Surgeries, Wheelchairs and Heart Attacks

We are privileged to be working with a team from Bel-Aire Baptist in Gulfport, Mississippi this week. This is an excellent team that has rolled-up their sleeves and gotten to work loving kids. Yesterday we were at Hermano Pedro and we took seven kids out for lunch and fun in the park. As always, this group was quick to attach to the children and struggled to leave them at the end of the day.

I wish all of you could experience first-hand what a difference a team can make. When we first arrive at HP there were only a couple of kids out in the courtyard. The rest were lined-up in wheelchairs inside, sleeping or staring at a TV set. Within 15 minutes that atmosphere changed dramatically. The courtyard became filled with children as we took them out and the air was filled with laughter. That transformation is the reason I am so willing to continue to lead teams, even when others advise against it. It is worth all the work when you see the joy that these teams can bring to the kids. Today they are helping out with our day care program at Hogar de la Esperanza.

On Sunday I checked in with Jorge and his mom at Hermano Pedro. You may recall that a surgery team with Faith in Practice saw them back in February and recommended that he have one of his feet amputated. They did not have the surgery then because Jorge was just not ready. He is 15 years old, and we felt that he needed to own that decision, so we advised his mom to wait for a future team. About a month ago, Dick Rutgers and his boys visited with Jorge and were able to give him some wonderful encouragement and support. As a result, he decided he was ready. So I contacted Faith in Practice who scheduled him to be seen by the next team.

After this group of surgeons consulted with them, they confirmed that the amputation is necessary and scheduled him for surgery tomorrow (Wednesday). Please pray for him and his mom. This will be traumatic for them all and will reduce his mobility until he heals from the surgery and receives his prosthetic, which will likely be at least 4 months.

One of the things that has been heavy on my heart is that we currently have six people waiting for wheelchairs for which I do not have funding. I don’t like asking for money, but feel that I need to do so in order to provide these chairs. So, here are the people who are waiting. Please seek the Lord to ask if you should help to proved a chair for one of them.

Toni Escobar is 7 years-old and has cerebral palsy. He lives about three hours from us in Quetzaltenango and uses an old wheelchair that was given to them by a neighbor. It does not fit him well or provide the support he needs, so he slouches badly. He needs a Hope Haven chair that costs $200.

 

 

 

Elvira is 8 years-old and also suffers from cerebral palsy. She lives in Guatemala City and currently has no wheelchair. As a result, her parents have to carry her everywhere. She also needs a Hope Haven chair at a cost of $200.

 

 

 

 

Gregoria (no photo available) is 75 years old and lives in La Gomera. She had a stroke one year ago and is now paralyzed on her left side and cannot walk. She has an old wheelchair, but it is broken and can only be used for very short distances. She needs a standard hospital chair which will cost $100.

 

 

Maria is 20 years old and lives in La Gomera. She has severe cerebral palsy and is currently using an old hospital chair with the back ripped out. We have done a temporary repair job to hold her over, but she needs a custom chair that will provide lateral support and help with her posture. The cost will be $200.

 

 

 

Jorge, whose surgery is mentioned above, is 15 years-old and has outgrown his wheelchair. I have adjusted it to its largest settings and it has no more to grow. He is very skilled at using his chair and uses it to go to and from school. He needs a custom chair that will cost $200.

 

 

 

In addition, there is an elderly man who lives in Jalapa who needs a hospital chair. He had a stroke last year the only mobility he has is when his family carries him. Information is sketchy as I have not had a chance to visit with him, but missionaries who live there have confirmed the needs and asked for my assistance. The cost will be $100.

If you are called to provide a chair for one of these wonderful people, please contact me at daryl@hopeforhome.org.

Finally, I would like to ask you to pray for one of my good friends and Hope for Home board member, Frank Riley. He suffered a heart attack Sunday morning. Praise God he and his wife, Suzanne, sought treatment quickly and they believe minimal damage was done to his heart. He received a stent and is now recovering. Please pray for a quick and complete healing for Frank and for encouragement for his family.

That is all for now. Blessings from Guatemala!

Daryl