hold our kids, hear their stories, visit families in rural villages, learn about the children we have lost, and they will cry. They will be broken by the plight of those with disabilities. They will be moved by the work we do. And they will shed tears and leave. And quickly their normal lives resume and nothing changes. After a few touching posts on Facebook or Twitter, they return to complaints about the weather, irritations with customer surface, or the same tired political arguments. Nothing changes.</div>
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I have come to understand how worthless tears are, unless we quickly wipe our tears and get to work. Caring is useless unless it drives us to action that produces change.</div>
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Every day I face a battle, and that battle is with myself. Will I care more about myself or about others? It is not just a daily battle, it is a moment by moment battle. Will I put my own comfort, safety, resources, and emotions first, or will I be a servant?</div>
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All too often, I fail this test. When I am done posting this, I will stand up from my desk and make decisions that will affect others. What will I choose? And what will be the effects of those choices?</div>
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The Gospel is powerful, and the world is watching. For far too long, we have spoken of the love and sacrifice of Jesus without living it. And the results of this have been devastating. The world sees the church as irrelevant and uncaring because we have not cared enough to act in relevant ways. But it is not too late. And there is no better time to start than right now.</div>
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What breaks your heart? It is time to care enough to act.</div>
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<i>“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”</i></div>
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<i><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">1 John</span><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">3:18</span><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;"> </span><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: bidi-override;">NIV</span></i></div>
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Blessings from Guatemala!</div>
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Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-32568785552172953482018-11-06T10:27:00.005-07:002018-11-06T10:27:42.366-07:00Elections and Kingdoms<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Today is election day. The midterm elections are happening as I type, after weeks of acrimony and turmoil. In about 14 hours it will all be over, thankfully. Then we can begin treating each other badly in anticipation of the 2020 election.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Every election cycle, I see the words repeated. They are spoken, typed on Facebook, and broadcast on Twitter. It has become a part of Christian culture, like the words “amen” and “after-church potluck.”</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>"It’s our Christian responsibility.”</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“This election is crucial. It’s our Christian responsibility to vote.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The future of our nation is at stake. It is our Christian responsibility to be politically engaged.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“The fate of the church is at stake. It is our Christian responsibility to elect leaders who will defend it.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But is it really our “Christian responsibility?” Or is that simply a product of cultural Christianity instead of biblical discipleship? (And with those two questions, I have just touched the third rail of US evangelicalism. To question that core belief can get you excommunicated from some churches and cause many to call into question your very salvation. I know, because I would have been outraged by those questions not that long ago.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But can we lay aside what we have always been told for just a moment to ask the questions? What can it hurt to check make sure that what we believe and live is actually true to the Word of God?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, allow me a moment to give you the following arguments again a Christ-follower’s political involvement:</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">1) There is no Scriptural basis for it. </b></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jesus stepped onto a first century scene that was a political incubator. The Jewish nation was living under an oppressive Roman government that had stripped them of their rights and was taxing them into poverty. They were no longer allowed to practice some of the Torah commanded practices, and the people wanted political change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In fact, as they anticipated the coming Messiah, they were looking for a political one. They believed the Messiah would enter Jerusalem, establish an earthly rule, and place Israel at the top of the pecking order. Over time, many who had heard Jesus’ teaching and had seen his miracles believe that He was that Messiah, which explains their jubilation when He entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. They believed He was getting ready to establish the new kingdom. And He was. But it was not the kingdom they expected. So, when He died five days later, most of His followers walked away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We know now that Jesus did not come to be a political savior and establish an earthly kingdom. He came to establish a spiritual and Eternal Kingdom. And He had told them that repeatedly through His teaching. But they were so blinded by their own opinions of what they needed that they could not see what they really needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Twice we see religious leaders asking Jesus politically charged questions. But maybe you missed those:</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">1) Should we pay taxes to Caesar?</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> There was a political movement afoot in which some Jews wanted to arise and refuse to pay taxes to the Roman government. After all, they were corrupt, wicked, and using the funds to oppress the people paying them. They wanted that movement to gain enough critical mass so that the people would rise up as one and refuse to pay. The endorsement of this popular teacher would go a long way in achieving that critical mass.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">But notice Jesus’ response: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Give to God what is God’s.” In essence, He told them to give to the temporary government the temporary things it asks for. But give to God the eternal things that really matter. They wanted political answers, but He used the opportunity to turn the question around to address the spiritual issue that would really make a difference.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">2) Should we stone this woman?</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> - You have heard it countless times. The story of the woman caught in adultery, dragged into public with angry men holding stones. And they ask Jesus the question.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">The question was not a spiritual one. It was a political one. The Roman government had stripped the Jews of the right to dispense capital punishment, and they were angry. Again, they were seeking an uprising to overthrow Roman rule. They wanted political solutions. Plus this question would give them opportunity to accuse Jesus, no matter His response.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">And, again, Jesus took the political and turned it to the spiritual. “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And suddenly those men were not looking a Roman law or the sins of the lady, but were instead examining their own hearts.</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Jesus, and the first century church that He established, had a disregard for the politics of their day. Believers were arrested, imprisoned, beaten, and put to death for their faith, but you do not see them complaining about the oppressive government that did it. You do not see them seeking to change earthly rulers or kingdoms. You instead see them obsessively seeking to bring glory to Jesus under whatever rule they found themselves. They understood that the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>endorsement and protection of the government was not important, because God was in control. Their only concerns were making disciples and honoring God with their lives, regardless of who ruled the earthly kingdom in which they <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>lived. Why should it be different for us today?</span></span></blockquote>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">2) We do not know what is best.</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Each election cycle I hear it spoken: “We need to elect godly leaders!” And we advocate, endorse, and defend the ones we believe fits that description. And, if they appear to be losing or lose, we panic and wail. And if they appear to be winning, we rejoice (and often gloat). But here is the problem: We actually have no idea what God wants.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The Bible makes it clear that God raised up and tears down leaders at will. They wither and fade under His breath. And they rise to power just because He thinks it.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We also know that, at times, He raises up good and noble leaders. He also, at other times, raises up wicked and corrupt leaders. Both serve His purposes and accomplish His will. And both will quickly fade when that purpose is complete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, how do we know who God wants in power? Many times, we have actually fought against the will of God and have done so with passion. How do I know? Because “our guy or girl” lost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That is why the only clear instructions we as the church have regarding earthly leaders it to 1) honor them and 2) pray for them. We are not instructed to celebrate their rise or their fall. And we are not instructed to endorse or attack them. We honor them, we pray for them, and we do the important work that this world’s rulers cannot do.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">3) It is not our kingdom.</b></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At the moment of our transformation through faith in Christ, we become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We suddenly find ourselves living as foreigners and strangers in a temporary and fallen land, while our citizenship is in an eternal and infallible Land. And we are ambassadors of the Kingdom. And that new Kingdom should have our loyalty and allegiance. And our focus should become expanding that Kingdom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We, as followers of Jesus, should be consumed and obsessed with His Kingdom. Our mission is to make disciples for that Kingdom. Our hearts are to long desperately to see that Kingdom come. And we know that we cannot serve two masters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And so, while we may have gratitude for the earthly nation in which we live and the benefits of that residency, we know the true Kingdom for which we live, fight and die. And it is a Kingdom that is built on love, mercy, grace, service, and sacrifice. We fight in an entirely different way using entirely different weapons. And it directly conflicts with the way earthly and political battles are fought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We know that every earthly kingdom and nation is destined to fall. It will happen, sooner or later. So we focus on building the only Kingdom that will last. And we certainly should not engage in any earthly battle, political or otherwise, that will cause us to compromise the love, mercy, grace, service, and sacrifice of our true Home.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">4) Politics are a symptom, not a cure.</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">I often hear believers discussing politics and the need to change the government. This has become a focus of the evangelical church over the last four decades, beginning with the Moral Majority of the late 70’s. The idea is that if we want a godly nation we need to elect godly leaders. And the idea is completely false and equivalent to trying to make the tail wag the dog.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In a democratic republic such as the United States, the politics of the nation are simply a reflection of the hearts of the people. Fallen and unredeemed people elect godless and corrupt leaders. And, as the church has focused more and more on political solutions and less and less on disciple making, we have seen the nation decline, along with the quality of our leaders. Increasingly we find ourselves holding our nose while we vote because the quality of the candidates of both parties have declined horribly. We tolerate words and actions from our leaders (and even defend them) that would have been absolutely intolerable 30 years ago. Yet the church continues to insist on political solutions and engagements even as it makes itself increasingly inefficient at reaching people for Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The only hope for our nation is Jesus Christ. And not Jesus Christ dictated from congress or the White House, but Jesus alive in us and our neighbors. And the only way for that to happen is for you and me to focus on making disciples by loving and reaching to people of all walks of life and background, regardless of their lifestyle, choices, or political opinions. And, in order to do that, we have to tone down our politics and turn up our Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>5) It is robbing us of our love.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Recently I sent private messages to 10 of my friends who are unbelievers. I chose them because I believe them to be rational people with genuine skepticism about God, the Bible, and/or Jesus. And they are all people with whom I can have authentic conversations without hostility. I asked them, “What do you think of when you hear the word ‘church’?" Every one of their answers related to politics. Every one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Not one of them answered loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, or self controlled. Several of them did use words such as “angry”or “harsh.” Two mentioned political double standards. Three mentioned that they would never be welcome in the typical evangelical church because of their politics. Two mentioned being recently attacked by professing Christians on Facebook because of their political opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On a regular basis, I see professing believers attacking non believers on social media. Sometimes it is directly, sometimes indirectly. If a politician, athlete, musician, or actor expresses an opinion we don’t like, we feel free to demand a boycott and delight if their careers suffer. We see them as enemies and we go after them. Which is a direct contradiction of the commands to love, forgive, reach, and make disciples. And it is destroying our ability to build the one eternal Kingdom. It is destroying our ability to love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, there you have it. My arguments for why a Christ-follower should not be politically involved. Am I saying that a Christian should not vote? No. As long as you can do so with love, humility, a spirit-led conviction, and without alienating the ones you are called to reach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I will say this…if the church, as a whole, continues to engage in politics the way we have in recent decades, the nation will continue its decline. And we will one day answer to God. <i>And I believe we will not be happy with His response.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Okay, I have dug my grave deep enough. More importantly than whether you vote today, I pray that you will love God, love your neighbors, love you enemies, and make disciples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-54506365156513952732018-08-31T12:33:00.004-06:002018-08-31T12:33:57.938-06:00When Enough Is Not Enough<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8uh5C2y5uUPtg5OV_tgwlx97vMEVcwCyFg73VRatzULe712vSad88aoAr8m5jRX4aD0uL-1D6t9PstHRHm54fdd_L4jJysY_SG5u1dEjG8NHOkVHhdJv4A2W7HkTTk3IPY2UT0vafEY/s1600/BEF0F1EE-AE13-4B5E-BB0C-96E4B20FEED0-1266-000002516AB8CB4D.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="635" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8uh5C2y5uUPtg5OV_tgwlx97vMEVcwCyFg73VRatzULe712vSad88aoAr8m5jRX4aD0uL-1D6t9PstHRHm54fdd_L4jJysY_SG5u1dEjG8NHOkVHhdJv4A2W7HkTTk3IPY2UT0vafEY/s320/BEF0F1EE-AE13-4B5E-BB0C-96E4B20FEED0-1266-000002516AB8CB4D.JPEG" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Wanda and I have been sensing the move of God in our lives. It is hard to describe, but I will do my best.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">It is a subtle ache in our souls that we are missing something. It is an awareness that there is more that we need to do and be. It is a stirred dissatisfaction that seems to be calling us forward to something much bigger than us. It is the deep-seated knowledge that our “enough” is not enough.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We are regularly told by others how wonderful this ministry is. People are “amazed” and “moved to tears” by what we do. They speak of our “sacrifice” and love for the children of Guatemala. And they regularly encourage us not to “stretch ourselves too thin.”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">But, through our life together, we have learned not to listen much to the words of people. Even those with the best intent often do not reflect the opinion of God. Our supreme desire is to hear God’s voice, because His is the only one that matters. And we are hearing Him speak strongly now, though His end goal is still not clear.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">You see, while many see our lives and ministry as a great sacrifice, we do not. In fact, it is our comfort zone. No, it is not easy. Yes, it is heart-breaking. Yes, it can be exhausting. But it is not a sacrifice. In fact, everything I sought for my entire life I have found in this life. No real sacrifices have been made. And we are very comfortable sticking with it forever. While many people would consider this ministry way outside their comfort zone, it is where we have found our hearts’ desires. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsD5ySF5bAlodNlp3h_QYZp4pxjM64jfY-wv7Q6xgfo3Ife9k5hJ9gwzk-P0YTq3wcp1ga8ltpQZdM92QoQP1Ux7wnKkpnUnKPdSqSl5rdru71-Jax7VwgYVA6tlb7rN_uz6J8JIwv7c/s1600/B4564947-7A07-485A-A324-3F5962615A96-1266-000002528BF79559.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="650" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsD5ySF5bAlodNlp3h_QYZp4pxjM64jfY-wv7Q6xgfo3Ife9k5hJ9gwzk-P0YTq3wcp1ga8ltpQZdM92QoQP1Ux7wnKkpnUnKPdSqSl5rdru71-Jax7VwgYVA6tlb7rN_uz6J8JIwv7c/s320/B4564947-7A07-485A-A324-3F5962615A96-1266-000002528BF79559.JPEG" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile, even though we recognize the great needs of children in Guatemala, especially those with special needs, we also realize that there are children with special needs and those that have been orphaned in other parts of the world whose plights are far more desperate. Yemen, Somalia, Northern Uganda, Syria, and many more countries are facing desperate humanitarian crises that are taking lives by the thousands in places where the Gospel is unknown. And, in many of these places, missions groups have withdrawn out of concern for the safety of their missionaries.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Yet I know that Jesus is there in the form of the least of these. He is the little girl whose family was killed by the bombing of their apartment building in Yemen. He is the little boy who was maimed and disabled by a mortar in Syria. He is the teenage girl who is selling herself to soldiers to survive the drought in Somalia. Jesus is there in the form of the least of these.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile, the church is, in large part, running away. Mission boards have withdrawn workers. Ministries have ceased. And, in many cases, the people have been abandoned and left alone with their hopelessness. And Wanda and I are not okay with that. God won’t allow us to be.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Two nights ago, we sat and talked and prayed together. We spoke of how difficult it is to get people to come to Guatemala long-term to ministry, even though it is one of the easier mission fields in the world. Yes, there is suffering and crime and violence, but it is not a war zone. And it is, in large part, friendly toward missionaries. If we are struggling to find workers for this field, how many are willing to go to the truly hard fields of ministry? How few will be willing to walk into a war zone to save lives?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">And, at the heart of it all was this question: If not us, then who?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4K74XVTgccU3vTywZ8xOVeH39Y2sKG5pmvNjpjxFRwAxiLlAnqr3797pUxTCBXyefGGHmKjqBCQMPur1Bc5HVKfGTrYSew2EFs_H8QxUMcu6Axvkl1NnSgqA3VsQ5h6VF34NdPirQY4/s1600/CE4FBE2B-10FB-4FB4-A0E9-969DC23A77B2-1266-00000252C961ADBA.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="854" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4K74XVTgccU3vTywZ8xOVeH39Y2sKG5pmvNjpjxFRwAxiLlAnqr3797pUxTCBXyefGGHmKjqBCQMPur1Bc5HVKfGTrYSew2EFs_H8QxUMcu6Axvkl1NnSgqA3VsQ5h6VF34NdPirQY4/s320/CE4FBE2B-10FB-4FB4-A0E9-969DC23A77B2-1266-00000252C961ADBA.JPEG" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I am not announcing that we are moving our family away from Guatemala to Yemen, Somalia, or Syria. I don’t think God is asking that right now. But if He does, we will. Yet I know that God is calling us to do something, and to do it soon. Because our enough is not enough.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t think I am a brave person. But I do believe in heaven. Therefore, I know that the day I die will be the best day of my life. And I believe that God is sovereign. Therefore, until the moment Jesus calls me home, I am invincible. I need not fear, and I can go where others fear to tread with boldness and confidence. That might be up the side of an erupting volcano or into a war-torn country. So, I will go, without regards to safety and security. And my wife is of the same heart and mind, as are my children.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">So, we are seeking God and asking Him what He wants us to do. Every time He has stirred our hearts like this, it has yielded incredible results. So, we anxiously await God to reveal our next step. But I expect I will soon find myself on a plane that will carry me far outside my comfort zone to a place that is far from safe. And that is good.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Because our enough is not enough.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Note: The photos from this post are not my. I came across them as I was researching need in Yemen, Somalia, and Syria. </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Also note that if there are any of you who might be feeling a similar call in regards to these regions, you can contact me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.</i></b></span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-74924731840185680472018-08-14T16:20:00.000-06:002018-08-14T16:20:03.346-06:00When My World Changed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The first time I held a starving child, my life changed. But, even as I type these words, I know the fruitlessness of trying to explain this to you. For many years, others tried to explain these truths to me, but I dismissed them. In my mind, they just didn’t understand the real world. I attached the labels to them that I kept readily on hand, and moved on. And yet, here I am, trying to share the same heartbeat that others tried to share with me.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">It was February of 2009. I had made two previous trips to Guatemala with Wanda as we were adopting our son, Jonathan. And, during those trips, we had brushed up again the needs of this country. But this trip was different. I was leading a ministry trip under the newly formed Hope for Home Ministries, and we were spending nine days immersed in the needs of children with special needs. Much of our time was spent at Hermano Pedro, a hospital/home for children and adults with cerebral palsy. We held the children, read to them, and took them out to eat. And, on one of our days there, I met a man named Dick Rutgers.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Dick’s love and playfulness with the children touched me from the first moment. Despite a huge lack of Spanish, he communicated volumes with each person. He helped us check children out to go to lunch, and he taught me how to truly connect with those we served. And then he invited us to join him for a trip to a rural village. We readily agreed.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">So the next day we found ourselves crowded into his Land Cruiser with him and two of his boys. We visited several communities, but one stands out strongly in my mind. We pulled into a village that was located in the midst of a clump of trees as the rain fell. It was a gathering of 10 or 12 shacks with hand-dug wells filled with ground water. We were approaching one of the homes when I first saw him, lying in a hand-woven hammock strung between two supports for the roof that extended past the front of the home.