The Battle with Want

Last week I had the opportunity to fly to the States for a few days to be a part of my daughter, Teisha’s, wedding. It was a quick trip (I arrived in Dayton late Thursday evening and flew out again very early on Sunday) but it was a special one as Wanda and I were able to visit with friends and family, see two of our daughters we haven’t seen in a long time and finally meet our grandchildren (Tristan, age 3 and Allison, age 4 months). There is not much that we miss since moving to Guatemala, but family and friends are at the top of that very short list. It was so nice to finally hold my grandkids.

Our schedule was packed full with family and friends, US drivers license renewal and shopping. There are quite a few things that we cannot buy here or are cheaper in the States, so we took the opportunity to go to Walmart and Meijer and make some purchases. I was not prepared for what I found there.

We do have Walmart in Guatemala now. They opened stores about two years ago, so we shop there once a month. However, the stores here do not have anywhere close to the selection of US Walmarts. I was literally overwhelmed by the choices and merchandise available. A trip down the candy and cookie aisle yielded 12 different kinds of Oreos and 9 kinds of M&M’s. And at one point I found myself in the men’s underwear section looking like a deer caught in headlights. I mean, I just wanted regular men’s underwear, not boxer briefs with a micro pore sweat dispersal system and Bluetooth capabilities. Everywhere Wanda and I turned we were met with an overwhelming number of choices.

In some parts of these stores I found myself getting disgusted. Do we really need so much stuff? It is ridiculous to have this many choices for basic products. But in other parts of the store my hypocrisy showed through. As I walked through the hardware section I found myself drooling and “needing” tools and gadgets that I did not know existed until that moment. Funny how that happens, isn’t it? The same thing happened when I walked through the electronics department and saw all the handy gadgets for my phone. After all, I really need it don’t I? It will make me faster, more efficient, better organized, blah, blah and blah.

And in the midst of one of those ponderings and justification sessions I caught myself. And it scared me. I could feel the demon of want worming its way into my heart and life…along with its constant companion, discontentment. There I was, a man who works daily with the poorest of the poor, finding my priorities shifted in just a couple of hours of shopping. I put down those luxury items a left the store as quickly as possible.

And this whole experience left me thinking. We often fail to realize that the majority of the US economy is built on marketing wants to people by convincing them they are needs. And the powers-that-be do it pretty well. That is why people with perfectly good iPhone 5’s have been lining up around the block to buy the iPhone 6. It is new, it is different and they are sure they NEED it. That is why shoes come in two million different styles. Yes, you have shoes, but you don’t have THOSE shoes. That is why every other month they come out with a new razor or toothbrush that is no better that the old ones. Because they know we will just have to try it. Over and over again the marketing industry plays us like a violin, and we keep pumping out the same tune. (Insert your own 80’s or 90’s tune to the following lyrics):

I want it! I need it! I really have to have it!

The economy in the States is dependent upon us buying what we don’t need. And this is to the point that if we were to stop buying luxuries and only bought needs the economy would completely collapse. And so, day after day we are faced with marketing and commercialism. Buy, buy, buy! Spend, spend, spend! And we do.

Two days before standing in those department stores I stood in a very different place. I stood in the home of a poor Guatemalan family with dirt floors and a leaky roof. They have a child with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder and I asked them a question:

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

That is a pretty wide-open question, especially when it is asked of a poor family by “wealthy Americans.” They could have mentioned so many things and I would have understood. A new roof, a concrete floor for their daughter’s wheelchair to roll on, beds, clothing, and more would have been acceptable responses to my question. But without hesitation the father responded, “We have everything we need except the medicine to control my daughter’s seizures.” (As he answered this there were three children playing happily in the corner with their homemade dolls.)

So, how on earth could I find myself two days later trying to justify gadgets and cell phone cases as needs? How could I find myself so quickly almost captured by that culture’s snares? The answer is painfully obvious: The marketers are good at what they do, and I am bad at keeping my eyes on God’s heart.

People often ask us if we are scared to live in a culture like Guatemala with all its crime and violence. My answer is no. But living in America scares me to death, because I fear what it can do to my heart and priorities. I fear losing my soul in the American Dream and awakening (again) to discover it is a nightmare.

And so, my family and I continue to walk imperfectly this line of needs versus wants. I so desperately want to see, act and spend like Jesus. But the voices around me scream loudly in an attempt to drown out His voice, and those screams get a lot louder in the US.

