Blogs are a double-edged sword. When things are busy and a lot is happening is when you most need to update to let everyone know what is happening. But during those times it is most difficult to find the time to update. That is the perfect description of the last couple of weeks. I apologize for being lax in my postings, but it is difficult to write about life when you are living it. Let me now try to bring you up to speed.
Wanda’s mom and dad, Chester and Ruth, came and visited with us for nine days. What a wonderful time we had with them! They spent time with us at Hermano Pedro, got to know our town and neighbors, and were able to learn more about our ministry. On the last day of their trip they went out to visit a few families with Dick, Pat, and me. They listed that day as the high point of their trip.
While we were out we went to visit David and his family. You may remember that I wrote about David, who has spina bifida, over a year ago. He and his family are remarkable people who have thrived in difficult situations. David’s mom used to carry him on her back to and from school (and that journey involved wading across a stream). She did that for three years trying to get the teachers of the school to teach her son, but they would not. During the last year the teachers actually made fun of David because of his lack of bowel and bladder control that resulted in him having to wear diapers. Finally, she stopped trying.
Dick found him when he was around 13 years old and arranged for a tutor. He quickly caught up to the other students and eventually went to a high school that would teach him. He graduated with excellent grades last year and is now pursuing his bachelor’s degree. We stopped in to check on a bed sore that has given him problem for years. While it is improving, he will still need surgery to repair it in the fall.
From there David’s mom took us to a neighbor who is in a wheelchair. The man, now in his 40’s, had a bout with either meningitis or encephalitis when he was five years old. Since that illness, he has been unable to walk and has diminished strength in his upper body. He was sitting in an old wheelchair with rubber tires that were completely worn off. We were able to measure him and find a sponsor to provide a new chair. Next week I will deliver his chair and teach his family how to do physical therapy on his legs and arms.
While in the village we walked over to Henri’s house. Henri is a little guy with cerebral palsy that I helped Dick fit with a chair over a year ago. We made some adjustments, played with a few of the neighborhood kids, and then hit the road again.
From there we traveled up the rough roads to visit Jesica’s family. I wrote about them a few weeks ago when we traveled up to install a water tank. We wanted to make sure the tank was functioning properly and were pleased to find that it was working perfectly. We were also happy to discover that Hector’s head rash had almost completely cleared-up. From there it was a two hour ride home, including a brief stop for ice cream.
That evening I headed out again to Guatemala City to pick up Marissa Spencer and Jessica Huwer. These two college students have been friends of our daughter, Brittney, and our family for some time. Jessica, a nursing student, will be spending the next month helping us with some of the medical needs of our ministry in our community and the villages. Marissa will be loving on the kids in the various ministries with which we work. We are very glad to have both of them with us.
One of the real treat of living in San Antonio Aguas Calientes has been our opportunities to minister to our neighbors. We have formed wonderful relationships with those who live in our aldea, and our home is now known as a place of caring. Late last week a young man name Christian showed up in front of our house. He looked quite sad and Brittney was able to talk to him and realize that his parents were both drinking and he didn’t want to go home. After getting the permission of his older sister he enjoyed supper with our family while expressing fascination with the workings of our household. Later, we met his mother who thanked us profusely for caring for her son. Now our biggest challenge is helping Christian understand that he can’t stay here all the time.
Last night (Wednesday) a lady came to our door. She is one of our neighbors who lives about four doors down. I was excited to find that I could understand most of her Spanish as she explained to me that some of her neighbors had told her that we were people who help children. She explained that she has a 16 year old son with severe cerebral palsy. We had never met him because he rarely comes outside their home and courtyard. I asked if I could come down and meet him, and she excitedly agreed. We walked to her home where I met Joni. Joni is very malnourished and in need of a new bed and wheelchair, but his primary need is for good, nutritious food that he can eat.
I quickly came home, grabbed Wanda, a tape measure, and some food packets from Kid’s Against Hunger, and headed back to their home. I measured Joni for a wheelchair which I hope to get to him in the next two or three weeks. We will be returning today with some additional groceries, and Jessica will be giving him a physical exam. While there, I will also teach the family how to do stretches on his arms and legs.
This family needs some long-term support to care for Joni. One thing that would be a tremendous blessing is to have a sponsor to help provide food, medicines and supplies for him each month. Is there one of you out there that would be interested in sponsoring him for $30 a month? If so, every penny will go directly to food and supplies that we will purchase for him. If you are interested, please e-mail me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.
What touched us deeply is that after such a short time several of our neighbors have come to see our home and our family as a source of hope and help. Thank you, God, for opening so many doors so quickly!
On Monday our friend, Dick Rutgers, had surgery. When he told me that he was having a procedure done I got excited. I thought the doctor’s had finally discovered a way to cure his bad driving. But, alas, they have decided that his driving disability is incurable, so they just decided to do prostate surgery instead. He will be staying with us for the next two weeks, so pray that his recovery goes smoothly. Also, continue to pray for his driving because we know that, with God, all things are possible!
One other issue over which we would like for you to pray is for protection for us and others who are in Guatemala. If you have seen the national news you have probably heard about the drug related violence in Flores and the areas surrounding it. While this area is several hours north of us, it is part of an overall escalation of violence in Guatemala. Last week, about an hour from here, an entire chicken bus full of people were gunned down. Likely this was gang-related and simply involved innocent passengers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. These things, combined with an escalation of kidnapping for ransom, have caused us to increase our prayers for protection. We have also spent time discussing how to best increase security in our home and when traveling. We are not afraid, but we do appreciate your prayers on our behalf for wisdom, safety, and courage to follow God’s call wherever He leads.
Because of Him!
Daryl, Wanda & the Crew
