An Emergency

This is an emergency blog post regarding a little boy named Jan. We have been working with him and his family in the town of Guastatoya for the last five months, providing food, medicine and a special formula for him. He is in urgent need of your help.

On Friday we were in Guastatoya doing our monthly deliveries and visits with families. Jan’s home was our last stop of the day, and when we arrived I realized that he was in trouble. He was in a constant state of seizuring and was struggling to breath. When I listened to his lungs I found them to be full of fluid. His oxygen saturation was low, and his lips were turning blue. It was obvious that without help Jan would not live long.

His mother, Claudia, was crying and desperate. She told us that she knew he needed a doctor, but she did not have the money. Her only choice was the national hospital, and that would have been a death sentence for him. We told her we would take care of the charges, but we had to get him to a hospital immediately. So, we loaded them up and headed out.

When we arrived at the private hospital the receptionist took one look at Jan and immediately took us back to a room. Within two minutes there was a doctor beside his bed treating him (unheard of in Guatemala). They admitted him, started an IV, and began administering anti-seizure drugs. Throughout the next three hours they gradually increased his medication to the maximum amount, yet still his seizures continued. Finally, he fell asleep and seemed to be stable.

Before we left town, we made a down-payment for his stay and made arrangements to pay for the rest when he was discharged. The estimated cost of his entire stay was between Q3000-4000 (about $390-500). This was a step of faith for us as we were trusting in God for His provision. We then left and returned home late on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning I received word of two different donations totaling $450, and I praised God, assuming that the need had been met. Today I found out that is not the case.

Jan is still in the hospital and they are still unable to control his seizures and get his lungs clear. At present, the hospital bill has topped Q.6500 (about $850) and continues to rise. We spoke with the doctor who told us that if Jan goes home now, he will die. He offered to write a letter and have him transferred to the national hospital, but that would likely mean his death. We told the doctor not to do that and approved charges up to Q.10,000. ($1300.00). I have done so because I believe that Jesus would not turn this little guy away and allow him to die. I have also done so believing that the body of Christ will rise up and help.

Can you please help us in some way with this rising bill? Whatever you can give would be appreciated. If so, please write to me at daryl@hopeforhome.org right away. I need to know how much is coming to assist.

More important than the financial assistance, can you please pray for Jan? His life is hanging in the balance and we need God’s intervention.

Thanks!

Daryl