Appointments

Some of you are probably falling off your chair right now. Seeing me do three blogs in one week is akin to seeing lightning striking three times in the same place. But with so much happening, I am working hard to keep all of you who so faithfully pray and support us up-to-date on our ministry.

Yesterday I headed back out to some of the villages with Wanda, Keith and Melanie Musser (Wanda’s brother and sister-in-law) and Andrea Birkmeyer. The back of the Forerunner was loaded down with two wheelchairs, food, vitamins, and tools. When we left we had plans of meeting with four families, but when we returned 11 hours later we had spent time ministering to six. God had some other appointments in mind.

Our first stop was in Esquintla, where I had arranged to meet Ingrid, Yubini’s mother. (I wrote about Yubini in my last blog, having met him at Hermano Pedro.) I praise God that we were able to find a sponsor for his wheelchair, which I picked-up on Thursday. Since I had never been to his house, his mother met me at a McDonalds and took me to their home. When we placed Yubini in his new chair and began to make adjustments, he beamed at me and said, “Muchas gracias! Muy amable!” (Thank you very much! Very friendly of you!) Wanda and Andrea passed out suckers to some of the neighborhood children while we worked, so lots of folks came out to meet the gringos while we were there.

One of the ladies that approached us told me that she had a grandson who had a sore on his foot and wanted to know if we would come look at him. I confess that my first instinct was to say no. It is easy to become overwhelmed with minor medical needs that families will bring to us if we are not careful, and his problem did not sound severe. However, as I opened my mouth so say no, I heard a “Si” come out instead. So, grandma crowded in the Forerunner with us and we headed across town to meet her grandson.

As soon as we pulled up in front of the home I was glad we had come. A little seven year old named Walter came waddling up to us with a very awkward gate. I realized quickly that he had Spina Bifida and club feet and was wearing improperly fitted braces. As soon as we removed the braces I saw that the sore his grandmother had mentioned was growing pressure sores on both feet.

After taking a moment to pray for wisdom, I communicated to his mother, Blanca, that he could not continue to wear the braces and walk around. His feet are twisted and the braces, while providing rigidity to his lower leg and feet, are causing him to bear his wait on the outside of his feet and creating the problem. I spent time showing her how to make a saline solution, clean the wounds, and bandage them. I also explained that he needed to keep the braces off, a very difficult and discouraging concept for a little guy that has adapted to his disability and is very active.

In order to providing him with some mobility during the healing process, I told his mother that we would provide him with a wheelchair. I also told her that once the wounds were healed we needed to take him to a specialist to find out how to best get him on his feet again. So, I find myself, once again, coming to you seeking a sponsor for another wheelchair. Walter needs a simple travel chair that will cost $90, so let me know if you are being led to help by writing to me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.

We finally left Esquintla 1 1/2 hours later than I planned and headed to Las Palmas. In my last blog I shared that Henri needed another wheelchair as he had outgrown his old one. I praise God that we found a sponsor and had a new chair for him when we arrived. As soon as his mother, Nereda, saw us coming with the new chair her face lit up.

While Keith and I worked to make adjustments on the chair, the ladies in our group spent time interacting with the children. Lots of photos were taken, suckers were given, and lots of laughter ensued. Meanwhile, I was dealing with a very friendly and persistent chick (a bird, not the slang term for a girl) that kept climbing on my feet, tools, and the wheelchair while we tried to work. After battling with a nasty curve in Henri’s lower spine, along with the heat and humidity, we were able to get him seated and looking good.

I spent a little time playing with the children when we were done. Some of the kids had been doing headstands, so I told them that I could do it just as well as they could. The picture to the right shows just how wrong that statement was.

As we were loading my tools back in the truck, we were approached by a lady who told us that her grandmother needed milk. I was somewhat confused about what she was saying because my Spanish is still weak and she spoke fast. But my questions were answered when she pointed over my shoulder and I saw an elderly lady approaching while being supported by another grandchild. Pilar is not the most malnourished person I have ever met, but I think she is the most malnourished person that I have ever seen upright. At 84 years of age, she is a skeleton with a thin layer of skin over top.