So, to those of you who live in the States I extend my respect and prayers. I pray that you will walk the line much better than I and say no to the voices that scream. I pray that you will "spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed” (Isaiah 58:10a). And I pray that you will lose yourself within the heart of God instead of in the American Dream. That is the call of God that each of us shares.

Blessings and love from Guatemala!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew

Miracles and Puny Faith

Last night, after around six weeks of waiting for the courts to do their job, we finally received little Ruavis (pronounced Roo-ah-bi) into our home. I have come to expect delays when dealing with the courts, but this time it really bothered me. From the first day we saw his picture and read his story I have felt an urgency to get him into our home. So when they called yesterday morning to tell us they were bringing him, I was overjoyed. And when they called backed later to tell us that they could not bring him due to problems with scheduling, I quickly made arrangements for Manuel and Gerardo to go take care of the paperwork and bring him home.

The moment I saw him I understood the urgency I had been feeling for the last month-and-a-half. Ruavis was in a nearly constant state of seizing with his eyes rolled completely back in his head. In addition, he was suffering from full-body muscle spasms that would bend his head and shoulders extremely far backward. And each time he would spasm he would cry out in pain.

We quickly discovered that he was also covered with lice, so we prepped him to shave his head and give a lice treatment while I consulted the few medical notes that came with him. Almost immediately I realized that he was way under-medicated for child of his age (13 months) and weight. However, our neurologist was not available as it was evening hours. So, after praying for wisdom and consulting dosage guides, I made the decision to double his seizure medication. I still felt this was not enough, but wanted to be conservative to assure that we did not over-medicate him.

Shortly after giving him the increased dosage his seizures stopped and his spasms lessened. Then the exhausted little guy fell asleep. He slept peacefully until around 2:30 am when he awoke with spasms again.

In the midst of caring for Ruavis last night I was overwhelmed with a very foolish fear. Seeing the severe neurological needs of this little boy, I began to realize how much his care was going to cost. (Relax, this is not a plea for money. We don’t do that.) I began to total up the cost of the neurologist, MRI, EEG and general anesthetic that will be required for testing and I was overwhelmed with fear. The total quickly reached over $400.00 without including the incidentals of travel expenses for the appointments and test. And this was only for neurological assessments. And I felt afraid. (Please don’t write to tell me how foolish I am or how small my faith is. It is not necessary. I already know.)

I then went to my computer to send out a prayer request for Ruavis via Facebook. But as I sat down at my computer I heard a ding telling me that I had received an e-mail. So, I clicked on Outlook and saw that we had received a donation via Paypal. The amount was (care to guess?) $462.00. And I heard God whisper, “Daryl, when will you ever learn to trust me?” I cried tears of joy and repentance.

This morning we called our neurologist as soon as his office was open. We could not get in for an appointment until tomorrow, but the doctor listened to the situation and the current medicines and doses, and he immediately ordered us to increase the dosage to more than double my doubled dosage. He also added another type of anti-seizure med. Since we administered these increased meds, he has been sleeping peacefully. I praise God that this little exhausted guy has finally gotten some relief and much needed sleep.

Last night, in the midst of the chaos, Brittney and I were working together with Ruavis. She suddenly looked up at me and said, “I am so glad that we decided to take him!” And when she did, my heart swelled with pride for her. Here we were, dealing with a seizing child that was arching backward and screaming, and she was happy that he was with us. Many people would regret the decision to accept him into our home instead of rejoicing that we did. But Brittney understands a basic truth of ministry…it is not about us. It is not about seeking the easy path or a comfortable resting place. It is about Jesus Christ and His love for the world that He died to save. She was glad that we accepted Ruavis, not because it was easy, but because he needed us…and our comfort was not important.

Last night was about God’s love for Ruavis and the role we are allowed to play in that love story. Face it, the hardest times in life are usually the most significant ones in God’s story. So, from 3:30 am until almost 8:00 am Brittney held and comforted this precious little focus of God’s love. Tonight I will take that responsibility and privilege.

Once again we are feeling God fill us with love overflowing for another little one. And I stand in awe and humility that He allows us to play a role in this incredible story that He is writing.

Likely we will be receiving another little guy into our home next week. We have said yes to little Humberto from the malnutrition center Casa Jackson. With his addition we will have 12 children, six boys and six girls, and our home will be full. We just have no more room and no more man hours to give. We are stretched to the max. But that will not make it any easier to turn away children. I am so glad for the 14 children that we have said yes to (two are now with Jesus), but I ache knowing there are so many more Ruavis, Humbertos, Alejandros, Yenifers, Christians, etc. out there that need a home and love.