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I had never seen a child so skinny. Wide eyes stared at me over jutting cheekbones. His arms and legs were thin reeds and were twisted from cerebral palsy. As I stood looking down at him, I wondered how he could still be alive. But Dick walked over and scooped him up into his arms, and he smiled a radiant smile. I could not speak.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Dick spoke with his parents for a while, using his boys as translators. I learned that he was 12 years old and weighed 18 pounds. And then...Dick turned and handed him to me.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">And my life changed. In that moment, as I held his feather-light body in my arms, I knew I would never be the same.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Under the pretext of talking him on a short walk, I took him a short distance away and stood under a tree. In reality, I just did not want his family to see me cry. And I did not want anyone to hear the words that I would say to him:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">“I am so sorry. Until right now, I have not cared about you or so many others like you. I was so ignorant and blind. Please forgive me!”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">He could not speak or understand a word I was saying. He just smiled at me as my tears flowed. And then I spoke to my Jesus:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">“Please forgive me! I have been so blind! So stupid! I am so sorry! I vow to you, Lord, that I will do something! I will care about the things that you care about and I will do something!”</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Most of you know the rest of the story. Four months later, on another ministry trip to Guatemala, Wanda and I resolved to move here. We sold everything and landed as a family in this country on January 25, 2011. And, to the best of my ability, I have sought to honor that vow to my Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Since that time, I have lost count of the number of starving children I have held. I can tell you that it is far too many, though. I have sat with grieving families in their poverty and seen the desperation in their eyes. I have spoken the truth of God’s Word and His great love to so many families who had long believed that God had forgotten them. I have helped dig graves and carried the caskets of their children. I have wept with them, prayed with them, and sat silently with them. And I have only scratched the surface.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I live in a country that has the sixth highest malnutrition rate in the world. Around 47% of Guatemala’s children experience malnutrition to such a high degree that it stunts their growth and development. In some parts of the country, that number tops 90%. And our current drought is making it far worse. Already this year we have seen a 79% increase in deaths from malnutrition over last year. This year, 256,000 Guatemalan families have lost their crops due to a lack of rain. More deaths are coming. Lots more.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Combine that with a lack of decent healthcare and access to medicine, and I am surrounded by need. We are working as long and as hard as we can, but it is still getting worse, and more and more are dying.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">And here is where I try to explain to you how that has changed me. I will pour my heart out, and most of you will shake your heads and dismiss me. Some will even label me with a derogatory title before moving on because my observations don’t fit with your worldview or politics. I understand. I truly do. And I don’t blame you, because I did the same for the first 41 years of my life. But I have to try and hope that maybe a few will hear and look past their knee jerk reaction and see my heart. So, here goes...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">There is very, very little that matters in this life. Far less than most of us realize. When you strip away all but the things that are truly important, you are left with a small handful on which we need to focus. Everything else is just straw men that have been set up to distract us or sell to us. And the problem is, the church, myself included, has followed the distractions for far too long.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">So, what is really important? Here is my list that is radically different than it was nine years ago:</span></div>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">To love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - I know. That’s obvious, right? But is it really? Because I am not sure we are really doing it at all. It seems to me that God stands in line behind a lot of the things we adore. He fits in somewhere behind our family, our security, our politics and our pursuit of comfort. Which means He does not fit in at all, because He cannot be placed in our boxes. Love is just a word until it is lived, so to love God will be displayed in the way our lives reflect the things that are important to Him. That is what the first century church did well, and what we can’t seem to do today. But if we find a way to do so, we will see first century results. In a world that is so turbulent and hate-filled, we desperately need to fix our eyes on Him and love Him with everything we’ve got.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">To love our neighbors as we love ourselves</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - Again, read my last point. Love is just a word until it is lived. So, love for neighbors is not just words or token sentiment, it is love in action. And, remember how Jesus defined our neighbors? Anyone, regardless of location, nationality or tradition that needs us. (The story of the Good Samaritan was painful and offensive to the devout Jews of Jesus’ day. And it should create a great amount of discomfort in us, as well.) For those of us who follow Jesus, the world is our neighborhood, and every skin color, language and nationality is our neighbor. And we have a lot of neighbors who are broken, bleeding and starving on the side of the road. It is time for love to become more than a word we speak.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">To care for the poor, oppressed, orphaned and widowed</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - I grew up in a couple of churches and an elementary school where they used to scoff at the “social gospel.” For those who don’t know, that phrase has been used in a derogatory manner by some branches of fundamentalism. The gist of their argument is that we should be concerned with preaching the Gospel to save eternal souls instead of involved with temporal tasks such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and giving shelter to those without a home. To this day, I don’t understand how people who were so insistent on telling others that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God could forsake such a central teaching within it. Are their extremes? Of course. But both the Old and New Testaments teach the importance of caring for those who are oppressed and in physical need. In fact, numerous times we see the primary symptoms of true faith listed as caring for orphans, widows, foreigners and the poor. Jesus, in fact, told us that when we care for the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, and shut in, we are caring for Him. But the same people who insisted that the Bible is true and should be followed instructed us to forsake those commands. Of course we are to teach the truth of the Gospel, but it must go hand in hand with caring for the least of these. I am ashamed that I lived so long without learning and living this truth. But now that I have, trust me when I tell you that the tangible presence and power of God that the church is seeking will be found in the midst of them.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">To run toward pain and darkness</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - I remember watching the coverage of the 9/11 attacks. I had tears in my eyes and a deep sense of respect for the first responders who ran toward the danger to save others. And many men and women gave their lives that day doing so. But that is a beautiful picture of what God created the church to do. When others are running away, we should be running into the pain, suffering and darkness. How else can we truly be the light of the world? We have been trained to a cultural faith that tells us to spare ourselves and our families. It’s not good for our children to be exposed to suffering, death and darkness. We have to guard our sensitive hearts. Over and over I am told by people that they could never (fill in the blank) because it would be too painful. Have we ever considered that it hurts us so badly because God has broken our heart for it as a part of His calling? It is time for the church to move beyond words and run toward the brokenness. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is only one hope</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - This is one of those points that everyone agrees with...until you discuss the specifics. Do we really believe that Jesus is the only real hope for the world? Then everything else should take a back seat to the mission of showing and proclaiming Him. And anything that interferes with that mission should be discarded. The church has been pulled into false hopes (gods?) to which we are giving our time, money and energy. We insist it is not true, but it is. Politics is one of the biggest false hopes (gods?), but it is not the only one. For much of my adult life, I spoke the words that Jesus was the only hope for our nation and world, but my life reflected something very different as I foolishly pursued other false hopes. With God’s help, no more. I have sat in mud floor houses, spoke of the true Jesus and seen hope rise on families. I have spoken of Jesus’ great love to the grieving mother and seen her eyes come back to life. I have held the hand of dying children and told them of our Savior’s sacrifice and the life that awaits them, and saw them smile. Jesus is our only hope. Let’s stop pretending and living as if He is not.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">There is not much time</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"> - No, I don’t know when Jesus will return. That is not what I am talking about. I am simply stating that for millions of people in this world, time is running out. Many people will not see another sunrise before they step into eternity. Children and adults will die who could be saved by what is in your medicine chest or kitchen cabinets. In the next 24 hours almost 99,000 people will die of starvation alone. And many will enter a Christ-less eternity. And, for too many years, I knew that truth in my head but denied it with my lifestyle. No more. I am not saying that you need to move your family to a foreign country to work with the poor (although you better not assume that you shouldn’t without honestly checking with God). What I am saying is that all Christ-followers should examine and adapt their lifestyles to live with that awareness and make a difference. And every church should do the same regarding its priorities and ministries. For many, time is running out. And for every day we wait to change and act, more will be lost.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">That’s it. Lots of folks stopped reading a while ago and moved on to other things, so if you are still reading at this point, I am grateful for your time.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I don’t want this to be a guilt trip. That serves no purpose and quickly fades. I can only pray that at least a handful will be shaken and awakened by my feeble attempt. And for the others, I pray that they one day soon will hold a starving child so that my words will become more than just words.</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-11152909001607199742018-07-03T12:49:00.001-06:002018-07-03T12:49:37.061-06:00Fire and Loss<div style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pv6YiCn0Fwhyphenhyphen4gAJecIxFikxvEVzzs7J6w2vQWpflQ6ovIfeyjfGkCRIQ470gAxhxyzXsCGcAtV45gli4ZhgPTL55j1IRI-TcA8kyV5FsIJMoGUg0tu1havAbGfqvFJYI_0qi8cK-Xc/s1600/1528178309-122341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="735" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Pv6YiCn0Fwhyphenhyphen4gAJecIxFikxvEVzzs7J6w2vQWpflQ6ovIfeyjfGkCRIQ470gAxhxyzXsCGcAtV45gli4ZhgPTL55j1IRI-TcA8kyV5FsIJMoGUg0tu1havAbGfqvFJYI_0qi8cK-Xc/s320/1528178309-122341.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">I have been silent for the last month, and by now most of you know why. On Sunday, June 3rd, the volcano Fuego erupted more ferociously than it had in over 40 years, throwing this country and our lives into turmoil.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Every Sunday, we send about half our group to church, and the other half stays home to have worship and watch a teaching video. Wanda and I were at home that day when she came inside at around 12:30 pm and announced that it was raining rocks. Sure enough, small lava rocks that were about 1/8 inch in diameter were falling to the ground. And, over the next half hour, the intensity and size of those rocks increased. The largest of these were over 3/4 inches in diameter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile, our group in Antigua was encountering similar weather as they tried to drive home. Tiny rocks combined with an oily ash rain was falling. Eventually, due to low visibility and slick roads, they had to stop and wait it out.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We have had numerous eruptions that have resulted in ash fall over the last seven plus years, but nothing like this. Over the next two days we removed an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of rocks and ash from our two homes. But during all the previous eruptions there was no loss of life. We were soon to learn that this eruption was not like the others.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Lava flow combined with mud and was joined by pyroclastic flows (super-heated gases) that completely destroyed the community of Los Lotes and the majority of El Rodeo. Six people were killed in the nearby town of Alotenango. A major route to the department of Esquintla was covered in lava, and chaos ensued.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The official count is over 110 people dead and around 200 people missing. But most, including myself, do not believe these numbers to be correct. The total population of Los Lotes and El Rodeo was over 26,000. In spite of repeated warnings from the the National Seismic and Volcanic Institute that informed CONRED that they needed to evacuate, they did not begin until shortly before the eruption. For almost six hours they waited, choosing only to evacuate a wealth country club, but leaving the villages in place until only moments before the volcano blew. And those below were killed by the pyroclastic flow and covered by lava and ash. This eruption was very similar to Pompeii.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Recently they called off the recovery effort. They have led us to believe that only about 200 are left buried. But many believe the number is actually in the thousands.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">On Monday morning, we loaded up the ambulance with medicine, medical supplies, and water and headed to Escuintla. Taryn, Jeremiah, Kevin, Katie, and Stephanie joined me. What was previously about a 50 minute drive is now over 2 hours, as a portion of route 14 is now covered by lava.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5aOivP_zDR04DZMhXUEayp9lh4CCtmxo8sd1O5MV00BlNF86Tl91ZVNSBviA8NwcrtTyuD6oMjjov_1gl9jPRUs5A-2yRUPvye-NPmqSMG0M_jvs8P3fcfrMD6xffvzDBp_G4TEYfUw/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5aOivP_zDR04DZMhXUEayp9lh4CCtmxo8sd1O5MV00BlNF86Tl91ZVNSBviA8NwcrtTyuD6oMjjov_1gl9jPRUs5A-2yRUPvye-NPmqSMG0M_jvs8P3fcfrMD6xffvzDBp_G4TEYfUw/s200/IMG_4333.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We went first to an emergency shelter and were sent from there to the main health center. We had a conversation with the doctor who was heading up the medical care, and he told us we were not allowed to go into the affected area. He explained that it was too dangerous. I watched with pride as my 17 year old son and 19 year old daughter explained to him that we knew the risks, but were willing to take them. Taryn told him, “If we die, we die. Our lives are in God’s hands.” Finally he shook his head and had us write down our names and phone numbers and told us we could go.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We took the back way in, driving through several rivers. When we were several miles deep in the back road, we were waved down by a lady in another vehicle. She told us about two villages up on the side of the mountain that were without electricity and water, and wanted to know if we could help. At this point, we had been told that we could not get into El Rodeo, so we decided to drive up the mountain to find them.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We arrived to find that we were not dealing with two small villages, but instead around 7,500 people. Their power was out, they had no water flowing, and they were collecting rain water. But the rain water was filled with ash, making it dangerous to drink. We were told that people were coughing due to the ash and that they needed water badly. Needless to say, we all felt overwhelmed.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Before we knew what was happening, a pastor had drug out a battery powered speaker and microphone and a crowd of several hundred had gathered around us. A microphone was shoved in my hand, and I was asked to address the crowd. I told them that we had some medicine and masks that we could distribute to the elderly. I told them that we would come back the next day and bring some water filters. And I told them we would pray for them. And we did.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">As we left, I was calculating in my head. I had about 10 water filters, and I was figuring flow rate and how many people 10 filters could serve. And I came up far short of what we needed for 7,500 people. So, I prayed. And here is what happened...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Before I was off the mountain I had received a call from my friend, Brian Spence. He and his wife, April, had talked to their friend who owns the Ecofilter company and arranged a discount. They also had enough donations to purchase 100 Ecofilters, and had arranged with their friends, Paul and Bethany Hardison and Matt and Michelle Tumas, to provide trucks to carry them all in along with drinking water. So, plans were made to head back in the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The next day, we decided to go in the front way. In order to do so, we needed to clear through two road blocks that had been set up and then drive through El Rodea. But when I explained what we were doing, they cleared us through. Right after we passed through the town, they shut the road down and evacuated the rest of the town because of additional eruptions that were expected.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We made it safely up the mountain and, as we were pulling into El Ceylan, we met a large truck leaving from CONRED. I waved them down and asked them if help was on the way to those communities. But they had actually only been there to warn the town of additional eruptions. So, when we arrived, we found a town full of terrified people who had been told that pyroclastic flows could come their way. (Please don’t ask me what benefit it was to tell them this, when CONRED had no plans or means to evacuate them.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_t7edHBkY1Rb38wtg7PU42sv6rsptwfj51YyFErH_Xq888Kqzu9-voZ8GTKjmEMHcNCDhisBPf_5l3aytOj6r7UOswpCtI0-oHfosn20D1sON5QxLy7KsyW3da4tx9zF36QlHkbxyU4/s1600/IMG_4352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_t7edHBkY1Rb38wtg7PU42sv6rsptwfj51YyFErH_Xq888Kqzu9-voZ8GTKjmEMHcNCDhisBPf_5l3aytOj6r7UOswpCtI0-oHfosn20D1sON5QxLy7KsyW3da4tx9zF36QlHkbxyU4/s200/IMG_4352.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Over the next hour or so, a large crowd gathered around as we distributed 75 water filters and set them up as filtering stations in the town. Each church, the school, and the health center received five filters so that families could come and filter rain water. When we were done, the rest of the group headed back down the mountain, but our team from Ministerio de Esperanza hung around and visited for a while. While we recognized the danger of additional eruptions (there was another eruption while we were on the mountain) we also recognized the fear in the people. I kept wondering how I would have felt if I lived in that community and saw gringos coming to help but then fleeing quickly. How would I feel, knowing that I had no way to run and no place which to run?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">So we visited for a while, distributing more medicines. We prayed with some people, and took photos with them. And when we left, there were smiles and laughter. Children lined up and waved as we pulled out of town.</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We had been alerted that our way onto the mountain had been shut down while we were distributing filters, so we drove down and took the back way out, crossing three rivers as the rain began to fall. Unbeknownst to us, right after we crossed one of the rivers there was a flow of heated gas and mud that came through behind us, making the road impassable. We are thankful that we were not trapped on the mountain, and we are even more thankful that we were not caught in the river when the flow came.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Around that time, donations were flowing into the shelters from both Guatemalans and from international aid. When we visited the shelters, we saw mountains of bottled water, food, clothing and medicine. Meanwhile, we were hearing contradicting reports regarding needs. For example, some were saying that the shelters were needing medicine. Others were saying that they had more medicine than they could use.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">At the same time, people began to see the relief work we were doing, and Hope for Home Ministries began receiving donations to help. Over $10,000 arrived in just a few days. And other missionaries began contacting me because they were receiving donations to help as well. They wanted my guidance because they did not know the best use for those gifts. In a two day period I received over 150 messages asking for guidance on how to use donations. So, I was working furiously to get solid answers.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We visited one of the largest shelters and spoke with a friend who is a doctor working in the shelters. We visited the distribution center for donations and went through the medicines to see what they had. We spoke with everyone who would speak to us, and a picture and plan began to form.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The shelters had plenty of food and clothing. And they had lots of medicine, but not all the right kinds. And we also began to see the other needs that people were overlooking. So, here is our current course of action regarding volcano relief:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCQDYBlLWg-AzutPtFdJrsnfGntJmdtfqg4LkEQMvj8P6_e7tt4q6OczgH6bXsJmYNNwn5Ed8o8dcJDsKIdIvcK1FStRO0QKbdE3evLMYDn0XgdC8XFckyWGIuAQaRBnuiZR80Ts98-4/s1600/IMG_4632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCQDYBlLWg-AzutPtFdJrsnfGntJmdtfqg4LkEQMvj8P6_e7tt4q6OczgH6bXsJmYNNwn5Ed8o8dcJDsKIdIvcK1FStRO0QKbdE3evLMYDn0XgdC8XFckyWGIuAQaRBnuiZR80Ts98-4/s320/IMG_4632.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We are working with my doctor friend who is serving in the shelter to provide specific meds and supplies that are not being donated.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Through that same doctor, we have provided dental supplies so that those in shelters can receive dental care.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">And, again, through that doctor we are providing medical imaging and lab work to those in the shelter as it is needed.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We are working with health centers and nurses in communities affected by the volcano, but not evacuated, to provide medicine and supplies that are needed. These include antibiotics for respiratory and intestinal infections that have been caused by the ash.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We are focusing on using these resources carefully, hoping to be able to help with rebuilding of homes when that begins.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">In the midst of this chaos, I received the heartbreaking news that my dear friends, Guy and Amy Fraley, had lost their six year old son, Xander, very suddenly. The Fraley family has fostered and adopted several children with special needs and have opened their home and hearts to some very fragile children. They have a son, James, who has been very sick for quite a while, and he was in the ICU in Dayton at this time. But Xander went into respiratory distress at home very suddenly, and they were unable to save him. This family shares our heart, so when Guy asked me to come and officiate the service for Xander, I immediately said yes.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">So, exactly one week after the eruption, Wanda and I found ourselves on a plane to the US. At this point I was dangerously sleep deprived and struggling to focus on simple tasks. So, when we arrived at our friends home after midnight, I fell into a coma-like sleep. (This is a special thank you to Jeff and Donna Kephart, who hosted us in their beautiful Oasis of a basement! You have no idea how badly we needed that refuge!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSk0qwmWOGsjJ8ku6UtRqI63J3lbUI4uVeeLH-vdlusGalUSXQhh1lBvOSg6Sx2Oh5CrlpbgwlXBvcJrdnOfxOiebBc0uV1pgoFqdr8iiUpOsDNOD1YCf5PJ-E37nyhIhIEeacbYiVRw/s1600/IMG_4461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSk0qwmWOGsjJ8ku6UtRqI63J3lbUI4uVeeLH-vdlusGalUSXQhh1lBvOSg6Sx2Oh5CrlpbgwlXBvcJrdnOfxOiebBc0uV1pgoFqdr8iiUpOsDNOD1YCf5PJ-E37nyhIhIEeacbYiVRw/s200/IMG_4461.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Our time with the Fraley family was a sweet time of healing. It is always good to be around people who understand, and Wanda and I understand very well the pain and trauma of losing a child. At the same time, after the trauma of the past week we had experienced, it was good to be with our friends. I believe it was a healing time for all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">The memorial service for Xander was beautiful and gave glory to Jesus. Many lives were touched by his story. And, even as we grieved our loss, we celebrated his gain. As I looked at Xander’s wheelchair and braces at the front of the church, I wept tears of joy. Xander no longer needs them, and is running free!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We returned home to Guatemala on Friday evening and got right back to work. And the work continues.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">In addition to our volcano relief work, our ministry continues to stay very busy. Here are just a few things that have happened:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3_fM4LrRp-ra41o79wnL-gHBTIrUPXKEtXb4UTIYL0dzMUYB5nXQE6w6WQvM4GsxAAbT1czDk6eKLHcW8r7ZR8YPbkdAFqtOj7nrIJZxHuxatJvBmXsTNTHwbJHWJ2GdWjOIInbW7H4/s1600/IMG_4640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3_fM4LrRp-ra41o79wnL-gHBTIrUPXKEtXb4UTIYL0dzMUYB5nXQE6w6WQvM4GsxAAbT1czDk6eKLHcW8r7ZR8YPbkdAFqtOj7nrIJZxHuxatJvBmXsTNTHwbJHWJ2GdWjOIInbW7H4/s200/IMG_4640.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthing Center - Escuintla</td></tr>
