* GUATEMALA * * * * * * * * Dick Rutgers *

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:52:00 +0000

Jojo

March 1998 to September 2, 2010

On August , 30, 2010 Pat wrote the following.

Yesterday I found Leonel was now on a feeding tube, because he was not eating enough on his own (He originally came in to the malnutrition unit 2 years ago, when he was 9 years old, weighing 14 pounds, so you can see why this is a concern). He looked so weak and frail lying in bed. When I picked him up to hold him though, we rediscovered his smile. He even drank about 2/3 of his bottle for me today, though it took about an hour to do so. I love this little guy like a grandson, and it is so hard to watch him struggle. I'm hoping prayer and time will bring him back to normal. I think Leonel is partly having a episode of "failure to thrive" as his dad had just visited last week, and I know Leonel gets homesick when he leaves. I think the hour or so I spent holding him was the best, and hardest, hour of my day.

Jojo, on the other hand, really has me worried. For a number of reasons, Jojo continually has breathing problems. Right now he is so congested he can hardly force the air in and out of his lungs. When I first saw him today, he was crying inconsolably, but, because he was receiving a breathing treatment and was on oxygen, I was hesitant to take him out of his chair and hold him. A while later, when he was in bed and Dick was visiting him, he really had a lot of respiratory distress. He also was burning up. At Dick's request, I asked the charge nurse about calling the doctor for him, and she explained to me, as if I was a bit dense and just didn't get it, that Jojo had congestion, and that they were treating it.

Now, I may not be a nurse, but I am a mom, and I know the difference between congestion and not being able to breathe. I had to walk away for a minute to "regroup" and keep from saying something spiteful. . . when I was back under control, I went back to the desk and said I understood they were treating him, but that Dick thought he was getting worse. Would she pleeeeaaaasssee call the doctor. And she did. I think this was as much to humor me as because she believed anything was wrong.

When the doctor arrived, however, things started happening quickly. An IV was started (after multiple attempts to find a vein and stabbing the poor kid a bunch of times), another breathing treatment started, the nursing supervisor came in to help, and Jojo was surrounded by people finally paying attention to his medical needs. Everyone, except Dick, seemed to forget, though, that this was not an unresponsive life-form being treated, but a scared little boy. The nurses, and even the doctor were so intent on helping him that no one spoke to him, no one told him what was going on or what they were going to do.

And then I looked up and saw Dick, stooped by Jojo's head, gently caressing him and gazing into his eyes. I thought my heart would break--seeing two guys I care for both in so much pain. But Dick didn't pull back from his pain, hide from it. It was almost as if he were "willing" that Jojo's pain become his own, to take some of the burden off this dear little one. And I know he did.

Eventually, Jojo was more stable, and we left. Walking out last night was hard, really hard. I was filled with pain and anger and frustration and confusion. I was angry at the casualness with which the nurses treated Jojo´s distress. I was frustrated wondering how long it would have taken them to notice that Jojo had a problem if Dick had not been there. And, for the first time in a long time, I was ticked at God for what I saw Him allowing one of His little ones to go through. I didn't even know how to pray for Jojo except to say, "Come, Lord Jesus."

As I write this a day later, I realize Jesus answered my prayer--this time through the hands and heart of Dick as he cared for Jojo. Okay, God, I get it. . .if we want to be Jesus, we have to embrace the suffering of the cross as He did. . .thanks, Dick, for another object lesson. . .

Pat

The above took place on Monday August 29. It is now Thursday September 2. JoJo hung on for a few more days but early this morning he went home to be with the Lord. Friends have been telling me that he will now have a new body and will no longer suffer. I am happy when I think about the no suffering thing but have a hard time picturing him looking any different than he did when he was here with us. Those of us who were fortunate enough to really get to know and love him know that he was already one of the most perfect little boys that God has ever created.

,,,,,,,,,.....,,..,,,,,Jojo

.......I know that you are now in a better place,

..................................................,,,,..,........but I will miss you.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, Auguast 25-29, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:48:00 +0000

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I am starting to feel guilty about posting more of Pats journals than my own but taking a bit of a break from journaling every day has felt pretty good so I think that I will live with the guilt and once again post several of Pat's journals along with a few of mine.

(Click on any picture to enlarge). . . . . . . .. . .

You will find everything that Pat wrote written in Blue

Mine is the Gray.

If neither of us want to take credit for it, we will choose a different Color.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Today, Wednesday, I spent the morning playing secretary for Dick as he measured folks at Hermano Pedro for new chairs. We went into areas of the hospital that I didn't know existed. A team of therapists from the US is coming in a few weeks to help build chairs and seat kids in the children's homes, and we wanted to have the information ready for them when they get here.

Since Bethel Ministries invests approximately $70, into each adult wheelchair and $180 into each specialty child's chair, I figure Bethel needs close to $2500 in sponsors for wheelchairs for the kids that we saw just this morning. Not bad though considering just one new specialty wheelchair would cost far more than $2500 in the States. Looking at these pictures of some of the folks in their current chairs, and the pictures of the kids that have no wheelchairs, I think it's a good investment.

I got up into the Malnutrition Ward for the first time since I moved down. I could easily spend all my time "hiding" up there, just cuddling kids, but still think the kids downstairs need me more. Hardly even talked to any of "my" kids today! Tomorrow a small team from Kentucky is coming in, so a number of kids will get to go to lunch.

Pat

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Today a small team from Kentucky was visiting the orphanage. These folks were great with the kids, and we were able to take 6 of them to lunch. This team was great. Not in a hurry, willing to take time playing with the kids, letting them go at their own pace. They seemed to enjoy the lunch together, and even hung out with the kids at the orphanage after we got back. They were a marvelous team to tag along with. Thanks for letting me come.

..........Henry ready to go.

Elmer, looking cool

Jason, one of Dick's kids,.......
getting into playing with Henry.

I think I've written about the concern on the part of the orphanage staff about the kids getting sick. Well, keeping them cooped up in a non-ventilated room has not seemed to help much (go figure). Today, two of the kids very close to my heart are very ill. Both are very medically fragile, Jojo having hydrocephalus and dwarfism, and Leonel continuing to struggle with malnutrition. I ask prayers for both of these dear ones. Leonel, especially, looked very weak to me today, hardly responding when Chris visited him.

Pat

...............Chris visiting Leonel

Dick holding Jojo..................

I recently came across this song and the video that goes with it. It really spoke to me. It is less then 4 minutes in length. Please take the time to watch it. Ir

Was what you saw disturbing?

With a click of your finger you can turn off this web page and act like you never saw this, but the fact remains that every minute 21 children die of malnutrition.

That over 25,000 children in Uganda have been kidnapped and forced to join an army and fight in a civil war.

In the past year alone I have personally held at least a dozen children in my arms who are no longer alive.

They are calling for us.... isn't it time we heard them and did something about it?

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday, August 27, 2010

This morning I stayed in Chimaltenango and did a few things. I tried out a new Barber but this guy is really expensive. I had to pay $1.50 for a haircut granted he trimmed my beard as well but I never expected him to charge me $.50 extra for that. I perhaps would have taken it better but I had just gone in and payed my light bill and my water bill. Would you believe this month my water bill climbed to over $2 and my electric bill reached a staggering $30 for the month. At that rate you would think that they would be able to keep the water on all day or at least run it to the inside of my house for me. Then again if they did it wouldn't do me much good because I don't have a sink in my house. II understand that there are people in the States that do though. If I remember correctly some people even have their bathrooms in their homes. Disgusting!!

Since they had no school (??) Esben and Elder spent the entire morning with me but by noon I was ready for some adult company so I brought them home and headed to Antigua. I picked up Pat and we had lunch together. We had a nice lunch and visited for over an hour then decided that we had our fill of no kids and headed to the orphanage.

I will let Pat tell you about the rest of our day.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Spent the afternoon just "relaxing" at the orphanage. When I got there all the kids were in bed, so I snuck into the room housing the littler kids. I've not spent much time with these guys lately, since the older ones want to do work the minute they see me. So today, I would concentrate on this half of the unit. Leonel still looks very weak and now has an IV running. Am really concerned about him. Jojo, though, looked a bit better today.

I haven't seen much of Julian lately and yesterday a therapist with the team gave me some suggestions on things to do to help him focus. So, I went to his bed and worked with him for a while. When I put up the side to go and ask Dick something, Julian began SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. I've never seen him cry before. So, instead of doing any exercises, we rocked for about an hour. He was so calm during this time, and I enjoyed the cuddling, too. He's a neat kid, very bright, with no communication. Makes very little direct eye contact, but LOVES his back rubbed. Today I was working with his legs quite a bit, trying to get some resistance when I pressed against his foot. It's hard for me to tell if he has any muscle strength in his legs, because he doesn't like this and keeps bending his knees. I'd love to see him be able to use a walker. Anyway, after an hour of rocking, he willingly went back to bed, and I moved on to the Malnutrition Unit.

I've not spent much time here. I've almost been avoiding it, and am still not sure why. Part of the reason is I guess I've been concerned that I would lose my focus from my main work. Today, I not only lost my focus, but lost my heart once again. Gidy is a beautiful, smart, mobile, verbal five year old, who is back in the hospital because of malnutrition. She looks perfectly healthy to Dick and me, but one of the therapists explained that much of her size is just swelling. She is a darling.

When I walked in she immediately rushed up to me, hugged me and gave me a kiss. Yesterday I'd told her I'd be back, and this is one young lady who will hold me to my promises. We played outside with toys for a bit, and then she just wanted to cuddle.

She was enthralled when Dick took out his camera, so I went and got mine and she took some pictures to show you all what the porch area of malnutrition looks like. She really did a good job for never having used a camera before.

All too soon it was time to leave, and she didn't cry, just told me I couldn't go. Not in a demanding way, but with a firm "No!" each time I explained I needed to leave. I promised to come back, either tomorrow or Monday.

After extracting a promise from me that I'd come to see her tomorrow, she finally agreed to let me go, after filling my face with more kisses. I don't know much of her story, but expect I will be spending quite a bit of time being loved by this little one.

Pat

Pat was not with me this evening so I guess it would not be fair to have her write about what went on at my house.

Question - How to you get 35 people into a small 3 room house?

Answer - Let 2 or 3 of the neighborhood kids know that 5 Americans are showing up at your house with Pizza.

I must admit though that it was a lot of fun and that I am very thankful that I do not have any carpets in the house. The kids and I would like to thank the Teem that is here from Kentucky for a fun night. Well I guess I will go out and get the garden hose so I can clean the floors. Then again I better wait until morning because it is 9:25 and they will be shutting the water off in 5 minutes.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Hay I am on a role, 2 journal entries in a row written by me. Then again it is the weekend so I will try to keep it short. The kids and I started off our day by going to a soccer game that Abner and Cesar were playing in. Marcos is on this teem as well but he injured his elbow playing basket ball at school yesterday and will not be able to play for a week or so.

Alex, 1 of his sisters and 2 of his brothers came in from SanMartine for the Pizza feed last night. Actually I had invited Alex because he had a birthday last week but had no celebration because his family could not afford one. We also celebrated Fernando's birthday last night. Fernando and Alex were 2 of the 3 kids that I actually invited. I figured that they would get the word out to the others and they certainly did. Anyway after this morning's game I offered to drive Alex, his sister and 2 brothers back home. Seems like going some where is almost as exciting as having a pizza party and not unlike a pizza party you only have to tell a few people about it and you end up with a mob. Soon the 12 of us were jammed into the borrowed pickup truck (Still no word on when the mechanic is going to have my car fixed) and heading down the road to SanMartine. I knew the kids were hungry and figured since Alex's mom and his other sister had missed out on last night's festivities that we would stop off and pick up some food before we reached their house. Wow talk about inflation. Pop, chips and enough roasted chicken to feed 14 of us set me back $14. That's a dollar each.

Alex and the rest of the kids in his family still miss living in Chimaltenango but my kids really enjoined getting out into the country. When I finally had to tell them that it was time to go home none of them wanted to leave. I wanted to get back home before dark though because the road between SanMartine and Chimaltenango is in bad shape do to all of the rain that we have been having. Here in Guatemala they do not put up signs where sections of road have been replaced by hundred foot cliffs.

We got back home at about 6 PM. Fernando's uncle and aunt had invited me to their house for a birthday dinner that they were having for Fernando. Knowing that everything in Guatemala runs on Guatemala time I showed up at 8 PM. I was an hour early.

Well that's about it for my Saturday so I will say "Goodnight."
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, August 28, 2010

This morning only 3 of the kids came along with me to church. This is an all time record low but several of them and other things going on and a few over slept. We had a wonderful service and 4 people who had recently been saved were baptized. After church the 4 of us went to Subway (Yes Antigua has a Subway) for lunch and then we hiked up to the cross that is on the hill that overlooks Antigua. Our hike was cut short though because as soon as we reached the top of the hill it started to rain. By the looks of the sky this was going to be more than just a shower so we quickly headed back down the hill to where we had parked the pickup truck. When we reached the truck it started to pour. We were glad that we were off from the mountain because it soon turned into a full fledged thunder storm.

Shortly before 5 the rain tapered off enough that I let the kids talk me into renting a soccer field and even though things were anything but dry it sure beet spending the rest of the day in the house. I manged to stay dry but that was only because I stayed under the tin roof of the bleachers while the kids played and I also stayed clear of the wrestling match that a few of the kids had in a large mud puddle after the game.

WOW ! I just went over and took a look at Pat's web page. Since I have already finished today's journal I am going to post it but I can't help but wish that I had once again copied Pat's. If you want to read something really inspiring please CLICK HERE.

Well that's about it for now so I will once again say "Goodnight."
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, August 18-24, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 04:41:00 +0000

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

This was our last day in Xela before heading back to Chimaltenango and Antigua. I had planned on doing today's journaling but some how Pat once again beat me to the punch. I guess I better start doing my writing before 11:45 PM if I want to beat her.