So let me get real direct here. I need your help in one of two ways. Please, please, please read these and take them seriously:

1. If you love children with special needs and are feeling called to work with them, please contact me and pray about joining us here in Guatemala. We are praying and trusting God for nine more homes based on this model, but we need the people who will be parents and leaders within these homes. Does this scare you? Good. It scared me to death when I began to hear God’s call to come here and do this work. I can’t promise you it will be easy, because it won’t. But I can promise you that we will walk with you through it all and help you every step of the way. And I can promise you that God is faithful to those who follow His calling.
2. If you are sure that God is not calling you, then please pray that He will raise up others. I mean this. I beg you. Please pray frequently and fervently that God will call people and give a kick to those who have been called but are not responding. Pray that God will give us workers. Please. I write this with tears in my eyes out of desperation to see more homes opened and more children loved with the arms of Jesus.

This morning I dropped Wanda off at the airport. She is flying to the States until Sunday to be home for our daughter, Teisha’s, wedding. I will follow her on Thursday and fly back with her on Sunday as well. Please pray for our home over the next five days as others step up to fill the huge gap that Wanda leaves and then the gap I will leave. This is especially true of our older children, Brittney, Krishauna, Taryn and Jeremiah. Please pray for strength and wisdom for them. Also pray for health in the home during our absence.

Thanks! Blessings from Guatemala!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew

The Hardest Decisions

I know I have written about this before, but since writing provides cathartic release for me I am doing so again. Please bear with me as I do so.

When we moved to Guatemala to do this ministry I was prepared for a lot of things. I was prepared for struggles with language and culture. I was prepared for long hours and short nights. I was prepared for pee, poop and drool and long battles with Guatemalan bureaucracy (which feels and smells a lot like pee, poop and drool). I was prepared for traffic jams and crowded stores. I was even, to some degree, prepared for death, because I knew we would have to face it eventually. But there is one thing that caught me totally be surprise and, as I look back now, I wonder how I could have missed preparing for it. Yet I was totally blindsided by…

Decisions

On a daily basis I am faced with so many decisions. A call comes in requesting help with medicine, doctor, formula, food, etc. Should we help or not? A child in our home has a cough. Do we call the doctor or wait and see? A child’s brace is broken. Do we try to repair it or is it time to cast him for new ones? A family is not doing their part to care for a child while asking us to do more. Do we continue support, increase support or threaten to cut if off? (Knowing, of course, that it is the child that will suffer.)

So many decisions have to be made every day. And, for the most part, I have adjusted to making them and do so with prayer and semi-confidence. But occasionally I am faced with a decision that leaves me overwhelmed and paralyzed. Two days ago I found myself faced with such a decision and I still have not been able to choose. It kept me awake last night.

Four staff members from Casa Jackson (a malnutrition center in San Felipe de Jesus) showed up at our door on Wednesday afternoon. They had brought with them a little guy named Humberto (pronounced Oom-BARE-tow). He is almost three years old, has cerebral palsy, physical and cognitive delays and a seizure disorder. He came to them malnourished 11 months ago, but quickly gained weight and was ready for release. However, there is no place for him to go. So, he has been living in Casa Jackson for months, even though he is no longer malnourished.

This was actually not the first time that I had met Humberto. Little Olimpia came to us from Casa Jackson, and while we were there picking her up they asked if I would come meet another child. They took me upstairs and introduced me to him and asked if we could take him. At that point we were full, so I told them no. On Wednesday they came to ask us again.

Whenever I post these kinds of stories I usually receive a barrage of well-meaning advise telling me to take the child. They tell me to trust God and receive him or her into our loving family. And I understand their point. But it is not that easy. Whenever we are making a decision regarding accepting a child, we are faced with several considerations:

Financial – The average initial cost of bringing a child into our home is around $800.00. The initial appointments with specialists, blood work, EEG, MRI and X-rays add up quickly. Plus, we are impacted on a monthly basis as well with the cost of more diapers, formula, medicine, therapy, food, etc. While we work hard to not allow finances to play a large role in our decisions, they have to play some role. The children we already have need ongoing care and we cannot jeopardize them.

Staffing – Each additional child requires an increase in man hours. Feeding, changing, providing stretches and exercises, stimulation and the simple providing of one-on-one love requires time. Can we provide all that for another child while continuing to provide it for the existing children?

Family Environment – The way our home operates now is we have staff in our home to assist with the care of the children from 8 am until 5 pm on Monday through Friday. But the Fulp family assumes full responsibility for caring for the children in the evening and weekends. We do that because we want the children to be a part of a family, not a number in an institution. Can we add another child while still providing the family atmosphere?

