As I type this, we are at the beginning of a marathon week. Brittney and Joel’s wedding is this Saturday, and the week is filled with airport trips to pick-up family and friends, special events, and time with those who are visiting. At the same time, ministry continues while trying to juggle vehicles.
Actually, Brittney and Joel are already married, at least legally. In Guatemala things are different than in the United States. Pastors and priests are not allowed to solemnize marriages, so there is normally as civil ceremony with a lawyer that precedes the public and religious ceremony. On Saturday an attorney, who is a friend of Joel, came to our home and presided over the civil ceremony. I will officiate the public wedding in a garden her in San Antonio Aguas Calientes this Saturday. These are good times as I see my daughter marrying a man of God with a holy character.The civil ceremony on Saturday was shadowed somewhat by a funeral. Aura passed away on Friday evening, leaving her husband and children in deep grief. You may remember that her husband came to my home a couple of months ago seeking help for treatment for his wife’s uterin cancer. Some of you sent in funds to assist with that treatment. However, prior to starting radiation treatment the doctor determined that she was severely anemic and too weak to begin the radiation. We were helping them to treat her anemia, but the cancer was just too advance. So the remaining funds were used to pay for her funeral that was on Saturday afternoon. Because of the civil ceremony, I was unable to attend. Please pray for Jose and his children as they grieve.
In the midst of wedding preparation, ministry continues thanks to our incredible staff. On Friday, Manuel and I visited a family whose needs are quite desperate. Ana has three children with special needs. Katarin is 14 and has severe cerebral palsy and cognitive delays. Darian is 12 and has microcephalus and severe cognitive delays. Osbin is 4 and has both physical and cognitive delays. Ana is working hard to provide for herself and her children. She has been living and working in a home where she cleans and cooks, and that has been a huge blessing to her. She is able to keep her children with her as she works. However, that job is ending this week, and she has to leave. She has no one with whom she can leave her children while she goes to work. She has no idea where she can go or what she can do.Our ministry is praying and seeking God for what we can do to help. We are arranging doctor appointments for both Katarin and Darian, providing a wheelchair for Katarin, and seeking sponsors to help pay for medicine that both of the girls need. But none of that will prevent their homelessness. Could you please pray for them?
Along with Katarin and Darian, we have several other children who are awaiting sponsors right now. Here they are. You can click on the names below to see photos and more info:
Carlos Manuel - Carlos is 11 years old and has hydrocephalus, which has caused severe cognitive and physical delays. It also makes him aggressive, and he cries a lot when he does not have his medicine. His father works, but only makes about $130 a month to provide for his eight children. Carlos needs a one time sponsor to pay for an evaluation with a neurologist, as well as a sponsor that can provide funds for a monthly food basket and medicine.
Darian - Darian is 12 years old, and lives with her mother and two siblings in Antigua. She is microcephalic and has severe cognitive delays. Her mother,Ana, is a single parent, struggling to care for her three special needs children. We have already arranged an appointment with a Neurologist, but we need a sponsor for her medicine which will cost around $25 per month.
Dora Amarilis - Dora Amarilis is 14 years old, and she suffers from severe scoliosis that has infringed upon her lungs and causes severe muscle pain. Her father works in Guatemala as a waiter, but does not make much money (less than $200 a month), and he spends a lot of that to pay for his two and a half hour bus ride to the city. She needs medicine to help with her muscle pain and a special formula that provides nutrients for her bones. The total cost for sponsoring these needs is $25 a month.
Elva Floridalma - Elva lives in Tecpan with her family; she has a seizure disorder and cerebral palsy. She needs medicine to control her seizures and formula, as she cannot eat solid foods. Her father works in the fields and makes very little money, providing less than $100 a month for his family of six. Their situation is desperate, because they cannot afford her formula or medicines. Our ministry is supplying these items until we can find a sponsor, but we cannot afford to do so long term. The cost of sponsorship of her medicine and formula is $50 a month.
Katerin - Katerin is 14 and has severe cerebral palsy and cognitive delays. She lives with her mother and her two other special needs siblings. She doesn't have a wheelchair, so her mom is using an old baby stroller. We have arranged a visit with a Neurologist, but we need a sponsor that can provide funds for medicine and formula.
Katerin Estefania - Katerin Estefania is nine years old and has a severe seizure disorder. Her mother is a widow and works hard, but is struggling to provide for their family of four and pay for her medicine. When they cannot afford to purchase the meds, she suffers severe and frequent seizures. The monthly cost for these medicines is $25.
Manuel - Manuel is 14 and lives in La Gomera. He has cerebral palsy and lives with his grandmother. Both his mother and father abandoned him, so she is caring for him. They are now a family of four, and the grandmother is the only provider. She makes just over $200 a month. He needs medicine for spasms and seizures. The cost per month to sponsor his medicines is $20.
Marvin - Marvin had meningitis when he was younger, and as a result, he now has a seizure disorder which causes him to have convulsions several times a week. He needs a medicine, but it is very costly, and his family cannot afford to pay for it. His father and brother work in the fields, but they only earn about $100 per month together and must use this to provide for their family of 8. His medicine costs about $80 per month, and we desperately need a sponsor to cover that cost.
All of these needs are great, so anything you can do to help would be appreciated. Remember, 100% of your gift goes to assist the children. Not one penny is taken for administration or other expenses.
Well, back to work. Blessings from Guatemala!
Daryl, Wanda and the Crew