Dick

I lost my hart Again

Written by Pat Duff

I visited a children’s home in Xela for the first time. I’ve heard Dick talk about it for years, and now that I’ve been there I understand why it’s one of his favorite places. As soon as we arrived, the nuns came and greeted us. The Mother Superior came and greeted Dick, and spent quite a bit of time talking with me about their home. We then met the head therapist, Ana Lilian. These folks are the reason why this is such a special place for kids and young adults with disabilities.

Dick tells me that ten years ago, when he went to this home the first time, he wasn’t sure that he’d ever go back, it was so horrible. Most of the kids had their hands tied, some behind their backs. Dick told me how he cut the restraints off José and took them with him, he was so angry at what he saw.

Dick and Jose today.

But Dick did return, and each time it seemed that this place was a little bit better, due in large part to the attitude of the Mother Superior, Father Superior, and Ana Lilian. Now it seems to be one of the best places for special needs kids in Guatemala. It’s the first home I’ve visited here in which, when I was describing communication systems, Mother told me they already had some children using them! This is the first place where they haven’t looked at me like I was crazy when I talked about teaching kids to communicate with pictures. They are already doing it! I even saw a schedule for speech therapy on the wall—again this is the first “institution” where I’ve heard of this being done with disabled children. Mother immediately invited me to come and work with them any time I wanted to! I will probably take them up on this, since I think I could learn a lot from these people.

Our goal in coming here today was to assess the need regarding wheelchairs in preparation for a team that will be coming with Bethel in October. As Dick measured 15 kids for new chairs, and noted many more in need of repair, I played secretary and did the documentation on my computer, with the “help” of Javier. Using the computer, Javier told me he was 14 years old, and asked to come to visit my “casa” (house). What a heart-breaker. He obviously uses a computer in school, as he even knew how to access the games on this computer, which is something I haven’t figured out yet! Next time I come I want to visit their classrooms. Since we had to return to Chimaltenango and Antigua tonight, I wasn’t able to see the school in session, as they only meet in the afternoon. I can’t imagine it’s anything less than stellar, given the rest of the program in this home.

Each staff member is responsible for caring for the same kids every time they work, and the kids become “their” responsibility. For each kid who needed a new chair or repair, there was a care giver standing right there, telling us what they thought would be best for the child. The whole time we were there, I’m not sure I ever saw a caregiver sit down; they were always actively engaged with the kids. It was a wonderful sight to see, and I would be proud to have any of them work with me in a classroom.

I absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with two little girls with Downs Syndrome. Elena is two, and Yolanda is three, and they are the sweetest, most affectionate little ones I’ve ever met. Neither of them walk yet, but Ana thinks they both will. They’ve been at the home less than 6 months, so have not received wheelchairs, and are in strollers most of the day. While this is expedient, a wheelchair will provide proper support and increase the likelihood that they will be able to walk, as their muscles will develop properly. It was such fun to watch Dick measure these darlings for chairs. I really wanted to bring them home, but felt a little better knowing that they each have families who love them but are unable to care for them at home.

Yolanda

Elena

On the ride home I couldn’t help but reflect on the difference between this home and Hermano Pedro. There is so much work to do there. Change happens so slowly. I need to keep fighting the good fight, because our kids are worth it. There is so much I want to see happen to improve the quality of the care the kids here receive.

I think tonight I need to go to sleep with the Serenity Prayer on my lips:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

The courage to change the things that I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.

Pat

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Where I belong

Written by Pat

(I know, I know, Pat is doing more writing than me lately. It isn't that I'm not trying to pull my weight. fact is tonight I started writing a half hour earlier than usual but when I sat down at my computer at 11:15 PM there it was, Pats journal.)

I've been praying for discernment to know what things I should do here among the hundreds of needs I see almost each day. Walking into Hermano Pedro today confirmed for me that I'm where I belong. I almost cried at the excitement of the kids when I came in after being gone a week. Maynor told me that the nurses had stored my materials for me, and offered to get them. The kids couldn't wait to get to work. Today, though, I mostly wanted to get reacquainted with them after not seeing them for so long. I never understood how Dick could miss them so much when he was on the road. Now I do. I love traveling, but I love being with "my" kids even more.

As soon as I walked in, I heard cries from Ervin, and just had to take him out of his crib. It was 11 o'clock, and apparently he still had not been put in his wheelchair today. I was a bit frustrated, as it seemed a number of kids were still in bed, as the nurses sat preparing for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the children's unit on the 16th of next month. I wish they'd show half as much excitement over the kids as the do the existence of this unit. I need to reign in my critical spirit a bit, but guess my tolerance level is a bit low, given the excellent program I visited yesterday.

Today I worked for the first time with one of the teens in the Belen unit. Lanz greets me every day as I arrive, and appeared to be quite bright. Today he showed just how bright he was. He is a very independent worker, if you just give him a little praise and attention now and then.

It seems I'd just started working with the kids, when Flori, a social worker from the Santa Rosa area came to get me. She wanted me to see a child who was waiting for a doctor up in the clinic. Marco Gonzales is five years old, has a cleft lip, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. Flori wanted to know if I thought we could get him a wheelchair someday. I called Dick who was on his way to the orphanage, and asked him to bring in an application form when he came. I visited with the parents for a while, and learned this dear little one was having multiple seizures every day--partly because his parents can't afford the $20 a month to buy him medicine. When I met his little brother, my heart absolutely melted. This was a loving family stretched to the limit by trying to care for their son.

When Dick came, he measured Marco and when we discovered he would only be in Antigua this one day, Dick called the Hope Haven wheelchair factory to see if we could get him a chair today. As usual, the answer was "yes." After a quick lunch with a few of his neighborhood kids, they were off to the factory to set up a chair for Marco while he waited to see the doctor, nutritionist, and head therapist. Some days things just seem to fall into place, and today was one of those days. Thank you, God.

While they were gone, I spent time with Estuardo, a little guy with autism. He has the highest pitched shreek I've ever heard in a child when he's upset, and makes the loudest popping noise I've ever heard a mouth make when he's happy. Today we went into a gated area outside, and he could run free, and play. I put a mat down on the floor, gave him some plastic glasses to play with, and sat down and let him have at it. Today there were many more "pops" than there were shreeks. I even heard a variety of other babbling noises from him as he ran around, occasionally hurling himself into my lap for a hug.

This may not seem like a lot, but a hug from a child diagnosed with autism is a major accomplishment for the child. It was really neat, too, that whenever someone would walk by and try to talk with him, he's jump back into my lap. For the second time today I was moved to tears. While we didn't do much "work" today, Estuardo and I spent time getting used to each other. I have to admit, though, that I'm trying to find a better way to get him back to bed after we work. I got a real cardio work-out today doing this. Sometimes I feel every bit of my age, and navigating him into the ward was one of those times. Gratefully, I finally figured out if I had him walk backwards, he didn't fight me as much. I'm sure he still knew where he was going, but cooperated, maybe because he saw the desperation on my face.

Dick and the boys returned and seated Marco in his chair. Flori still had not found a way to pay for the medicine he needed, so I made sure that at least for a month Marco would have a chance at being seizure free. What we'll do next month, I'm not sure. I know I can't provide for every kid that comes through the clinic, but today was one of those days I felt I needed to take care of the need right in front of me. If anyone would like to sponsor medicine for this little guy, please email me and I'll help you set up something. $20 a month would cover it.

Sr. and Sra. Gonzales could not seem to believe that in one trip to the hospital their son received not only the medicine he needed, but his first wheelchair. Before either Dick or I could explain that these were gifts from God, Sr. Gonzales grabbed my arm, asking God to bless us for helping them. Once again I got to explain that we only worked for God, and it was our privilege to be able to be the vehicle by which He blessed this family.

All together, I'd say this was a very good day.

Pat

Friday, August 20, 2010

Written by Dick

The past few days have not been easy ones for me. It seems like there has simply been too much going on. Both Chris and Donna and myself have been bombarded with more requests from people than we can possibly handle. So many are sick and suffering. There is no way that we can help them all. Fact is some times it seems that we can not even help those that we have been helping in the past. Tonight while 5 of my kids were showing me there warn out shoes Fernando's uncle came over to my house to let me know that he is broke. He sits with his old pickup truck in front of a local building supply store every day hoping to find some one that needs something delivered to their home or building site but many other men that have old trucks do the same and deliveries are few. Today I also received a phone call from Chris telling me that Ronny's parents called him telling him that the school that Ronny, his brother and 4 of his sisters go to told the children that they need uniforms in order to march in a parade next month. Uniforms in public schools are against the law but many of the schools have found a way around it. If you don't wear one your grades are lowered and you are in that way forced to drop out of school. Ronny's mom and dad are talking about pulling the 4 girls out of school. The past few months have more than drained our medical funds. How can we say no to a 23 year old lady who will die if she does not get medical help or a little boy who's head is bulging because his parents can not afford to get him in to a doctor yet alone pay for an operation?

Not all of the need are financial ones. Many require our time. Time that it takes to get these people to the hospitals. Time to go out and buy the needed shoes and uniforms. Time to build those houses or do those wheelchair distributions.

Some times when it seems to get overwhelming I go down to the orphanage in Antigua, leave my tools in the car and just hang out with the kids. Today I tried to do that. I took along Esben who was once again out of school (????) We figured that we would meet up with Pat. Play with the kids for a while and then take a few of them out to lunch. Even though it was nearly 11 AM when we got there we found that all of the kids were still locked in the 2 rooms where they sleep. After bringing a few of them out side one of the nurses who was sitting outside at a table with all of the other nurses working on making decorations for an up coming celebration came over to us and told us that the orphanage doctor had decided that any time that the sky is overcast the kids have to stay inside because a number of them have colds. It was overcast but it still had to be nearly 80 degrees out side. I am sure that the kids are less likely to catch a cold if they are all locked up together in 2 non-vented rooms.

Pat went inside and worked with some of the kids while Esben and I spent the rest of the day repairing wheelchairs. That to seemed a bit overwhelming. Out of over 200 wheelchairs that are in the orphanage only 4 of them are power wheelchairs. Not that there is not a need for more power wheelchairs but that is all that the orphanage will allow. (Something about too much electricity) In the few days that I was on the road 3 out of 4 of these power wheelchairs had quit running. Today we managed to get 2 of them up and running and replaced the third with one from the shop so if they ever do decide that the kids can come out of there rooms they will at least have a bit more freedom.

I am sorry if today's journal is on the negative side but it has to be known that as much as we love it here it some times gets hard. Perhaps this is just God's way of reminding us that we can do nothing on our own and it is all about Him, but we are human and we forget and we do get tired. Please uphold us in your prayers.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Before posting what I wrote today I decided to take a look at Pat's journal. I thought that perhaps it would be better to post something a bit more uplifting. The following is what I found. Like I said please keep us in your prayers.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Pat wrote the following. (Aug 20, 2010)

Today was hard, Really hard.

I think I must have been tired or touchy or something. But it irritated the snot out of me to once again walk into the children's ward and find the nurses more engaged in making decorations than they were with the kids. All the kids were inside, some still in bed. No one was allowed outside today because the doctor has decided that's why so many kids are getting colds. I know it's the rainy season but it's spring like temps. I wonder what it will be like in January when the temperatures do get cold. Besides, cold air does NOT cause colds (sorry, Mom, but it's true!).

The kids were still anxious to work, though, and work we did, with a short pause for lunch. After lunch all the kids (even the ones who usually are left up) were put to bed. I tried to make the best of it by working with them in their beds. How I miss the days only a few years ago when I was physically more able to lift and carry kids. The only ones I can get out are the smaller ones, or those, who, like Ervin, can and will support their weight. God help me, though, if I have to get him back in bed alone!

Today it seemed a number of kids were especially needy. Henry's mother had just brought him back from a visit home, and he was very sad. Elmer was cranky and cried every time he didn't get his way. Bobbie felt like I had ignored him, and sobbed when it was time to put the activities away for lunch, because he hadn't had a turn. Byron's electric chair was broken (though Dick managed to MacGuyver it back together again), and since he couldn't move around on his own wanted constant attention. And my precious Ervin, he was just Ervin.

How I wish there were five of me. How I wish the nurses would join in with what we're doing. How I wish I had a real place to work when we can't be outside.

But I can spend my time wishing, complaining about how things aren't the way I want them to be, or I can focus on the one child that is in front of me right now. Believe me, I want to cry, complain, today even maybe scream a little. But, though that might (probably would) make me feel better, I really don't think it would do much for the kids who today needed some lovin'. Today, though, for some reason, it was hard to get my mind off of myself and focus on what they needed. It was hard to be patient when Byron dropped the spoon he was trying to put in the tray for the 10th time, and wanted me to pick it up RIGHT NOW! It was hard to remember how far Ervin has come when he would purposely knock the spoon out of Byron's hand just as he was about to get it into the tray. It was hard to be patient when 7 kids all want attention, and there are 3 more lying in their beds crying and I can't get to all of them.

And as I write this, I realize just how much I am like the kids. I stumble daily in my attempts to love. I carelessly smack (maybe just with words, but they hurt nonetheless) at those closest to me when I don't get my way. And sometimes I just want someone to notice me, to pay attention to me. And my Father patiently puts up with me in all these times. More than that, He pursues me, comforts me, heals me. And I know He'll come through for me tonight, for I can say with Paul:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
2Cor. 4:7-9

Guess tonight, I'm just realizing how much my jar of clay (some of my friends would probably say my "cracked pot") at times gets in the way of His all-surpassing power. "Father forgive my self-consciousness and let me focus on you, realizing you will not permit me to be crushed, nor will you abandon me, or let me be destroyed. I will not despair".