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<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We welcomed Emanuel Alvarez and his daughter, Millie, to Guatemala. His wife, Shannon, and other four children will join us in the next two weeks. They will be providing support to our group homes in preparation of opening our third group home soon.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We added another Toyota Hilux pick-up truck to our rural village ministry fleet. Our Mitsubishi truck just has not been able to handle the abuse of the roads we drive, and was spending way too much time in the shop. So, it was time to replace it with something more durable.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">We received another child into our home. Little Ana came to us from another home yesterday. She is not quite three months old, and has a seizure disorder. But we quickly realized that she also has cerebral palsy and is not responding to stimuli as you would expect. We are not sure if this is due to congenital brain damage or due to severe abuse she experienced. But we are working hard to get her all the help available.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Our birthing center is nearing completion. Meanwhile, Stephanie and Taryn have a growing prenatal care ministry in the area, as they have been invited by two other health centers to do prenatal exams in their towns.</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Please pray for the people of Guatemala as they continue to recover from this eruption. There is much work ahead and still grieving that needs to be done. I have met people that lost their homes and entire families on June 3rd. We need the healing of Jesus Christ to flow through this nation.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 11pt;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-73057010146296547182018-05-23T17:41:00.001-06:002018-05-23T17:41:44.049-06:00Tender Fire<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">This one is a hard one to write. It requires me to first be very transparent about my own weakness. Then it requires me to be very transparent about the church. Neither of those are easy or popular. But this has been burning inside of me for a while now, and I no longer feel as if I have choice. So, here goes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A couple of weeks ago I began meeting with a friend of mine, Drew Metcalf, who is an amazing Christian counselor. He works mainly with children in the orphanage setting, but he is also pretty incredible at helping broken missionaries like me. Drew had been encouraging me to get together with him to talk through the loss and trauma that I have experienced over the last seven years. And that really was a hard decision for me to make.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP4Qyme7Y949lJEAqtvF9muwz-LevPmM137pzWr_W2ePWEnGCi092VbLULWK-59cleYH5jamW4YawRp6n6KVoJmLpl2bmxgpCxqiQVdtXOKOFE4BzR2fQ0sq2KE4wocDgVimx4K0epSI/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1195" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlP4Qyme7Y949lJEAqtvF9muwz-LevPmM137pzWr_W2ePWEnGCi092VbLULWK-59cleYH5jamW4YawRp6n6KVoJmLpl2bmxgpCxqiQVdtXOKOFE4BzR2fQ0sq2KE4wocDgVimx4K0epSI/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="298" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">I grew up believing that real men suck it up and move on. We certainly don’t sit down and talk about our feelings and ask for help. But several things brought me to the point where I felt I had no choice. So, we sat down over lunch (twice) and chatted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I spoke with him about the children we have lost. I told him of the guilt that I carry from a couple of those deaths. And I spilled my guts and told him the following:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">I live with fear that I am going to lose another child and it will be my fault.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">I sometimes jerk awake at night because I think a child has stopped breathing.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have nightmares in which I relive the deaths over and over again.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">I can’t walk past a sleeping child without stopping to check to make sure they are breathing.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">My heart races when anyone speaks in an urgent tone.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have flashbacks that are triggered by certain sounds and sites.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxQTwlqP_o6iolzC_f4mbH_2MW1FNmtbYADC_8uscFKYPkxSIgBy948lqUJsMno3vtp6vEZaY1QSC11T16_Niwpz5TWRf_5GXZoFLszlw2tGO1MuK9YYMp24jcaaGLO70_7qwk3M5ELw/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxQTwlqP_o6iolzC_f4mbH_2MW1FNmtbYADC_8uscFKYPkxSIgBy948lqUJsMno3vtp6vEZaY1QSC11T16_Niwpz5TWRf_5GXZoFLszlw2tGO1MuK9YYMp24jcaaGLO70_7qwk3M5ELw/s200/IMG_0081.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For most of my life, I knew that children sometimes die. But I always took comfort in knowing that it was rare and unlikely. But, over the last seven years, that perspective has changed. Now it seems likely that a child will die and rare that they survive. And that causes me to live with an ever-present fear. I know that is wrong and not from God. I have prayed about it and asked for healing. But the fear and guilt have remained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Drew listened and nodded occasionally. And, when I was done, he explained that all of that was the result of trauma, and it was normal in light of my experiences. And then he explained that the only way to move past that trauma was to unpack it and address it with God’s help. We all have a tendency to run away from the things that hurt us, but the only path to healing was back through the pain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w_FQMD-vCTKqWdbmicL6gQqfXUOrQrMkBknHWH3kTi5eGNPULpbgHVR6tiHxMORj2Wb9ohjoz3UO6kZkRhXFTe1bVlXqEUQDClS8zeR39KcpmdVpwQIDsdMKFpuCMlcqeuowTcb3Uf4/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w_FQMD-vCTKqWdbmicL6gQqfXUOrQrMkBknHWH3kTi5eGNPULpbgHVR6tiHxMORj2Wb9ohjoz3UO6kZkRhXFTe1bVlXqEUQDClS8zeR39KcpmdVpwQIDsdMKFpuCMlcqeuowTcb3Uf4/s200/IMG_0082.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, that is what I have been doing. I have been unpacking and reliving the loss and trauma by talking about it with God. I have relived doing CPR and watching the life fade from children’s eyes. I have relived claiming my daughter’s body from the morgue that had been carelessly stuffed in a plastic garbage bag. I have relived the feelings of powerlessness and the overwhelming guilt of feeling responsible for death. I have told God how unable and unequipped I am to face any of it. And I have cried out to Him for the healing of my heart and mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, slowly, it is coming. I am sleeping better, and I am feeling more peace. And the fear is less. And, as I continue this journey, I believe more healing will come. And that is important, because I know more wounds are on their way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As this healing has begun, God has shown me broken areas of myself that I don’t like. And the biggest of those breaks has manifest itself in a harshness toward others that does not honor God or those He loves. It has caused me to be too condemning and to walk in the horrible sin of self-righteousness. And I was broken by that revelation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Specifically, this broken part of me has led me to be too hard on those who do not know and understand the world in which we live. We live surrounded by death, suffering, and urgency, and I have been far too impatient with those who do live with the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This has caused me to say and write a lot of things that are true, but to do so with a heart of anger instead a heart of concern. That is wrong, and I am sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is an old story of a man who went to a barber shop for a haircut. The following conversation ensued:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barber: I hear you got a new pastor at your church. What happened to the old one?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Man: Nobody liked him. He was always telling us that we are sinner on our way to hell. He kept telling us that we need to repent and know Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barber: Well, do you like the new pastor?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Man: Oh, yeah! We love him! Great things are happening and lives are being changed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barber: Really? What does he preach?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Man: He preaches that we are sinners on our way to hell. He tells us that we need to repent and know Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barber: But that sounds exactly like the old pastor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Man: Ah, but this one says it with tears in his eyes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">God has shown me that I need to speak and write with more tears and less gritted teeth. And that is the challenge that I face. Somehow, I have to learn to share the truth of God without mixing Daryl in with it. I have to show the passion of God with love. I have to be a tender fire, while allowing others to be the same for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have been asking God to show me what He would be like if He lived this life. What would He do? What would He say? What would He write on Facebook and a blog. I still don’t know what I would look like if I were truly like my Jesus, but I am sure trying to figure it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Let’s be honest here. I am neither a prophet or the son of one, but I know there are things that need to be said to the US church. I also know that there are far better people that could say those things. But the problem is, not many are saying them. And the message is burning in my heart as I see the culture robbing the heart of the church. So, even as I feel God asking me to speak, I am asking how to do so with His heart. And I will do my best while asking you to be patient and merciful toward me when I fall short.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Face it, if we were to strip away everything we have been shown and told the church is and then read scriptures without that filter...well, the church would look very, very different. The typical believer would look very, very different as well. Without realizing it, we have wrapped the culture around our faith and the church. And, in doing so, we have castrated our faith. The church has prostituted itself to the gods of man as we submerge ourselves in the politics of earthly kingdoms instead of surrendering ourselves to the eternal Kingdom. We have invested ourselves in the answers that men have to offer instead of investing ourselves in the only true Answer. And, in many cases, we are leading people to hell while convincing them that they are on their way to heaven.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And we wonder why we don’t see revival. We wonder why the Gospel isn’t transforming our communities, cities and nations. The answer is quite simple: We are not living the true Gospel in our lives and churches. We don’t live out God’s priorities and heart. And the world is dying, both physically and spiritually.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I sometimes feel like we’re playing a game. I almost feel like it would be like walking onto an ice skating rink and seeing a bunch of people throwing fish at little hamsters that are running around. And you walk in and you go, ‘What are you guys doing?’ And they go, ‘We’re playing soccer.’ And you just go, ‘...Oh. Where do I start with this?’</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“I feel like that in church sometimes! Especially Bible Belt church. I’m serious. I’m sorry, but at least in California, if we don’t believe in Jesus, we’ll say it. Here, it’s like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m a Christian. You know, we all get dressed up. We don’t swear a whole lot. We don’t drink a whole lot. We come read the Bible, sing some songs, and go home, and that’s church.’ And then I read the Word of God, I read the Bible, and I’m going, ‘I...I don’t even know where to start.’”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When I read Scripture, I see a group of people that were willing to die for their faith. They gave up homes, possessions, safety, security, and family businesses to follow Jesus. And many paid for that decision with their lives. They were beaten, imprisoned, tortured and slaughtered. Yet the church grew in record numbers and the world was transformed. Why? Because they lived out the heart of God. They lived out the heart of the Gospel. They were so in love with Jesus they didn’t care about the price, no matter how high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today we see quite the opposite. Security and safety have become the indication of “discipleship.” When someone steps out of the pack to radically follow Jesus, the church often seeks to hold them back and encourage them to be cautious and “sensible.” Christian financial counselors teach Christian families to have three months of salary in savings and retirement plans as a basic tenet for Christian stewardship, which directly contradicts the teachings of Jesus. (I am not saying that it is absolutely wrong to have those things, but it is wrong to teach it as the responsibility of those who are good stewards.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The world is literally dying and entering a Christ-less eternity, but do our churches’ budgets and meetings reflect that urgent need? Or do we pat ourselves on the back because 10% of the church’s budget goes to missions? Our we urgent about reaching the lost, or just urgent to meet our budget?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">All this, and more, is the struggle and tension that I face. At times, it feels as if there are millions of drowning people in the water, and we are doing our best to rescue as many as we can. There are precious too few lifeboats and rescue workers. And those workers are exhausted, even as they continue to pull people into boats. And they cry out for more helpers and boats, but they are not coming. We can see the cruise ship, overflowing with food, space and resources. So many could be saved, but those onboard refuse. “We are already sleeping two people per cabin, and we can’t crowd ourselves further. And we have our own problems. Some of the air conditioners are broken and we only have 10 working ice machines for all these people. And climbing out of this big safe ship into those small, dangerous boats just doesn’t seem smart and safe.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And they fail to realize that the ship they are on was designed to be a life saving vessel. But, over time, it was gradually converted into a cruise ship and filled with those who feel entitled to comfort and safety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are averaging three calls a day, asking us to receive children into our homes. But our homes are completely full. And we are short staffed and overworked. So, we tell them no and those children are being sent away to government homes where neglect and abuse are rampant. And many of those children will die from a lack of proper care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Several times a week I receive calls or messages from parts of Guatemala where we do not yet work. In each case, they tell me of children who need help, many of whom are dying. And they want us to come and help. But we don’t have the manpower or resources to go there yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We need more workers in Guatemala. We need more workers in Liberia. We need help. So many could be saved, and the fields are ripe. But over and over I see families called to come who turn away. They convince themselves they are not really called because it is risky. Because it is hard. Because it will cost them and their children a price. And they have bought the lie of cultural Christianity. So many could be saved, but they are dying instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am not writing these things with gritted teeth. I am actually typing this in a public place with tears in my eyes. And I am not writing just because we need more workers or money. I am writing, primarily, because I know what believers are missing. I know why they don’t feel fulfilled. I know why churches are stagnant. I know why many church-goers go to bed at night wondering if their life matters. And I know why that man and woman continue struggling with the same sin that has plagued them for years or decades. And I want to see that change.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I want to see mothers, fathers, and families come alive! I want to see churches raising up living sacrifices that change the world! I want to see a radical generation of Christ-followers rise up in power! And, yes, I want to see lives saved and drawn to the Author of Life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It can happen. Just start by forgetting everything you thought you knew about the church and Christianity. Jesus...and the world...are counting on you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Meanwhile, I will keep fighting for lives while unpacking my pain with God. And I will believe that Jesus will use these scars for His glory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Because of Him!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-16816195662370892352018-05-09T09:57:00.004-06:002018-05-09T09:57:53.752-06:00Desperation<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I would like to ask you to imagine with me. I want us to take a trip in our minds and put ourselves inside some parents here in Guatemala. For just a moment, let us walk, not even a mile, but just a few steps in their shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Little Sara’s parents noticed that things were not quite right immediately after she was born. Her head was too large for her tiny body. In short order, a doctor explained to them that she had hydrocephalus, an excess of cerebral fluid that was causing her head to grow rapidly and pressure on her brain to increase. While there was life saving surgery available at the national hospital, they would have to pay for the supplies and equipment, and the shunt they needed to install costs more than six months of their income. They don’t have the money, so day after day they watch their daughter’s head grow in size and wonder how long she will live. There is nowhere to turn. No one who can help. Their extended family and neighbors are just as poor as they are. Desperation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBbt1fFjZn1mPsR6PTKPBNRglEjj3Et_uvEuhieK0HbsOweqk9CDnfELYU3zewaR4gRtxoonytouuuY8Hxe5TcEeP2aFBTGPCaeNeS-VI3UTS7lvwgN3NwNKP6gSjX06VGXGtlS6uhyphenhyphen8/s1600/9jpBk1gYQESAbPARngFnAA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBbt1fFjZn1mPsR6PTKPBNRglEjj3Et_uvEuhieK0HbsOweqk9CDnfELYU3zewaR4gRtxoonytouuuY8Hxe5TcEeP2aFBTGPCaeNeS-VI3UTS7lvwgN3NwNKP6gSjX06VGXGtlS6uhyphenhyphen8/s320/9jpBk1gYQESAbPARngFnAA.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This beautiful little girl, Fatima, was born, and early on her mom recognized significant delays. This struck fear in her heart, as Fatima’s older brother was born with special needs caused by a genetic condition. Her husband abandoned her shortly after Fatima entered the picture, and she found herself fighting to care for two children with special needs. And she watched their health decline. This December her son passed away. In spite of her fight on his behalf, she could not save him. And now she is wondering how much longer Fatima has. Her resources are spent, and she is tired and grieving for one child lost and another slipping away. Desperation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuf7lQi1iefTsmEzzliNlLGi6vBW6D8PSzEHFyPogMUNaS5nUlXMsGoLsD-GCHhs7ojv6APKWK6nZ7oWehDegMUZWbgCB1k6yiq44fFZM-u9XE7AUln6iBtGlSTHtSKJ5W54Yvz9G8Q6A/s1600/mskLVt5RSUGCGKJ4OgSHOA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuf7lQi1iefTsmEzzliNlLGi6vBW6D8PSzEHFyPogMUNaS5nUlXMsGoLsD-GCHhs7ojv6APKWK6nZ7oWehDegMUZWbgCB1k6yiq44fFZM-u9XE7AUln6iBtGlSTHtSKJ5W54Yvz9G8Q6A/s320/mskLVt5RSUGCGKJ4OgSHOA.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Beautiful Adriana was born, and at six months of age she was diagnosed as having Lisencefalia. This is a genetic condition which causes the brain to not form with its normal ridges and can cause severe cognitive delays and seizures. And little Adriana has both. Her mom has a really good job as a teacher that pays her well. She earns over Q2500.00 a month (about $345 USD). But Adriana has severe allergies that require her to drink a special formula that is very expensive. This, plus her seizure meds and diapers cost more than Q2500.00 a month. Each week this single mom sees her little girl lose weight and feels her slipping away. Desperation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I could keep going. I have a long list of children and their parents with similar stories. In fact, the three above and an addition five were all found in the last eight days. And you can add to that list a three year old boy that I was called about last night that is dying because his family does not have money for supplies for his treatment. There are times that life here feels like a war zone, but, instead of bombs and bullets, the damage is caused by indifference and corruption. So many people die needlessly. And every day, I see the desperation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxJORwStvm7RqMD5sgvVUyLuuNYezaSgFjiaZnJpDvbe1RGze4WlMQRiPSGmLPNzOU56ef939gLFF5iWYJvTeQL6aR3Kdd0MPajoChYJX1DFtOA3YOFxi6m9LDjgpEDiH9FZi1nbYqbk/s1600/sRtCMl10Qaq%2525VOWST22KcQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxJORwStvm7RqMD5sgvVUyLuuNYezaSgFjiaZnJpDvbe1RGze4WlMQRiPSGmLPNzOU56ef939gLFF5iWYJvTeQL6aR3Kdd0MPajoChYJX1DFtOA3YOFxi6m9LDjgpEDiH9FZi1nbYqbk/s200/sRtCMl10Qaq%2525VOWST22KcQ.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In the midst of this, our team is fighting hard to save and improve lives. Last week we expanded into our 11th department of Guatemala. (A department is like a state, and Guatemala has 22 of them.) We are currently working monthly with over 160 families, and this is possible through our sponsorship program in which many of you participate. And I am so grateful. We are fighting, but we are outnumbered and overwhelmed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the work and the long days. But, more often, we are overwhelmed by the emotional toll of seeing desperate families like the ones above. And the emotional toll of seeing so many die, in spite of our best efforts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last night, Wanda and I went out for a date to spend some time talking. Wanda had recognized that both of us were struggling with fatigue and discouragement, and thought we should talk it through. I, being the typical man, did not want to talk about it. So, we compromised and talked about it (because I knew she was right).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaYdoVcAsLD8prC2oH6zanhis1tdeVy0h158hxOpqtidGY4PhM3miO_uGKWDVNYwxMfVpzqoY7x132mZ31MZke8Kw4eD3rCZKMVWxUq2VIL9dsHcDrzWJ7_3rKP_xr6v0NHNbl_3Bbuw/s1600/Jesus+comfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="1065" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaYdoVcAsLD8prC2oH6zanhis1tdeVy0h158hxOpqtidGY4PhM3miO_uGKWDVNYwxMfVpzqoY7x132mZ31MZke8Kw4eD3rCZKMVWxUq2VIL9dsHcDrzWJ7_3rKP_xr6v0NHNbl_3Bbuw/s320/Jesus+comfort.