Upon examination, I realized that she was also severely dehydrated. Obviously, she was very weak, and her short walk to meet us had left her very winded. When I looked past her skeletal face, I saw kind and intelligent eyes and a sharp wit. This encounter led to another change in our plans as we headed to the nearest town to purchase Ensure and bring it back to her. When we returned we spent time explaining how important it is that she drink lots of water, use the Ensure, and eat, even when she doesn’t feel like it. In reality, she should be in a hospital with an IV (if they could find a vein) and feeding tube. But in a country with very limited resources and so many needs, that just isn’t feasible for such an elderly person. In a situation like this I always find myself asking if we did enough.

From there we headed to Reina’s house to check up on her. Once again, we were welcomed like royalty. Wanda was very warmly embraced when they found out that she was my wife. Reina has been asking to meet her for my last two visits, and she sat and held her hand for much of our visit. As she has recovered from her pneumonia and gained weight, her outer beauty has begun to shine and complement her inner beauty that was always there. I have truly grown to love the little lady. We gave the family some money to help with the cost of her doctor’s appointment next week, and the family gave us a large bag of bananas to express their ongoing gratitude. We said goodbye and set out again.

This time we headed to La Gomera to see Jorge and his family. Even though the hour was late, I had told his mother that we would come on Saturday and I didn’t want to disappoint her. We were carrying groceries for them that was provided by sponsoring family in the US, and I knew they really needed it. We spent some time getting an update on Jorge’s doctor appointments, and his mother asked me to check his bedsores. I was pleased to see that the sore on his foot had improved considerably, but was disappointed to find that the one on his buttocks has gotten worse. The wound was clean and well cared for by mom, but the wound size was increased. I was very happy to hear that she has an appointment for him at the end of this month with a wound specialist at Hermano Pedro. Bedsores can be deadly here if not addressed properly.

We finally returned home at 7:45, very tired, but very happy with our God-orchestrated day. The best days are the ones when God changes our schedule, and He definitely did that yesterday.

Today is a sad day as we say goodbye to Andrea, who has spent the last two months working with us. She heads home to Ohio today and begins making preparations for her freshman year at Moody where she will be majoring in missions. Please pray for her as she adjust back to life in the US and starts college life. We love you and will miss you greatly, Andrea! Hope to see you back soon!

That’s all for now! Have a great start to your week! May God use you in great ways!

Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew

Help Wanted (Really, really wanted!)

I rarely do a blog update two days in a row, but since I used the entire entry yesterday to share about our trip to Mexico and God’s protection, I thought I should take some time today to catch you up on our ministry. There are so many opportunities that are presenting themselves in the form of needs that we are a little overwhelmed. At the same time, we are blown away as we see God expanding our ministry.

On Sunday afternoon our family took a cake over to Marcos Antonio’s house to celebrate his 14th birthday. We had a great time with Marcos, his mother, Maura, and a good friend of their family. I could never understand their friend’s name, but she was the life of the party. This elderly lady with long, gray braids had an infectious laugh as she tried to pronounce our English names. By the end of the day, we had decided that we wanted to adopt her as our honorary grandma.

The time we spent with them meant so much to Maura. She is a lifelong single lady who adopted Marcos shortly after his birth. Her family does not help her, and she is very much alone. As a result, we have come to understand that one of our primary ministries is to simply be there for her. She needs friends, and we are called to be those friends to her.

That is actually the case for most of the families with which we work. Due to some of the misconceptions regarding special needs, many families of children with disabilities find themselves isolated. Often extended family members will distance themselves, leaving the immediate family alone. In some cases, even spouses will leave, abandoning their partner to single parenthood of a child with significant challenges. Our role is to not only provide resources, but to BE the much needed resources of love, support and encouragement.

This morning I received a call telling me that Jorge and his family were in Antigua for a doctor appointment, and the wheel on his wheelchair was loose. (You may recall that Jorge is from La Gomera and we provided a chair for him about two months ago. We now have a sponsor for his family to provide medicine and food.) I grabbed my tools and headed to the hospital to meet them. Once I finally tracked them down, I realized he needed a new wheel, so I headed to Hope Haven where I was able to get what I needed and repair the chair.