Space – God has blessed us with a large home, but all of the handicapped accessible areas are almost completely filled. Can we squeeze in another crib/bed?

Numbers – Since opening our home in August 2013 we have said yes to 13 children. (Two are now with Jesus and one is still waiting for a very slow court system to transfer him to our home.) During that same period we have said no to around 120 children. Why? Because we cannot say yes to them all. Otherwise we simply become another overcrowded institution instead of a loving family. The needs of Guatemala are overwhelming and we cannot meet them all. That is just a reality of this life and ministry.

Which brings me back to Humberto who was sitting in my home on Wednesday in desperate need of a family. Casa Jackson is feeding, bathing and clothing him, but they do not have the staff or means to provide him with the attention, stimulation and therapy he desperately needs. Can we say yes and increase our home to 12 children without hurting the 11 that are already here? Is that Jesus in the form of a child that we are considering sending away? What do we say? Yes or no?

And the answer is this: I am a foolish and fallen man who does not know. So, last night I lay in bed thinking, fretting and praying. And today I continue to think, fret and pray.

But there is one thing I do know…this is the part of this ministry that I hate. I wish others could make the decisions and my family and I could just care for and love the kids. But I guess that would be heaven, and that is still to come.

So, for now, would you pray for us and for little Humberto? Please pray that God would make it clear whether he is to be our child or not. Thanks.

Also, please pray for others to join us and open additional homes like this one. Our goal is to one day have 10 such homes, but that can only become reality if we have more people and resources. Are you passionate for children with special needs? Prayerfully consider joining us.

Blessings from Guate!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew

Identity and Family

Back in July we welcomed little Milton Geovanni into our home. This little guy has been a handful of energy and mischievousness that has kept us on our toes. He suffers from microcephaly and is delayed in his development, but he is gradually making progress in both his behavior and the passing of milestones.

But when he arrived in our home, he faced a much greater crisis than any physical or developmental disability. He faced a crisis of identity. When he showed up at our door, he had no last name, no birthdate, no birth certificate, no health records. He came to us as cute little boy with no discernable past. And that deeply troubled me.

He is not the first to come with us with an identity crisis. When our little Esperanza came last year she had no name as well. As a result, we were given the privilege of choosing her name. And so we did…Ruth Esperanza. And while she was given the legal last name of her birth mom,  we chose to place our last name on her tombstone when she left us. Why? Because a name is not just a name. It is a part of your identity. And Esperanza’s identity was, in part, being a member of our family. We were the ones who loved her and grieved deeply over her passing, so she was a Fulp.

Now we are currently working on behalf of Geovanni to help establish his identity. We took him to a forensic doctor in Guatemala City for exams and testing and they determined his approximate age. As a result, he was given the birthdate of January 23, 2013. The judge also randomly assigned him a last name. And, as I type this, my friend and ministry partner, Manuel, is on his way to Guatemala City to pick up a legal birth certificate for him. So, at last, Geovanni will have a full name, birthday and birth certificate.

But that is not all that is involved in giving him an identity. In fact, that is just a small part. In fact, every child who has entered Hogar de la Esperanza has done so with an identity crisis, even if they had their name and birth certificate. Because identity goes to our very heart and souls, and all of them came with missing or damaged vital parts. And this has broken my heart repeatedly.

Some of our kids came to us abused, and some still carry the physical scars of that violence. For others, the bruised have faded, but the emotional scars remain. It is painful to attempt to hug a child and see them wince because they are expecting a blow. Others were abandoned or neglected before finding our home. Some were cared for, but treated like objects. How do these backgrounds affect a child’s identity? Many arrive feeling worthless and unimportant. They believe their identity has been written, and that identity is unwanted.

That is why our home and all future homes we open will be family-based. A family is a crucial component for instilling identity. Something happens when…

…a child is hugged instead of slapped or punched.

…a child is talked TO instead of ABOUT.

…a child realizes they are important instead of discarded.

…a child is heard and seen instead of ignored.

They begin to realize who God made them to be.

I see it all the time when I look a child in the eye and tell them I love them. I see it when they make someone smile or laugh, not at them but with them. I see it around the dinner table as we laugh and joke and talk, and for the first time a child is a part of it all. It is through family that they learn that they are important, loved and valuable. It is through family that they learn that they have something worthwhile to offer. It is through family that they, and us, really learn to live.

But it does not end there, because there is a spiritual component to identity that is often overlooked. In fact, it is more than a component, it is the core of all we are and all these children are. And our primary role is to help them see who God is and who they are to Him. But we cannot address the spiritual core without first addressing their need for a family.