Pat

Saturday, August 21, 2010

It is the week end, so I hung out with my kids today. They helped me do some cleaning and painting and as a reward for good report cards we even took in a movie. It was a dumb one, but then again aren't most movies now days?

Later this afternoon all of the kids pitched in and we got a lot of work done around the house. What is left of my grass (after a lot of football games) got cut. My car ( or I should say the one that I am borrowing while my engine gets rebuilt) got washed. And three of the walls of my house (Same ones that were painted 2 months ago) got painted. Several of the kids wanted work because I told them that I would help them out with new shoes if they could come up with at least part of the money. I was going to wait until someone brought some in from the states but if the kids are to stay in school they need them now. It looks like Monday night we will go sho shopping.

Tonight only 3 kids are staying but these 3 love to stay up late. They don't know it yet but I have the computer sett to shut off automatically at 11 PM so at least I wont have to listen to rigatoni or rap all night.

Well I am going to at least head of to bed and close my eyes. So I will say "Goodnight".
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Still the weekend so I will try to keep this one short.

Church with the kids.

Lunch with the kids.

Visited the orphanage kids with the kids.

Hung out at home with the kids.

Rented a soccer field with the kids.

Three of my kids had to be spectators instead of players, because they had no shoes.

Tomorrow we are definitely going shoe shopping.

Went to Antigua and had supper with Pat. No Kids. I love them but everyone needs a break every now and then.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Monday, August 23, 2010

Esbin was at my door at 7 AM this morning. He claimed to have no school today so I took him along to Hermano Pedro with me. When I first met Esbin a few years ago he was mad at the world, he had a foul mouth, lyed and, had sticky fingers. He has come a long way is a short time. He is now quite pleasant most of the time. I seldom hear him cuss. And to my knowledge has not stolen anything in well over a year now. Today I found out that he still has a ways to go with the lying though. He did great at the orphanage today. He not only helped work on wheelchairs but really loved on the kids. He even did well with Ervin when we took him to lunch. Ervin was once again being Ervin and wanted nothing to do with Esbin simply because Pat and I were pushing the wheelchair of 2 of the other kids and Ervin was jellos. Esbin stuck to it though and within a few minutes Esbin wanted little to do with Pat or myself because he wanted to be with Esbin.Where did the lying come in then. Well I did not find out about it until this evening but it actually took place at 7 AM this morning when Esbin came over and told me that he had no school. When I found out that he was lying to me I went over to his house and talked to Victor about it. Victor is only 24 years old but having had to raise his younger brothers and sisters plus the 4 kids that his mother took in before she got sick and died has given him a lot of wisdom. Victor and I decided that Esbin will have to miss the Pizza feed and Fernando's birthday party that is going to be at my house this Friday. Esbin was also told that if he ever pulls a stunt like that again he will be grounded from my house for several weeks. Perhaps we should have come down a little heavier on him but thinking back to my school years I knew that I would still be locked in my room had my parents not been lenient.

After all was said and done the kids and I went shoe shopping. Four of my kids will now once again be allowed to go to their PE classes and another will be allowed to stay in school. I would say that was $100 well spent.

David, the little one in the front didn't need shoes
but insisted on being in the picture anyway.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Yesterday I was suppose to meet Geidy a little girl that lives about 2 hours north of Huehuetenango and her mother at Hermano Pedro so that she could see a one of there doctors and then be referred to a teem of ear specialists who are scheduled to come in to Hermano Pedro in January. The family had asked if Geidy's grandfather who has a hearing problem could also come along with Geidy ans her mother but I told them that since there was going to be another teem of specialists at Hermano Pedro this week things would be really busy and lodging would also be a big problem so it would be best for him to come at a different time. I still had my fears that all 3 of them would show up instead of the 2 of them. I must admit though that I was not prepared for 6 people to show up. Even though they claimed to have little or no money I told them that I had only arranged for food and lodging for Geidy and her mom and that the rest of them were on their own. As it was I had to find a hotel for Geidy and mom because Casa Defay was full. Ximora told us about a hotel that charged only 30 Q ($2.50) per person but they said that they would try to find a church or some thing to stay in. I held my ground and when we got to the hotel where Geidy and her mother were going to stay the other 4 mysteriously came up with enough money. Funny thing the same thing happened this morning when I bought the 2 of them breakfast. I hate to be hard nose but there are times here in Guatemala when it is necessary. As things turned out Grandfather managed to see a doctor and will soon be coming back to receive a hearing aid. Geidy will also be coming back in January to see a specialist who will hopefully be able to put an opening in her ear.

Oh I almost forgot to mention that this afternoon I drove Geidy, her mother and the rest of the crew down to Esquentla so that she could receive a test to see if she will be able to hear once the operation is done but the test equipment at the lab where the tests were suppose to be done was broken.

After the people at the lab explained this to the family they told me that they were sure that the operation would be a success and showed me that Geidy could hear her grandmother over a cell phone even when it was put up against her bad ear. On the way home I was also able to share with this family just why were were here doing what we are doing. So the trip was not at all in vane. In spite of the fact that 6 people came instead of 2 I found this to be a delightful family but made them promise that next time they come the only come with 2 of them unless they want to pay for everything themselves.

We have a small teem in this week and I planned on joining them for dinner this evening but after seeing the looks on the faces of the 11 kids that were in my house when I told them that I was leaving I changed my plans. I hope that the Americans understand but many of my kids go with out supper if they do not eat here. Besides that, I feel that family should always come first.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, August 11-17, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:41:00 +0000

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I am once again graciously allowing Pat to write much of this weeks Journal.

(I hope that she never reeds the story of how Tom Sawyer got his friends to whitewash the fence.)

Dick

Pat Writes

Today we are in Quetzeltenango, or as many here call it Xela (the city's Mayan name), holding a wheelchair distribution at the Fundabien therapy center. This is a very nice facility, with good equipment and a great staff of therapists. These folks immediately pitched in unloading the truck, setting up seating stations, and actively took part in the seating process. They were eager to learn, and enjoyed getting hands-on experience in fitting wheelchairs. Many of the people coming today were "their" patients, and they wanted to help care for them. You could tell that working with the disabled is more than a job for most of these folks; it's a calling.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men,
Since you know that you will receive
an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

(Col. 3: 23-24)

One of the first things I experienced today was a little girl sitting with her mother, who grabbed me as I walked by and gave the the biggest hug, a kiss, and the sweetest smile. Most Guatemalan children are a bit hesitant around gringos, but not this child. She was the "life of the party" as Jorge worked to adapt a walker to her small size. She was pretty fearful of using it at first, but I think within a few days she'll be running around in nothing flat.

I didn't do much today except translate for Dick when he needed me (I´m practicing my medical and mechanical vocabulary a lot these days) and talking with the moms/grandmas and playing with the kids while Dick and Jay worked on their chairs. I sometimes feel a bit guilty when I'm at distributions, because I get to do the "fun" stuff, while the others do the hard work of actually setting up chairs. Today, one little girl stands out to me. She was brought to the distribution by her grandmother. Her mother had gotten married about ten months ago, and her new husband wanted nothing to do with this little one, so she abandoned her to her own mother. This child was pretty sensitive, and would bite herself on her hand when she got agitated. I was able to help her grandmother with some ideas of how to interrupt the biting, and discovered, as with many of the children here, that singing very softly to her calmed her immediately. Her grandmother seemed pleased that someone cared enough to spend time with this precious girl, and I left feeling like maybe I'd managed to contribute something after all. More and more I realize that all I have to give is Jesus' message of love and hope and compassion to these families, whether I share the gospel in words or not.

I did get to present the gospel to one young woman in a rather interesting way. While they were working on her son's chair, I noticed he had been given a "witness bracelet" (of colored beads each representing a gospel truth) by someone on the team. I casually asked him if he knew what the colors meant, and he shook his head know. Immediately, his mother asked me to explain them, and I gladly did. Did she make a decision for Christ? I don't know--I hope she did when she talked with a pastor before leaving. But the seed was planted, and I believe that sometimes that's just what the Holy Spirit tells us to do.

Today it seemed many parents had brought their children to the distribution, but had not registered for a wheelchair in advance. In this city there seemed to be a lot of children with hydrocephalus who either had never had shunts put in, or whose shunts were obviously not working. These children need a very special type of chair, with adequate head support, and we had nothing suitable to give them. I know it was hard for Chris, but he made the right decision in telling them that they would have to wait for the next distribution to receive the correct chair. I used to think that any wheelchair was better than nothing, but working with Bethel I've learned just how wrong I was. An improperly fit chair will cause bed sores, and in this country bedsores become infected and people die. It's hard to say "wait," but it's better to disappoint a parent for a few months than to damage a child for life.

We also had another family who brought their eighteen year old son to receive a chair, but had not registered. They had brought him to the last distribution Bethel had done in this area, and left without one because there was not an appropriate chair to fit this young man. He is so rigid that he cannot be put into a sitting position, and his legs are twisted to the point they cannot be straightened. Dad was very upset that once again an appropriate chair was not available, but Dick promised to construct one at the shop in Chimaltenango and bring it to Xela as soon as possible. I'm not sure the father really believes he will do this, but he will when we make another trip there to bring him a chair made specifically for him. I hope the father will soften when he sees that Dick said "no" to him out of love and compassion for his son, and that he is a man of his word who will follow through and make a 3 1/2 hour drive to deliver a chair.

Pat

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today the teem spent a good part of the day at Hermano Pedro orphanage. I misplaced my camera so I didn't get any picture while I was at the orphanage. Actually I thought that I lost it after I left home but later this evening Elder found it under my bed. It had evidently fallen off from my belt while I was getting dressed. If you were ever to look under my bed you would consider the fact that he found it nothing short of a miracle.

Pat was already at the orphanage when we arrived but shortly after we got there she received a phone call form Mari, the lady who's house she lives in telling her that the place had been robbed. The bandits stole Pats computer, a photo printer and a back pack. Two more computers, clothes, bedding, a stereo, and, believe it or not, a papaya were also taken from the house. Mari the owner of the house was very upset and comforting her seemed to be Pats only concern as Pat took the loss of her personal items in her stride. I think that Pat realized that things like this happen here in Guatemala and also that everything that we have belongs to God anyway. I don't exactly understand why God wanted the bandits to have her computer but fully understand the papaya thing. (Those thing are disgusting!)

When I got home this evening my kids were hungry enough that they would have eaten even a papaya but I was not mad a them so I made them Spaghetti instead.

The kids don't like it when I am on the road so much but understand that it is some times necessary. I have to go back to Xela for a few days next week but plan on spending the next few days here at home doing some fun stuff with them.

Well over half the kids have headed for home and the remaining 5 have informed me that this is going to be home for them tonight so I guess I better head of to my bed before it gets taken.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday, August 13, 2010

This morning Esbin (No School??) Elder, (Likewise??) and I headed over to the shop and set up a power wheelchair for a lady that live in Antigua. On our way to her house we stopped off at Pat's place. Since she can not wait to try out the computer that I loaned her I will let her take over from here.

Dick

Pat Wrote the following.

After lunch Dick stopped by and brought me a computer to use. (I don't know if he was trying to be extra kind to me, or just wanted to make sure we got "our" journal published!) He also invited me to go with him and Espin and Elder to deliver a wheelchair to a lady in Santa Ana who we had visited last week. Since I was having a little bit of "cabin fever" and Mari was home, I decided to tag along.

This dear lady has had four strokes, and has use of only her right hand. . She and her husband have lived in Guatemala for thirty years, and she knows both Spanish and English. She has some speech, but it is very slow and difficult. Her mind, however, is right on target, and she is a delight to visit with. I'm hoping, once I replace my computer, that I can develop a simple communication book for her so she can make requests more easily.

Today, after some minor adjustments, she was traveling around her house freely for the first time in a long time. She had used an electric chair in the past, and needed only a short time to get used to "driving" around her house. This is quite a challenge, as it is a small house with a lot of furniture, but I think she'll get the hang of it in a few days.

On the way back to town, I was delighted to hear Dick talk about how the kids had continued working yesterday even after I left. I was a little surprised when he told me how well my "students" had done working on their own, as I hadn't really thought of them in those terms before. From what he described, though, that is an apt description of these kids--they are learning much and teaching me more. I've always said that the sign of a good teacher was that her class could run without her. Today, the kids made me look good!

Pat

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Some of my boys had another soccer game this morning. We has intended on going swimming after the game but a thunder storm convinced us to postpone those plans for a day or 2. Instead I drove Pat to the City so that she could buy a new computer. Nearly all of the kids wanted to come along with us but since I was driving Chris's pickup and it has no canopy Bryan was the only one that came along with us. Why was I driving Chris's pickup and not my Land Cruiser? You guessed it. It is once again in the shop. After all it has been nearly a week since it was last worked on. Just think what it would be like if I did not drive a car that was rated as the most maintenance free car ever built. I must admit though I have been checking around just in case there is something out there that is a little more reliable. I now have it narrowed down to 3 choices.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Eight of the kids came along with me to church this morning. Even though it was raining a bit we decided to go swimming after lunch. Lately there have been several robberies at the hot springs that is located about 15 minutes from my house so they now have soldiers stationed there. I figure as long as they are there it is a pretty safe place to swim as long as one of their machine guns do not go off accidentally.

When we got home I told the kids that I needed a few hours to myself but changed that to only an hour when they reminded me that tomorrow I head to go to Xela for a few days.