In the process, Jorge’s family connected me with a young man from Esquintla named Yubini. He is 11 years old and has a seizure disorder that has been a severe hardship on him and his family. He regularly has seizures which can make him unable to walk for extended periods. As a result, he needs a wheelchair, but his family is unable to afford one. I measured him for a chair, but we need a sponsor to cover the $90 one-time cost of a basic chair. Would you prayerfully consider providing this fee? If you are interested, you can e-mail me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.

At the same time, I am also searching for a sponsor for a new wheelchair for Henri. He is from Las Palmas and has severe CP. Dick seated him in a chair that some friends of ours donated almost two years ago, but he has now outgrown the chair and it has worn out. The lower elevation at which he lives has high humidity which is very hard on chairs. His chair demands are more significant than Yubini as he needs lateral and head supports. I would like to put him in a chair that has reclining ability, but in order to do that we need a donation of $190. Would you consider providing that?

I don’t like asking for money. In fact, you very rarely see me seeking funds for our ministry. However, these gifts are not for Hope for Home or Hogar de la Esperanza, they are for children in need. Every penny of these donations will go directly to providing the chair each child needs, and no portion of the funds will be used for anything else. This is the policy we have for all sponsorship provided for children, whether one-time gifts or monthly support. So, please seek the Lord about helping with these needs.

While dealing with all of these opportunities, another opportunity came knocking on our door. (Relax, we already have a sponsor for this child!) Last week, a lady name Francisca came to our house seeking help for her child, Alex. Alex is 15 years old, but you would think he was only 3 or 4 by looking at him. I am not sure, but I believe he has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) which has caused him to be extremely small with an aged face and cognitive delays. He is a charming little guy with a bright smile.

After talking with his mother, I realized that he had not been to a doctor for years, so I paid for him to visit our family physician. The doctor determined that he is overall healthy, but in need of extra nourishment. Specifically, he needs more food and some vitamin supplements. We are already providing the vitamins, and we now have a sponsor to provide food and medicine each month.

As you can see, opportunities abound. The family support we are providing through our village ministry is a full-time job. I confess that I am tired and that some of my other responsibilities are suffering. We need more help.

We are in the process of working with a couple of families that are considering joining us in ministry here. There are a few major needs that we have, and I would appreciate your intercession for these needs:

• We need workers and additional vehicles for our 4-wheel drive ministry. Each trip yields more families in need, and there is not enough hours in my day to address them all.
• We need a good mechanic who can address the maintenance and repair issues on our vehicles.
• And I need a secretary/administrative assistant to take care of the office work that consumes so much of my time.

Would you please join us in praying that God would raise of people to assist us in this work? The pay isn’t great (these workers have to raise their own support) but the fringe benefits are awesome, both in this life and the next!

Thanks! Good afternoon from Guatemala!

Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew

Cruella Deville and Answered Prayer

Last week our family headed for Mexico in order to renew our visas. To stay in Guatemala without becoming residents you have to leave the country every 180 days for 48 hours and then get a new visa stamp when you re-enter. So, we decided to make is a mini-vacation and enjoy some much needed time together.

The trip out was relatively uneventful. We took the southern route on CA-2, saw some beautiful sights, and bounced over numerous camouflaged speed bumps. (Guatemalan are the David Copperfields of speed bumps, making them impossible to see in the middle of the day.) We had some difficulty finding our motel, so I stopped at a gas station for directions. I saw a Domino’s Pizza delivery guy, so I asked him for help. He cheerfully told us to follow him and took us on a winding trip across town and straight to our Comfort Inn. We arrived at our hotel and enjoyed a refreshing swim to get some relief from the heat and high humidity.

While in Mexico, we made a couple of discoveries. First, driving is very different there than in Guatemala. We were not in the country for more than 30 minutes before I was flipped off by an irate driver for driving the way every Guatemalan drives every day. Mental note: They use turn signals and comply to lane markers in Mexico.

We also discovered that everything is more expensive there. We stopped at a Burger King to grab dinner only to do a quick U-turn back out the door when we discovered that a Whopper Junior value meal was over $6, and the majority of other value meals were $8-10.