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">The desperation that surrounds us can be soul crushing. And we came to the conclusion that the only cure is to more intimately connect with our Jesus, the Source of all we need. So, we are committed to praying more and leaning more on Him. That will not ease the battle around us, but it will ease the battle within us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And we will continue to fight and pray for more soldiers to fight with us. If you are interested in fighting at our sides, here are some ways you can:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Sponsor a child or two</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. We have a long list of children waiting for a sponsor, and it includes some of the ones listed above. You can see that list by visiting <a href="http://hopeforhome.org/get-involved/sponsorship.html"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">http://hopeforhome.org/get-involved/sponsorship.html</span></a>. <b>Remember, 100% of your sponsorship goes directly to help the child. None is taken for administration or delivery expenses.</b></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Come and serve.</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> We need long-term workers who will help. We know that everyone is not called to this life and ministry, but some are. We simply ask that you take time to pray and ask God if you should come. And, if He says yes, have the courage to obey.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Pray with us</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> for the children and families we serve. And pray for us as we serve.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, while I am writing about prayer, I would ask you to join us in praying for land for this ministry. God has placed it on my heart to pray fervently and boldly for the next 30 days, asking Him for the land we need to consolidate our homes and ministry onto one piece of land. This will be Comunidad de Esperanza (Community of Hope) and will have room for lots of additional homes and ministries. But the first step is to obtain the land. We are praying for at least five acres that we can obtain debt-free. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you please join us in asking God for this miracle?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That should be enough for now. Back to the battle!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-78489532836253266462018-03-28T09:46:00.001-06:002018-03-28T09:46:22.015-06:00Who Else Can Do It?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Recently, our lives seem to be a serious of hard and important decisions. I am not complaining about this. I am just stating the fact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are just a few of those decisions:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaoXxKASeu8cbHGbEOzTvvUoW5613bSwf5SYUiIfo0PpwRCkGiEfqd51hilvYPZ54rhnzyTUoaGlhL6mMkSWyCZAJjFhsSmRuOu6XwVpZ2J1w7RNEm4vuUxdJBNPPrEqzTLrS7bdiYLA/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaoXxKASeu8cbHGbEOzTvvUoW5613bSwf5SYUiIfo0PpwRCkGiEfqd51hilvYPZ54rhnzyTUoaGlhL6mMkSWyCZAJjFhsSmRuOu6XwVpZ2J1w7RNEm4vuUxdJBNPPrEqzTLrS7bdiYLA/s320/IMG_3522.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A few weeks ago we received call about a one year old boy in desperate need of a home. He was in the hospital due to neglect, abuse and malnutrition, and he needed a home. Because of the severity of his special needs, they had no where else to send him. No one else was equipped to deal with his needs, and everyone was full, including us. Our home is full and our family, interns and staff are stretched. But what happens to this little guy if we say no? That is a hard decision with life and death implications.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">About 15 minutes later, we received a call about a brother and sister in need of a home. The little brother has cerebral palsy. The big sister is severely under stimulated and very delayed. Both are malnourished. Can we please make room?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Over the last three weeks we have received calls asking us to take 12 other children. All of them have special needs, and none of them have other options for a home.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">One of our rural village ministry teams visited one of our sponsored children two weeks ago. I received a call from the team leader asking me if we could take Paola into one of our homes. Her mother has given up and is broken. She is depressed and has stopped caring for her daughter. As a result, she has worsened significantly. She is malnourished and is fighting infection. She has become increasingly less alert. She is dying. After spending three days wrestling with the decision, Stevie and Carissa decided to take her into home 2, even though they are stretched as well. When we returned to the home to inform the mother of our decision, we find that she has changed her mind. She refuses to surrender Paola to the courts to be placed in one of our homes. What should we do? Should we report the case to PGN to have Paola forcibly removed? If we do, it could mean the end of our ministry in that community due to the possibly hostile response of her family and neighbors. We have never had a child removed before, but Paola’s life is hanging in the balance.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">In the past 15 days I have received calls from six new communities asking me to come and help children who are in severe or critical condition and in need of help. When do I say yes? When do I need to say no? How do I choose?</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I confess, there have been a few days that these decisions have overwhelmed me. On two occasions, I retreated to my room, closed the door, and wept and cried out to God for guidance, help and strength. And there were two nights that I lay in bed awake and fretting over these decisions. And, one by one, we have made the decisions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Answer key:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeDjeI2IZdFkLO5HdLeMkMspmT2quhRkKnrFKbLVPRbjwTzkrI98s517m8TFhlkr8EypeRxC8m2FQ5Cipd-JXduIeupuT1V5_xzTOhwHrlgUVonYoWUbB8O7vG_IU2MN3WHOXiwO2kGE/s1600/IMG_3315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeDjeI2IZdFkLO5HdLeMkMspmT2quhRkKnrFKbLVPRbjwTzkrI98s517m8TFhlkr8EypeRxC8m2FQ5Cipd-JXduIeupuT1V5_xzTOhwHrlgUVonYoWUbB8O7vG_IU2MN3WHOXiwO2kGE/s320/IMG_3315.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">We said yes, and little David is now safely in our home and arms and moving toward healing.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Stevie and Carissa said yes, and little Dani and Roxy are safely under their care and improving rapidly.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">To each of these 12, we said no. We have 15 children in house 1 and 10 children in house 2. We simply have no more room.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">After wrestling hard with this decision, I chose to report them to PGN. She was removed from her mother last Thursday and brought to our home. Thankfully, PGN handled the situation beautifully and helped the family to see that we are with them, not against them, and they are not angry. But Paola arrived at our home in bad shape. She had a nasty lung infection, her O2 sats were very low, and she was unable to lift her head or arms. Our doctor came quickly, and we started her on antibiotic injections, oxygen, and breathing treatments. Praise God, she has turned the corner and is doing better. But I am not sure she would have lived much longer had we not intervened.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I am still sorting through these requests and praying hard for answers. We have begun ministry in one area, but are still unsure about the other five. I know that where we choose to go, lives will be saved. Where we don’t choose to go, lives will be lost. </span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week, as our home came together to pray before bed, I felt overcome, not with pressure, but with gratitude. As I prayed, I thanked God for putting us in the middle of hard situations filled with hard decisions. I thanked Him for the pressures we face, because that means what we do matters. For years, I prayed that Jesus would make my life matter for Him, not knowing what that prayer really meant. But I realize now that the only way we can ever make a real difference is by embracing the hard things of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week I visited with my friends, Todd and Amy Block. They have a wonderful home for children and teens that cares for the abused, abandoned and sexually molested. I was privileged to know them before their ministry opened, and I have seen it grow and blossom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I spoke with them, they told me how so many people told them to focus on the little children because they were “easier.” But God led them down a different path. As a result, they now have pregnant teens and teen mothers. They welcome children and adolescents with baggage and brokenness, and these often come through their door angry and defiant. And the Blocks are seeing transformation in those that most everyone else rejects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And that is where the church is suppose to be…right in the middle of brokenness, making hard decisions and facing the pain of every loss. Why? Because no one else can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">God created the church to do the things that others cannot and will not do. And He filled it with His Spirit to provide the necessary strength to do that work. We are His channel for doing the God-sized work the world desperately needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The dangerous, the heart-breaking, and the impossible should be the home field of God’s people, and historically it has been. Yet, over time, the church has gravitated toward the easy, the comfortable, and the mundane. And most of our time is spent doing things that anyone could do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But the invitation remains. He invites us to trust and follow Him where others cannot and will not go. He calls us to risk our lives, our possessions, and our reputation to do the things that only God’s people can do through His power. And that is where we will find the life and significance we have always wanted. But we will never find it if we seek comfort.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PTap9xMFAxVCMnpPojzt8iUzS9eo879oAfAtEfl6liU-T0wfhifCj4pfTPddixoIOJi6xxo9fnClvswlwbIiI8dVYUHBEl0WisltGFw0NA1alw5e58uf8WQfBRGGU76CEwzEYEBBvnI/s1600/IMG_3544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PTap9xMFAxVCMnpPojzt8iUzS9eo879oAfAtEfl6liU-T0wfhifCj4pfTPddixoIOJi6xxo9fnClvswlwbIiI8dVYUHBEl0WisltGFw0NA1alw5e58uf8WQfBRGGU76CEwzEYEBBvnI/s200/IMG_3544.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That is one of the reasons why we have decided to avoid getting too close to the missions community here. We love and work with many members of it, but we don’t join their groups. Time and time again, we see people move down to Guatemala with a fresh fire in their hearts to give away their lives for the sake of the Gospel. But they plug in with various missionary groups here, and they begin to gradually change. They find themselves “needing” more and wanting more. Their willingness to sacrifice is drowned out by voices that tell them they need to “take care of themselves” and return to the States more often. “After all, God would not want you to (fill in the blank of sacrifice here).” And soon their willingness to sacrifice, bleed, and die for the Kingdom dissipates. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Time and again, Wanda and I have been told by others that they cannot do what we do. The reasons are varied, but usually it comes down to one issue. “It would hurt me too much to do what you do.” And hidden within that statement is the lie of the enemy that says, “God wouldn’t want me to hurt that much.”</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">God wouldn’t want me to love a child and watch them die.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">God wouldn’t want me to not be able to see my family back in the States.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">God wouldn’t want me to be faced with impossible decisions with life and death consequences.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">God wouldn’t want me to do anything that would cause my children pain or endanger them.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">God would not want me to be exhausted because I poured myself out completely.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpgHvuytdcoReSf72xbZvpUmgiJQv7CO7AGBHO1FspOfQ59rw3TaIeK6DVoT5lC4qvlH5ixmMmpt4AWdFVvppAIOtmnIMrckK9qpuuVj61MSMpK-ChOmcdRzFT9JG3Tpknq9hYwizWNw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3bc8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpgHvuytdcoReSf72xbZvpUmgiJQv7CO7AGBHO1FspOfQ59rw3TaIeK6DVoT5lC4qvlH5ixmMmpt4AWdFVvppAIOtmnIMrckK9qpuuVj61MSMpK-ChOmcdRzFT9JG3Tpknq9hYwizWNw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3bc8.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">And so, we don’t. And the world dies around us while we convince ourselves that we are doing all we can do…all that He would expect us to do. And we spend our time doing what anyone can do instead of doing the things that only the children of the Living God can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But still, the invitation from Jesus awaits. He invites us out of the boat onto the waves of pain, poverty, desperation, and life-and-death decisions. He invites us out of the comfortable and into the unimaginable. He invites us to a life that matters, to both Him and to the world that needs Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But what will we choose? And if we, the church, say no, who else will say yes?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And here are a couple of verses for meditation:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>John 14:12 NLT</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT</i></span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-22034552386270661972018-03-02T11:02:00.000-07:002018-03-02T11:02:31.067-07:00Whirlwind (aka The Silence Is Broken)<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">News flash: I am not dead! I have just been too overwhelmed to blog in quite a while. Hopefully after reading this post, you will understand why.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Back in January, my beautifu</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: center;">l Wanda and I took a cruise to the Caribbean. We celebrate 30 years of marriage this year, and we wanted to do something really special. So, we used an inheritance we received when my mother passed away in 2012 and booked a 10 day cruise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have to tell you, it was awesome! During our time away we acted like newlywed. We swam, laid by the pool and on the beaches, slept, ate a ton, laughed, kissed a lot, and enjoyed one another in a way that we haven’t in a long time. And I fell more in love with my wife than ever before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am so thankful that God allowed us that time away together. The last seven years have taken their toll on both Wanda and I. We would not trade these years for anything, but we needed a time of renewal for both our relationship and ourselves. And we returned rested, tanned and ready to tackle ministry once again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The only hard part of our trip was little Analia’s death. We had just arrived on the cruise ship when we received a message that she had passed away. For a moment I wondered if we should get off the boat and fly back, but I realized by the time we returned the funeral would be over. So, we checked to make sure that all the details were covered, hugged one another, wept, and then proceeded with our time away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The crew here did a fantastic job of covering both her death and funeral. All the legal issues were covered, the grave was dug, and a beautiful service was held. Everyone worked together and everything flowed smoothly. I am so grateful to each of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When we returned it was difficult. This little girl who had been such a part of our lives and house 2 was no longer here. But Wanda and I never had a chance to say goodbye or attend her funeral. When we left, she was here. When we returned, she wasn’t. There was no closure and no opportunity to grieve properly. And yet we know that we will see her again some day. And we long for that day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLo0pCOsc50MafOhgst_MKKttIJ29YBUtvwxKlbGMRPVkk__2h8vMWwbbGycQvqxSB1VLgO4cTaiv3ExTbgL-l_06ONeeXMA2mlzMO_9IYzC3QUF9X1VBZn0UAQ-b_hMHYHYAYfx6f2A/s1600/IMG_3322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLo0pCOsc50MafOhgst_MKKttIJ29YBUtvwxKlbGMRPVkk__2h8vMWwbbGycQvqxSB1VLgO4cTaiv3ExTbgL-l_06ONeeXMA2mlzMO_9IYzC3QUF9X1VBZn0UAQ-b_hMHYHYAYfx6f2A/s320/IMG_3322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I returned to find construction on our new birthing center in Escuintla underway. But it was proceeding slowly. We originally had a foreman working on the site that came highly recommended. But we began to see that there were some major problems. He was costing us money and time, and seemed very incompetent. So, we let him go and hired Joel’s father to serve as the contractor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Immediately things began to progress under our new foreman. He corrected mistakes, pointed out material problems, and got the crew running smoothly. I visited the site yesterday, and they have finally begun concrete work on footers and rebar is rising from the site.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lPpIMV8o8nLnFVc-RWCWo7BVd3yRnMwApwFEbaH2KSGWdDQ8JWk6bkU5WN7e1EJyjY7Qytfg139zt8rlkyhylxD4yO6BmqIag-NP9xWD856AfLsN4EbJlfszu3AhiJI-MCfYvhqtKhM/s1600/28510800_1303188143115588_158223367_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lPpIMV8o8nLnFVc-RWCWo7BVd3yRnMwApwFEbaH2KSGWdDQ8JWk6bkU5WN7e1EJyjY7Qytfg139zt8rlkyhylxD4yO6BmqIag-NP9xWD856AfLsN4EbJlfszu3AhiJI-MCfYvhqtKhM/s200/28510800_1303188143115588_158223367_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Meanwhile, our Maternity Care Director, Stephanie Konrad, and my daughter, Taryn, have begun maternity check-ups down at the site. Once a week they are seeing pregnant and nursing women for check-ups on them and their babies. They are doing a fantastic job, and we are anxious to see this ministry grow and mature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Meanwhile, my son, Jeremiah, has been working hard to develop our prosthetics and orthotics program. In February we traveled to Guatemala City where Hope to Walk was doing a prosthetics clinic and got to see, firsthand, their process that we will soon be implementing in our ministry. The founder, Phil Johnson, walked us through the technique and explained how we would be able to produce their below the knee prosthetic for around $60.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This process is revolutionary and will enable us to carry the parts into a remote region, cast a person’s stump, produce a socket and assemble the leg onsite in one visit. We can find a person in need of a leg and give it to them on the same day. And, we can employ some of our families who have children with special needs to produce the components we need!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Below the knee prosthetics have cost us from $2000 to $4000 up until now. This will make legs affordable and enable us to give them away in large numbers. Hope to Walk will be returning to Guatemala in June and training our team fully to produce these legs, and we can hardly wait!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5IrV6cS4ID-Z6qugwbl8l3p6PklJRdQCHN0EvynQa9Qd7HqSXW0xEj1x-gllBnJGVsNzDdBXAqMSXLEpqllJ0kvR3K7ITCJIapLUZSKKrGi1WJekdXQu3Y81QpN5-yMOmLVXjWhXLYg/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5IrV6cS4ID-Z6qugwbl8l3p6PklJRdQCHN0EvynQa9Qd7HqSXW0xEj1x-gllBnJGVsNzDdBXAqMSXLEpqllJ0kvR3K7ITCJIapLUZSKKrGi1WJekdXQu3Y81QpN5-yMOmLVXjWhXLYg/s200/IMG_3192.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time we are pursuing this area of ministry, Jeremiah has also been working on 3D printing of orthotics and braces. Near the end of 2017 we purchased an inexpensive but highly rated 3D printer. The goal is for us to be able to scan hands and feet to produce 3D models that can be edited to produce the braces we need at a fraction of the cost. We expect each pair of AFO (ankle and foot orthotics) to cost us around $30 to produce. At present, we pay around $208 a pair. We will also be able to produce hand and wrist braces for around $8. These will be custom printed for each child and will be durable and breathable. In fact, they will be a higher quality than we are currently purchasing. Imagine the possibilities! </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As most of you know, our desire is to eventually expand our rural village ministry to children with special needs to all 22 departments of Guatemala. Currently we work in ten departments in the southern portion of the country, and there is a lot of territory up north that we need to reach. Last week we began the process necessary to expand and open a headquarters up in Petén that will put us in a strategic location to saturate the northern part of Guatemala.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Kevin & Katie Harms accompanied Jeremiah and me on a trip to Petén last week. The goal was to scout out the area and determine a good spot for a headquarters. We also wanted to connect with people who are serving in the region and establish strategic partnerships. And God accomplished more than we ever anticipated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our drive up was long and exhausting. With traffic and road construction, the total drive was 14 hours, so we arrived exhausted. But we were welcomed by Barbara Stoltzfus, her daughter, Anita, and her son-in-law, Edgar. They allowed us to stay in their home that night, and the next morning Barbara went with us to San Benito and introduced us to key people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Barbara has been a missionary in Guatemala for 46 years, and she has pretty much seen it all. She and her family were burned out of their home by guerrillas during the civil war, and had to live in tents. Anita, who is a nurse and midwife who runs a birthing center, delivered her first baby when she was 18 years old in one of those tents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Their family has so much to teach me about Jesus, service, and missions. And I look forward to learning from them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That first evening we toured the birthing center. Then I collapsed hard into a bed, surrounded by the warm hospitality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next morning we loaded up and headed out to San Benito. But before we even started, God redirected our plans. A missionary in the region, Jimmy Dinsmore, learned we were in the area and contacted me. We decided to meet up on our way to San Benito, and I am so glad we did!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jimmy Runs a Bible Institute for pastor from the Q’eq’chi tribe. And it is hard to describe how amazing this school is. They are truly raising up men and women who will change the face of Guatemala with the Gospel. And they are sending them back to their villages, not only with knowledge, but with skills and a trade that will support them and also revitalize their communities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As a part of our discussion, Jimmy invited us to come to their school and teach their students how to care for those with special needs. Through that, we will be able to touch those with disabilities in even the most remote places in Guatemala.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And speaking of reach villages, Jimmy told us something that was shocking. He explained that <b>in that region of Guatemala there were over 1100 villages that had never heard the Gospel!</b> Many of these are hostile to outsiders who enter, and many have been killed who tried. He is planning to begin a program of dropping gifts from airplanes to make contact and establish communication, with the goal of eventually taking the Gospel to these remote communities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We left there amazed at what God was doing and continued our journey to San Benito. There, we stopped in at a prosthetics clinic run by a ministry called Lifenabled. They have still a different process for producing prosthetics at a low cost, and we were deeply touched by their ministry. But what was truly helpful to us was their work with 3D printing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">They showed us what they are producing with 3D printing technology, and we were amazed. They also spent time showing us how to take our 3D scanning and printing to the next level. We are so grateful for the time they spent with us and their commitment to continue to walk beside us as we develop this ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">From there we visited Hospital Shalom, where the founder, Tim Spurrier, gave us a tour. When we met and he learned of our ministry and plans to begin work in their region, Tim shook my hand and said, “I have prayed for you to come for 20 years!” At that moment, I realized that we were all a part of something that is way bigger than any of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Hospital Shalom is an incredible facility, filled with quality staff. It provides excellent medical services at a low cost to people from the region. Tim agreed to partner with us to help with people we find who need hospitalization. He also agree to help us purchase medicine at a low cost. In return, we will assist individuals that he finds with special needs. (He already has a long list.) This promises to be a very strategic partnership in years to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next day we connected with Harry Divido. He and his family serve in Poptún, Peten and have a ministry center there. We explained our ministry, and he invited Kevin and Katie to join him there for a few days to see his ministry and meet some families with children who have special needs. They readily agreed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, early the next morning, Jeremiah and I headed home while Kevin and Katie headed to Poptún. They are still in that region, seeking God’s direction for our ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And that brings us to this week, which has been very eventful. And Wednesday was the climax of the eventfulness. Within a three hour period, the following happened:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">I received a call from the courts in Jutiapa. They had a brother and sister, both with special needs, and wanted to know if we could take them. The sister is 2 1/2 and is deaf and very delayed due to a lack of stimulation. The brother is 1 1/2 and has cerebral palsy and malnutrition. Both have been abandoned. