The fastest week in Guatemala

Progress and growth for all of us here. My bio kids had the opportunity to help at Fundaninos. In addition to playing with the kids a lot, they helped at the school and with basic child care. With 5 am wake ups, they also attended 6am Bible study and enjoyed the delicious high carb meals.

At the Government Center, I shared the clothing donated by Renaissance Families and participated with the Physical Therapist. Seeing her skillfully manipulate the childrens arms and legs gives me the hope that they are progressing and may enjoy some level of autonomy eventually. I delivered a radio walkman with headset to Beatrize and she is in heaven listening to music. Her teachers find it a reasonably good tool to get her to comply behaviorally. They with hold from her when she misbehaves...

this keyboard does not have normal punctuation so I apologize...

JJ and Baila climbed the Mountain with the Boys

A typical Sunday afternoon here in San Jos Pinulla. I had committed to cooking the traditional Easter Spaghetti feast for 70, so Jamie Jr., had to lead the hike up the mountain. Took some great photos.

My kids arrived yesterday from the States and are a bit jet lagged. The cheap tickets had them flying at such weird times they vitually ulled all nighters getting here.
They are playing great with the kids and Baila is a good addition to the clan.

Alfredo eating... Yummy

Watch this and enjoy...

Here is the link to video 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BiDaUqg34

The two kids that stole my heart

These two cuties are my very favorite children. The girl on the top is Ingrid and the other girl is
Ananin. They both have significant disabilities. They respond well to attention and
are very happy, well fed and healthy youngsters. My favourite activity is helping them at
lunch time. They have sweet good natured dispositions.

If a picture conveys a thousand words, you have read my novella.

Thnx Ren Friends Mision Pascua 30 hours till take off

Thank you friends from Renaissance. Around Saturday I panicked as I realized I would be heading down with empty luggage. Last trip I managed aslightly overweight 110 pounds of gifts and clothing. This trip exceeds my capacity to carry, but Lizzie and Rianna can carry the res on Saturday. You guys are the BEST ad I thank you on behalf of the chiquitos.... Bendiciones.

Looking forward to seeing Lucas

Lucas is a wonderful young man. He has a thirst for learning. He carries a notebook with him at all times. He stuff it into his shirt and pulls it out at a moments notice. He loved his visor with the Baltusrol logo on the side. He loves wearing my eyeglasses, but cannot wear glasses on a regular basis because they could be a bit dangerous. When I gave him my basic 1-2-3-4 finger eye test, he failed every time, but I was unable to distinguish if it was counting or eyesight.
Prayer for this special young guy. I can't wait to see him.

Fun Video about Fundanios

Friends in Mixco (neighborhood)

Marta works at the center in the laundry. She has had a run of misfortune and takes care of her younger sister, Beatrize. Beatrize nearly died from Meningitis at four and is now 45. Because of her ailments she stays in their modest rented home continuously.

Marta had three grown children. Her son was murdered four years ago in a case of mistaken identity. He drove a car similar to someone on the hit list of the Mara (local gangs). He had a good job, new wife and baby and was a devoted Church goer.
Shortly after his loss, her common law husband died of cancer/old age. Then her house
burnt down and she rented the current home. She pays about 500 Q a month which is
around $40.

Beatrize has a type of epilepsy and had insufficient funds for her medications. About a month
ago, she had a seizure while home alone. She is ok, but has a nasty scar on the brow above her left
eye.

Last week, I gave Marta some money for the medicine. When I saw the box of medication, the
price tag was 44Q or about $6.00 US. I'm not sure if the meds last two weeks or a month,
but needless to say, I was taken aback by the modest total cost.
They live in a neighborhood that was quite modest. I was eager to depart before sunset.
Please pray for Marta and Beatrize.

Sunset over the Capital!

Another beautiful day here. The weather is always the same: 60-75 degrees, mostly sunny , but a little bit cloudy. TV Weather people have and easy job- they only have to show up once a week.

Great weekend. Took some friends and some kids to play miniature golf. There were about 16 of us running all over the golf course. Tough to explain the rules, so we had a lot of fun just making a little progress. The older boys were frustrated because the amusement center also offered a go-kart course. Maybe I can arrange to take them when it is their birthday.

Moises was very cute. He ahd a lot of fun and managed to stay dry! The little rivers in the course caught many balls.

Slept last night with the guys at Fundaninos. They are really very well behaved. We all slept well and started the morning rituals at 4:45 am. Think we need to introduce revilie and some songs, but it was really cute. We watched a DVD and ate some "Chikies".

The sunrise here is great. The morning dew covers my car and the peace of the countryside is wonderful-

plj

OKAT

Extra Week Here.. God gave us a hand

Able to change the return date to USA till the 25th.

Amigos del otro lugar. Casa para ninos,

Lucas has a new hat or sun visor

As you can see, Lucas is very pleased with his new Lid.
He's a very nice young man with a lot of energy. The other fellow with the Baltusrol visor was not as photogenic. If you're interested, I'll send you that photo privately. Just send me a note and I'll get back to you with that pic.

A little bit goes a long way here. Mostly, these kids need love and attention from people. Many have a sense of God and make gestures supporting their faith. One woman was pleased with the ashes she received from a Priest on Ash Wednesday.

Update - dateline Friday 13

I ask your prayers fro the home for mentally handicapped youth here in Guatemala - I am working with them on a variety of needs. There are about 57 patients with very low intelligence and other physical problems. Though relatively well fed and housed, they have a myriad of needs. I have spent two days visiting with them. Very sweet and loving kids. I had some hats and a visor with with insignia from Baltusrol and I gave it to Lucas. Pray for assistance in working with the Guatemalan government. Understandably, they are concerned about any negative publicity and inexperienced in working with private charities and private philanthropies.

Secondarily, I ask for prayers for Williams the nearly blind son of one of the employees of the home. He is 8 and the most loving little boy. Difficulties at his birth have left him nearly blind. He has one eye that works a bit and when he pressed it up to the glass of my iphone pics, he was very happy. He proceeded to take several photos of his hands and feet, so I really don't know what he can see. He loves music and has excellent hearing. His parents and he enjoyed their first McFlurry yesterday and they are really wonderful people.

I spent half the day with Williams family driving around Guatemala City looking for fabric. His Mom, Hilda, was unfamiliar with the seatbelt of a small Chevrolet. She has been on the bus or in very old cars for so long.

We ended up in the garment district and purchased two bolts of sweatshirt fabric (tela). She sews the pants for the patients at the Centro and they wear them out quickly. Some kids are not real rough on them, but others have aggressive neurological conditions and can destroy an outfit or two per day. About twenty five percent of them are completely incontinent and require continued care. Though I brought a hundred pounds of used clothing, I had made the mistake of acquiring some infant clothing. The smallest patient/guest is five years old. The infant clothing was appreciated by a staff member. They earn about $150 per month and have significant needs as well.

Great to be back and see these very special children and adults. Because of their

profound disabilities, I am reluctant to document much of limitations. The