Time has been short this week and life has been a little stressful. However, I wanted to take just a moment to update you on a few important aspects of our ministry.
First, we added another member to our team this week! Daniel Lopez began working with us on Monday and is serving as another assistant and translator in our work. The Beyer family will be arriving in May, and Gerardo will begin working with them to assist in their transition. He will also travel with Dale on one of our 4-wheel drive teams to assist him in that work. Daniel, meanwhile, will begin traveling with me as I work to train and disciple him in ministry. His long term goal is to become a psychologist and work with children in an orphanage setting. This work is close to his heart as Daniel spent most of his childhood and teen years in an orphanage. We are excited to have Daniel as the newest member of our team!
Second, some of you have been asking for an update on Jan. I apologize for not doing a better job of keeping you informed regarding his status. He is doing much better and is getting stronger each day. His seizures are under control and he is breathing well. Thanks to the generosity of so many of you, we were able to raise the total of his hospital stay and more. The extra was applied to medicines that he needed once he returned home. Another area of concern was that his mother was unable to work for the week that he was in the hospital. (Unlike in the US, when a child is in the hospital here the family is responsible for the daily care that is not directly related to medical needs, specifically their feeding, cleaning and diaper changes.) As a result of missing work, she did not have the money she needed to pay her rent this month. So we used some of the excess money to assist with that need.
I just want to say a big, “Thank you!” to each of you who assisted with Jan’s medical needs. You were a big part of saving a child’s life!
Third, I need to let you know where we stand on the licensing of our group home. We have been working diligently while awaiting the final inspection and finally, the inspectors arrived yesterday. During this surprise visit they went over our home with a fine-tooth comb. It was somewhat frustrating because they pointed out a long list of things that we need to change that were not mentioned at all in the first inspection. However, at the end of their almost three hour visit, we were told we passed. However, as is always the case in Guatemala, we passed “mas o menos” (more or less). In other words, they are recommending to CNA that we be licensed, but CNA may ask for another inspection. I often ask myself why it has to be so hard to help children who need help so badly. Then I remind myself that it is always a bad idea to ask “Why?” in Guatemala. Hopefully, this will be the last step and we will receive our license soon.
Finally, my beautiful bride, Wanda, has started a blog! Many of you often ask me to use more of my blog space to give updates regarding our family. But, to be honest, my time usually does not allow that. Wanda’s blog will focus more on family news and how our home life blends with ministry. She posted her first blog this past weekend and did a great job of showing how God has brought us to the point in our marriage and family. I would encourage you to take time to visit her blog and sign up to follow it. It will be well worth your time. You can find it at http://wandafulp.blogspot.com.
And that is all I have time for right now. Life and ministry is full and keeps getting fuller. Thanks for all your prayers and support! We appreciate each of you!
Daryl, Wanda and the Crew