We spent Thursday relaxing, enjoying the pool, and playing a family game. It was so nice to just be together and relax with no agenda. I was able to teach both Joshua and Jonathan to swim, and we all played several silly pool games. Most of the kids took extensive amounts of time learning to do flips from the diving board. In all, it was a great day.

Friday we enjoyed an expensive breakfast (because everything is expensive) and had one last swim before heading back across the border. This is where things went downhill. On the way out to Mexico I ignored our GPS and charted my own course. For our trip home I decided to follow the GPS recommended route to see if it would be better. It was not.

The path took us home on a northern route on CA-1. The beginning of the trip was fun and beautiful as we climbed over 9000 feet and saw the temperature plummet. We enjoyed a view that seemed to extend forever, before we finally disappeared into clouds that obscured our view. Then the GPS went psycho on us and had us turn south through Quetzaltenango on route 11. The trip went south in more ways than one at this point.

Note: Pictures cease at this point as we became more concerned with survival and less concerned with photographing our own demise.

At first we chuckled at the condition of the road as it turned to dirt and took us through some remote towns and villages. Then we moved to, “This is ridiculous!” as we experienced wash-outs and ruts that had our van bouncing. Our final stage was, “Oh, crud!” as we went down a steep mountain and over still rougher roads, always with the promise that a larger and better road was just ahead (according to the GPS). This all came crashing down as night was falling and we realized that route 11 was actually a dead end and we needed to turn around and head back to Quetzaltenango.

With complete dark only 20 minutes away and a serious doubt about whether our van could make it back up the mountain, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the desperation of our situation. There was not a gas station or service center within a 45 minute drive, and having a group of gringos trapped in a remote spot in Guatemala at night is not a good situation at all. While most Guatemalans are helpful and friendly, there are some that are distrustful, angry, and anxious to rob and take advantage. And, having a van full of young attractive girls, I was not comforted by the possibilities.

So, we turned around and headed out as the van was filled with sounds of prayers. At the first steep hill, the van faltered and could not make it. Wanda and the older girls hopped out and began to push, and we made it over the first barrier. From that point, I drove like a bat out of the bad place, taking each corner with as much speed as possible to preserve momentum and praying that God would help the clutch to grab. Somehow (we know it was with God pushing) we made it up even steeper hills than before while bouncing over ruts and rocks. At some point, Brittney began to sing praise and worship songs and the van was filled with a peace as everyone joined. Gradually, mile by mile, we made our way up the mountain and back to the nearest village.

It was there that we encountered the next problem. A nearby storm had created a rushing river down the main road heading back to Quetzaltenango, and water was flowing eight to twelve inches deep in our path. It was completely dark, the road was difficult to see, and the prayers continued.

By this point we had decided that once we got back to Quetzaltenango we were going to find a decent motel and spend the night. We were all physically and emotionally exhausted and desperately needed to rest. (I have never know such fatigue and soreness from driving in my life!) There were no chain motels that we could find, so we prayed that God would help us find a nice, clean, and safe motel at which to stay. We ended up outside a place that seemed to fit the bill, but was confirmed when I asked for rooms and the manager stopped, looked me in the eyes, and asked me if I was a Christ-follower. When I told him that I was, he smiled, told me that he was as well, and said that my family and I were welcome to stay with them. An added bonus was that all 12 of us were able to stay in three rooms for only Q.700 (about $90).

Once we were checked in, we all gathered in one room and had a time of thanksgiving and praise to God for His protection and help. At that point, the reality of what we had faced hit home for some and tears began to flow. This all may seem silly to you if you are unfamiliar with Guatemala’s remote areas. It is hard to communicate effectively how desperate our situation really was. It is also hard to communicate how miraculous it was that our loaded van was able to drive those roads back up that mountain. We know it was the hand of God that got us out of that situation, and our gratitude for His grace and help is overwhelming.

On Saturday morning we completed our journey home without further problem. On the way to Mexico we had a playful argument about what to name our GPS. The kids wanted to name it Raquel, while Wanda and I were settled on Carlita. (Get it? CAR-lita?) After the journey she led us on, we all firmly agreed on a name. She is now hereby labeled Cruella Deville, after the villainous women on 101 Dalmatians. She can consider herself fortunate that I didn’t throw her off the mountain at some point.