It is getting late so I will once again say "Goodnight".
Yours in Christ: Dick

Monday, August 16, 2010

Shortly after getting the 3 kids that spent the night off to school 2 others, Esbin and Elder showed up at my door. Esbin said that he had no school because his teacher was sick and Elder said that he was not going to school because he had a stomach ache. They both asked if they could go with me to Hermano Pedro to help me work on wheelchairs. Elder gave me a rather surprised look when I told him that if he was to sick to go to school there was no way that he could come along with me. I think that I was a bit smarter when I was little because when ever I played sick I waited until at least noon before I felt better. I did let Esbin some along to the orphanage with me after making a phone call that confirmed that Esbin's teacher did not show up at school. At lest she had the decency to give her students 3 days advanced notice that she was going to be sick today.

Esbin and I worked at the orphanage until about noon and then I picked up Pat. She had agreed to come along with me to Sela to help translate for a few days.

To help stifle any gossip or roomers.

Look, Separate Rooms

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

In her August 13 journal Pat wrote about a man and his wife that brought their son in to the wheelchair distribution that we had in Xela. This family had not registered their son for a wheelchair so we had no idea that he was coming to this distribution. Had the family brought along the wheelchair that we had given their son 3 years ago we could have possibly made it larger so that it would accommodate their son but they had left it at home. If he needed just a regular wheelchair we would have done our best to give him one. However this young man was extremely rigid and after looking over every chair that we had I had to tell the family that I would have to take measurements and photos of their son and bring them a chair in a week or 2. At that point the boys father became extremely agitated and told me that he knew that we would never give his son a wheelchair. I promise that we would return but he would not give us a phone number and even ripped a piece of paper that had their address on it out of Pat's hand. Since they had not registered with us or filled out any paper work it would be difficult to ever locate this family. However even though Father was anything but friendly this young man needed a wheelchair. After he stomped out of the room mom told us what town they lived in and even gave us their phone number but told Pat that her husband would be angry if he found out that she had given it to us. Common sense told me that we should let this one go and do nothing about it but I had made a promise, besides I knew that a proper wheelchair could help keep this young man alive. Should I forget about him or his mother who was the one that had to carry him around simply because father was being a jerk? Pat felt the same way. That is why this morning we headed out to look for a family that we had no address for other than the nearest town which to our knowledge could be miles from where they lived and a phone number that we had been calling for the past several days but so far had not reached anyone on. Before heading out from the motel Pat made one more call and to our delight some one answered the phone. It was the boys father. Pat quickly explained to him who we were and that we had a wheelchair with us that the men at our shop had prepared for their son. Father seemed quite friendly and agreed to meet us at the central park of the small town that they lived near. When we got to the park no one was there but about 15 minutes later father arrived. He got into the car with us and pointed up a narrow dirt road. He told us that they lived only a short distance up the road. Here in Guatemala a short distance can be anything from a few hundred feet to several miles. Today's ride was even further than that. Father was very friendly though and seemed happy that we had brought the wheelchair. Perhaps we had read him wrong. When we finally got to their home we went inside. The young man that needed the wheelchair was lying on a bed. The wheelchair that we had given him a few years ago was sitting there but after taking one look at it I knew that there was no way that I could make it work for this young man. He had outgrown it and his body had also become too rigid for this type of wheelchair. I told the family that I was glad that we had indeed brought a new wheelchair. Because his old one was no longer going to work for him. About a half hour later I had everything adjusted and we had him in the wheelchair. I asked father if we could take the old wheelchair that was of no use to this family and in need of lots of repair back to the shop with us so that it could be rebuilt and given to someone smaller than his son that could use it. Father refused. I tried to explain that this wheelchair that was of no value to him would be a big blessing to some one else but he would not hear of it. Now that he had the new wheelchair we saw the same personality that we had had seen on the day of the wheelchair distribution. One look into his wife's eyes told us that you did not mess with this man. We shook hands and were on our way. I had thought about asking him to ride out with us to the town where we had met him because there were all kinds of switchbacks and turn off and I was not sure that I could find my way out but decided that I was likely better off getting lost for half a day than having his man in the car with us. I must admit the ride out was a lot further than the ride in and even though we never did get back to the same town we did eventually find our way back to Xela. Were we sorry that we made this trip? Not one bit. We kept our word, the young man got the wheelchair that he needed, mom would no longer have to carry him around and even though we are not sure how well it was excepted we did share with this family that we were there to demonstrate the Love of Jesus to them in what ever way we could.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Pat has offered to write about our next visit of the day.

Even though Henry, the boy who had the not so friendly father needed a wheelchair as badly as Christopher did the attitude of Christopher's family made this visit a little more pleasurable for us.

Pat writes the following.

After leaving Henry’s we drove on to visit Christopher’s family. I’d heard about Christopher from Dick for a number of years, and was excited to meet him. Christopher, his widowed mother, brothers and sister live on the side of a mountain near San Francisco. Much of this mountain fell in a landslide during hurricane Stan a few years back, and where their house sits is actually condemned land. But, when you have no where else to go, you live where you can.

Christopher and his grandfather were home when we arrived, and one of his brothers went to get mom. I can’t be sure, but I think she was down at the creek doing laundry, because when she came her hands were wet. She is such a little bit of a woman, it wasn’t hard to believe that part of our reason for visiting was to arrange for a tutor for Christopher. He had been attending school, but, now at 16, is just too big for her to carry up and down their hill to the house where his power wheelchair is stored. And I used to gripe about driving my kids to school! Mom is pretty heartbroken that Christopher can’t attend school because she just can’t get him there anymore.

We were able to tell Christopher and Mom that a sponsor was willing to pay for a teacher to come and tutor Christopher for five hours a week. While not the same as being in school, this news excited them both. When we told them we’d also brought a new power wheelchair for Christopher, I thought his face would burst he smiled so big.

Christopher is a bright, delightful young man. He seems to appreciate everything that is done for him, at the same time expecting nothing more than what he is given. He was more concerned with the fact that his grandfather has been ill than he was with the fact that he was no longer in school. When I asked him what he would like the teacher to work on with him, he said whatever they would teach him would satisfy him. I have met few young men his age, either in Guatemala or in the States, who are this unselfish. He’s touched my heart greatly.

We asked him if he’d like to see his new chair, and he just about jumped with excitement. Dick offered to carry him down the hill to the truck, and then we would drive the rest of the way to the house where it would be stored in the pickup. As we walked down the hill, I was again amazed at the unselfishness of his mom, who had carried him up and down twice a day for years just so he could attend school. I’d had difficulty just walking up the hill myself. I really can’t imagine how she did it. The power of love is the only explanation I can come up with.

After changing out the joystick, and moving it to the left side of the chair, Christopher was off and “running.” He had such a look of freedom on his face. Watching him, I realized that it was probably just as hard on him that mom had to carry him as it was for her to do so. I realized once again the blessing of this independence for both of them. Now if we could only figure out an easier way for her to get him to his chair. While he doesn’t go to school each day, mom still takes him with her to market so he doesn’t feel quite so isolated. Even a once a week trip up and down the hill is too much for this lady, but she does it for her son.

It started to rain, so we headed back to their house, driving them as far as the pickup could go. When Dick offered to move the car and then come back to carry Christopher home, mom refused, saying she was able to do it. As we turned around, mom stopped, with Christopher on her back, to make sure we could get out. I can’t get the picture of her out of my mind as she stood watching us leave, waiting until we were out of sight, to make sure we were okay. I am grateful for meeting this amazing lady, and someday hope to grow to be as unselfish as she is!

Pat

Journal, August 6-10, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Friday, August 6, 2010

I was actually going to do my own journaling today but since Pat once again beat me to the punch I decided that there was no sense in each of us writing about the same thing. I will write tomorrows journal though, I promise, I think.

Dick

Pat writes the following.

I was awakened at 6 am this morning by my phone ringing. (Actually I’d been pretty much awake since about 4, but lying in bed daydreaming and/or praying.) I was surprised to see the call was from Dick. Ronnie’s dad had just called him, and Dick wasn’t quite sure what he wanted, but thought it was urgent for him to have called at this early hour. Would I call and find out what he needed?

Ronnie’s family has become especially dear to me over the last two years, so of course I was willing to call. I found out that Ronnie’s grandma, who had been battling cancer for a number of years, had died during the night. The family had no money to bury her. Would we help?

Well, within the hour Dick and I were headed to Santa Lucia, on our way to Ronnie’s. I got to see a bit more of the damage done to the countryside by tropical storm Agatha—including a road that was mostly washed out, but still in use. While I can’t say I was particularly scared crossing this area, I was grateful that even though it was not raining, Dick hugged the shoulder opposite the cave in.

We made good time and arrived to find many family members at Ronnie’s aunt’s house, where grandma had died. We first went farther down the road to Ronnie’s house to visit. Though the family knew that Grandma was dying, they all were taking it pretty hard. Ronnie seemed especially subdued today.

We talked about what had been going on in their lives, discovering that two of the children who had not been doing very well in school had improved significantly. Amid the grief, we were able to brighten their day a bit by discussing an outing we hope to take with the kids in the near future. Dick regularly rewards the kids for good grades, and this time we’d even reward increased effort and improvement.

While the children were working hard in school, we found that four of them were having their grades “docked” because their shoes had worn out, and they weren’t wearing the correct ones. This pretty much enraged me, because I know this is illegal to do, even in Guatemala. But, as with many laws on the books here, no one enforces certain aspects of a “free” education, and though the schools must comply if the parents resist, in the end the kids will pay the price by receiving different forms of ridicule from their teachers. I have met some of the absolutely best teachers in the world here in Guatemala. I have also met some who I think take pleasure in persecuting poor children. At any rate, I was able to make sure that next week the kids would have new shoes and would be receiving the grades they earned.

As we were talking, we also learned that Ronnie’s mother was expecting her eighth child. I still don’t really know how my heart is reacting to this news. In addition to the difficulty they already have feeding their seven children, Ronnie’s mother is a carrier of the gene for muscular dystrophy, which is the disease that is slowly killing Ronnie. This means, if the child is a boy, he has a 50% chance of also having MD. If a girl, she will have a 50% chance of carrying the gene for MD, and will pass it on to her children if she does. It is hard to watch Ronnie’s condition deteriorate. Dick is constantly looking for signs of MD in the two younger boys. I can hardly think about the possibility that this family might have to one day go through this devastating disease with another child. Yet, another is on the way. I believe in my head that no child is an accident, that each is a gift from God. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to get my heart to go along with what I already know.

We finally went down to pay our respects to Ronnie’s grandma. Dick had known her for years, even facilitating the building of a house for her. She was a rather difficult woman, who had suffered many disappointments in her life, and life had taken its toll on her in many ways. (Those of you from the 2008 Westside team know her. It was her house that we moved to set on a foundation.) Whatever her failings, though, it was clear to me how much her grandchildren loved her. Claudia, who is four, clung to me, telling me she really didn’t understand why she could not see her grandma any more. This broke my heart as a grandma, but I was grateful she felt close enough to me to share her confusion at all that was going on.

As we went to leave, the “hearse” (really a type of station wagon looking car with a HUGE speaker mounted on top) had arrived and was blocking the narrow road. So we would wait. And wait we did, only to discover that the coffin that had been brought was too small. The hearse would have to return to La Gomera, a town about 30 min. away, for a larger one. Could anything else be more difficult?

The answer was yes. In turning around, the hearse got stuck in mud all the way up to the back bumper. The more the driver tried to get out, the more he spun his wheels and dug himself in deeper. Ronnie’s dad had a heavy chain, and, after a few attempts, the Land Cruiser came through once again and Dick was able to pull the hearse to solid ground.

This was a long day, and quite a drive to pay a condolence call, but I think either Dick or I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have always counted it a privilege to walk through these painful times with families in Omaha, and now I am finding myself able to do this here in Guatemala. I never quite know what to say or do, so always fall back on Jesus’ command to “Love one another as I have loved you.” Isn’t that all we can really do for anyone—love them like Jesus?

Pat

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Written by Dick

This morning 10 of the kids and I drove down to San Lucas to watch a soccer championship that Cesar and Marcos were playing in. Abner who is also a member of this teem should have been playing in this game as well but had been sidelined because of a penalty that he received at last week's game. Throughout my school years I was not all that much of a teem sports fan. I always felt that to much praise and attention was given to the dozen or so coordinated kids in my class while those of us who had difficulty walking and chewing gum at the same time received little recognition. I must admit though that for many of the kids like my boys who come from homes where there is no father, often times no mother and in a lot of cases no rules or guide lines playing soccer been good for them. Especially when they are blessed with a Christian coach like the one that my older boys have. It has been a while since I have been to any little league games in the USA but from what I remember not to many teem huddles are for the main part a teem prayer. It is refreshing to see a coach who is less concerned with winning the game than he is with helping to mold fine young men. I am not sure that on this the championship game that I would have sidelined my best player for half the game simply because he was not passing the ball quite enough to his teammates. This young man took it well though and much like Abner who never did get to play he to stood on the side lines and cheered his teem on to victory. Yes this coach is strict and firm on his rules but the boys love him becase they know that he loves them. Watching this coach and his teem helped me realize why I had to say no to Carlene when he wanted to come along to today's game.

After spending a whopping 10 bucks to feed the 11 of us at a little restaurant that we all love but not one that I would take most Americans to we headed for home. A few hours earlier Chris had left for Mazatenango with a teem that was going to help us do a wheelchair there tomorrow. I had though about riding down there with them but after seeing the look on the boys faces last night when I told them that I would possibly have to miss their soccer game, I quickly decided to drive down after watching their game.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Pat has come along on this trip to Mazatenango. She told me that she would do the writing for the next 2 days if I provided the photos. I figured that was fare. After all I have just finished writing one journal in a row.

Pat writes the following.

After packing up all of our stuff from the hotel, we set off for the first wheelchair distribution of this trip in Mazatenango. It seems that often no one is really sure ahead of time what the facility we will use for the distribution will be like, but today we had a shaded porch area which could accommodate the five seating stations as well as the “administration” area.