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(54, 88, 153);">Stevie</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> and </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(54, 88, 153);">Carissa</span><span style="color: #1d2129;"> agreed to receive them into Hogar de la Esperanza 2.</span></span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-kerning: none;">While we were discussing the case above, we received a call from another court regarding a little boy who is 2. We were told he had paralysis in half his body and they needed a home for him quickly. His condition was caused by a botched abortion. Wanda and I agreed to welcome him into Hogar de la Esperanza 1.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, on Wednesday evening, little Jaret joined our home. And yesterday Roxana and Danilla joined Stevie and Carissa in house 2. That brings our total up to 23 children in the two homes. The adjustments of these new children are challenging, so please pray for them and our staff, interns and family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then yesterday I traveled down to Escuintla to visit the birthing center site and check in on a family that Stephanie and Taryn had met early this week. It was another heart-breaking visit, as we had to explain to little Sayli’s mother that the reason why she was not yet walking or talking was that she has cerebral palsy. She wept as we tried to talk her through the prognosis. But we quickly moved on to explaining that we were going to walk with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sayli is malnourished, so we had brought along formula for her. But we quickly realized that her mom, grandmother, and four year old uncle were all malnourished as well. We are going to be providing them with formula and a food basket each month. In fact, as soon as I am done with this blog I will be driving back down to take them their first delivery of food. I had trouble sleeping last night, knowing they did not have food in the house. We will also be taking Sayli to our neurologist for a complete assessment. Please pray for Sayli and her family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Well, that is it for now. And that is why I have not had time to blog. Please forgive my lack of updates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And now…forward! God bless you as you go make a difference for Him!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-87953111734385107562018-01-10T18:15:00.001-07:002018-01-10T18:15:41.567-07:00No Heroes (Revisited)<b><i>This blog is a reposted from 2014. Why am I reposting it now? Because God has placed a vision in front of me that is bigger than I could ever accomplish. We need people to come and serve, but we don't need heroes. We just need real people with real strengths and real weaknesses who believe and trust in a very real God. Let's stop waiting for heroes to step up, and step up ourselves.</i></b><br />
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On a regular basis I encounter people who ask me how I ended up in Guatemala doing this kind of ministry. It is a good question, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about the answer. It is easy to throw out a quick response of “God called us.” But the actual answer goes even deeper than that.<br />
How did I end up here? The real answer is that I discovered a secret that completely rocked my world. It was a revolutionary truth that had remained hidden for most of my life, but when I discovered it, it forever changed me and my family.<br />
If you are interested, I will share it with you. Lean close into your screen and I will digitally whisper it to you. Ready? Here you go…<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There are no heroes.</span></div>
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Did you catch that? It is an amazing truth! </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6iMfCBWKOdA/U3-Dohck4-I/AAAAAAAAEic/3_2kVzW3v60/s1600-h/hero1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="hero1" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DCMoMiCRVnU/U3-DqWQyx8I/AAAAAAAAEik/-xfkWaX_Ccc/hero1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="hero1" width="244" /></a>For most of my life I assumed there were heroes. Through the first half of my Christian walk I would encounter people that just seemed better, brighter and more filled with faith than me, and I would put them on a pedestal. They were the missionaries. They were those who would begin ministries that would thrive and touch the world. They were the ones that I saw making a real difference for the kingdom. And I labeled them heroes.</div>
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They had it all figured out. They didn’t wrestle with doubts and fears. They knew just what to do. They never fell into discouragement. They never screwed up. They never wondered if they were doing the right thing. They heard God’s voice clearly and followed Him boldly.</div>
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And, of course, I did not place myself among them. I could never fit in with such a group. I could never be used in those ways. Sure, I could be faithful in a few little things, and God would probably bless some of them. But I could never be a hero. (And I was right.)</div>
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In my mind there were the heroes of the faith…and then there was the rest of us. Those who do great things for God and those of us who somehow survive intact. I knew, in my heart, that I would always be a part of the latter.</div>
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When I was about 10 years old my father, in a moment of anger and frustration, pointed his finger at me and spoke words that I will never forget. They scarred me so deeply that I still feel them 37 years later. They have governed the way I see myself and the way I have approached the world for much of my life. What did he say? </div>
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<b><i>“You will never amount to anything!”</i></b></div>
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I know some of you are wincing and thinking what a horrible dad I must have had. But he was not a bad father. He truly loved me, and I know it would have shattered him if he had understood the impact those words would have on my life and heart. I forgave him long ago, and understand that he was simply spreading the pain that had been heaped on him in the same way I have unintentionally splattered my own children with some of my residual pain. In fact, considering his background, I had a good dad who went a long way toward breaking the cycle of sin and ugliness that he could have continued.</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A2yGDjBFoJY/U3-DrTGuUdI/AAAAAAAAEis/Wms892ASPsg/s1600-h/Failure%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="Failure" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8sAdVHmQ6xU/U3-DsVK0qvI/AAAAAAAAEi0/9gar4WXgdJQ/Failure_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="166" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Failure" width="244" /></a>But those words have deeply impacted my life. That comment sits in the back of my mind, waiting to rear its ugly head. In my heart I have always known that I would never amount to anything. So, as I watched this parade of heroes pass through my life, I knew that I could never be one of them. I could love my wife, love my children, do a decent job as a husband, father and minister, but I would never do great things for the God I love and serve. And every time things would go badly I would hear those words again... “See, you will never amount to anything.”</div>
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But then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me one day. There are no heroes. The people that God uses to do great things wrestle with fear and doubt. They wonder, at times, are the doing the right thing. They stumble and fall and rely on God’s grace to be new every morning. They are not heroes.</div>
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These people are simply people who have decided to trust God, believe His Word and follow. They are broken and scarred, just like me. They face discouragement and failure, just like me. They have their own harsh words that play in their minds at times, just like me. They know the grip of fear, just like me. There are no heroes, just people who believe and follow, one step at a time.</div>
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And suddenly I realized that the world would not be saved by heroes, because there were none. If the world would ever be saved it would be saved by sinners who have been saved by grace, just like me. So I started believing more and following with greater boldness, knowing that I didn’t need to be a hero. I just needed to be His.</div>
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And since that day life has been an adventure. But I have never been, nor will I ever be, a hero. That is why it bothers me so much when I sense people are beginning to see me as I used to see those others, as somehow set apart or special. I am not special (except that I am God’s child), and I am not a hero. I am not some incredible man of God. I stumble and fall. I get discouraged and broken. I let others down and wound them with far too frequent regularity. And I still hear my father’s voice on the down days and, at times, I believe it.</div>
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Recently, one of my friends told me about his doubts he had about me when we first moved to Guatemala. He told me that when he met me I had just moved here, could not speak Spanish and did not know what I was doing. He heard me speak about our dream of a group home for children with special needs and seriously wondered if it would ever become reality. I laughed when he told me that, because I had the same doubts. Now, seven years later, I still struggle with Spanish and still don’t know what I am doing. Yet, somehow, God is accomplishing His purposes. He does that, not because of who I am, but because of who He is. And that is true for every missionary I know that is building God’s kingdom. </div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N-TGhLYvUTw/U3-DtvbeDuI/AAAAAAAAEi8/rSyLi4k_czw/s1600-h/20140522_114007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="20140522_114007" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o0v1j64isww/U3-DupDAADI/AAAAAAAAEjE/FAYrsMPvjz4/20140522_114007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="263" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20140522_114007" width="159" /></a>So, that is my secret. There are no heroes. There is just you, me and the wonderful grace of God. If you are waiting for your doubts and fears to go away and for you to become a hero before you do your part to change the world, good luck with that. It is not going to happen. You and I are not heroes, but we don’t need to be. We just need to believe and follow one step at a time. </div>
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The dying world around us is waiting, not for heroes, but for real people like you and I who love and serve a very real Jesus Christ. And, by the way, we WILL amount to something when God is finished, because His math is perfect and we are multiplied by His goodness.</div>
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Because of Him,</div>
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Daryl</div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-60806093587246177532018-01-02T09:18:00.000-07:002018-01-02T09:18:11.112-07:00Dream With Me<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Recently I had some friends visit our homes here. As I was introducing them to children and showing them our two homes, I casually mentioned my personal dream for this ministry. They are good friends, so I assumed that they were already aware of this vision, and I was surprised when they seemed clueless as I spoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That led me to stop and think. Have I shared this dream with anyone beyond my immediate friends, family and ministry team? And the answer was, surprisingly, no. It has been such a part of my thinking for so long that is seems like it is a part of me. But, as I look back through my blog and Facebook posts, I realized that I have never shared it publicly. So, that needs to change today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, come and dream with me…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Currently, our ministry is comprised of two group homes for children with special needs and our growing rural village ministry. (There is also our new birthing center in Escuintla, but that does not play into this particular dream.) In order to house this work, we are currently leasing three properties here in San Antonio Aguas Calientes:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Our main home, which is 6000 square foot and serves as our largest group home and offices for me, our social worker, our accountant, our psychologist, and our therapist. (Rent Q.8900 - $1240 USD)</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">While each of these facilities are excellent for our purposes, this means that we are paying approximately $2280 USD a month in rent. And that is a huge hit on our budget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These facilities are also spread out. House 2 is about 100 meters down the road from house 1, and our warehouse is over a kilometer away in the main town. While this is functional, it does create logistic issues. And, as we add additional homes, these logistical issues will increase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And that is where my dream comes in. Imagine all of these ministry sites and more on one piece of property that we own. I can see it now in my mind, and it is beautiful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I envision a large piece of property that is ours. Twenty or thirty acres that is a paradise for children with special needs. Every building and piece of equipment is built with them in mind, and it all exists for the glory of Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Homes:</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There would be ten homes built that would serve as family-based group homes for children with special needs. Wide doorways and hallways, spacious bedrooms, a centralized bathing and changing station, handicapped accessible bathrooms, and a large family room where there is room for every wheelchair and person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And each of these homes would be built around a large central building that includes the following:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZqRvAUa1yhqAf6fepnAkrHZx8WcUzJM9H9yrPCe6yThuCEGQ5POH88oKsI9qEjbHmf8zq9bFgYw3VFuMVBdy1TE_R9vp7PxFKpjPNePJ73jZUQFu3q5x5fEpL7fFs4xyzJAss-JhHUY/s1600/Accent+Handicapped+Seat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZqRvAUa1yhqAf6fepnAkrHZx8WcUzJM9H9yrPCe6yThuCEGQ5POH88oKsI9qEjbHmf8zq9bFgYw3VFuMVBdy1TE_R9vp7PxFKpjPNePJ73jZUQFu3q5x5fEpL7fFs4xyzJAss-JhHUY/s200/Accent+Handicapped+Seat.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A commercial kitchen, where nutritious meals will be cooked for all the homes and staff</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A well equipped therapy center, where each of the children will receive top quality therapy and where therapists will be trained to be the best in Guatemala.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A school where children can receive special education and teachers can be trained to be the best.</span></li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A large multi-purpose room that will be used for special events and for a church on Sundays, where everyone is welcome to worship.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">A beautiful outdoor playground that is equipped to accommodate every special need.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">And connecting it all are beautiful handicapped accessible walkways with flowers and shade trees.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Independent Living Section:</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lq6Ez68K6qn22wF3qfox6KKxeIxVJ6IJrd7enpTZg-_lry6mbeX2Ch_4cg5PrcRL4hCaJdJ-p4EzHWawBvSCKZJLUoPsJ8nZ7BXiKp5JIVaTnCN7FCwTH-7ArCOrl35ohCLGNJk5WJk/s1600/Independent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lq6Ez68K6qn22wF3qfox6KKxeIxVJ6IJrd7enpTZg-_lry6mbeX2Ch_4cg5PrcRL4hCaJdJ-p4EzHWawBvSCKZJLUoPsJ8nZ7BXiKp5JIVaTnCN7FCwTH-7ArCOrl35ohCLGNJk5WJk/s200/Independent.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As children grow to adulthood, what happens? Once the courts release their cases, do we simply send them to an institution? Of course not. They need to have a place where they can continue to grow and receive care in community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I envision accessible apartments where those who are more independent can live. There will be staff to assist them where needed, but they will also be able to do all that they can on their own. Those that can work will have jobs within the ministry, and will receive pay and be taught to budget and spend responsibly. They will even pay a modest rent and help with their expenses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The more-abled will help the less-abled. And they will live in Christ-centered community.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Rural Village Ministry Section:</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8LDhcfl8niHEnlyR-rCAW6thGj9DPmO1MV3VjthIvUGPn4sP0xKPz-mD2f45_9OnUHtkDoqemyvJuT9Z2PUQVA-0jPwPZ4hOwgvJAfdUN_OdgLtg7URaSjU0Di2wr2Gjl5arIaJ9xYE/s1600/Prosthetic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="340" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8LDhcfl8niHEnlyR-rCAW6thGj9DPmO1MV3VjthIvUGPn4sP0xKPz-mD2f45_9OnUHtkDoqemyvJuT9Z2PUQVA-0jPwPZ4hOwgvJAfdUN_OdgLtg7URaSjU0Di2wr2Gjl5arIaJ9xYE/s200/Prosthetic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There would be a large warehouse that will serve as storage for vehicles, wheelchairs, medicine, medical supplies, food, and equipment. Within that warehouse will be workshops for woodworking, metal work, and general repair. There will be a prosthetic shop, where braces and artificial legs and arms will be constructed. And there will be a garage area, where our fleet will be maintained and repaired. Within these workshops, teens from the homes who are able will receive training in these skills and will be employed when possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Farm Section:</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNx5eB1lQ828qV_Y_qNuLBGND2ElGUz-4C0pt2tXmlBrsfebrP9PLfiZ84jDJXNJAAZJtbpjNc1aKHWi6fpX4FL30oGLmL1mdjoZKHeVeBMmtxmBM-30BPbDJwBLBjbhDw7D_S5cKD3Y/s1600/Riding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNx5eB1lQ828qV_Y_qNuLBGND2ElGUz-4C0pt2tXmlBrsfebrP9PLfiZ84jDJXNJAAZJtbpjNc1aKHWi6fpX4FL30oGLmL1mdjoZKHeVeBMmtxmBM-30BPbDJwBLBjbhDw7D_S5cKD3Y/s320/Riding.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There would be a barn and riding area where there will be a therapeutic equestrian program, with horses and adaptive saddles. Children who cannot walk will find freedom and mobility on the backs of horses. Children with emotional needs can find comfort and companionship with animals. I can see a large grazing area and chicken enclosures, where animals will be raised to provide meat, eggs and milk for the homes. I can see a vegetable farm. And I can see children and teens learning to grow and raise the food that sustains them while learning valuable life skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And I can see the doors swinging open each day to the community. I can see families coming for therapy, medical treatment, therapeutic riding, counseling and education. I can see them coming to worship with us. And I can see families who were previously alone, finding love and support in the body of Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I know. This is a huge and seemingly impossible vision. How on earth will we find the money to purchase that much land in Guatemala? How will we fund those facilities? What about the staff? How will any of this become reality?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I can honestly say that I don’t know. But I can also say that it is a good vision. It is a vision that maximized resources and enables us to accomplish all that God has called us to do for the least amount of money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am not a Name-It-And-Claim-It believer. God is not my genie that serves my desire. I am His slave, and I serve at His pleasure. But I believe that God wants to be the Author of our dreams, and I believe He is the Author of this one. So, we are praying and doing all that we can to pursue this dream.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And I am asking for you to join with us in dreaming this dream and praying to make it a reality. This is a God-sized dream, so only He can accomplish it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, will you dream with me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guate!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-66749447829598600462017-12-15T07:56:00.000-07:002017-12-15T07:56:17.886-07:00Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoy3gQYoS0qUAa9H9bvuYhBp28tU8jZq326SBV2bBck4Lcjeqyrvhr0JNlYTNhxipd8tsNeHk5IoeTY5UnO6PkgA8_JnyivAXpGa9rnXjCIxpfMAoROoxj4cOjx8M5L4R1gHcgU1-qvo/s1600/Christmas+Card+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1388" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoy3gQYoS0qUAa9H9bvuYhBp28tU8jZq326SBV2bBck4Lcjeqyrvhr0JNlYTNhxipd8tsNeHk5IoeTY5UnO6PkgA8_JnyivAXpGa9rnXjCIxpfMAoROoxj4cOjx8M5L4R1gHcgU1-qvo/s400/Christmas+Card+2017.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks to your many prayers and faithful support, in 2017...</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">22 children had a Christ-centered home and </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">lots of love </span><span style="font-size: large;">in one of our group homes!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Over 100 children received support and improved care </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">in their homes, helping them to stay with their families!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Approximately 110 people received wheelchairs!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Nearly 500 people received medical care who </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">would not have otherwise received it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Countless people heard the Gospel and saw it in action!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May God receive all the glory, and may we touch more lives than every before in 2018! God bless each of you this holy season!</span></div>
