Estrella’s Broken Arm, Sept. 10, 2011

I’m borrowing some of Dick’s journals from this week.  For one thing, my camera is acting up so I don’t have any pictures.  For another, as I am getting ready to head to the States I’m finding less time to keep up with my writing.  So this story comes from Dick:

After being on the road from Sunday through Friday I was looking forward to having a quiet weekend at home. Those plans didn't last long though because as I was ending my 6 day road trip and pulling into the alley where I live I received a phone call from Ronny's mom. Ronny is the 16 year old boy whose family we have worked with for years who passed away a few months ago.

Ronny's mom told me that her daughter Astrilla (spelling is not even close) had fallen from a tree and broken her arm. She told me that did not have enough money to get her to the doctor yet alone pay the cost of a doctor or x-rays. When I asked mom how long ago Astrilla had broken her arm she told me that it happened 2 days ago. A short time later I had Pat call to see if we could get more details and perhaps talk to dad who does not seem to dramatize things as much as mom. A few years ago mom had made called to tell me that another daughter was hysterical because she had fallen into a pond and almost drowned. It was only after a 2 hour drive to their home that dad told me that his daughter had fallen into a mud puddle and started to cry because she had gotten her new dress dirty.

However after talking to dad this time we were convinced that Astrilla's arm could really be broken so early Saturday morning Pat, 3 of my boys and I headed down to the coast to see if we could find a doctor that we could bring Astrilla to on a Saturday. Oh yes there was always the option of going to the national hospital in Esquintla but after some of the experiences that I have had with National hospitals I much rather pay for a doctor.

To make what is becoming a long story a bit shorter I will condense things by saying. We got her to a doctor. X-ray's were taken. Mom claimed that we were taken as well because the visit with the doctor, the x-rays and the cast that was put on the arm that was indeed broken came to a whopping $80 American. I wish that I could get taken like that in the USA. Anyway Astrilla is now back home and doing fine.

Her broken arm does not seem to be slowing down Estrella too much.  We stopped for lunch at Pollo Campero in Santa Lucia before taking the family home.  Estrella managed to pack away quite the food, and still had room for ice cream.  (Ice cream makes everything better, doesn’t it?)

Surprise Phone Call, Sept 6, 2011

Esmeralda visiting with Carlos as her teacher looks on

Dick is up in the Huehuetenango area with Chris Mooney and Carlos from Bethel Ministries.  They are visiting the families Bethel serves in the area, both with school and nutritional support.  The families here are some of my favorites in Guatemala, and I was a bit disappointed I could not accompany them. 

Esmeralda talking to me on Dick’s phone

Imagine my delight when I answered the phone today, and it was Dick telling me he had someone with him who wanted to talk with me.  It was Esmeralda, a beautiful young lady who I had met almost a year ago when we took her to Guatemala City to see a neurosurgeon.  She had asked why I had not come, and jumped at the chance to visit by phone when Dick offered to call me.  We had a wonderful visit catching up with each other.

This simple gesture reminded me once again how important the relationships we develop with people are.  Esmeralda seldom can leave her home, even to go to school. I think I sometimes fail to realize how much friendship means to these children who are so isolated.  Lord, make me more aware!

Santiago Atitlan, Sept. 2, 2011

Before heading back to Antigua, we needed to go to ADISA, a special school in Santiago which was started by a Guatemalan lady named Argentina.  One of her students needed the speed on his wheelchair adjusted, and this would give me a chance to finally meet this incredible woman who I had heard so much about. 

I was not disappointed when she came to our hotel to meet us to take us to the school.  She has more energy than I have ever even thought of having, and is one of the most knowledgeable people I have met in Guatemala regarding the laws affecting the education of persons with disabilities in this country.  We became fast friends, and before I knew it, she was not only inviting me to spend time at her school, but stay in her home when I do.  Unfortunately, since I’m heading to the States later this month, I probably won’t be able to do this until at least January.  School dismisses for their “summer” vacation in mid-October and doesn’t resume until after the Christmas holidays.  This will give me something to look forward to in the New Year, however.

Our first stop was at the home of a young man Dick had given a power chair to in the past.  He had received a new one, and his father wanted Dick to pick up his old chair, in case someone else could use it.  While this may not seem like much to us, you need to realize that this chair could have been sold and the money pocketed by this family who surely could use the money.  They care more, though, about another child receiving the gift of mobility than the do about the cash the could earn from a sale.  Once again I am humbled by the generosity of the Guatemalan families we serve.

We were soon on our way to  the school to meet Alex. While Dick adjusted Alex’s chair, one of the teachers gave me a tour of the school facility, as well as told me the story illustrated on the walls of the school building.  School was not in session this day, but if the facility reflects the quality of their program, I can’t wait to see it in action.

