Yesterday Gerardo, Ron Ecklebarger, Taryn and I took another trip to four different towns and villages. It was an amazing day of ministry where we were able to not only share food, diapers and medicine, but Jesus Christ. I will share more of the details below, but first I want to let you know about three needs that we encountered and ask for your assistance.
Our first stop of the day was in Ciudad Vieja. This town is only a few miles from our home, and Gerardo had arranged for us to meet with two families who had children with special needs. When we arrived, we found the two families awaiting along with a third family who had heard we were coming. Each of these families need assistance to care for their children. Please note: If you sponsor a child through our program 100% of your gift goes directly to the child. No money is taken for staff, administration, or other expenses.
Fatima is seven years old and has Downs Syndrome. She is only able to say a few words and has difficulty with mouth and tongue control. Her family had been taking her to speech therapy, but stopped because they could no longer afford to pay. The cost for a one hour session is $10 (Q75). They have recommended that she attend therapy twice a week, but we would be very happy if we could provide her with one session a week. Would you be able to help by providing $43 a month to cover that therapy?
Angel is three years old and has Cerebral Palsy that affects both of his legs. Like Fatima, his family was taking him to physical therapy once a week until they could no longer afford the expense. When I spoke with his mother, I realized the therapy had been almost useless. The therapists had not trained the family to provide daily stretches and were attempting to teach him to walk without the necessary AFO’s (leg braces). I spent time teaching his mom and grandmother how to stretch his legs twice a day and found them to be eager and excited learners. I have arranged to have him casted for leg braces and to receive physical therapy once a week at Hermano Pedro, but we need a sponsor for both of these. The leg braces will cost $200 (about 1/10 of the cost of the same braces in the US) and the physical therapy will cost $8 a session (Q60) or $35 a month. Is there someone who would be able to help this little guy?
Finally, we met Luis who is 29 years old. He has Cerebral Palsy that is accompanied by seizures and behavioral disorders. In order to control his seizures the doctors have placed him on two different medications that cost the family $90 (Q680) each month. Recently they have been unable to provide those medicines due to the father, who is a carpenter, experiencing a shortage of work. They insist that they can pay for half of the medicines, but asked if we could help with the other half. Would you be able to provide $45 a month to help the family with these expensive medications?
If you are able and willing to assist with one of these needs, please contact me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.
I won’t take the time to fill you in on our entire day, but I do want to let you know about a few key visits. We spent time with Pillar who has begun to deteriorate rapidly. She fell last week and injured her hip. It was not broken, but she is dealing with considerable swelling. When they examined her hip, they discovered a tumor on her back. As we sat and talked with her, she shared that she is in constant pain and unable to eat. It is clear that her life is coming to an end. So, I asked Gerardo to talk with her about her relationship with Jesus, as my Spanish is still so insufficient. We found out that she has given her life to Jesus and loves Him dearly. So, we spent time encouraging her that her suffering is nearly over and her new life will hold no more pain or illness. We then prayed together with the entire family.
We also visited with Alejandro who is being treated for Asthma. We have two sponsors in the US who are paying for his expensive medications each month. We showed up and realized that one of his medications had run out. (This was my mistake as I thought he had been given a full month, but one of the medication were only for three weeks.) When we provided the money they needed to refill his prescriptions Alejandro’s mother broke down and began to weep. She hugged me and sobbed and said she hadn’t known what to do. I want to personally thank each of you who give to sponsor a child or family. You are making a tremendous difference in lives.
On the way home we also stopped by Esquintla to visit little Walter and see how his new leg braces were working. He ran up to greet me (Yes, I said ran!) and gave me a big hug. His braces needed a slight adjustment, which I made, but otherwise he was doing great. His mother and step-father were thrilled and they all showed us his graduation certificate from school. I have truly grown to love and appreciate this family.
On a personal note, the Fulp household has grown with the addition of Ki’ko, a Husky puppy. His name, according to some sources, means “guardian of the children.” We thought that was quite appropriate! We have all fallen prey to this little fur ball.
Thanks for all your prayers, encouragement and support that makes this ministry possible!
Daryl, Wanda and the Crew