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<br />Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-90248723731833508582017-12-14T15:40:00.000-07:002017-12-14T15:40:49.610-07:00To Fight Or Not To Fight<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">What do you do when you face pure suffering? That is a question I recently faced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have been working in the town of Magdalena Milpas Altas for several months now. Although it is a high population area with a decent infrastructure, there is so much poverty in the town and surrounding area. There is a high concentration of people with special needs, and very few resources for them. So, I wasn’t surprised by the message I received one evening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7VVhNaH9zr1PMnKjqGQv9HKI8qwBQTBKnhob55F4sJPbaoYRIBFqwu8cREZGkvWVZgUc8HmJJzWPaG370HHUYD4wVrlzxSllElQHM3U8aKkfGBGFl80c4d2Yj_x3TbYIZ9ywHPoAClE/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7VVhNaH9zr1PMnKjqGQv9HKI8qwBQTBKnhob55F4sJPbaoYRIBFqwu8cREZGkvWVZgUc8HmJJzWPaG370HHUYD4wVrlzxSllElQHM3U8aKkfGBGFl80c4d2Yj_x3TbYIZ9ywHPoAClE/s200/IMG_1877.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">The text came from my friend, Juan, who has been our contact in the area, and it was accompanied by pictures that would produce nausea and vomiting in most people. The first was a picture of an emaciated young man seated on a bed. His face reflected the pain and misery he was experiencing. But the following two photos showed severe pressure sores on his buttocks and back that were horribly infected. Juan was asking me if I could visit him when I came to town the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I immediately replied and told him that this young man would die soon without medical help, so he wrote and told me that they would take him to the hospital. Knowing that they would take him to the national hospital, I quickly told hm that they would kill him there and that we would arrive as soon as possible the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next day was Burn the Devil Day in Guatemala, so traffic was horrible. A local town was shut down for festivities, causing horrible jams all around them. We had to take a very circuitous route that added an hour to our journey, but finally made it at almost 2:00 pm. And we arrived to find a young man suffering worse than anyone I have ever met.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Jose is 19 years old. Five months ago he was working for the power company when he accidentally grabbed a live wire. For ten seconds, current passed through his body until he fell five meters to the street below. We do not know if it was the fall that caused his chronic pain or the electricity cooking his spinal cord. What we do know is that even the smallest movement in his arms, legs, or back produces excruciating pain down his spine. And for the last five months he has been in Roosevelt, the national hospital in Guatemala City. And that is where he developed those bedsores.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We talked with his mom and asked her what the doctor said about his sores. They told her that they would heal up in a month or so. And the more I learned of Jose’s story and the care that he received, the angrier I got. I honestly believe that if the doctor would have been present at that point I would have broken his nose. (Sorry for that glimpse into my carnal side.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I had Katie Harms with me (a nurse from Canada), her husband, Kevin, and Susan McLay. The three of them are all serving in our home as interns now, and they came along to provide assistance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We inserted a catheter to keep urine off his wounds. Then we started cleaning and debriding his sores. This is a long process of cutting away the dead tissue to expose the healthy tissue. Then we showed his mother how to pack the wound. And, throughout our work, Jose would regularly cry out in pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">During this process, as I was leaning over his bed and working on his wounds, Kevin asked me if I thought he would be okay. I blinked back tears and simply shook my head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Both Katie and I attempted to start an IV, but he was so dehydrated that we could not hit a vein. We gave him an injection of antibiotics to begin to treat his infection, but were later told later that he had been on that same antibiotic for five days with no affect. So, I took a swab of his wound for a culture and told them I would return when the result were back. Meanwhile, we told them to push oral fluids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As we were ready to leave, another gringo arrived. He was the director of a Christian ministry that was trying to help the family. He explained that he had found a doctor who would operate on the sores and treat him. The cost would be $10,000 USD, but he thought he could raise the funds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I spoke with him at length about the situation. I explained that the bedsores were a symptom of the real issue, the damage to his spine. I said they could do the surgery, but most of his suffering would remain. Both he and his mom had recently prayed to receive Jesus into their lives, so I asked him to prayerfully seek the Lord to discern whether they should use those resources to prolong the life of a young man who was suffering so profoundly, or whether we should let him go be healed with Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">He told me that he would consider my words and pray about it. When I spoke to him the next morning, he said that they felt the Lord was telling them to proceed with the surgery. (I am not saying that decision was wrong. I honestly don’t know. I can only trust and pray that it was correct.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But that day Jose began vomiting and suffering from severe diarrhea. He was septic, so the other ministry leader transported him to a private hospital where they began treatment and quickly did surgery on his sores. He is currently hospitalized and recovering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This entire situation has left me asking some hard questions about myself. And, at the top of that list, is this question:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Have I become so used to death that I surrender to it too easily?</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I worked on Jose’s wounds that afternoon, I decided that we would continue to visit and treat his sores and infections and make him comfortable. But I also decided that we would not take any heroic measures to save his life. Knowing that he had a relationship with Jesus, I believed that it was best to let him go. And I prayed he would go soon. But I committed myself to walking with them until the end, loving them all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then arrived a man with passion in his eyes, ready to fight for his life. Ready to raise $10,000 to get the surgery. Not at all ready to surrender to death. And I wondered if I was wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I honestly don’t know. I don’t know if Jose will ever be free of his excruciating pain in this life. I don’t know if he will live to see Christmas or if he has a long life ahead. I know so little. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In fact, after almost seven years of living in Guatemala and doing this ministry, I am sure of one thing. I know less now than I did seven years ago. At least it seems that way. I have learned so much. But with each truth I learn, I become aware of two or three things I have yet to learn. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have seen so much suffering and death. It has become a way of life. And it still brings tears to my eyes. But maybe it has become too familiar. I know that I don’t fight against death as hard as I once did, because death doesn’t seem so scary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Back in the States, death appeared to be such a huge step…a massive transition to a place far away. But not anymore. I have had the privilege of being with so many as they have taken their last breath. And I have come to see it as a simple step through a doorway. My children and friends who have gone on to be with Jesus no longer seem so far away. They are just on the other side of a doorway. And, some days, I can press my ear to the door and hear their laughter on the other side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I believe life is precious and valuable, and that goes for everyone from the unborn to the senior citizen. It is not that I now value this life less, it’s just that I value the life to come more. And I want everyone to experience it one day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I recently shared on Facebook my vision of heaven. I don’t know if it is correct or not, but I like to think it is. The Bible tells us that the last will be first and the first will be last in the Kingdom to come, and I know that is referring to being humble and a servant to others. But I would like to think it applies to other areas as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I envision one day arriving in heaven and, after seeing my Jesus, being surrounded by all the ones to whom we ministered here. Adults and children who were twisted, suffering and bound to wheelchairs, braces and crutches here will be unfettered there. And we will have a big race. We will line up on the starting line, and Jesus Himself will start the race. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>“Ready! Set! Go!!!!!!”</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And we will run and run in a place where no one gets tired or weak. And when we cross the finish line, we will all collapse together in a pile of laughter. And why are we laughing? Because I came in last!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I cannot imagine a better day than that. So, I long for heaven. I long for an end to the suffering that I see here. And, when I see suffering such as Jose is experiencing, I long for eternal healing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And that is the balance I must find. Somehow, I have to fight for precious life here while understanding the life that awaits is far better. I have to know when to fight, and when to stop. Please pray that our team and I can find that balance and fight well until it is time to stop. And pray that we do it for the glory of the Author of both this life and the life to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guate!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-37451703008084415342017-12-04T11:43:00.001-07:002017-12-04T11:43:43.389-07:00Voices, Words and Transparency<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Some people have told me that I am too transparent in my blogs. But, in my opinion, a lack of transparency is the same as hypocrisy. I am a human with far too many weaknesses to conceal, so why would I try?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Far too often I do not like myself. I could give you a long list of reasons why that is true, but at the core of all of them are some words spoken to me when I was around ten years old. My dad, in a moment of anger and frustration, uttered six words that have impacted me far more than any ever spoken…</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>“You will never amount to anything.”</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdezMTpAS28eR2aEB1sqIoSumoXD6ut1THgiGCgfBgx-e_tBlGaLr-cmrisUiYStCvB0xzr_sAqXCkJLfR_muqInJm3hHYfP1gO9aYUWaSG9FP-pgyZNR4rEDCSPnWltoqFyjoRvmL0k/s1600/134794_1705121355569_6081370_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdezMTpAS28eR2aEB1sqIoSumoXD6ut1THgiGCgfBgx-e_tBlGaLr-cmrisUiYStCvB0xzr_sAqXCkJLfR_muqInJm3hHYfP1gO9aYUWaSG9FP-pgyZNR4rEDCSPnWltoqFyjoRvmL0k/s200/134794_1705121355569_6081370_o.jpg" width="144" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">My dad was not a bad man. I know that he loved me. I know that, in light of the disfunction of his childhood, he was a remarkable father. I have forgiven him for those words and many others that cut me deeply. But that does not mean that I have escaped their impact. I can still hear them spoken and see the expression on his face and his pointing finger. And, all too often, I believe him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I came to Christ in my teen years, the voice lessened. And, as I have grown in my relationship with Jesus, there are times when it is nothing more than a very distant whisper that gets drowned out by my heavenly Father’s voice. But there are other times that it shouts loudly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkU3XpKWa31iKj7cQyqBVLw5LI1cfp1Jfc-RejPZ4RHEDlveo9fu1qs598Cf9kwgOdKMo7z6LADmmVY4nyuD4nxmFqOZlkPd-DOs1PPLiIp8tD_glLaAtfk0tMjw0L66bGHu0vKltzBQ/s1600/135450_1705124875657_1401323_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="979" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkU3XpKWa31iKj7cQyqBVLw5LI1cfp1Jfc-RejPZ4RHEDlveo9fu1qs598Cf9kwgOdKMo7z6LADmmVY4nyuD4nxmFqOZlkPd-DOs1PPLiIp8tD_glLaAtfk0tMjw0L66bGHu0vKltzBQ/s200/135450_1705124875657_1401323_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">I have spent much of my life trying to find approval, believing that the voice would be silenced forever if I could make people proud of me. Even worse, I have wasted much too much of my relationship with Jesus trying to earn His approval and make Him proud. My dad died in August of 1996, and I knew that I would never hear the healing words I had prayed for, so the voice got much louder for a while. But then it got quieter again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now, fast forward to 2017. Most days the voice is quiet and I am at peace with who I am. I know God’s love and the love of my wife and children. I am walking in God’s calling, and I can feel His smile. Most days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But occasionally, that is not true. Occasionally I feel the pointing finger and hear those words again. And they are devastating. This mainly happens with things go wrong in the ministry. Like last week…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have been facing a growing crisis within the ministry, but I have been brushing it off. But last week I was confronted with the magnitude of it, up close and personal. And, for the first time in a long time… my faith shrunk, my fear swelled, my self-loathing surged, and that old voice shouted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“See! You are a failure! Everything you do will eventually fail! You will never amount to anything!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I could see the expression. I could see the pointing finger. And I could hear the words as clearly as ever. Only this time, it was not my dad saying them in my mind…it was God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I know, I know. God was not really saying them. It was the enemy using this very hard moment and my very great weakness to attack. But it was devastating and left me in a useless daze. I prayed. I cried out to God. But I felt unheard and alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Wednesday morning I packed up the truck and headed up to Canillá, Quiché for two days of ministry with Jeremiah, Kevin and Katie. I believed it would do me good to get away and minister, as that always puts things in perspective. The trip up was uneventful, and we had a good afternoon as we served. But I will confess that I wasn’t all there. My mind was immeshed in the battle with the voice, and I was very mechanical in the ministry I did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then that night I had a horrible night. I slept poorly, and in the midst of it, I had a dream. A really bad dream. Often when I face The Voice, these kinds of dreams come. They are of the emasculating variety that cause me to awaken in a cloud of inferiority. And this one did exactly that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The other ministry with which we work in Canillá, Las Maripositas, has group devotionals each morning, and I normally take part when I am there. But this morning I knew I needed to do something different. So I retreated to my pick-up with tinted windows to pour out my heart to God. And pour out my heart is exactly what I did. Out loud and with many tears, I begged Him to come and heal my heart. I knew that, without His touch, I would not be able to minister at all. But He answered, and we ministered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">That morning we had two divine appointments in which God moved…</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The first was with a woman named Ana. The day before, when I was loading up extra wheelchairs to take with me, I accidentally had loaded up a chair with specialty footrests. When we arrived Wednesday and unwrapped the chair, I realized my mistake. But I told the rest of the crew that, whenever something like that happens, someone always shows up who needs it. So, when Thursday morning came and we were told that the last person was arriving in need of the chair, I wondered if she would be the one who needed it. And, of course, she was.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTGFL3pzqRLCUGAma0s70Ki-d8IXtddJowyMnmzShs3O32jVVicmIMsehlP1-hGHnYlyz-Mm2L1M5SexpkgSetqXDHSdqWpc9sJE5bmB-vBWPFRHVx8HTxLpnt8ivK1p0O7C8jzeljVg/s1600/24294021_10213920390191583_8732267351272777819_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTGFL3pzqRLCUGAma0s70Ki-d8IXtddJowyMnmzShs3O32jVVicmIMsehlP1-hGHnYlyz-Mm2L1M5SexpkgSetqXDHSdqWpc9sJE5bmB-vBWPFRHVx8HTxLpnt8ivK1p0O7C8jzeljVg/s200/24294021_10213920390191583_8732267351272777819_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Ana’s family had brought her a long distance from a remote village in hopes of getting her a wheelchair. She has severed arthritis and cannot walk or straighten her legs. She is in constant pain, and even cried out when I lifted her from the pick-up in which she arrived. My heart broke when the full magnitude of her suffering came to light.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But it was beautiful when I placed her in the chair and made a few adjustments. When I was done, I knelt down and asked her how it felt. And, for the first time, I saw her smile. She was so relaxed and comfortable, and her whole body showed it. She told me that if felt “So very good!” And I gave thanks to God who saw her need when I was in our bodega, loading the “wrong” chair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As soon as they had left, we loaded up the truck and headed out to another remote community. The roads were rough and steep, and I discovered along the way that my 4-wheel drive low has stopped working. But with 4-wheel drive high and some momentum, we were able to get through.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We were visiting a lady named Isidria, whom I had measured for a wheelchair on my last visit. She had suffered a stroke years before, and we found her in a horrible wheelchair. Her husband had found an old folding wheelchair and placed her in it. But, because her head and body tilted to the left, her spouse had tied a blanket around the right handle and placed it around her head to keep her upright. She has spent each day in that chair in that position for years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We brought a custom chair for her with head rest and tilt, and we were able to quickly adjust it and get her seated comfortably. The headrest was a difficult adjustment, because her head and neck were so twisted. I made the adjustment, put her on a tilt, and watched over the next few minutes as her neck relaxed and moved into a more normal position. So, I moved it further over and back, and watched it happen again. So, still another adjustment. On my next visit, I will move her headrest back and over further. I hope that she will eventually relax to the point of normal posture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Isdria cannot speak at all. But I leaned down close to her and asked her how her chair felt. And, for the first time ever, I saw her smile. And a single tear flowed down her right cheek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It had been a rough week in which I felt pounded, both emotionally and spiritually. It had been a horrible night, with little sleep and a troubling dream. And it had been a long drive over rough roads to get to her. But, at that moment, I knew that I would do it over and over again to see a smile like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, as we drove home that evening, my spirit was brighter and I felt better equipped to face the challenge that awaited me. And I was praising God for those experiences to quiet the voices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But then He spoke and asked me some questions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i><b>“What if I had not blessed and guided your morning? What if the wheelchairs were not what they needed? What if the morning had been filled with frustration and disappointment? What then? Why do you allow what you do to influence your identity so much, while who I am and what I say influences you so little?”</b></i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Ouch! Good questions. And convicting questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Why do I allow hard times and failures to tell me who I am instead of allowing Jesus to tell me? Why am I so influenced by what I can and cannot do instead of Whose I am? Why can’t I love myself simply because God does? There are some days that I do. But there are far too many that I don’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When will I learn that I don’t have to make God love me, because He already does? All I have to do is to learn how to fully love Him back. When will I learn to trust His words more than my earthly fathers’s. I want to, but I have so far to go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I have learned something important. I am not alone. In fact, there are far more people in the church who struggle with this issue than those who don’t. Likely, you are a member of this broken community. The words might be different than the words I hear, but they are just as damaging, painful and destructive. Some days they are quiet and distant, others they blare loudly in your mind. And, while your mind tells you that your are loved and valued by God, those words echo in your heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>I just want you to know that you are not alone.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have no pat answers to offer here. But if you have a magic cure, let me know. All I can do is to invite you to join me in learning to believe the truth of God instead of those heart-breaking and life-breaking words you have heard from others:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-kerning: none;"> “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”</span> 1 John 4:16-19</i></b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For this moment, I choose to rest in that love. I pray you will as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-19659094012796914302017-10-23T13:53:00.002-06:002017-10-23T13:53:57.756-06:00Re-Entry<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Again I find myself apologizing for being so negligent in blogging. For three weeks I have been trying to find the time to sit down and do an update, and for three weeks events keep interfering. But at long last…ta daaa!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The last month has been challenging for me in many respects. On September 22nd I flew to the States for 17 days to speak in churches and share a message that God placed on my heart. I had a wonderful time with my sister, Kathy, and my brother-in-law, Bob, as I was able to stay with them in North Carolina throughout the duration of my trip. We were able to travel to the coast to see my brother, Rusty, and his family as well, and I was able to connect with old friends from high school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In addition, I spoke in four churches and shared my passion for the church to embrace true discipleship. The response was tremendous, as people trusted their lives to Christ for the first time and others committed themselves to a deeper lifestyle of discipleship. So, from the perspective of family and ministry it was a great trip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But, as always, I wrestled with culture shock. Prior to this trip, I had spent only about four weeks total in the States over the last almost six years that we have lived in Guatemala. Two of those were for my mom’s accident and eventual death and funeral, eight days were for two weddings, and one week was to see two of our daughters and grandkids. While I experienced culture shock during each of these trips, this visit was especially difficult. It is hard to describe what it is like to leave a place like Guatemala and land in a place like the US, but I can tell you it is overwhelming.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqLWxfHlOOXamiUi8wnKVkGiVyPoC4botc9Br6tuzHGtSQBwGL49VN46dA1JhjAhaWwhbU9kXGo1hKwXFbzS6sdhcysOIANhvqY2QW3D8d1Ye0TNXSzpE52GaTs7CoCgXei_hyxfktk0/s1600/Costco-aisles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqLWxfHlOOXamiUi8wnKVkGiVyPoC4botc9Br6tuzHGtSQBwGL49VN46dA1JhjAhaWwhbU9kXGo1hKwXFbzS6sdhcysOIANhvqY2QW3D8d1Ye0TNXSzpE52GaTs7CoCgXei_hyxfktk0/s320/Costco-aisles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One day we went to Costco to pick up a few items. We have some big box stores in Guatemala, but the US takes it to a whole new level. I was overwhelmed as soon as we walked through the door straight into the electronics department. It overwhelmed my senses. So many TV’s, computers, tablets, phones, accessories and more. I walked through looking for items that might be helpful for ministry, but then decided to walk away because I just could not process it all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">From there I went to the hardware and automotive department. Again, I was overwhelmed, but this time something new was added to the mix. Want. I suddenly found myself wanting things that I did not know existed until 15 seconds before. I picked up three different items with plans to purchase them because “we really need these for the ministry.” But then I returned them to the shelf and walked away before materialism could completely engulf me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At one point, I felt what I can only assume was the beginning of a panic attack. I just wanted to find a dark quiet room and lock myself in for an hour or two. I just felt completely dwarfed by the choices and sights that surrounded me. When we left the store I had purchased only antacids, reading glasses, and a new thermometer for the home, all of which were on sale. So I felt as if I passed my first big test.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC86HzPelzmOjBM2GCBDG0U81W2ycAyd5f9DUsr3MGdfDn01EPCSD2KESpmo4U6AcGugf2MTJyaQJXE-ewqh3o3992vLyZijMA7lrn00Pb5xaMFWd0RfalL53Wx0aJhLZRa0-4KBX6cg/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUC86HzPelzmOjBM2GCBDG0U81W2ycAyd5f9DUsr3MGdfDn01EPCSD2KESpmo4U6AcGugf2MTJyaQJXE-ewqh3o3992vLyZijMA7lrn00Pb5xaMFWd0RfalL53Wx0aJhLZRa0-4KBX6cg/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">At another point I entered a Christian bookstore. I believe it had been over seven years since my last trip inside one of these businesses. My nephew, Jason, needed to go, so I went in with him. I figured it was a good chance to see new books that were available. I started in the book section, and was greatly disappointed. While I found some excellent books and authors available, I also found that the majority of what was available was “spiritual junk food.” So much focused on living the life you want and personal satisfaction while so little focused on discipleship and the Word of God. But I did find a few titles that I later purchased and downloaded electronically. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But the really hard part was when I stepped away from the books into the “Christian nick-nack” section. Paintings, crosses, jewelry, serving platters, t-shirts and more filled about half of the store. Prices varied from $10 to almost $400 to include Jesus and the Bible into your home’s decor and wardrobe. And, as I walked through this merchandise, I was overcome by a sadness and a thought…</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Was this really what Jesus had in mind? Did He really want us to market His name and the image of the cross? I quickly felt an almost claustrophobic feeling and had to step out of the store.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The reality is that there are very few cultures in the world in which Christians have the luxury of buying Christian nick-nacks and jewelry. There are very few places in which the faith community has the resources for building amusement parks and attractions. And the US is one of those places. But the question is, in light of the suffering of the world and the difference we could make, should we? And what does it say to the dying world around us when we do?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I don’t have a firm answer to those questions, but I believe the church needs to be asking them with openness and honesty. Just because it has always been a part of the church culture in the US does not mean it should be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But as hard as some of those moments were during my time Stateside, the harder adjustment awaited me when I returned home to Guatemala. That may seem strange to you, but it is true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For over two weeks, I had been in the US where life is so good. (Please understand, I am not saying that there are no real struggles or pain in the US. I know there is, and many of you might be facing suffering as you read this. I do not wish to belittle your pain, because it is real and important. But the kind of pain and the causes of pain are frequently different.) Then I returned home where I was slammed with issue after issue of poverty wrapped in suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Within 48 hours of returning home, I experienced:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">little Alicia’s death, who had been my friend for five years. She died because they did not have room at the national hospital where she could have received dialysis.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">a call from the neurological institute, asking me to come visit four infants with microcephaly, likely caused by Zika.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">news that a surgery team that we have been waiting for who can hopefully save Dora's life had cancelled their trip.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">three families that came to our door who are dirt poor and dealing with special needs.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At one point, I retreated to my office, locked the door, and wept. It was not that the needs were greater when I returned than before I left. In fact, that it pretty much as typical two day period here. But, after being away for over two weeks, the harshness of the poverty and suffering hit me anew. And it brought me to my knees again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I dealt with it the only way I know how. I prayed and then I got to work. Three days after returning I visited the neurological center to deliver a wheelchair and assess three of the infants with microcephaly. Four days after returning we distributed around 25 wheelchairs in Magdalena Milpas Altas. And, we began to work in earnest to begin construction on the birthing center.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Speaking of the birthing center, we now are fully funded! Over $23,000 has come in to cover construction, furnishing and equipment. We are currently making a few changes to the plans and will then begin materials purchases and construction.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then we welcomed our new midwife, Stephanie Konrad, last week! She is now on the ground and getting settled. So much is happening at once that I am having a hard time keeping up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAinqETHRkGLGORGOE0QLQoAUV8bfqAIoYSDXWmkv4qsdh5YzMsAteS-faFyvkW_QWwMbsSHm4SMy7HLfwCRpwSk1okzdG3R_n4D34pKH2NCS9t7ro0KosN4uZcMm4y4XFKbWsoq5N2os/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAinqETHRkGLGORGOE0QLQoAUV8bfqAIoYSDXWmkv4qsdh5YzMsAteS-faFyvkW_QWwMbsSHm4SMy7HLfwCRpwSk1okzdG3R_n4D34pKH2NCS9t7ro0KosN4uZcMm4y4XFKbWsoq5N2os/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">At the same time, we are preparing for a wedding, as our daughter Carissa marries Stevie Chapin on November 3rd. They will be heading to Liberia in March, where they will be overseeing the special needs ministries there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, speaking of Liberia, things are heating up there as we seek to partner with His Safe Haven to care for children. Don Riley is currently assuring the quality of care for the children through his oversight, and we recently decided to hire additional staff to assure top-notch care. Then we expect construction of the new village for children with special needs to begin this summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As you can tell, things are busy. But, through it all, God is good and in control. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I will be making a very brief trip to Ohio with my beautiful bride, Wanda, on November 9 - 14 so that we can participate in Carissa’s Stateside wedding. And looking ahead, I will need to make a trip to Liberia, Africa in late spring to provide some assistance and oversight to the ministry there. Please be in prayer as we continue to seek the Lord for guidance as the ministry grows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guate!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-87155346772052454792017-09-11T11:52:00.001-06:002017-09-11T11:52:28.135-06:00Tough Choices<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I try to be very transparent, both in this blog and on Facebook. I really don’t like it when people project some kind of supreme wisdom or courage to others, because I know the reality. Even the strongest leaders wrestle with fear, uncertainty and their own inadequacies. And, if they don’t, they are dangerous people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We are in the midst of something incredible as God unfolds His plan for this ministry. But people often confuse what God is doing as being equated to great leadership from me. Jesus is moving in great ways, so Daryl must be wise, courageous, a great leader, or other such nonsense. Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, I am a weak and self-conscious person who feels I am in way over my head. On a regular basis I find myself completely overwhelmed by decisions that are way above my pay grade. And I often make those decisions with fear and trembling. Usually it is not until weeks, months or years later that I know the correctness or incorrectness of those decisions, if at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here are just a few decisions we have faced over the last two weeks:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Will we give a baby boy a home?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Two weeks ago I received a request to take a little guy into our home. As always, I requested medical information on the child, which they sent the next day. As I read through the info, I realized that this was a very sick little guy. His list of medical needs was long and dire, and he was fighting for his life. And I realized that, if we said no, he would likely die in any other home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Often when we share publicly about decisions such as this, we receive encouragement to “have faith” and “trust God” and, therefore, “say yes!” But most people do not realize that faith and trust have little to do with our decision. We do have faith, and we do trust God. Otherwise we would not be doing what we are doing where we do it. We do not make these kinds of decisions regarding money at all. But there is so much that we have to weigh, including the following:</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">We started this household to be a family-based home for children, not an institution. If we receive too many children and hire too many staff, we become less personal and more overwhelmed. We become an institution. When does saying yes to a child push us to the point of defeating our vision?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">We already have lots of children with profound special needs. Three of those children are expected to die in coming months. We have G-tubes, NG-tubes, breathing treatments, therapy, doctor appointments, and much more. At what point does another yes sacrifice the care we provide to the other children?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">As already mentioned, we have three children who are dying and more who have profound medical and care needs. We have to maintain a balance in our home in order to assure the morale of our family, interns and staff. We need to have a mixture of children with less severe needs who are more interactive with those who are more profound in their needs. Without that balance, the atmosphere of the home suffers. Will this child throw us toward an unhealthy balance?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Do we have enough space? Right now, our boys’ room is full, but we have space for another girl. Yes, we could probably find a way to squeeze in another boy, but we have to be careful because overcrowding could jeopardize our license.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is important to note that we do not make these decisions lightly, but we have to make a decision. In this case, we told them that that we could not receive him into our home. Yes, you read that correctly. We said no. As I stated above, we knew that we were his best chance of survival, but we still said no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Some of you may read that and be shocked and disappointed. I understand. I once sat in the States and read blogs like this one. I did not understand how anyone could ever say no to a child in need. I get where you are coming from, and I know that we must seem pretty horrible. But I have learned that we cannot save everyone. I want to…desperately. But we cannot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I laid in bed that night and wiped tears. And I grieved for a little guy who would likely die because we said no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Will we give a little girl a home?</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5Yr_WbD2pSUc1_Nb0oo7odKVU8YUKMT6M_2soinaGynsPLrOBOBEagBFthW_YwVmFUXK5Km9alheod6jHJI1vCmo3s1BXHUkeGWJZdcuxonH8qDqrtOjaa5w5E1DX0MUwAmBqH8Vv7M/s1600/INFORME-1+001+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5Yr_WbD2pSUc1_Nb0oo7odKVU8YUKMT6M_2soinaGynsPLrOBOBEagBFthW_YwVmFUXK5Km9alheod6jHJI1vCmo3s1BXHUkeGWJZdcuxonH8qDqrtOjaa5w5E1DX0MUwAmBqH8Vv7M/s200/INFORME-1+001+copy.jpg" width="145" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week we received a message about a little girl they are calling Esther. She has an estimated age of three, and they don’t know her real name because she was found abandoned. The email messages were filled with her pictures and lots of medical reports. Severe cognitive and physical delays…colpocephalia…seizures…more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">She was placed in a regular home in late August, and they are not equipped to care for her. So they asked us to please receive her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We talked it through and prayed it through. In the end, most of us were on the fence. But one of our children felt a special draw and burden for her that I believed to be from God. So, we said yes. She will be joining us once the courts process the paperwork.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2pJUJd8EcLWdNVu0VZJj_gjHZ9TnbWSRXBeGFgcoLM5V0jcm3Qq3-IchXCCP3e9ckB0QKFcrk0i23PJF1oikRHOEkSRSY9sbXMc2sRTm5Q0UVgh43rOdqpnul-Of_38IfGPZSvoJbbw/s1600/21552032_10213288482714291_405364102616559455_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2pJUJd8EcLWdNVu0VZJj_gjHZ9TnbWSRXBeGFgcoLM5V0jcm3Qq3-IchXCCP3e9ckB0QKFcrk0i23PJF1oikRHOEkSRSY9sbXMc2sRTm5Q0UVgh43rOdqpnul-Of_38IfGPZSvoJbbw/s200/21552032_10213288482714291_405364102616559455_o.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Little Yasmin celebrated her half-birthday yesterday. We chose to celebrate because she will likely not live until her first birthday. She came to us three months ago in horrible shape. Her hair had lost most of its color and was falling out from malnutrition. She was filthy and wrapped in dirty blankets. Her poor body was covered with a raw rash caused by mites and filth. She cried almost constantly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Today her skin is beautiful and blemish free. She is mostly content and greatly loved. But she is dying because she was born without most of her brain. In its place is a growing sac of fluid that is increasing in pressure daily. In the last month, her head grew 10 centimeters in diameter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We took her to our neurologist and to our neurosurgeon. Both of them said that a shunt to relieve pressure was likely not a good option for her. But we took her for a third opinion with another neurosurgeon, and he recommended the surgery. He told us that the surgery might kill her, or she could die shortly after, but he wanted to do it to reduce the size of her head. He said that if she survived, it could extend her life by a few months. The cost of the surgery would be Q.20,000 (about $2,800 USD).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We wrestled with that decision for days. She recently began taking meds that has her happy and comfortable. She is loved and well cared for, but she cannot see and will never crawl, learn to walk or talk, or pass developmental milestones. And, even if the surgery is successful, she still will likely not live beyond a year. Do we want to try to prolong her life instead of allowing her to go to Jesus and the perfect healing he offers? Do we want her remaining time to be spent in surgery, hospitals and recovery?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last night we made the decision. We have chosen to love her well, do what we need to keep her comfortable, and carry her to Jesus when the time comes. Is that the right decision? I pray it is. But I likely will not know for sure on this side of heaven.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4BWctECHmYqq_xqdj0V8mNffjodx73OKu_8e04ttiFQXSYHO3mfe9UY6_mbeelMwr0QGln46uTi5zOzscYPIKMwLuItM8sLgdxIjBirXdZ0Ys37Rc4BK8Yy6hxDFCJXGUbOLrEeVDcc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-11+at+11.40.55+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="469" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4BWctECHmYqq_xqdj0V8mNffjodx73OKu_8e04ttiFQXSYHO3mfe9UY6_mbeelMwr0QGln46uTi5zOzscYPIKMwLuItM8sLgdxIjBirXdZ0Ys37Rc4BK8Yy6hxDFCJXGUbOLrEeVDcc/s200/Screen+Shot+2017-09-11+at+11.40.55+AM.png" width="196" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week I was contacted by a friend about another boy with special needs who needs a home. Currently hospitalized, he has severe medical needs, a G-tube, and a tracheotomy. Could we take him?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I received his medical reports yesterday afternoon, and I spent a lot of time going through them. I felt like my family had been through enough tough decisions in recent days, so I determined not to add this one to their burden. I would make it on my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Again, I weighed the space available, his needs, our equipment, the balance of our home and our current help. And I said no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I have just given you a glimpse into four decisions we have made in recent weeks. These are just a few drops of the lake of decisions we must make each year. And I honestly cannot tell you if any one of these were the right choice. I can tell you that we did our best to follow the guidance of Jesus, and…I think we did. I pray we did. Because I know the consequences of making the wrong choice in any one of these situations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But what weighs on me is the reality that all of these four situations are not really choices. They are lives. And that threatens to overwhelm me/us at times. The decisions we make can cost or save lives. The decisions we make can improve or worsen lives. And that keeps me awake some nights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I ask you to please pray for us. We need wisdom and guidance far above who we are. We need to hear from the One who sees both the past and the future and controls both. Without Him, we will do more harm than good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I want to remind you that the decisions you make are just as important, but their importance may not be as obvious. Today you likely won't make an important decision regarding a child’s surgery or life, but you will make choices that will have eternal implications.</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you really speak to and listen to your coworkers, or will you just survive until quitting time?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you love and invest in your spouse today, or will you keep your mind far away on other priorities?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you spend time with and build the hearts of your children, or will you just be anxious to get them to bed so you can have some peace?</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">Will you find the courage to finally talk to your friend and neighbor about Jesus as God has been prompting you to do, or will you just stick with the safe small talk?</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These and dozens more decisions you make today are so important. Connect with God, and choose wisely. And we will do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-84309050969932225912017-08-24T11:48:00.000-06:002017-08-24T11:48:39.936-06:00Floors, Crowds and Hard Roads<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">It is hard to sum up the last few weeks in a few pages, but I will try to do my best. Hang on for the ride…</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFceN9pQ18MIoOX_z4pt8jPXiZiv9uH1y88JtgWDN0iVjVNpyvYUFLbkplFTFT5STqgxJZEbq2SON47K52lObdwqptrc3pK59X-n2Z2uiSAhvjOa0PVLXNFFSI1dev9DvybvYCkevejgY/s1600/IMG_6708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFceN9pQ18MIoOX_z4pt8jPXiZiv9uH1y88JtgWDN0iVjVNpyvYUFLbkplFTFT5STqgxJZEbq2SON47K52lObdwqptrc3pK59X-n2Z2uiSAhvjOa0PVLXNFFSI1dev9DvybvYCkevejgY/s200/IMG_6708.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are in the midst of getting our second house fully licensed. We have been operating under special allowance due to the crisis that Guatemala was experiencing after the fire in Hogar Seguro. But, in order to operate long-term, we have to complete all the process of upgrades, inspections and paperwork. We thought we were coming down the home stretch, but then we had a visit from the health department.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As they walked through the home, they were impressed with everything…except the floors. We were told that the concrete floors were too rough and could not be properly cleaned, so they would not pass us until the floors were finished. (I still stand amazed that the same government that was running a hell-hole place like Hogar Seguros would refuse us a health license because our floors do not meet their standards.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, we were left with two options: 1) Tile all the floors or 2) Do a skim coat of colored concrete. Since the second option was quicker and cheaper, we chose that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, we moved all of the caregivers from house 2 into house 1 while the work was being done. That meant that we had 31 people living in this house, plus staff that came during the day. It was CROWDED! But we survived like that for 10 days, due to the great attitude and hard work of our family, staff and interns. Yesterday afternoon, the kids and caregivers were able to return to house 2 and order has been (mostly) restored. The final bill topped Q10,000 (about $1,400). We hope to receive health department approval in the next day or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Meanwhile, I was finally able to fulfill a commitment I made almost a year ago to begin ministry in Zona Reyna. We had planned to do so early this year, but the murder of Manuel and the opening of house 2 delayed that considerably. But last week, Wanda, Jeremiah and I made the trip and the work began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The region of Zona Reyna is very unique because of how it was settled. The region is made up almost entirely of refugees from Guatemala’s armed conflict that ended in 1996. This was a civil war between communists and capitalists, with the US backing the capitalists. This long and bloody conflict devastated the country, and many of the rural Mayans were caught in the middle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Communist forces would enter a Mayan village and demand that they be fed. Because they had machine guns, the villagers would comply. Later, capitalist forces would come through, accuse them of being communist sympathizers because they fed the opposition, and would kill entire villages, including women and children. And the opposite would also happen, with capitalists being fed and communists doing the killing. It was, literally, a no win situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So entire communities made the decision to leave their villages and hide in the mountains to avoid the soldiers. They lived in fear for the duration of the war, which lasted 36 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When the war finally ended, a part of the negotiated peace deal with the United Nations was to relocate these displaced people. So, they used helicopters to transport these families to the completely undeveloped region of Zona Reyna. They were dropped off and each family was given two pieces of metal lamina, a bag of maseca, and a bag of beans. And they were left in a place with no roads, no hospitals, no anything. And they survived and created a new community.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6OBxMWwlQkOS_pGELFwdn9k6bpLq-qQaFBwq9kUIsvQh38wrtxaMUGTYfAFiIdziDkqOAD-62t15xXe5ygy_2B9lfJEHNlhfBzVyfbb-njjptSaC4LpdCk4p41hV_MbF7txH6xHCkD8/s1600/DSC_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6OBxMWwlQkOS_pGELFwdn9k6bpLq-qQaFBwq9kUIsvQh38wrtxaMUGTYfAFiIdziDkqOAD-62t15xXe5ygy_2B9lfJEHNlhfBzVyfbb-njjptSaC4LpdCk4p41hV_MbF7txH6xHCkD8/s320/DSC_2860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our good friends, Greg and Helaine Walton, moved to that area in 2001. There they worked to start a school and agricultural program, and the success of that work is astounding to see. It is one of the best schools in Guatemala, and almost all of the teachers there are graduates of the program. As a part of the curriculum, the kids are taught agriculture and raise peppers which they sell to pay for their education and give each student an income. The property is self-sufficient, with a well and solar power. It is truly impressive to see the difference that is being made in the name of Jesus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPmXVXFAe5fmFCGcZcEtDbuvAmdGpK_Nz-I86_TB1z4AfhS8npnvhNkKv1RHJdpgw2yP9_g3o1DpxkiSobltpIKCPmCj_fzuoSGjgfFnnAcvt0n0SQ8g9fCbR-Vcbe7a7KvAbj3YwzvY/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPmXVXFAe5fmFCGcZcEtDbuvAmdGpK_Nz-I86_TB1z4AfhS8npnvhNkKv1RHJdpgw2yP9_g3o1DpxkiSobltpIKCPmCj_fzuoSGjgfFnnAcvt0n0SQ8g9fCbR-Vcbe7a7KvAbj3YwzvY/s200/IMG_0586.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">About six years ago they finally cut in a road to the area. As of last year they also have a cell tower that can provide intermittent coverage and internet. And this was the area we drove to last week.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica;">And speaking of driving, it was quite the drive. I have driven rough and dangerous roads often since living in Guatemala, but these were among the worst. The total drive took us 11 hours, and the last 58 miles were six of those hours. Rough roads, shear cliffs and narrow bridges were among the challenges. At one point, we saw a horse in front of us lose its footing and plummet off the cliff to his death. But the view the entire way was breathtakingly beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We arrived safely last Wednesday night, and we were exhausted from the drive and long day. A quick bite to eat and we were in bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next morning we set up in the school where we saw those with special needs. I was afraid we would be overwhelmed by numbers, but Greg explained that the people of the area are not used to receiving help from outsiders. Many are distrustful and it will take time for us to build trust. But we saw around 12 people with a variety of needs. A teenage girl with leg deformities. A boy born without an arm and leg. A little guy with Down Syndrome. A stroke victim. Most of them without any resources.