Since we had to get back home before dark, we were not able to stay and visit too long.  I look forward to the day I will get to come back to spend some time with the teachers in the school, and support the excellent work they are doing.

Freedom at Fourteen, September 1, 2011

Imagine what it would be like to move independently for the first time in your life at age 14.  Today, we were able to make this dream come true for Nery Alex, a young man living in San Lucas Toliman near Lake Atitlan.

On a trip to the lake a few weeks ago, Dick was introduced to Nery by Argentina, a woman who has worked with special needs children in this area for many years.  Nery has been attending school, is an excellent student, but has little use of his hands.  The regular wheelchair he had been using was old and worn, and he needed to be pushed everywhere he went by one of his family members.  Dick knew a power chair would be just the ticket for this young man, and found one he hoped would work on the steep hills Nery must climb to get to and from school. 
When we arrived at the house, his mother told us that each day Nery would have his family wheel him out to the road to see if it was the day Dick would be returning with a chair.  This emphasized to me  how much the people we serve pin their hopes on the promises we make.  I fear too often Americans who come in for a short time make commitments which are quickly forgotten when they return to their busy lives in the States, never realizing the discouragement this brings to those depending on their help.  We try very hard never to promise anything unless we are certain we can make good on our word.  Even though this was just a few weeks later, it had seemed like an eternity to this boy who had been praying for a power chair literally for years.  (He had driven one when he had been hospitalized one time, and fell in love with it.)  What a privilege it was today to be part of God’s answer to Nery and his family’s prayers.


After unloading the chair from the Land Cruiser, the first challenge was to test and see if it would, indeed, climb the steep hills.  Esbin who had come with us on the trip, was only too happy to take the test drive, and to Dick’s delight, the chair went up the hills without slipping or straining at all. 



Next, Dick put Nery in the chair, and, after making a few adjustments, it was time to teach Nery to “drive.”  Cesar and Esbin were excellent interprets and teachers for this part of our task.  It was truly a joy to watch these two young men from Dick’s neighborhood take part in the ministry.  They have grown so much under Dick’s influence, and are a valuable part of our team here.  Today they outdid themselves in their effectiveness and kindness to this family.


Soon Nery was off, driving the chair as if he had been in one all his life.




I can only imagine the impact this freedom will have on Nery and his family.  One thing is sure.  They know first-hand that God has heard and answered their prayers.  I think that’s more important than the chair. . .

Hurrah! Jessica goes home. . .

September 14, 2010

September 3, 2011

Today I got to be a part of one of the happiest times we have here in Guatemala.  Jessica Vanessa was released from the malnutrition project at Hermano Pedro.  In the past year we have become very close not only to her but her whole family as well.

A year ago I wrote:

Tonight I met Jessica Vanessa and her mom.  I am always shocked when I actually hold these little ones. . .there was literally nothing to this child.  Our guess is she is somewhere between 15 and 19 lbs. at age six.  And she's beautiful.  And she has more energy that anyone in her condition should have, and she has the sweetest smile. (to read the rest of the journal from Sept. 14, 2010, click here.)

Dick had encountered Jessica when her mom brought her to a Hope Haven distribution in Mazatenango to get a wheelchair.  One look at her and he knew that if she didn’t get help she would not live to use a wheelchair.










It just so happened that there was a news team from Missouri covering this distribution.  They felt compelled to tell her story:

We spent a day in the clinics, before Jessica was admitted to the malnutrition project.  Since that time, Mom has called me Jessica's "abuelita" or grandma.  Not only Jessica, but her entire family has become part of our family.






This trip was the first of many we have made back to visit the family. In January, 2011, Dick returned with a few friends and built a new house to replace the make-shift shack the family lived in (shown above).


Virginia, a widow herself with six children to care for, has become an advocate for other families in her area who have special needs children. It seems that whenever we visit, she has found another family to take us to who is in need of help for their disabled child.



It’s hard to describe the transformation that has taken place as Jessica grew stronger and healthier, and even a little bit chubby. The pictures say more than my inadequate words ever could.

Jessica upon admission, September 14, 2010

October 7, 2010

November 24. 2010

December 8, 2010

January 20, 2011

February 20. 2011

August 6, 2011

Jessica on her way home, September 3, 2011!

Were her brothers and sisters happy to have Jessica home? You decided. . .

So it was a real treat to go with Dick as Jessica returned to her community of “La Benedicion” (the Blessing) after a year of her being away. When I first came to this aldea, I was struck by the irony of a place of such desperate poverty being called a blessing. A year later, I finally understand. . .those who live here are the blessing and they have surely blessed our lives.