Francisco y Javier

A few years ago, we met two young men, brothers, both of whom have muscular dystrophy. At that time the older brother, Javier, needed a power wheelchair to get to school since he was too weak to push a manual chair. His brother, Francisco, could still walk some to get around. We offered him a manual chair, but Mom was not ready to accept that he needed a wheelchair while he could still walk some.

Javier, the older of the two boys
was reading the newspaper when we arrived.

The other day we stopped in to see them. Both boys are now in wheelchairs, and had been sharing the power chair, each one using it for a portion of the day. Neither can self propel anymore. The last few weeks, however, the tires on the power chair had gotten so bad that neither of them were using it. Mom and Dad (who works from home as a tailor) had been pushing them to and from school each day, a distance of I would guess three kilometers.

Francisco was playing an "antique" computer game
when we visited

Dick took the power chair to the Bethel shop for the needed repairs. As we were getting ready to leave, Dick asked Dad if they had room for two power chairs in their house. Of course they did.  Francisco lit up the room with his smile at the possibility of having his own power chair. We asked the boys whose chair should be able to go faster. . .and they both said, "Egual" (the same).

So, we are looking for another power chair which will work for Francisco so the boys no longer need to share.

This is such a neat family. How many parents would push their children so far just to get to school, let alone take the risk of traveling on foot along busy and hilly highways? These folks so desperately want the best for their boys. Learning is so important to them.

The sad truth of this situation, however, that since both boys have Muscular Dystrophy, they will most likely not live into adulthood. Some question the validity of putting so much time and effort into their education since they will probably never "benefit" from it financially.

The way we see it, God has continued to keep these young men with us for a reason. He has a plan and purpose for their lives, however long they might be, just as He has a plan for us. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to help them carry out this plan as best as they see it.

Javier with some of his neighborhood friends--
I think they were curious to find out what the gringos were up to!

Right now, His plan and purpose for them seems to be attending school. Who knows the impact their presence in there school has on their classmates, or on their neighbors who see them struggling so hard to get an education in an area where many boys their age don't bother.

I know their determination and their courage impacts me each time I see them. I know that the dedication of their parents to give them the best possible life even as they watch their beloved sons decline physically, motivates and inspires me to keep advocating for the kids whose parents are not so dedicated.

So we will continue to do what we can to give them the best life they can have, for whatever time they have left. Some would call this a "quality of life" issue. On a human level, it is. Imagine the excitement of being able to get around on your own when your body will no longer allow you to do so. That's what power chairs do for these young men.

But beyond that, I pray that what we do enables them to carry out their God given purpose for this point in their lives. I am sure that in supporting them in this effort, we are carrying out the God given purpose for our lives.

UPDATE

Through the generosity of our sponsors, and Dick's never ending hard work and determination, both Javier and Francisco now have their own power chairs.

The boys showing off their power chairs

Please know, if you contribute to our wheelchair or battery funds, you are helping to change lives.  These donations are not just a one time gift, but provide daily freedom to move for many people here in Guatemala who would otherwise be confine to their homes.

Each of the boys proudly displayed for us their "Licencia Educative de Conducir" (student driver's licence) which was given to them by the local traffic police.  Usually these are just for fun, but to these two brothers, this is a sign of acceptance of them on the part of their community as they daily "drive" their chairs to school.