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6I2wr3VSFPjNQj_jfWkdfFa1-othsWTjUzRwDBxtz-EYWyPTmknyS77j7hor5s3LrvhxSfqnGRUKWtDyqoVi3PljIWiiPYxDKnJG0Fj_YZP8RrHDMigwB-8HL8QvG7qgqxydrz-08H4/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6I2wr3VSFPjNQj_jfWkdfFa1-othsWTjUzRwDBxtz-EYWyPTmknyS77j7hor5s3LrvhxSfqnGRUKWtDyqoVi3PljIWiiPYxDKnJG0Fj_YZP8RrHDMigwB-8HL8QvG7qgqxydrz-08H4/s200/IMG_0623.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuIkLKFD_naVHum6sAE3l_1oqDQTPqQy83L0YyI6sRSOFa0kFGQQrqnDSlrjUfPkFoUXAkIxFuhwKjfjnLzTXC0UuYPO3b1a2hS5IyTUKqcWwGxsljkKWek8G9eNyZwiwqMtFi5XMifA/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuIkLKFD_naVHum6sAE3l_1oqDQTPqQy83L0YyI6sRSOFa0kFGQQrqnDSlrjUfPkFoUXAkIxFuhwKjfjnLzTXC0UuYPO3b1a2hS5IyTUKqcWwGxsljkKWek8G9eNyZwiwqMtFi5XMifA/s200/IMG_0636.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrKoTNloOXiS-V5t5O-WlkPZMnLVXCNfsi2cI1gmk7aj9uLLmqZyosHj2CnF5GQDvjp2ulsGYBmZtH01dMND8Tq5-LHf5Cbp2-iYgF6oqIn0j4inHVTGU8gaTliTU8_GkzEsycbPlLVs/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrKoTNloOXiS-V5t5O-WlkPZMnLVXCNfsi2cI1gmk7aj9uLLmqZyosHj2CnF5GQDvjp2ulsGYBmZtH01dMND8Tq5-LHf5Cbp2-iYgF6oqIn0j4inHVTGU8gaTliTU8_GkzEsycbPlLVs/s200/IMG_0630.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">In the afternoon, we drove out to visit two people who could not come to the school. The first was an elderly man with undiagnosed diabetes. His blood sugar was at 585, and he has gone nearly blind and can no longer walk. Through telephone consultation with our ministry doctor, we were able to get him started on insulin to get his diabetes under control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The second was a man with a brain tumor. They had CAT scans which showed the tumor to be large and pressing down on his brain stem. It is inoperable. His pain is tremendous and he has now gone blind. We gave him some strong pain killers and prayed with him. There is simply nothing more that we can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The next day, we made the long drive back out again, and arrived home that evening thoroughly wiped. I have spent a lot of time since our return reflecting on this new area of ministry and praying for God’s direction. I will be returning next month to deliver wheelchairs and do follow-ups with the people I saw. Please pray for us as we move forward.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszK7zpbCmoO24IuKPQUBoqbnrrg57KnJp8YeLxUr2fVPQVAFouQcSj-JKRe3UGrQnCD3EVKjwYYpwjHFnrO4My91nWWcbqppNo_6c77TzWNeC7y2Owp-YU7w_ZToeh9IZZXjklxd90Bk/s1600/20882174_101372857260740_2171656023446188969_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="960" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszK7zpbCmoO24IuKPQUBoqbnrrg57KnJp8YeLxUr2fVPQVAFouQcSj-JKRe3UGrQnCD3EVKjwYYpwjHFnrO4My91nWWcbqppNo_6c77TzWNeC7y2Owp-YU7w_ZToeh9IZZXjklxd90Bk/s200/20882174_101372857260740_2171656023446188969_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Earlier this month, we hosted Scott and Christina Hoffman for a few days. Christina is the Director of His Safe Haven, which works with children with special needs in Liberia, Africa. Hope for Home’s Liberian Director, Don Riley, connected with them and has been providing help on that end. We have been considering long-term partnership with them to open a village for children with special needs there, and we needed some time together to sort it all out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">From the first moment, we felt a real connection with Scott and Christina, and God did some great things in our time together. It would appear that the partnership will be proceeding, and we are excited about what lies ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, speaking of Liberia, our daughter, Carissa, will be serving as the on-site Director of this new village. And her soon-to-be new husband, Steven Chapin, with joining her in that work. Carissa and Steven (Stevie) were recently engaged, so we have a wedding approaching on November 3rd. We are excited about their relationship and what God has ahead for them both. Stevie is already like a son to us, to it will be great to make his part in our family official.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">This afternoon I am meeting with representatives for a ministry called Hope to Walk. They produce low cost prosthetic legs using simple design and inexpensive materials. They currently do not work in Guatemala, but we are hoping to partner with them to change that. They will train us to measure, make molds and manufacture prosthetic legs, so we can produce them right from our own warehouse here in town. This will be a huge blessing to our ministry and the people we serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Finally, this morning I heard the testimony of a young lady who works in our ministry. Her relationship with God was not good when she began working with us, and her entire family was struggling. But God has been moving in her life through the Holy Spirit and the example and love of our team. Her relationship with Jesus is growing daily, and God is bringing healing to her family. Addictions are being defeated and they are praying together. Her story is a beautiful reminder that Jesus truly does transform lives!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Okay, that is enough for now. God is moving, and we are excited, even though we are also tired. In our weakness, He is strong!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-70506816405234000902017-07-19T06:00:00.000-06:002017-07-19T06:52:05.600-06:00When God Shouts<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Sometimes God whispers, sometimes He shouts. Stick with me for a few minutes, and I will explain how He recently shouted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlggAA6rotXYKjKj1iVRZZd-IQ_o7JBTit00DDt-nka7XNCbKkX5F8cNmj4Sw3lR8JO9QlORiIZcEXGymhyLzPGuI3fMdUG6Dm-LCiz65NyvoJ0JTAKu0FYolNGHqKDJe4balZI5rIaC0/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlggAA6rotXYKjKj1iVRZZd-IQ_o7JBTit00DDt-nka7XNCbKkX5F8cNmj4Sw3lR8JO9QlORiIZcEXGymhyLzPGuI3fMdUG6Dm-LCiz65NyvoJ0JTAKu0FYolNGHqKDJe4balZI5rIaC0/s320/IMG_0315.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">Last week we hosted a medical missions team from Project Re:3 and Element Church in North Carolina. I can tell you that it was a great and exhausting week as we held three medical clinics in the Department of Esquintla. I should also mention that this week was made even sweeter because my sister, Kathy, and brother-in-law, Bob, was a part of the team.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Monday we were in the town of Las Palmas, and we were swamped. We arrived to see a line of people waiting to be seen. Our clinic opened with prayer at 9:00 am, and we saw our last patient at 6:00 pm. And in between we treated an estimated 250 people. Between the heat and the very long day, our entire team was wiped out. But the day was also filled with so much joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Las Palmas is a remote village, and there is a lot of poverty there. Imagine having a family and knowing that, if one of you gets sick, you have no resources for treatment. That desperation drove many to wait from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm to see our group for treatment. We take so much for granted.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGFlOknUpWzwFphwqQUaOV4E0X0wQgOSxxHXXy18MKOKLssO85rKuQ-9fnVsT4Fqo2l_yOj7rXrJ1PykycElqU12u7j2ryyIzmdcQZefy6a825cvij4p0Bad3vPCwjXPuTN-GoXY9As/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtGFlOknUpWzwFphwqQUaOV4E0X0wQgOSxxHXXy18MKOKLssO85rKuQ-9fnVsT4Fqo2l_yOj7rXrJ1PykycElqU12u7j2ryyIzmdcQZefy6a825cvij4p0Bad3vPCwjXPuTN-GoXY9As/s200/IMG_0328.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">On Wednesday and Friday we did clinics on the edge of the dump in Esquintla. And, as poor as Las Palmas is, this region is poorer. There is so much malnutrition among children and adults, and many die from a lack of medical care. We did our clinics in cooperation with a ministry called Building Guate, a wonderful Christ-following organization that serves families surrounding the dump. They provide lunches each day and an after school program. They have also recently built a medical clinic, in which we were working.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">At one point on Wednesday I took a break and was praying as I looked over the property and saw families walking through the dump looking for food and items they could use or sell. And I felt the Lord speak and tell me that this was the region in which we were supposed to begin our Maternity Care Ministry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As many of you know, Stephanie Konrad will be joining us soon as a midwife. Her role will be to train midwives and establish birthing centers in communities. Through these centers we will provide care to pregnant women, safe and clean birthing areas, trained midwives, and education and resources to new moms. This will greatly reduce the infant mortality rate of the region as well as reducing the rate of special needs. It seemed apparent that the area around the dump was the perfect region to begin this work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, I spoke with the Director of Building Guate, Oscar Palencia, about the possibility. Immediately he lit up and told me that it aligned perfectly with their vision. He offered me the use of their clinic as a birthing center or, if I preferred, the use of phase two of their construction, which already has footers laid. He told us we could build to our specifications there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">As I left that day, I felt a strong sense that this direction was from the Lord, but committed myself to pray about it more. Little did I know that the answer I was seeking would come quickly and through a shout.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now, flashback to about six months ago. I had a dream in which I was in a van with a team from the US. We were going to visit families in a rural village that I did not recognized, and I had to pull over and park, because the road was too rough for the van. I parked on the left side of the road, grabbed my medical bag, and began to walk with the team. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We had only gone a few steps when a man emerged from a home on the right side of the road, yelling. He told me that his wife was in labor and asked me to help. I ran inside and began delivering the baby. Then I woke up. I was struck immediately with how vivid and detailed the dream was, and told several people about it. But I quickly moved on and forgot about it…until Friday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">On Friday we returned to Building Guate for another day of clinics. Again, we were busy, but the day was going smoothly. Then late morning a lady came to the clinic who had been there on Wednesday with her husband. She was concerned about him and asked us to come to her house to check on him. She only lived about 200 meters away, so I grabbed my medical bag and Taryn and I walked with her. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsWQgfFTuiHUZR13P6-xE0UnlHhZiUC1spqzLm8CFGjlue4mFvUzlrIHbSDBgmWUxUP9mIWJ_hQrg_nZW_JXa8z9maZAHue4CUej9CydNqvpzbWWZUP7CW-FLp3ryQ5jmrC7L2IqbsmM/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsWQgfFTuiHUZR13P6-xE0UnlHhZiUC1spqzLm8CFGjlue4mFvUzlrIHbSDBgmWUxUP9mIWJ_hQrg_nZW_JXa8z9maZAHue4CUej9CydNqvpzbWWZUP7CW-FLp3ryQ5jmrC7L2IqbsmM/s320/IMG_0356.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-kerning: none;">We went out the gates of the ministry and turned left, something I had never done before. Prior to this, we always arrived at the ministry from the right and then left the same way we came. I had never been on the road to the left. But we had only walked a short distance when I suddenly realized that I had been there before. Everything was familiar…every detail. Yet I knew I had never gone that way before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And suddenly, it hit me. This was the road from my dream! Every single detail! Every home, the rise of the road, the large rock in the ditch to the left, the trench someone had dug to lay pipes…everything! This was the very place from my dream where I had begun to deliver a baby! And, in that moment, God shouted, and everything came into focus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, our Board of Directors just approved this vision. We hope to begin construction in October or early November. This is a step of faith for us, as is everything we do. We are trusting God for funds and staffing, and are confident of His provision. After all, it is His idea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Already there are four women who are interested in being trained as midwives, and we expect that number to grow. And, as I see the number of pregnant ladies in the region, I realize that this region needs this ministry sooner rather that later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Please pray with us as we walk in obedience. Pray for Stephanie as she makes her move from Canada on October 12th. Pray for provision for this new area of ministry. Pray for wisdom and effective partnership for both Building Guate and Ministerio de Esperanza. And pray that God will be glorified as lives are saved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thanks and blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
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Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7212350304135137597.post-72984387750978544332017-06-16T07:00:00.000-06:002017-06-16T08:43:56.076-06:00Updates and Earthquakes<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I have been negligent in giving you updates regarding our new home, and for that I apologize. I am trying to tame my schedule and do a better job of updating my blog and keeping our faithful supporters and prayer partners informed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our second home is up and running, and we continue to work out the kinks. You would think that it would be easy to just expand our existing program and receive more children, but a new household creates its own dynamics and requires a different approach. Wanda manages the schedule for both homes, and her hands are very full as our staff and ministry has grown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">After weeks of being stonewalled by the government, the children began to arrive. At present, we have six children in the second home, and we have decided to put a hold on receiving more for now. There are a couple of reasons for this, which I will explain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">First, we have decided to not license the second house as its own home with a separate license. This is to help save money and time. Instead, we are applying to expand our current license to allow us to care for more children. This is a much faster process and is far less costly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For now, we are technically licensed to receive ten children. Yet we now have 13 children in this house and six in the second house. That means we are operating at 190% of capacity. (Understand, we have more than adequate space and staff for these children, it is just our additional space and staff are not yet “official.”) So, at the recommendation of our social worker, we are not accepting more children until our expansion is approved. We hope to have this completed by the end of July.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The second reason is due to some of the new children we have received. Of the six children who have joined our second home, three of them are in very critical condition, with two of them being terminal. We have two very little girls, both under four months, who have hidranencefalia. While this looks a lot like hydrocephalus, it is actually different in that both of them have very little brain. Instead, they have a brainstem and a small piece of brain attached, and the rest of their cranium is filled with cerebral fluid. And that fluid is building pressure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">With hydrocephalus, a shunt is installed to drain off excess fluid and reduce that pressure. But with hidranencefalia, this will not work. Our neurosurgeon has informed us that the surgery will be expensive, and they would both likely die within a few days of surgery. So, we have decided to love them well and pray for them until such time that Jesus either heals them in this life or the next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But their care is rather extensive. They cry a lot and need to be held and rocked much of the time to comfort them. They don’t sleep well at night, which means those that are caring for them don’t sleep much either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Then, around the same time, we received a young man who is 14 years old. He has severe cerebral palsy and has a G-tube for feeding. He had been in Hogar Seguro, but after the fire, the courts sent him back to his mother, who has neither the resources nor knowledge to care for him. Over the almost three months he was back in his home, he suffered from three very serious infections that nearly killed him. And he came to us in very bad shape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">(Just a side note: The conditions of some of these children when they come to us is heartbreaking. One of the babies came to us at 3 1/2 months old, and we are pretty sure she had never had a bath. She was covered in a horrible rash that we soon found out was caused by a horrible mite infestation. She had the worst case of cradle cap we have ever seen, requiring days of gentle soaking and washing to clear. And the young man came to us horribly malnourished without any way for us to feed him through his feeding tube. We had to rush around to scramble together what we needed. Thankfully, a therapy team from Xavier University had come the previous week and left us just what we needed to do the job!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, suffice it to say, the second household has its hands full in caring for these three. Plus, some of the other three children they have are a handful. So, until things are a little more stable with the health of those children, we have decided it is best not to add others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In order to prepare the second household for inspection, we have had to do a lot of work. The majority of that has fallen on Dale Beyer and Michael Gross, with Joel, Cesar and Calin assisting. And they have done fantastic work. A changing room had to be built, a special bathing tub was designed and built, ramps were poured to the patio, a ramp built to one bathroom, a second bathroom had to be finished, a fence to separate the parking area was built, and much more. But the final touches are being added now, and we are ready for inspection. I don’t know what I would do without our incredible team that is so faithful and so good at what they do!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, as I give this update, I need to not neglect filling you in on Wanda’s health. About two weeks ago, she came down with what we thought was the stomach flu. I was in Jutiapa at the time with the therapy team from Xavier, but I checked in with her regularly. By the time I arrived Friday evening, she was very sick. She could keep nothing in her system at all. So we called our doctor, who came and arranged for an IV to be started to rehydrate her. But we had no sooner got that started than she took a severe turn. So, I rushed her to the hospital where she was hospitalized to get her hydrated and address her illness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">It is now almost two weeks later, and she is still not back to full strength. It was determined that she had amoebas, and they were a pretty robust and aggressive strain. She continues treatment and is gradually improving and gaining strength. Thanks to all of you who prayed for her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And finally, two nights ago Guatemala had an earthquake. It was 1:30 am and I was sleeping peacefully, when I was suddenly jarred awake by the lurching of the bed. The initial surge moved our bed to the right, and me with it. I felt myself grabbing the mattress, trying to stay on the bed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When I realized what was happening, I jumped out of bed and tried to make decisions in my sleep clouded mind. Was this just a tremor like we often have? (No, this is stronger than I have ever felt.) Should I run and start grabbing kids from their beds, or is it passing? (If feels like the waves are lessening. I think we are okay.) Is there damage occurring in the home? (I don’t think so. I don’t hear cracking concrete or falling objects.) And, by the time I had sorted through that process, it was over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">When all was said and done, there had been a 6.9 earthquake about 93 miles to our west in San Marcos, Guatemala. As of last night, the death toll stood at five, with lots of buildings down and damaged. It is quite miraculous that only five were killed, since it occurred at night while everyone was in bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But this whole event has left me thinking a lot about control. Because nothing strips away the illusion of control like an earthquake. When it strikes, you are powerless to stop it or control it in any way. The only thing you can do is pray that it stops…and soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We live in a world that tells you that you can be in control. You can control your health. You can control your safety. You can control your finances and retirement. You can be in control, as long as you are responsible and careful. But that is truly a laughable notion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">You eat right and exercise religiously. But the call can still come from the doctor that changes everything. You can purchase the vehicle with the highest crash rating and strap your children into a five-point restraint system. But a drunk driver can cross the center line and take the lives of those you hold dearest. You can work hard and save carefully for the future. But a recession can cost you your job and a bad day in the markets can wipe out your retirement. And you will be completely in control…until you are not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Since our family made the decision to move to Guatemala, we have experienced a lot of criticism. And most of that criticism focuses on safety, security and responsibility. How could we, as loving parents, move our children to a developing country where healthcare is poor and crime is high? How could we give up our health insurance? What? We don’t have a retirement plan?!? Surely God wants us to be safe and secure, doesn’t He?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But all of those criticisms are rooted in a lie. And that lie is that we can be in control of our safety and security. Regardless of what we think, where we live and what we do, we are NOT in control. Events can happen in the blink of an eye that show us how out-of-control we really are. Life…and death…happens, regardless of how careful we think we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Recently a friend told me about a relative that died while watching TV in their living room. A boulder from the mountain behind their home came loose, rolled down the mountain, and right through his house. And he was killed instantly. How much safer can you be that resting in your own home?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare came from my readings in tenth grade. I can’t tell you which play it is from. (I wasn’t the best student in those days, especially when it came to Shakespeare.) But the quote stuck with me, and I have never forgotten it:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“The coward dies a thousand deaths, the brave die but once.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And, as a tenth grader, I realized an important truth. I could not live my life fearing death. If I did, I would never really live. I had to go live life to the full, and trust God with that life and my eventual death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">And when I do die, I would much rather die doing something that matters than simply trying to stay safe. Our goal is not to simply stay alive, it is to live and love and give and serve…the way Jesus did those things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">One of my other favorite quotes is by Thomas Aquinas:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>he would keep it in port forever."</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">What is our goal? It is to preserve the ship of our lives and our families? If so, keep it all in port and don’t do anything. Never take chances. Never take risks. And don’t worry, you will blend right in with the world around you as you stay behind your picket fence. Just don’t be surprise when a boulder comes crashing through your perfect world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But, if our goal is to make a difference and change this broken and dying world, that approach will not do. We must go where others won’t go and do what other won't do. We must take huge risks that defy the odds and threatens our safety and security. Safe is never world-changing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">But here is the thing: The earthquakes will come, either way. Our world will be shaken, and lives will be lost, including our own. And those shakes will come whether you are playing it safe and comfortably or are taking risks for Jesus. The only question is…when the world shakes and the end comes, will we be doing something worth doing?</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I pray that I will be, and that you will as well!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Blessings from Guatemala!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Daryl, Wanda and the Crew</span></div>
Daryl Fulphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10963297184653770494noreply@blogger.com