Today God blessed us with four folks who were bilingual and would be available to help us. I would have made the fifth, but really enjoyed working with Denise. She knew a lot of the technical words in Spanish, and I knew them in English, so between the two of us, we figured things out pretty well. She is an English teacher here in Guatemala, and she and her husband run an “inclusive” sports recreation program that serves children both with and without disabilities. She was an amazing woman to spend time with, and has offered me a place to stay any time I want to move to this area to start a school for the kids who are not allowed to go to the public school because of their disability.

We saw a lot of those kids today. Really bright, capable, articulate kids who are not in school because the schools won’t accept them. For some reason it seems the teachers think that because these children’s bodies may be limited, their intelligence and ability to learn is also. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Though this is illegal in Guatemala, “exclusion” seems to be the norm. It is a rare area where children in wheelchairs are welcomed into the school. And many of the parents seemed hesitant to even talk about school for their children, fearing that they would be ridiculed by the teachers as well as the other students. Dick had to remind me that this is all too common here, and that there was no way I could start a school in every area where I found kids out of school. Still, it doesn’t lessen my desire to be able to do so. I’m not sure he realizes that seeing these kids out of school has the same impact on me that seeing them crawling along the streets without a wheelchair has on him. I would love to be able to find a teacher in this area willing to work with all these kids, and have the ability to pay her well to do so. I can sure pray about it!

I worked in Dick’s station, along with Denise and Josh, a young man from Sioux Falls, SD. I honestly can’t remember how many kids Dick seated today—there had to be at least five. I was lucky enough to get to spend time visiting with the moms while Dick worked—though I did get to pick up an allen wrench to help with one bolt. Big contribution I made today!

I love the way Bethel handles these distributions. Chris Mooney, the director of Bethel, always begins by clearly explaining that the reason the teams come in is to share the love of Jesus with the people—that bringing wheelchairs is only secondary. Today he shared something I had not heard him say before (though I’ve only been on a few of these distributions). He boldly told the people that Jesus came for “people like them.” That is wasn’t the healthy who needed Him, but those who are broken in mind, body, or spirit. That Jesus was inviting them to come to Him.

After this initial presentation, the seating begins. Dick encourages the teams to take their time seating each person—focusing not so much on the wheelchair, but on connecting with each individual. He reminds the teams that some of these folks have been waiting for a wheelchair for years, so taking a little more time with each one won’t hurt anything. In fact, many of these people have been waiting even longer for a touch from Jesus. And that’s why we were here today.

Finally, after each person receives their chair, they and their families have the opportunity to visit with a local pastor. Today, during this visitation time, 38 people made a decision to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Chris said this was the most that they’d ever had in a distribution. While numbers aren’t the most important thing, I think that this great response indicates the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence with us today.

As everything was winding down, a woman came in with her daughter. She was not “registered” for this distribution, but had been told 3 years ago, at another Bethel distribution, to come back the next time Bethel was in the area. This little girl really needed a chair that reclined. Mom had brought along the chair the child had—and Dick recognized it as one of the chairs built by Hope Haven. After three years of use, it still looked brand new—mom had taken such good care of it. Just as Dick was wondering if perhaps he had seated this little one before, the older brother came up and caressed her head. Dick immediately remembered the family because of the love and attentiveness her brother had shown her.

This was a pretty tender reunion for Dick and this family. A family who just so happened to come in even though they weren’t registered, who just so happened to have Dick seating them, when we just so happened to have a perfect chair for her, since some children who had been scheduled had not been able to make it. Isn’t it great that we just so happen to have a God big enough to orchestrate these things, and intimate enough with us to care that one little girl get the proper chair, and one seating specialist be blessed by this reunion?

Pat

August 9, 2010

Written by Pat

We began our day in Retahuleu at the site of the team’s first house build. This house would be built for a single woman who was caring for her mother, as well as her son and daughter. After unloading the equipment, half of us left to distribute food packages to the poorest of the poor in this area.

This part of Guatemala had been particularly hard hit by tropical storm Agatha. As I visited these homes, I recalled the words of my friend Steve Osborn, who has an orphanage near Antigua. Shortly after the storm he wrote, “For those of us who are rich, this storm will be an inconvenience for a few days. For the poor, it will take years for them to recover.” Today I experienced first-hand the accuracy of his observation.

Our first stop was walking distance from where the house was being built. We followed one of the neighbors to his home, and heard his amazing story. About a year ago he lost his leg in a heavy equipment accident. He shared with us how hopeless he had been until he went to “rehab.” There he met a man who had lost both legs, who still had a great desire to live a full life. He thought, “If he can do it with no legs, I can surely do it with one!” This decision changed his whole attitude toward his recovery. Now he is an active part of his community—he was one of the men who helped cut down the trees where the new house was being built. He also works cutting down the tall grass with a machete, and guides his blind son and he works beside him. This man will forever be a reminder to me that it is not our circumstance that determines our joy and effectiveness, it is what we decide to do with the life situation we’ve been given. I have seldom met such a friendly and outgoing man in Guatemala, or anywhere else for that matter.

There are many more stories which could be told of the families we visited today. The theme that ran through them was continually a sense of gratitude for what they had, rather than despairing at what they did not have. A sub-plot of today was the enormous generosity of these people who have so little themselves.

One young lady of 22 had been diagnosed with leukemia last March. She seems to be in remission right now, but her medicine each month costs almost as much as her father earns. How, we asked, did they manage to buy her medication? Mother replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, that the neighbors all help them out financially with whatever they can give. I couldn’t help but think of the story of the widow who gave all she had. These neighbors who are helping out this family themselves live in houses made of plastic, cornstalks, and corrugated metal, if they are lucky. These generous people who have so little continue to share what they do have with those in greater need. I hope I don’t offend anyone, but I can’t help but think of us North Americans who worry more about our retirement nest eggs than we do our suffering brothers living alongside us today. I’m not suggesting we should be indifferent to our own futures, but I can’t help feeling a bit convicted at my preoccupation with what will become of me in the future, as I ignore the needs of those living with me in the present.

We visited family after family where the story was the same—tremendous hardship, but no sense of bitterness. At each house we shared that the food we brought was not really from us, but from the God who loves and cares for them. Each person received this news with a sense of gratitude and assurance. I didn’t sense at any house we visited, the attitude of “why then does God let my life be so hard?” It seems my Guatemalan brothers and sisters have a willingness to let God be God that surpasses my own. Meeting these people, who often literally don’t know where their next meal is coming from, has once again reminded me of how much I trust in my own plans and provisions, and only go to God as a “last resort.” While I now live as a faith-based missionary, relying on God to move my brothers and sisters to provide for me, I also realize I seem always to have a “contingency plan” rather than a ruthless trust in the One who has always provided for me. Tonight I go to bed humbled and repentant as I consider what I have learned from those I have met today.

Pat

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Written by Dick

This morning all of the men in our group except for myself headed out to build our second house in 2 days while I took all of the ladies out to bring food to more needy families. I thought that driving people around in an air conditioned van would be much easier than building a house when it was at least 90 degree outside but I may have been wrong.

Today's first visit took more out of me than any five houses that I have ever built. When we walked in to this house we were met by a tired looking mother and her 4 year old son, Josue David. Most Guatemalan kids are generally quite shy when they see Americans for the first time but Josue David. seemed to have no fear of me. Fact is we instantly became best of friends and within a matter of seconds he was sitting next to me and I was showing him how to take pictures. Soon he had climbed on to my lap and was snapping pictures of everyone in the room. While we visited with him and his mother we learned that Josue David's father no longer lived in the house because he was to sick for his wife to care for him. We were told that he is dying of Aids. We learned that the only bread winner in the family is Fernando's 11 year old sister who goes out on the streets and tries to sell food each day. Mom can not work because even though she is still able to get around the house she to has Aids. Despite the sickness of both of his parents and the families extreme poverty Josue David seemed like such a happy well adjusted little boy. I could not help but think about his future and that of his sister once both of their parents were gone. There may be some hope that their grandparents or other relatives will allow Josue David's sister to live with them but judging by the way that they want nothing to do with their own daughter or her husband since they have Aids it is doubtful that they will want their 4 year old grandson because he is also HIV positive.If you read my journals on a regular bases you know that my requests for money are few and far between but Josue David needs $15 worth of medicine per month. His 11 year old sister barely earns enough to keep the family from starving to death. About $35 per month would go a long way in keeping these children alive.

There were other needs that we came across today. We saw another little boy who is 8 months old who has been so sick for the past 15 days that the only thing that he has been able to eat or drink is water. Mom had not been able to get him any help because the family could not come up with 100Q ($12.50) to see a doctor. I thought it over and figured that this child's life was possibly worth the price of a couple of lattes in the States and arranged for him to see a doctor tomorrow.

We visited about 8 or 9 homes today. Some of the people that we visited were young and others were old but each of them had a similar story. I know that we can not help all of them but when I see how richly God has blessed most of us I can not help but wonder if God can look at us and say,

"Well done good and faithful servant."

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, Saturday, August 7, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:51:00 +0000

Saturday, April 7, 2010

It has been nearly a week since I have written in my Journal. It seems that there has simply been to much going on. I must admit things have been a bit overwhelming. I was going to do some writing last night but after spending the entire day down near the coast dealing with the death of Ronny's grandmother and then coming home to close to a dozen kids that needed my attention much more than my computer did I once again put journaling on the back burner. This morning I got up at 4 AM to do some writing but found my mind bombarded with other things. Things like, How was I going to make it to my boys championship soccer game today and still get back home on time to travel with Chris and the teem to Mazatenaqngo for a wheelchair distribution. I guess if I didn't get back to Chimaltenango before the van left I could always make the 3 and a half hour drive with my own car, but the way that my car has been running lately I was not sure that would be wise especially since I would be by my self and If I did break down I know so little Spanish that I would not even know how to ask for help. If only I knew more Spanish. If only my car were more reliable, but then again if I rode in the van how would I get Christopher's new power wheelchair delivered to him? The more I tried to work things out in my mind the more overwhelming things got.

Often times while I am working on the computer I listen over the internet to my favorite Christian radio stations that is located back in my home town of Lynden Washington, Praise 106.5. This morning while I was loading up my mind with more and more things that I could not seem to see my way through a song came on that I have heard hundreds of times. Fact is I have it posted on the music player that is located it the right hand column of this journal. It is By Your Side, performed by Tenth Avenue North. Even though I have heard it enough times that I have most of the lyrics memorized this morning it spoke to me. Or perhaps I should say that God spoke to me through it. Why is it that we can some times get so involved in doing God's work that we start trying to do it on our own and eventually forget that it is His work and that we are only along for the walk?

. . . . . . "Lord help me to never get so busy trying to serve you
. . . . . . . . . . . . that I forget to walk with you."

Matthew 11: 28-30"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Since I am not planning on posting any daily journals this week I hope that you take a look at

Pat Duff"s Journal.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, July 26-August 1, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 04:30:00 +0000

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

Monday, July 26, 2010

My car is still in the shop but I did manage to get the Toyota pickup that I borrowed a few days ago out of the shop and all the way back to Chimaltenango before putting it into another shop so that they can perhaps figure out what is wrong with it. I am beginning to think that buses and tuk tuks are the only way to go.

I Think that the Lord is trying to tell me that I have to let go of everything that gives me dependence on my self and lean wholly on Him. He is also showing me what the important things are in this ministry.

This morning I took the buss to Hermano Pedro orphanage and spent most of my day there. Pat Duff has been here about a month now and she is fitting right in. She has started doing a lot of learning activities with several of the kids and they love it. Pat has a real love for the kids. The kids know it and that is why they respond so well for her.

Dick

July 27-28, 2010

Getting to work

................................Written by Pat

I think this is one of my favorite pictures of all times-

kids working together.

I got kind of a late start getting to the orphanage today, because I went with Dick, Leo, Manuel, Fernando, and Cesar to take Dick's car to Leo's shop in Guatemala City. Dick has been having trouble with it for a few weeks now, and has seen a number of mechanics, all of whom wanted to do something different to the car, including putting in a new motor! Dick has thought the problem was electrical, and Leo agrees, so Dick's giving it one more try to get it running smoothly again. It seems Leo has the problem figured out, and his diagnosis makes sense to Dick. Now if they can just find the part they need. Dick's Land Cruiser is a little less than new!

The last three days, I've introduced "work" to the kids, and they've loved it. I've managed to put together about 15 different task for the kids, and a number of adaptations of each for the differing skill levels of the kids. I can hardly keep up with them. I continually hear a chorus of "Paty" (how my name is spelled in Spanish!) as each of them wants me to look at what they are doing, and give them praise. The teacher in me wants them to be more independent, but the mama in me loves that they want my attention. These kids have gotten so little affirmation and have had so few opportunities to do anything that would earn them praise, that for now, they're gonna get all the praise and encouragement I can heap on their darling little heads.

Even Gloria, a Guatemalan lady who volunteers at the ... . . .
orphanage 3 days a week, is joining in the fun! . . , , , , , . .

One of the neatest things that has come out of this is seeing the kids work together. Yesterday there were about five kids around one small table, each doing something different, but working cooperatively. I don't think I've ever seen this much interaction between kids. Of course, some of it is "fighting," like when Ervin tried to touch the blocks Heidi was using. She's normally so quiet and passive, but boy, can she let out a scream of protest when she wants to. Even this, though, is so good for her--to be able to assert herself in some small way and have it respected. (Spoken like a true woman. Dick) And, believe it or not, Ervin did back off and leave her stuff alone! (I taught him that after learning it the hard way. Dick) We'll work on sharing later. (Does that mean that he will have to give her what ever she asks for or suffer the consequences? Dick) It's hard to ask kids to share when they've never had anything worth sharing before. All things will come in due time.