Face it, it is very difficult to learn to trust a heavenly Father if they have never had a trustworthy earthly one. In fact, it is very difficult to even understand the concept of love without a family who demonstrates it.

So, we have the privilege of being a family built on Jesus Christ who, in turn, provides a foundation on which children can come to know and love God and realize He loves them. The final step is when each of these children realize that they are not only valued by us, but by the God Who created and knows them intimately, and that He is worth following.

So, as Geovanni receives his birth certificate today, he is also receiving so much more. This little guys is loved…deeply and passionately. He is learning that he is important. And I pray, one day soon, he will realized that Jesus is the Author of his identity and is worthy to be followed. That is the prayer I pray for each of the children in our home, whether they be biological, adopted or one of the incredible ones that God has brought to our group home.

But this is not just an issue for children with special needs in Guatemala. It is an issue for you and I as well. Do we know who we are? Do we know we are loved by the One who made us? Do we know whom God created us to be? I pray so.

But as I write this, I am overcome with gratitude. Because, while we are the ones who get the privilege of loving and caring for these children, many of you are the reason we are able to do so. Your prayers, encouragement and support are what continue to make this home and ministry a reality. It is because of the faithfulness of God’s people, such as you, who has moved Hogar de la Esperanza from being a dream in our hearts to a reality at work. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Today may you know your identity in Jesus Christ and live for His glory!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew

Poco a Poco

It has been a while since my last post. There are several reasons for this, but the primary one is that I have been sick. I would like to say this is a new illness, but it is actually a continuing saga that began about six or eight months ago. The last two weeks have seen a worsening in the severity, so your prayers would be appreciated.

The timing of this downturn in health has been pretty good, though. At the same time that I have been out of commission, so has my truck. About two-and-a-half weeks ago I took my truck into our mechanic because it had been making weird noises and losing power (just as I had with my illness). I was hoping for a quick repair, but it was not to be. The repairs were extensive and expensive. But when I got it back on Friday it felt like a new truck and, since it practically had a new engine, it should have. The total bill was Q.5100.00 (about $660.00 US). Considering the work would have cost 4 or 5 times that in the States I felt pretty good about it. My power has increased significantly and so has my gas mileage. And hopefully it will give me tens of thousands of miles of trouble free driving now.

In this blog I believe I do a pretty good job of keeping all of you notified regarding big news and special happenings in our home and ministry. However, I have not done well at updating you on the children in our home. So today I wanted to take a few minutes to do so. This is not an update on all the children, but rather a highlight of happenings in a few of their lives.

Geovanni - The newest addition to our home, Milton Geovanni, is doing well. His first few weeks were challenging, as he was prone to temper tantrums and aggressive behavior, but he has settled in and is doing well. The courts do not have access to any records for him, and his mother has not been willing to share any information regarding his age, birthday, medical history or last name. As a result, we had to take him to an appointment with a forensic doctor. Using numerous physical indicators, this doctor determined him to be around 18 months old. Based upon that determination the court assigned him January 23, 2013 as his birthday. They also assigned him a last name, and we are waiting on a copy of his birth certificate.

When Geovanni came to us, we were told he could not walk, but when he arrived we realized that was not true. He could walk, but would not. Fear kept him from standing or walking without assistance, so he would sit down the second our hand left his. However, after two weeks of working with him, he suddenly realized that he could do it and proceeded to walk all over the house laughing. On the downside, now that he is walking we are wondering why we wanted him to so badly. It just helps him get into more trouble in more places more quickly.

We took Geovanni to our pediatric neurologist, and he has confirmed the diagnosis of microcephalus. This has resulted in cognitive and physical delays. We recently took him for an MRI, ultrasound and extensive blood tests, and we are awaiting a follow-up appointment with the neurologist for him to give us the results and prognosis.

Angelita - This little girl truly lives up to her name as our little angel. While hydrocephalus has severely limited her cognitive and physical development, she still has the divine spark of God within her. Much of the time, she is non-responsive, but we have recently seen some signs of progress in her. On a regular basis she will now turn and follow movement. And, most exciting of all, we have seen her begin to smile and even laugh with regularity. And when she laughs, the room lights up!

I believe that the changes we are seeing in her are a result of living in a home that is filled with love instead of an institution. Every day she receives hugs, kisses, music, stimulation, caresses and more. She has moved from a nearly catatonic state to one of joy. It is these kinds of changes that remind our hearts what our heads already know...that what we are doing is worthwhile and brings pleasure to both the children and the God who created and died for them.