Through it all, we are very grateful for the following:

1. For a refreshing time together in Mexico.
2. For God’s protection and provision through the ordeal.
3. For our van, which performed beyond what any 15 passenger vehicle should ever have to perform and held up through it all.
4. For the way our faith and trust grew through the experience.

And through it all, we learned a valuable lesson:

1. Never, ever, ever trust a GPS in Guatemala!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew

Another Team Gone and Mexico Bound

Once again, we said goodbye to another team on Sunday and are trying to catch our breath. After hosting four teams in five weeks, we could use a little break.

Last week’s team was a small but great one. While only four members strong, Jeff, Emily, Justin, and Ginny were a fantastic group with which to work. From their first moment in Hermano Pedro they embraced the kids and loved them as their own. And, because their numbers were small, we could expose them to some opportunities that most teams do not get to experience.

In addition to some of the normal ministry options such as Hermano Pedro, Los Gozosos, and Amor del Nino, they were also able to participate in our rural village ministry. They traveled with me to both Las Palmas and La Gomera where we repaired a wheelchair and distributed food and medicine. We even had a chance to pass out some bubbles and stickers to some precious little ones.

We also stopped in to check on Reina, the elderly lady in Las Palmas who nearly died of pneumonia. I am happy to report that she is doing much better and gaining weight. On our last visit with her, we encouraged her to sit outside and get fresh air instead of staying inside in the stifling heat caused by their corrugated metal roof. She told me that the sun was too bright outside and hurt her eyes, so Zac Robinson donated his sunglasses to the cause. When we arrived this time we found her sporting her new shades.

It was a long day, and we all returned exhausted and in need of showers, but everyone was glad to have been a part of it.

The group was also able to participate in the monthly distribution of food, clothing, and medicine to the sponsored children in our town. Joni, Marcos Antonio, Carlos, and Luis Fernando all received much needed deliveries, and each family greeted those gifts with much gratitude and some tears. It is hard to communicate what this assistance means to these folks. We were also able to pray with each family and, as always, communicate that the help was from (and because of) Jesus.

We also took the time to visit with the family of Veronica, who is a resident of Hermano Pedro. Her father and siblings live on the edge of Antigua and struggle to make ends meets since her mother passed away a few years ago. We stopped by and dropped off some Kids Against Hunger packets along with some donated clothing for the children.

On Wednesday we said goodbye to Marissa Spencer who has spent the last two months with us. She was wonderful with all the kids and was a perfect fit within our family, and we are missing her greatly. Thanks for your service, Marissa! We love you!

On our way to take Marissa to the airport I had an encounter with a Guatemalan traffic cone. In most cases, instead of using high visibility cones to alert you to road work, this country will place large rocks in the road and dump some white (non-reflective) paint on them. As we traveled to Guatemala City on Wednesday at 4:30 am in a light rain I suddenly saw one of these “safety devices” in the road as I rounded a curve. A truck was in the right lane, and I had no place to go except into the rock. The damage to the van was enough to warrant the use of insurance along with our Q. 5000 deductible (about $650). It is still drivable, so the actual repair work is being delayed until August 2nd when we will have a break and not need it for a week.

Now, we are trying to catch up on some work that has been on hold for the last month as we have been hosting teams. Office work awaits, along with some vehicle and house maintenance and some extensive cleaning.

Tomorrow our entire family heads to Mexico for two nights. It is time to renew our visas, so we have to leave the country in order to do so. We are traveling to Tapachula, Mexico which is just across the border and will enjoy some time in a motel there. We plan to relax, swim, and just be together without demands of work. We would appreciate your prayers as we make that drive.

That’s all for now! Good afternoon from San Antonio Aguas Calientes!

Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew

Recovering

After three straight weeks of teams, my family and I are spending some time recovering. When you read that, please don’t misunderstand. Each of our recent teams has been wonderful. Every member had a great attitude, a servant’s heart, and were a blessing to our ministry. But teams require a lot of work, seven days a week and 12 hours a day. When a team is here, my family sees little of me. In addition, the work that my wife and children do to cook and clean for the teams is a drain on them. So, it is nice to have a one week break before the next team comes on Saturday.