Pat

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Today some of the Bethel crew and a teem of 11 people that ahve come in from the USA to work with us for a week loaded over 50 wheelchairs onto Jorge's truck and then drove to Cobon for a wheelchair distribution that we plan on having there tomorrow. Since my car is once again in the shop I road along with the group in the van. There was a lot of traffic so the trip took about 7 hours. We all had a good time visiting with each other but were happy when we finally arrived at our motel.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday, July 30, 2010

Since over half of the people that came to today's wheelchair distribution were children we figured that it would take us all day to do the seating but although the teem from the USA had no previous experience in working with wheelchairs they caught on quickly and we were finished by 1:30. We were grateful for that because we still had to drive all the way back home.

Over the past few years I have seen a lot of changes in the way that the Guatemalan people look at people who are disabled. Although some still consider a disabled child as a lesser being or even a curse from God more and more Guatemalans are seeing these children for who they are and are willing to reach out to them. Today the building that we were in was filled with not only the families that came to receive wheelchairs, and those of us who came there to give them the wheelchairs but there were lots of Guatemalan people there that had come to help out in any way possible. Some helped out with paper work and translating. Others helped fit the wheelchairs. All of them had come because they cared. Not only is this wonderful for us to see but this growing acceptance and genuine love for those with disabilities is also helping to change the attitude of many of the parents who have a child that has a special need. We are seeing more and more families who are not only no longer ashamed of their child because he or she has a disability but have recognized their child as a gift from God rather than a curse. Please pray that this attitude will continue to grow not only in Guatemala but throughout the entire world.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Saturday, July 31, 2010

It is once again the week end. Chris and the teem are out near Tecpan building a house for a family. I decided to stay home and relax, well sort of. I guess you can call taking a buss ride to San Lucas to watch some of your kids play soccer relaxing. This Buss ride was far from relaxing though. In the 10 and a half years that I have been here I have had some wild rides but never have I been on a ride like this one. Two of my boys Fernando and Bryan were on the buss with me and they as well as most of the other passengers seemed to be as frightened as I was. Had the buss driver stopped long enough for any of us to get out of the buss anywhere along the way I am sure that we all would have. I truly believed that the buss was going to role over on one of the many curves, or that it was going to go over a cliff when ever the driver passed other buses and cars on the narrow shoulder of the road. Thank goodness the ride which should have taken a half hour only lasted for 15 minutes because I don't think that I could have held my breath much longer.

The kids won their game and are still undefeated. Next Saturday they will play for the championship. I plan on watching the game but if my car is not running I will either walk or look for some one who will take me there on a burrow. After the game 3 of the boys and I took another buss to Antigua. (Not a misprint.) There were now 3 kids with me. Cesar had decided to join us instead of riding home with his teem. This buss ride seemed much tamer. (Then again I guess anything would after what we had just experienced.) When we got to Antigua we picked up my car at the home of the people that Pat Duff lives with. Her land lord is a Mechanic and for the past several days he has been trying to fix my car. He is a great guy and did his best to figure out what the problem was but other than by wallet being a bit lighter and easier to carry not much else has improved. The Mechanics wife invited us to lunch so we stayed and had a good time visiting. They are wonderful people and I can see why Pat loves staying with them.

On our way home the boys talked me into stopping off at the hot springs to relax for a while. I had a lot of work waiting for me at home but must admit that the swim felt great. Fact is what was going to be a half hour swim turned out to be more like 2 hours. When we got home my house quickly filled up with kids. They were all excited about the soccer game that we were going to play this evening. We had a soccer field reserved and Chris and the 11 Americans who and been building a house all day were going to meet us there at 7 PM. Now my boys are always excited about playing soccer but what really helped was that they know that there were some teen age girls in this this group from the USA. The game went well and no one was hurt despite the gallant effort of each of my boys to do spectacular shots to impress the girls. As soon as the game was over the Americans headed back to their hotel. They said that they were tired. I don't know why though all that they did today was build a house. I was the one that had the scary buss ride. My work was not over though because 10 kids decided that they were hungry. Supper was easy though because we had rice and beans. I know that I mentioned that I had difficulty making rice and beans in the past but I now do it differently. I now buy the beans in a can instead of a sack. (More expensive but about 8 hours less cooking time involved) and I bought myself a rice cooker. (The kids now like to eat the race rather than use it for silly putty). Well 4 of the kids have left and the other 6 have just informed me that they are staying so I guess I will call it a night. Considering how small my house is Had I know that I was having 6 overnight guests I may have reconsidered giving them all beans.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, August 1, 2010

This morning 7 of the kids came along with me to Church. After church Pat joined us for lunch. Then we took Fernando who was not feeling well back home. I asked the rest of the crew if they wanted to stay at home as well but they all wanted to come along to the orphanage where I was suppose to meet up with Chris and the 11 Americans. As you already know most of my kids love going to the orphanage but I could not help but wonder why today they seemed extra excited about going there. Even Abner who is not usually that keen on going there wanted to come along. That is when I once remembered that there were American girls in this group that Chris was bringing.

The orphanage visit went well even though there were a lot of tears. One girl in particular had a hard time. She herself had been adopted from Guatemala when she was just a baby and I think that seeing the kids lying there in the orphanage made her realize how bless she was to now have a wonderful Christian family.

When we got back from the orphanage I told the kids that I needed the rest of the day to myself. This did not win me any popularity contests but they all listened and headed out of the gate.

I have spent the past few hours working on my car and have made some progress. I now have it running as good as it did before I brought it to the last 2 mechanics so at least it is back to where it was 2 weeks ago. If this happened to me back when I still lived in the USA I would likely have gotten more upset but here in Guatemala things like this happen all of the time so you have to either learn to live with it or find a new place to live. That is why I try not to forget that, "The most valuable lesson man has learned from his dog is to kick a few blades of grass over it and move on."

Goodnight:
Yours in Christ: Dick

Jornal, July 20-25 ,2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:43:00 +0000

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Pat Duff has once again offered to let me post her journals from the days that she accompanied me so a good part of this weeks journals were written by her.

Dick

Navigating the Clinics

Written by Pat

.........................Maria with her father and mother

When I got to Hermano Pedro today, Dick asked if I would help Maria, a young widow with four children, work her way through the clinic process. I'd only done this once before, but that was one more time than Maria had. Her mother and father had come with her from Comalapa, a small aldea (village) about an hour and a half drive from Antigua. I was particularly happy to help Maria, since the Josiah Foundation has taken a special interest in this family over the past few years.

I didn't know much what to expect from the clinic, except long lines and lots of waiting. I wasn't disappointed. First Maria had waited for the doctor, then for an ultrasound. I joined her when she was waiting for the doctor a second time. This time I went in with her to make sure everyone knew what was going on. Dick had asked me to do this, but why he thought I'd understand with my limited Spanish was beyond me.

I soon learned why I was there. The doctor spoke quickly, giving much information in about one minute. Maria sat there smiling and nodding her head. When I asked her if she understood, I received a "deer in the headlights" look. So I began asking questions, and you could see on Maria's face that things were becoming clearer to her. We also needed this information for a sponsor from the States who has offered to help pay for her surgery. So I learned why I was there--because I was not afraid to look stupid by admitting I didn't understand what was going on. Of course, I've had years of practice at this!

We stopped at a secretary's desk, and she wrote down some information in a ledger, and we were sent to another secretary's office. Here there was a 30+ minute wait, to get a piece of paper to take to the office of a third secretary, this time on the second floor. (For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to get to the second floor, and then I realized there were clinics up by the malnutrition ward.) This time we received an appointment to see a surgeon--Sept. 12th!

I asked Maria if she would be able to wait this long, as she's been in a lot of pain. She replied that really wasn't a long time at all to wait for a doctor. So she'll come back down then, and hopefully receive surgery the following week.

It never ceases to amaze me the patience of the Guatemalan people, and their good manners, while waiting so long. Dick got stir crazy after about 5 minutes and went to take one of the boys back to Chimaltenango for school. I on the other hand am known to be much more patient- -it took me a full 15 minutes before I wanted to start banging my head on the wall!

Clarification

(The somewhat true confessions that Pat wrote after her conscience and my badgering finally got to her.)

To avoid losing Dick's friendship (and to avoid being bugged about this for the rest of my life), I want to make clearer what I wrote yesterday. The added material is in red.

It never ceases to amaze me the patience of the Guatemalan people, and their good manners, while waiting so long. Dick got stir crazy after about 5 minutes of waiting in his third line of the day, after having been "at" this for three and a half hours before I arrived at the hospital, and went to take one of the boys back to Chimaltenango for school. I on the other hand am known to be much more patient--it took me a full 15 minutes before I wanted to start banging my head on the wall!

I would NEVER want to imply that Dick was impatient. Those of you who know him know that his patience is exceeded only by his total truthfulness with never an exaggeration. And his love of standing in lines is exceeded only by his love of shopping.

There, now Dick. Is that better?

Pat

Apology accepted, As long as I am still allowed to get even!

Dick

So why do we do this? Picture a young woman, who until only a few years ago spoke no Spanish but only Katchical (one of the 26 Mayan dialects in Guatemala). A woman who seldom has gone outside of her aldea, and never had been to the city. Picture her coping with a large hospital, multiple secretaries, unfamiliar doctors, and the fear of having to have surgery. Can you imagine what it would be like to go through this alone? A couple years ago it became clear to me what was a distinctive part of how Bethel Ministries offers medical care.

Most mission organizations tell folks they will pay for medical care if the person can figure out how to get themselves to the city and the hospital, and then navigate the "system of care" of that particular hospital. And we wonder why these folks don't take advantage of this generous offer. It would be like me going to the moon to get medical care from a martian--the environment of a city and large hospital is just that unfamiliar to these people from villages. (I need to point out, however, that most of us from big cities wouldn't survive 3 days if we had to live in a small aldea on our own!)

Bethel is different, though, thanks in large part to Dick Rutgers who picks up or meets many of these families at the bus, and walks them through the clinic process. I am grateful that I can be part of this important ministry to the sick and injured. To many this might seem like a waste of our time, but without this individual attention I believe many would not receive the care they need. It kind of reminds me of the Good Samaritan who didn't hand the injured man some money and tell him where he could get help. He engaged with him and brought him to where he could receive care. A good reminder to all of us that we are called to invest personally in those we seek to help.

Pictures from January, 2009, the first time I was with a family in the clinics.

Unfortunately, Lisvi died shortly after these pictures were taken.

Pat

Wednesday, July, 21, 2010

Written by Pat

Dick called this morning to say he'd be taking a power chair up to Luis in Santa Maria de Jesus, and wanted to know if I'd like to ride along. This very traditional Mayan village was my first introduction to the "real" Guatemala when Dick took me there four years ago. I was anxious to go back and see it again, so of course I agreed.

I did get to spend some time at Hermano Pedro while waiting for Dick to get into town.

Ervin and I worked together on a number of tasks, and, though at times he wanted to do things his own way, he was pretty willing to follow directions if I was firm with him. One of the greatest compliments I've received I got yesterday from a retired nurse volunteering at the orphanage when she said, "I've never seen him (Ervin) so engaged in anything before!" That's exactly my hope in being here and the confirmation was great to receive.

Dick arrived and we were soon on our way. This chair was for Luis, a young man who attends a private special school (New Life School) in Santa Maria de Jesus run by two Americans. Judy is a nurse, and Amy is an occupational therapist, and together they have managed to build an amazing three story building in which many kids who would not otherwise be in school receive a quality education. I finally got to meet Judy yesterday, and hope that I'll be able to work with them a bit in their school.

Luis has difficulty propelling himself in a regular wheelchair so Dick wanted to give him more mobility with this power chair. In addition, Luis, is kind of an "underdog" among the children at the school, and we're hoping having this chair will improve his status with his classmates. The power chair will remain at school, since Luis lives a number of blocks away, over some very rough terrain. His younger brother has to push him to school each morning, before he himself heads off to another school.

After many adjustments and refinements, Dick decided it was time to give Luis a "test run" in his chair. We all had a blast as he learned to maneuver the chair around the school. His best teacher was not one of us "professionals" though, but the school custodian, who seems to have a great relationship with him. This man was able to direct and encourage Luis in a way none of us "gringos" could. Both he and Luis enjoyed themselves immensely.

. . . . . . . . . First attempts at "driving"

Getting the hang of it! . . . . . . . . .

I was truly humbled by this man when I spoke to him later. I thanked him for helping Luis, and told him he worked very well with him. He responded, without hesitation, "These children are a gift from God to me." I almost burst into tears right there. To truly understand the significance of this statement, you need to know the history of this school. When Judy and Amy came here a number of years ago, kids with disabilities were totally shunned in this village, and were primarily thought of as a curse upon their family. To hear this indigenous man from the same village describe them as a "Gift from God" is truly a work of God in this community. Dick reminded me on the way home that our titles and our accomplishments don't really mean much. When God wants to use someone for His purpose, he will pick the best person for the job--and often this is the most willing rather than the best qualified. Our new friend demonstrated that for us today.

Pat

Thursday, July 22, 2010

It was one of those Days.

Written by Dick

"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking

only to learn that it is God shaking them."