Christian - When little Christian came to us almost a year ago his parents were at their wits end. His autism resulted in numerous melt-downs all hours of the day and night, and they were understandably exhausted and discouraged. In his early days in our home, he would go into uncontrollable screaming fits four of five times a day and two or three times a night. But as time has passed, he has settled down. We have learned how to spot the meltdowns early and how to soothe him instead of escalating him. Most evenings he sleeps through the night and only has a meltdown about every two or three days. He smiles and laughs a LOT these days.

In addition, he has made progress in his eating and drinking. At first, due to his sight and hearing impairment, he had no sense of connection to his body. He did not know how to hold a cup, bring food to his mouth, or play with toys. Now he will hold and drink from a cup and, at times, feed himself when food is placed in his hand. He will also hold and play with balls or small toys occasionally.

Olimpia - Our little Olimpia came to us at 5 1/2 months weighing 5 1/2 pounds. She is now up to 8.1 pounds and actually has some fat on her bones. In addition, her hair that was dry, brittle and very thin due to malnutrition has thickened and started to shine. Her energy has increased and she can now hold her head up and turn herself over. She has also started to manifest her strong will and stubborness in VERY significant ways. (As her body has increased in strength, so have her lungs. Her cute little cries have now become ear-piercing screams when she is fed up with us.) In addition, her eye/hand coordination has increased significantly and she is now able to manipulate toys and objects much better than even a few weeks ago. As an 8 1/2 month old, she is severely delayed, but she is beginning to pass some milestones and make progress.

Yenifer - After a severe bout of seizures triggered by a virus in July, Yeni has sprung back to her old self. She is friendly and outgoing and has no concept of personal space. She loves to get about three inches from your face to chat.

One of the big changes we have seen in her is verbally. She speaks much more now and uses a lot more words. She is also contagiously happy and tends to spread smiles wherever she goes.

Yeni recently had an audience with the judge to determine her long-term placement. As expected, the judge asked us to keep her indefinitely and, of course, we agreed.

Alejandra - This young lady recently got a new set of wheels from our friend Dick Rutgers. Her electric wheelchair has given her a true sense of freedom and independence that she never had before, and she loves it. And, aside from a few smashed toes, so do we.

She is doing well in school and is a favorite with the kids there. We have been working on her mouth and tongue control, particularly chewing and swallowing. We are also helping her to develop language skills by focusing on rudimentary sounds. She is truly one of the happiest and most loving people I have ever known.

I could continue from here and give you complete updates on the rest of the kids, but this is getting long while the day is getting short. So let me give you one final update of the child for which we are waiting...

A few weeks ago I wrote about a little guy of undisclosed name and age who needed a home. His needs are severe (microcephalus, after effects of encephalitis, severe seizure disorder and more) and he had been placed in a home in Guatemala City which does not know how to care for him. We expected him to come within a week, but that has stretched into weeks due to a court system that tends to move slowly. A friend of ours who is a social worker with the courts is now intervening on his behalf to try to arrange an audience with the judge for him to sign the necessary papers. Please pray that this happens soon.

Well, that's all for now. Blessings from Guatemala!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew

 

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God’s Economy

Last night I was saddened to check a news Web site and see that Robin Williams was dead. He was a brilliant comic, impressionist and actor, and had been a part of my life since childhood. I loved the show Mork and Mindy when I was young, and one of my favorite movies is Dead Poets Society. He made me laugh, cry and everything in between, so I was saddened to hear of his passing.

Immediately I began to pray for his family and friends, for others in the entertainment industry in desperate need of redemption and for the many, many people who struggle with the same enemy, depression, that caused Mr. Williams to end his life. The entire situation is so very sad, and he will be missed.

After reading the news I went to check Facebook and was overwhelmed by the number of posts regarding his death. Literally three quarters of the statuses related to Robin Williams, as people talked of how they would miss him and the entertainment he provided. I want to be clear in saying that there is nothing wrong with people grieving for him. He was, in many ways, a part of our lives as we welcomed him into our homes through his shows and movies. And the way he died should break our hearts.

Robin Williams was important, but why was he important? Was it because he was famous? Because he was funny? Because he was a great actor? Because he was wealthy and influential? Nope. None of the above.

Robin Williams was important because he was knit together in his mother’s womb by God Himself. He was important because God loved him and sought to redeem him, even at the cost of dying for him, as He seeks to redeem each of us. Robin Williams was important for the same reason that you and I are important. Because God had chosen to make him important.