Last week brought us a team from The Gathering Place in Piqua, OH. These three couples, along with a teenage girl, were great workers who served God tirelessly. They were naturals with the kids and adults at Hermano Pedro, Los Gozosos, and Amor del Niño. In addition, I was able to take four of the team members out to villages to experience our ministry in Los Palmos and La Gomera while three team members remained behind and held and fed children in the malnutrition ward at Hermano Pedro.

Thanks Zac, Lindsay, Ron, Suzanne, Grant, Colista, and Aspin! You were a blessing, and we miss you already!

In the midst of a good week, there was also some heartbreak. I have continued to grieve as we have seen Lionel struggle with upper-respiratory illness and a loss of appetite. It seems that he has just given up his will to live. In addition, Yofri continues to struggle as we fight a constant battle to get the nurses to strap him into his bed properly.

But, the greatest pain of last week was losing Gabby, a 16 year old from Los Gozosos. After struggling for days to fight off an allergic reaction to new anti-seizure medication, she passed away Thursday evening. We attended her funeral on Friday and grieved for our loss while celebrating her gain. She is now in a place without seizures, crutches, or disabilities. We miss her and envy her.

On Saturday, Wanda and I took the team to the airport and said goodbye. We then enjoyed our first date in three weeks. Of course, our date involved stocking up on supplies and food at two different stores, but we also managed to sneak in a nice meal together. I am amazed that Wanda gets more beautiful every year. (Actually, I think it’s every day!)

On Sunday morning our family did something very unusual…we stayed home from church. We opted to instead have a family worship experience together with guitar, singing, and an extended devotional. After the three weeks of teams, we felt like we needed the rest and time together. We praise God that we decided to do this, because we found out our street was blocked until almost 11:00 am due to yet another Catholic procession. So, the stay-at-home church was perfectly timed.

In the afternoon we enjoyed pizza for lunch and family movies together. From the perspective of some that might seem like a wasted day, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

This week has been spent catching-up on office work and getting our home in order for the next team. I had thought that the week would be relaxing, and it has been more relaxing than most. But due to some unexpected needs we have encountered, the week has been full fuller than anticipated.

Yesterday we had a visit from three ladies who had heard that we help children with special needs. The mother told me that her son, Luis Fernando, is 16 years old and has severe autism. His father abandoned them several years ago, so she is trying to raise him and her 12 year old daughter, Laura, on her own. She has no work now because the tourist trade is way down and she has always sold tapestries. With tears in her eyes she asked me if we could help. So, I drove her home to Santa Catarina and visited her son.

Actually, driving was only part of the trip. Once we drove halfway up the mountain we had to finish the journey by walking a narrow footpath the rest of the way. When we arrived I was greeted by a block and metal shack that has a beautiful view of the valley. Inside, I found Luis Fernando on his bed, largely withdrawn into himself. He cannot talk or feed himself and can only walk for short distances. The medicine he takes, along with the necessary adult size diapers, have crippled the family financially. While some extended family members are helping them, their resources are almost gone as well.

So, once again I am seeking a sponsoring family for a child. Between the food, diapers, and medicine they need, we have to raise about $50 a month. Is there someone out there who has a heart for autistic children and would be willing to help out? We could even pair you with another family if you can’t give the entire amount. If you would like to help, please e-mail me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.

Today much of my work has focused on preparing for the next team that arrives on Saturday. We are about ready to gear up and do it all over again.

Oh yeah, I also need to get our vehicles washed…again. Rainy season is here and, with it, almost daily rain. When we get even a moderate rain, dirt washes down the mountains and hills onto the streets of towns. Even paved roads can look like dirt roads after an hour long storm. So, I can wash the van and truck in the morning only to look like I have been off-roading by late afternoon. Only four more months of rainy season…then it all becomes dust.

Thanks for all your prayers and support! God is moving, and He is using you to do it!

Good afternoon from San Antonio Aguas Calientes!

Daryl, Wanda, and the Crew