Yesterday I received a phone call from Abner telling me that is 5 year old nephew Dennis had been running high fevers for several days and that he was now having nose bleeds that lasted for hours. His mother had taken him in to the national hospital but after taking a quick look a him the doctor said that he had no idea what was wrong with Dennis and sent him home. It was to late in the day for me to set up an appointment with a doctor but first thing this morning I drove the family down to Antigua to see a doctor. Abner and a few more of my older boys road along to serve as interpreters. Thanks to an understanding staff and a phone call that I made last night we did not have to wait in line for several hours before seeing a doctor. The doctor gave Denis some medicine and set up an appointment with a specialist. I even managed to get everyone back to Chimaltenango so that the boys got to school on time. My older boys have school in the afternoon. Did I mention that all 8 of us were in a borrowed pick up truck? My car is once again in the shop. (More about that later)

After dropping everyone off I quickly headed over to an orphanage in Paramos, a town that is located about a half hour from here. I had promised the people at this orphanage that I would bring them some special cushions for a young man that they had there who had been paralyzed for life from a gun shot wound. After giving him the cushions and a short visit I got on the phone to call my friend Mark. I had promised him that I would go along with him to see a lady that he had met who needed a wheelchair. I had also promised Byron that I would sign him out of the orphanage and take him out to lunch but I had all ready missed that one by an hour. When I got on the phone to Mark he told me that he had a tight schedule as well but if I could make it to Antigua in a half hour he would take me to where this lady lived. No sweat,! Antigua is only 15 minutes drive from where I was. I hung up the phone jumped into the borrowed pickup and turned the key. The engine turned over but it refused to start. A half hour later I phoned Mark and told him that I would not be able to keep my appointment with him because I had not moved from the spot where I had called him from earlier. At this point I was on the verge of having a pity party for my self but couldn't think of any one who would want to attend. I also thought about leaving the pick up truck parked at this orphanage, and walking a few miles to a road where the buss would come by. (I knew the bus passed by on that road because I road that buss yesterday when I was forced to leave my Land cruiser with a Mechanic in Antigua because it was having problems.) Instead of walking I made a phone call to Jorge. He had used this truck only a day earlier so perhaps he had run into a similar problem and could tell me what to do. He asked me if I had accidentally bumped the hidden switch that keeps the truck from starting if you don't want it to be stolen. 10 seconds later I was on my way to Antigua. It was far to late to take Byron out to lunch and I had already missed my appointment with Mark but at least I had time to go to the orphanage and just visit with Byron and some of the other kids. About 10 minutes down the road my cell phone rings. It was the Mechanic from the shop where I had left my car yesterday. I could not understand everything that he said but did understand the part about him thinking that my engine was shot. How could that be? I had that engine rebuilt only 60,000 miles ago. Then again it was a Guatemalan rebuild even though the Toyota shop did charged me American prices for the lousy job that they did on it. I had to also remember that driving 60,000 miles on the type of roads that I drive here in Guatemala is like driving 260,000 miles in the States. Never the less I told the mechanic not to do anything until I got there and talked to him. I was only about 5 minutes away from his shop. Or was I? That is when I glanced down at the temperature gauge of the pick up that I was driving. It was nearly in the red. Was it working properly? I wasn't sure because none of the other gauges were. Ever since I could remember all of the idiot lights in this truck stayed on all of the time. To my recollection the only lights that didn't come on were the directional signals, but this was a gauge and it had been one of the few things that had been working properly so I figured that I better pull over and see if I was low on water. Sure enough the truck needed water. Fortunately there was river near by and with all of the garbage that was floating in it I had no problem grabbing a plastic bottle that was floating in the river. The only problem was this river looked so contaminated that I was not sure if I wanted to put anything from it into the radiator of the pickup. A man who was taking gravel out of the river with a shovel assured me that I did not. He offered to get some water for me from his house and soon returned with a five gallon container of clean water. When we poured it into the radiator I quickly discovered why I had run out of water. A fairly good size stream of water was running out of a hole that was in the radiator. I phoned my friend Howie who lives in Antigua and he came out to tow me in to the shop where my Land Cruiser was. Why not give this Mechanic more work? Perhaps he would give me a fleet discount.About an hour later I was driving down the road in my not so healthy Land Cruiser trying to decide what to do about the problem that seems to heal itself once the engine warms up. Oh well I have a few days to decide. That is when the mechanic will have the new radiator installed in the borrowed pickup.

Before heading home and making beans and rice for the kids. (Which, by the way, turned out to be a disaster that I couldn't even get the neighborhood dogs to eat) I stopped off at a small restaurant in Antigua to have a bite to eat and to feel sorry for myself for a bit. That is when I thought about the wheelchair that was in my car. I wasn't in the best of moods but if I didn't get it delivered today I would just have to do it tomorrow and not knowing the reliability of my car that could be a real inconvenience. I picked up the phone and called Mark. Mark told me that he and his wife Dale were not far away and that they had time to take me to where this lady lived.

If I ever grumble again or the thought even crosses my mind that I am not having a good day, please give me a good swift kick or at least remind me to look at these pictures.This is Dora, the lady that we gave a wheelchair to today. She Is grateful for it because she has bone cancer and lying in her make shift shelter month after month gets a bit tiresome for her.There is a homeless shelter about a block away and she told us that now that she has a wheelchair to get there in she may go there to sleep on the nights that it rains since her shelter leeks like a sieve.

When Dora thanked us for the wheelchair we told her to thank God not us because that was why we were there. She then lifted her eyes towards heaven and did just that.

Thank you Lord!

It has been a beautiful day!

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday, June 23, 2010

Today I spent a good part of my day at the orphanage. My Friends Dave and Lue Black are once again in Guatemala. During their 2 week visit they and their daughter who is here with them, are planning on spending most of their time doing medical work in a small town that is located about 2 hours from here so it is doubtful that I will see much of them. Today we spent most of the day together though and had a great time visiting and taking some of the orphanage kids out to lunch.

This evening I brought a few of my kids to youth group in Antigua and then joined the Blacks and Pat for supper. Dave and his wife co sponsor Cesar's schooling along with Pat. So it was neat for them to be able to visit with Cesar before going out to eat.

Another exciting thing that happened this week is that Priscilla the little girl that we found up in Rio Dulci a few months ago came in for her cleft pallet surgery. Unfortunately she has other complications that prevented her from having surgery on her cleft pallet but a lot of other positive things came out of it. The doctors feel that it is best to wait a year or 2 before doing surgery on her cleft pallet but they did make a a removable plate for the roof of her mouth that will greatly benefit her when she eats. It looks like she will also be getting surgery done to correct her club foot and there is a possibility of some needed dental work and a few other things.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Saturday, July 24, 2010

It is the week end so I am going to keep this one short.
This morning the kids and I went San Lucas and watched Cesar, Abner, and Marcos play Soccer. The teem that they are on is so far undefeated. San Lucas has a nice soccer field but it does seem a bit odd that the town tree is located on it. It makes for some rather interesting plays when you pass the ball around the back side of it or bounce the ball off from it.

The rest my day was spent working on my car. I am glad that I did not take the mechanics word for it when he told me that my engine was shot because after doing a lot of testing I discovered that the problem was a bad glow plug relay. $25 is going to be a lot easier for me to shell out than $2500.

Well that's about it for now.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, July 25, 2010

It is still the week end so this one is going to be short and to the point as well.

Soccer

Fed kids

Church

Fed kids

Orphanage

Home

Fed kids

Goodnight,

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, July 13-18, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:22:00 +0000

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

The past few days have once again slipped by without me doing any journaling. I am thankful though that I have a camera and even more thankful that I have friends who don't seem to mind when I copy and post their journal entries. Here then is some of mine and a lot of theirs.

I spent a good part of Wednesday and Thursday seating kids that came into Hope Haven's wheelchair factory for new wheelchairs.

Ryan and Melissa were still here on Wednesday
so Ryan helped seat wheelchairs.

Wednesday, July 17, 2010

Even though I only spent a small part of my day with Pat today I have decided to post her journal entry becasuse I feel that it has a lot of insight in it. Thanks Pat, for giving us all a lot to think about.

Dick

Pat writes the following

Learning to be a Human BEING

Today was such an ordinary day, I couldn’t quite think of what I was going to journal about. Really “accomplished” nothing today, except spending time with the kids at Hermano Pedro. And as I prayed about this, I realize how I’m still striving to DO rather than surrendering to BEING. Can this possibly be God’s will for my life, just being? Can it really be this simple?

I’m beginning to realize that though I may not be able to show tangible events as “proof” of my service, that much is happening inside of me, and hopefully inside of those I touch each day. I really struggled over whether or not to go to language school in Costa Rica, to become more “equipped” to serve here, but understand now that this initial time is part of my equipping.

Each day I learn more about being a “missionary” from Dick and Chris and Donna and others who have served here for years. I’m grateful they share their wisdom with me, and know I am a better person because of their friendship. (“Missionary” is in quotes, because I’m still trying to figure out what that means. How is what I am doing here different from what I was called to do at Westside? As Dick pointed out to me today, aren’t we all called to share and be Jesus to each other, no matter where we live?)

Amber, a volunteer from the States, holding Patita

As I held Patita (little Paty) at the orphanage today, she taught me much about just being Jesus to another. Paty is one of the most significantly involved kids I’ve met. She cannot even eat orally, and is fed through a stomach tube. Today when I came in, she was crying, and there was no way I could just walk by her crib and not stop to spend time with her. As soon as I lowered the side of her bed, her crying stopped. It seemed as though she reached out for me with her eyes, though she was unable to with her hands. She has very limited movement, though today she did smile and reach for my face as I held her (which reduced me to tears).

I don’t know that I’ve ever felt so strongly the call to let my hands and arms be the hands and arms of Jesus. As I prayed over her, I saw her face and body relax. Did she understand my words? Probably not. But I believe she experienced the touch of the Holy Spirit in her spirit. I’m learning that I’m not called just to minister to physical, intellectual, and emotional needs of the kids, but also to their spiritual needs. I really don’t think that there is such a thing as being “spiritually handicapped” unless it is something we do to ourselves by clinging to our intellect and abilities, rather than just yielding to the touch of God. I find myself almost automatically starting to pray over each child as I say “hello” or wish them “good night.” They are teaching me much about inviting Jesus into all my encounters.

I also profoundly experience the truth of Jesus’ words, “whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me.” Today as I held and “fed” Paty, I had the strong impression that in some way I was holding Jesus as I never had before. She was being Jesus to me as much as I was being Jesus to her. I was once again overwhelmed and humbled by the privilege of serving Him in the kids. He is “blessing my socks off” each day that I’m here.

Folks sometimes ask me what I think God’s “purpose” is, in allowing these children to be so limited in the things we think are important. Each day I see more clearly that their “ministry” is to show me (and any who will take the time to see and hear them) what REALLY is important. They teach me each day what it REALLY means to be a human being (vs. a human “doing”), and I sometimes wonder if God created each of them only to help me grow into the person He created me to be. Their very existence brings glory to the One who made them. I’m trying to follow their example in bringing Him glory more by who I AM than by what I DO.

Pat

Friday, July 16, 2010

Written by Pat

Visiting With Old Friends

Today I went with Dick to visit the Hernandez family near Santa Lucia. This is a family I’ve known for at least the last 2 years, when I was with a team from Westside who painted their house. I’ve visited them a number of times since then, and was excited to see them.

Their oldest son, Ronny, has Muscular Dystrophy. He is barely able to move on his own, and uses an electric wheelchair which had broken down once again. So Dick, Marcos (one of Dick’s “kids”) and I set off with spare parts.

The trip down was pretty uneventful, and it seemed like in no time at all we were at their home. (Really, I think it took about 2½ hours, but with the trips we’ve made lately, that’s not long.) The kids were home when we arrive, and they quickly called their parents who were working in the field nearby.

I’m always so excited to see the girls in this family. They have become very special to me, and I had time to visit with each of them. Estellita is having some trouble in school, and we talked quite a bit about how hard school has been for her. Talking to her mom, it’s the same story I heard many times in the States—she does her work, but does not hand it in. I think there’s a lot more going on here, though, as she was hesitant to show me any of her work, while the other two girls could not wait to do so. She also says she’s afraid of the teacher because she yells at her. I hope to spend more time with this little one, to see if I can figure out what’s really going on here. She just sat in my lap and cried as we talked about this. Please pray for her tender heart.

I brought some gifts for the kids. A young friend in the States, Terryn, had sent down some Barbie dolls for me to give to kids here. Since there were three of them (with wardrobes), I thought these three girls were the perfect recipients. I was especially pleased to see that Yessica, the oldest at 14, was excited to receive a doll. It seems like every time we’re here, she’s working and caring for the younger children. Today was no exception, as she was busy making tortillas while the rest of us visited.

Claudia, the youngest girl, has grown up quite a bit since I saw her last. I don’t think she hardly put down the Care Bear I brought her. She looks much healthier now than she did even a year ago.

Herlindo, the “middle” son, is quite the character. He’s sharp as a tack, but has a definite mind of his own.

I really got a kick out of Dovan, the baby, who at age two also knows how to assert himself! I’d brought him a small ball, and if anyone touched it, he’d scream bloody murder! He did play futbol (soccer) with Dick for a while, though.

Dick and Marcos managed to repair Ronny's chair by replacing the wheel bearings. This was the real purpose of our trip, but, as Dick says, you can’t just make a quick stop at this home. This is a family who loves to visit and is always so gracious to us when we do. To thank Dick and Marcos for fixing the chair, Momma gave them each sacks of limes to take home.

After the repairs were done, Dick took and printed some pictures for the family. I’m always amazed at what a big deal this is. These pictures I took of him doing this show just how much the family enjoyed this activity.

Soon it was time to go, as Dick needed to get back to Chimaltenango to take his teenagers to youth group this evening. We took a different road back, and discovered that it was covered in water in many places. This is dangerously deceptive, as what seems like a shallow puddle can turn out to be a 2 foot deep pothole filled with water.

The Land Cruiser did an admirable job handling this road, even if it was unable to pull the bus we passed out of its “sink hole.” It’s nice to know there are some things even a Land Cruiser can’t handle! It did manage, however, to get us all home safe and sound.

Pat

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Written by Dick

This morning a number of the kids and myself went to San Lucas and watched some of my older kids play soccer.

After the game 6 of the boys went with me to the village where Maria lives.