But it is important to note that Robin Williams was no more important and no less important than each of the other nearly seven billion people who occupy this planet. He was no more or less important than the mother in an obscure village who is right now holding her dying child. He was no more or less important than the Christian father who is huddled right now with his family in Iraq, wondering if they will survive the day. He was no more or less important than the child dying of Ebola in an overrun clinic in Liberia. He is no more or less important than any of us in the eyes of the One who matters.

Just this afternoon I received heartbreaking news. Maria del Carmen, the mother of one of the children with whom we work, had suddenly died. Now little Jose Alejandro and his sisters are without a mom and they are grieving deeply with their father. And it bothered me that, in the world’s economy, very few outside of her family will every mourn her passing or share the grief of this family. No one beyond her small corner of her town, outside the readers of this blog, will even take note of her passing. But in God’s eyes she is every bit as valuable and precious as Robin Williams.

That is what bothered me last night. Not that so many mourned and expressed their grief over Mr. William’s death, but that there is so little expression of grief for the incredible suffering and deaths that occur every day in our world. Thousands die and so few notice. One man dies and an entire nation grieves.

So I updated my status and expressed my sadness at his passing and prayers for his family and friends. I then added the following:

I can’t help but wish we could get this kind of interest and concern for the hundreds dying in Africa of Ebola, the thousands being persecuted and slaughtered in Iraq or the 26,000+ children who die in our world every day of preventable causes. What would happen if we could find the passion for the multitude that we have for the one? I wonder...

A little while later one of my friends who has a true heart for Jesus and His priorities replied:

My thoughts as well. But I wonder if Robin isn't more relatable, and because many of us grew up watching him, we feel that we knew him on a more personal level. Iraq and Africa is so far away, and with no names to the faces of the persecutors and victims (of both Ebola and ISIS), we are desensitized to the reality of the tragedy.

And she is, of course, correct. That is the issue. It is much easier to relate to and grieve for someone we see regularly, feel like we know and who has made us laugh and cry than someone who is just a faceless statistic. Joseph Stalin once said, “When one person dies, it’s a tragedy, but when a million people die, it’s a statistic.” As horrible as Stalin was as a human, he certainly understood human nature.

But therein lies the problem. We live in a world that recognizes, honors and grieves the famous and ignores the obscure. In this world there are the noteworthy and the statistics. One is treasured and elevated and the other is brushed past carelessly with platitudes. But as children of God, we are called to live by His economy that sees everyone as important and no one as more important. We are called to see and love as Jesus sees and loves.

But how do we do that? How do we look past the statistics to see the names and faces behind them so that we can care for them as God does and grieve for them when they are lost? Just a few thoughts…

1. Ask for help – I believe God understands that we are surrounded by wrong priorities and that it is difficult to see past the hype to see the real needs. And I believe He wants to help us. Each of us needs to spend time regularly seeking Jesus’ view of the world around us. I call it “tuning in and tuning up.” It is only by the Spirit of God, alive within us, that we can see with the eyes of God, feel with the heart of God, think with the mind of God and touch with the hands of God.
2. Look past the headlines – Face it, media outlets are concerned with one thing…increasing their viewers, readers and hits on their sites. Therefore the news is dispensed, not according to importance, but according to the publisher’s perception of the audience’s interest. As a result, the items that make the large print and big new coverage are often not the biggest stories. This is especially true of the United States where there is a strong leaning toward ethnocentrism. The events receiving the most coverage are usually the ones that directly impact the US and its citizens while international events are often ignored or buried deeply in the paper or Web site. (For example, the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa had received only minor coverage until two Americans were diagnosed with the illness and talk began to spread regarding the possibility of it coming to the US. Suddenly the story gained traction in US media outlets.) That is why we need to look past the big print to see the rest of the world. Click on the “World” or “International” link on the news sites. Spend more time in the deeper pages of the paper. Look beyond the hype to see the real news.
3. Engage the engaged – Never has it been easier to connect with missionaries and workers on the ground. Through e-mail, blogs and Web sites we can see the world news through people who are engaged in the real-life struggle behind the stories. It is one thing to read about the persecution of Iraqi Christians in an impersonal news story, but completely another to read the first-hand accounts of shootings, beheadings and abuse from someone who lives there and loves the people. Just this morning I read the blog of a health worker in Liberia and the blog of a relief worker in Iraq. Those people are much more to me than statistics, they are now names and faces. Connect with those who can help you connect to the real people behind the news accounts.
4. Meditate on the Word – I don’t want to beat an old point to death, but how can we know what is important to God unless we read about the heart of God? It is through Scripture that we learn to think and see as God does, so we cannot neglect that time and still have His heart.
5. Pray…like you mean it – I have heard it said that we pray for what is important to us. But I think the reverse is also true. As we pray consistently for a concern it becomes more important to us. Many times I have found myself, through prayer, moved from detached words to tears of profound compassion. As I talk to God about the world’s needs, He often talks back, as I desperately need Him to.
6. Don’t forget the response – We dare not see the world through God’s eyes but fail to respond with his love. The first does not assure the second. For example, earlier today I read a story online about the persecution in Iraq. I was thrilled to see people posting and talking about that issue, but was disheartened to see the responses of the believers in the comment section. Instead of prayers for the persecuted it was filled with comments about the “monsters” responsible and demanding retaliation. This is a far cry from Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Jesus loves and died for both the persecutors and persecuted, and we should love and pray for both. We should be praying for strength and courage for the believers in the face of martyrdom while also praying that those who yield the sword will see Jesus through the lie that has surrounded them. We need God’s help to not only see the problem, but also know how to respond in word and action as He would.

It is a daily battle to live by God’s economy instead of the world’s. May God help us to do so and do it well. There is so much more to God’s heart than just the headlines.

Daryl

And Who Is My Neighbor?

This is a blog post from Dale Beyer, Ministerio de Esperanza’s Assistant Director. He has taken over much of the rural village ministry responsibilities and his blog is now the best way to stay connected to that work. You can follow it directly at: http://beyersnguate.blogspot.com/ 

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Luke 10:29

The other day, when preparing to enjoy a relaxing Saturday, we received a call from Misael’s grandmother stating that he was very sick (fever, convulsions, vomiting black stuff etc…).  She was asking if we could possibly take them to the doctor as she cried over the phone to Kathlyn.  As Kathlyn relayed it to me I began thinking of the options and it went like this:  #1-we have plans, #2-he will puke in my car, #3-I’m not a doctor, #4-excuses abounding.  I began to pray for wisdom to know what to do next and during that prayer thought about the parable of the good Samaritan. I was immediately convicted that I wanted to pass by on the other side of the road and not help these people in need.  

With such a direct answer to prayerKathlyn and I went to be a neighbor for this lady who carries such a heavy load.  She recently shared that in one week she lost three close family members (one a son by a brutal murder) and how her husband some years back had tried to kill her and then had succeeded in killing himself leaving her all alone.  She is caring for Misael because his mother, her daughter, abandoned them.  That day we were able to help some with medicine and comfort, but we hope to help her in a more lasting way by helping her to know the peace of Christ that can carry her through.  Now, several days later, Misael's condition has improved!

So this time I was the Good Samaritan.

But earlier in the week when we visited “O” (who has circulation sores on his hips and buttocks that you could put a golf ball into) and he asked for us to take him to the hospital because these sores are showing signs of getting infected again, Gerardo and I told him we could not.  To justify myself some like the teacher of the law in Luke 10:29 did, let me tell some history.  This man has shown himself to be a little too eager for a handout and not real kind to the health professionals who have helped him in the past.  Considering these factors we deemed it best to put the responsibility on him to get a ride from family or friends. 

Sometimes I feel so callused toward the needs of others because we see so many with such deep hurt, pain and suffering on a daily basis. Often I just walk by because I can’t help them all, and I feel so heartless.  The men and women without arms or maybe legs who are begging in the streets we pass by every day. What can we do?

I recently was involved in a Bible study that made the statement that to love always requires an exchange or a cost even though it may be small.  When we are willing to love someone else, especially those in need as Jesus told in the parable, it will cost us something.  I think this helps us to see if we are really loving or self-serving in our actions toward God and others.  Remember this whole parable was told in response to Jesus affirming the teacher of the law’s answer of “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself”, in response to the question of “Teacher what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

As we are involved in a helping ministry we have decisions to make every day of whom and how to help. There are many needs that arise daily that we determine often to help with and there is always an exchange. Many times that exchange is financially costly and other times just a cost of time, but there is always a price to pay. Please pray for us as we make these decisions of how to love our neighbors and what that will mean for the ministry.

If you would like to partner with us there are many needs posted on our website of people awaiting sponsorship.   Click link below to access.  Some have been waiting for months or even a year.  

Village Ministry Needed Sponsorship

You might also feel led to give to the rural village ministry fund which covers the many expenses and emergencies that come almost daily and are not covered by the sponsor program.  

Click for information on financial partnership

Together we can be "neighbors" to our brothers and sisters in need.