My boys and some of the village kids quickly got another soccer game going. This one was not played on a manicured field but the kids still had a great time.

This soccer field
even had a water hazard.

It was a good thing I took a head count when I left home. Otherwise I may not have noticed that there were about a dozen extra kids in and on my car when it was time to leave.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Only 3 kids came along with me to church this morning. That is an all time low but some were sick, others were grounded and a few went to another church with some friends.

After church pat joined us for some Pizza then we bought 2 cakes and headed over to Olga's house for a Birthday party. Olga turned 15 today and here in Guatemala that is usually a big event in a girls life. Often times the Girls family throws a party that resembles a wedding except there is no groom. Were it not for the cakes and 2 small gifts that Pat and I brought Olga would not have had a party at all though. Olga her sister and 2 brothers live in a house with 4 other relatives the oldest of which is 23 years old. Her mother lives less than a mile away but wants nothing to do with Olga or her other 3 children. Olga's aunt and uncle originally took her and here sister and brothers in a few years ago but uncle died shortly after in a drowning accident and her aunt got sick and died shortly after that. Her cousin Victor who is 23 is doing the best he can to hold the family together but he has to work long hours and receives little pay so it is difficult to put food on the table yet alone think about having a birthday party. Earlier this morning when I asked Victor if we could bring over a cake and have a party for Olga he seemed thrilled.

In traditional Guatemalan fashion Olga got her face shoved into one of the cakes after blowing out the candles. I used to think that getting a spanking on your birthday was bad but this one takes the cake.

Even though we felt privileged to be part of this celebration Olga and her entire family thanked us over and over again for coming.

I had a big crew for supper tonight and even though I had run out of hamburger the entire crew voted for spaghetti. It's not that my spaghetti is all that good it is just that the only other choice was corn flakes. I must admit though I still prefer hamburger in my spaghetti better than chopped up hot-dogs.

Well it is getting late so I think that I will take a few Tums and then head off to bed.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, July 5-12, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:20:00 +0000

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

For the past few days we have been busy with a number of groups that are here from the States. Later this week I will be joining Chris, Donna and some of the crew who are already down in Santa Rosa a small town that is located about an hour from the Guatemala, Salvador border. Meanwhile I have been here in Chimaltenango working with Caleb and Allissa who have been hosting a group of 30 high school students. Some of them have been building houses while others have been Spending their time at Hermano Pedro orphanage in Antigua. We also had a wheelchair distribution in Chimaltenango on Thursday. As you can see it has been a busy week so my spare time has been spent on my kids rather than on my journal.

Friday Morning, July 9, 2010

Today a few friend and I plan on driving down to Santa Rosa to join Chris and the teem that he is with for a few days. When we arrive we plan on helping them finish up on the house that they are building for the family of Lesly. Lesly is a little girl that has been at Hermano Pedro for a year now. Lesly is blind and can not walk. Her mother can not walk either and up until now the family has lived in a house that is nothing more than a wood frame covered with black plastic. Hopefully Lesly's house will be finished by tonight because tomorrow we have a wheelchair distribution planned in Santa Rosa.

Chris and the rest of the teem plan on heading back to Chimaltenango on Sunday but the four of us are planning on staying in Santa Rosa until Monday. Pat Duff who recently moved down here from the States has aback ground of working with kids that are unable to communicate due to deafness or other other Medical conditions and she and I have fallen in love with a little boy named Byron. We spent some time with him last year and are eager to see him again. Byron who lives with his grandmother is very bright but has no way to communicate. Pat has a lot of good Ideas and is looking forward to working with him. While we are there we also hope to visit with another boy that we have found a sponsor for. Wilmer who has muscular dystrophy lives in a remote village and although his home is only a stone throw from the village school he was no longer allowed to attend after he became confined to a wheelchair. We are praying that the teacher that is now coming in and teaching Wilmer in his home will be able to convince the principal of the school that even though Wilmer's feet no longer work his brain does.

I will write more about our visit to Santa Rosa once we get there but it is already 5:30 Am so I have to get the kids up and ready for school and then get ready for my trip.

Good morning,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday evening, June 9, 2010

We are now in Santa Rosa. Since I did a bit more driving than expected today and am a bit tired Pat has taken pity on me and offered to write today's journal.

Thanks Pat!

Dick

Pat writes...

Dick picked us up this morning, and the four of us (Dick, Ryan, Melissa and I) headed out for the Santa Rosa area of Guatemala. The team from Westside Church in Omaha had been serving there building a house for the family of Leslie, one of the girls at Hermano Pedro. We will join them tonight to help with a wheelchair distribution in this area tomorrow.

Dick had originally planned to drive the route through Guatemala City, but after I reminded him that we could go through Esquintla, he decided that would be a nicer drive, even if it would be somewhat longer. Not long outside of Esquintla, though, I was wondering if he regretted this decision. We were stopped dead in traffic, with cars coming toward us, but nothing moving in our direction. In Guatemala you can be stuck in these situations for hours. Today, however, it wasn’t too bad. Soon traffic started to move, and we discovered the source of the problem.

A bridge over a fast flowing river had been washed out by the rains. The steel girders seemed to have crumbled like tinker toys. We were re-routed to a dirt road with make shift bridges of what looked like no more than wooden planks set between piles of rocks, covering the fast flowing water. After we crossed the second of these, Melissa very quietly said, “Did I ever tell you I was afraid of bridges.” At first I thought she was kidding, but Ryan soon explained that she was very serious about this. She was a real trooper though, and hung in there through the last small bridge without even needed to find a Valium.

I, on the other hand, did fine with the bridges, but held my breath as we went up a “road” of mud and rocks on our way back to the highway. On the other hand, for Ryan, this “off-roading” was the high point of his day.

We continued on, looking for the town we would be staying in. However, it appears that since Dick’s last trip here the roads have “moved” (Do I detect a little sarcasm here Pat? Actually Pat was suppose to be navigating but she had once again drifted off to sleep. Older people seem to have a way of doing that. Dick) and we soon found ourselves in what looked like a multi-lane toll booth in the States. Since this was somewhat confusing, Dick proceeded slowly, and eventually we discovered that we were about to enter El Salvador and were passing through the customs station! It only took half way through for the four of us to figure out what was going on, and that maybe we should turn around.

Now, the good thing about this re-routing, was that we now know exactly how to get to the El Salvador border on Monday, (That is exactly why I made this little 3 hour detour. Dick) when we are scheduled to take a wheelchair there! The bad news was that, to get back to where we needed to be, we would once again have to cross the make-shift bridges over the rushing river. Ever the alert protector, however, Ryan looked at the map and found an alternate route. Since Dick had never taken this way before, I think this made his day. What made the day for me and Melissa was that the road was actually paved, had no real bridges, and came out where we needed to be!

We arrived at our hotel before the team did, and decided we would go and look for Bayron, a ten year old deaf child Dick had met at a clothing distribution, and I had worked with about a year and a half ago, trying to find the best way for him to communicate.

We located the house where he had been living, and were told that he, Grandma, and Edgar, his younger brother, had moved “just a little way” down the road. Now, anyone who has been to Guatemala knows that a little way can be anywhere from a block to a couple of miles, depending on the judgment (or lack thereof) of the person you are talking to. In this case, it was really only a few blocks, but to get there we had to walk down a major highway with chicken buses, trucks, cars and motorcycles coming at us.

We finally turned off the highway, and walked another couple of blocks back into a corn field, and reached the tin shelter this family of seven now calls home. Immediately, the family recognized Dick, and began yelling for Bayron. His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw him (this is deliberately vague, since the his/he could apply equally to either Dick or Bayron). The family welcomed us in without hesitation, finding chairs for us and having each of the children come and shake hands with us. Again, Melissa’s Spanish proficiency was most helpful. In situations like this, I can get by, but often am afraid I’m not really understanding everything being said to me.

We discovered that, because of his age, Bayron had moved to a different school. The teacher there did not have the patience to work with a child who could not hear, and told Grandma not to bring him back. So, this amazingly bright child, who could not wait to show us his school books, is no longer allowed to attend school. Dick and I looked at each other, and I knew he would offer to try to find a tutor to work with Bayron individually, and a sponsor to pay for his or her salary. I’m happy to say that we have a sponsor (thank you, Melissa and Ryan) and are hoping that Bayron’s teacher from last year will have enough time and energy to tutor him after she teaches her class every day.

I took out my camera, and handed it to Bayron, wondering if he would remember how he’d used it almost a year and a half ago to take pictures of everything and anything he wanted to remember. Once again, he became a master photographer, arranging people, posing them, directing their expressions, and taking their pictures—all without being able to speak a word. I also watched the pride which his entire family takes in his abilities and accomplishments. All too often this is not the case for children with disabilities here in Guatemala. It was beautiful to see this family so deeply love this little boy. It is clear that his abilities have been nurtured in this loving environment, where this family, with no “professional” help, has managed to teach him to communicate through a combination of movements, gestures, and noises. Even the four of us gringos were understanding Bayron without trouble before we left. We plan to return tomorrow or Sunday, to try to arrange for a tutor, and to take Bayron and Edgar with us to swim at our hotel. I know I’ll be seeing more of Bayron (right, Dick? Please?)

Pat

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Written by Pat

Wheelchair Distribution

Today we got to tag along with Bethel Ministries for a wheelchair distribution in Oratorio. No one was quite sure what to expect today, as there were 80 people signed up, and the distribution was being held in the home of the local mayor. We were pleased to find out that we were using his outdoor area, which was large and covered, so we had shade, as well as the folks coming for chairs.

Today I got to work with Donna Mooney doing the registration and sign out. When people arrive, they are assigned numbers, and some distinction is made between those who will need special chairs and those who can use regular chairs with slight adjustment. After getting their number, these people wait, and wait, and wait for their turn to receive a wheelchair. Literally hours sometimes. I have been impressed that in every distribution I’ve been on, people are calm and patient, with little grumbling or complaining. Dick reminds me that many of these people have been waiting years for a wheelchair, so what’s a couple more hours.

When a person’s number is called, they go to an assigned station and receive a chair, which is then adjusted to as perfect a fit for the individual as possible. Limits are imposed by the chairs and parts available, but it is amazing what the Bethel folks are able to accomplish with what’s at hand. I jokingly call some of these “MacGuyver chairs” since they are adapted with whatever is available.

Today there were 5 stations—2 for special chairs, manned by Dick, Katherine, and Melissa, and one manned by Saul. Regular chairs were distributed by Ryan, Kris, and Leslie on one team, George and Jackson on another, and Jorge taking up the third position. Of the team, only Katherine had seated anyone before. After Dick did a quick training, they were ready and willing and did a great job. Ryan even got to fit a specialty chair under Dick’s supervision. I’m not sure the exact numbers, but I think we gave out about 60 numbers, and only had one chair left at the end of the distribution.

Local pastors counseled and prayed with each family after they had received a wheelchair, and each family was given a Bible. This, in some ways, was the most meaningful part of the day for me. It was amazing watching these men of God as they shared their hearts with the fellow Guatemalans.

The last stop was once again with Donna, as she took data on each chair that was given out, and we took pictures (for Bethel’s records) of each person who had received a chair. This was my major job today. I’m sure Donna could have gotten along without me, but now I know the data that needs to be collected whenever we give out a chair and I appreciated her letting me “shadow” her.

More kids with special needs

After a delicious lunch prepared by the women of the town, I was approached by the mayor’s wife, telling me about a deaf child who lived nearby. I asked Dick if we had time to visit this little boy, and he said we’d make the time! We started out for the home, only to find that word had gone out that we would see children who were deaf, and within a few minutes, Jorge and Wendy were both at the mayor’s house. The father of another young man who could not hear also came by. We discovered that they are all in school, and can read and write. The difficulty was that the children would write to their parents to communicate, but unfortunately the parents cannot read. They did know some sign language, and both the children I met today can lip read. After talking to their parents, it became clear that all three children must have some residual hearing, as they had hearing aids they had outgrown. We will be finding out when the hearing clinics are at Hermano Pedro, and getting back with these families to help them get the kids in to receive new hearing aids.

What has impressed me about all of these children, including Bayron who lives nearby and is also deaf, is how intelligent and well-adjusted they are. Jorge, upon meeting me, immediately gave me a big hug and a smile that could have melted Scrooge’s heart. Wendy, though a bit shier, also showed much confidence when we spoke. They are all in school, a credit to their local school, since many children, like Bayron, are “kicked out” of school because they can’t hear. What also impressed me was the concern of these parents that their children receive the best education possible, and the pride the entire community took in the accomplishments of these children. If it “takes a village” to raise a child, this village is doing a remarkable job of raising these kids.

Hanging out with Bayron and Edgar
All too soon we had to leave, and were on our way back to the hotel. After a quick clean-up, we went to pick up Bayron and his younger brother Edgar, who we had promised yesterday could come and stay with us at the hotel tonight. As the car approached their home (driving through the corn field), Edgar heard us coming and ran out to meet us, jumping up and down just like a monkey. When we entered the house, Grandmother told us that the boys had been waiting for us since about 10 this morning.

We had an early supper at Pollo Campero, complete with toy cars from the kids’ meal, and ice cream for dessert. Bayron had been here before with Dick and me, but this was a first for Edgar. In fact, Edgar told us this was his first time riding in a car, though he had been in chicken buses.

We came back to the hotel, and though the boys were a bit disappointed that they could not swim because the weather wasn’t cooperating, they seemed to satisfy themselves with TV, playing with our cameras, and playing games on Dick’s computer. The evening is ending with the boys “swimming” in Dick’s bathtub as I write this.

I don’t know that I’ve ever met two more polite and delightful boys of ten and eight. Watching them together is amazing. Though Bayron cannot talk at all, he makes himself understood almost completely. Edgar and he have developed their own sign language which Edgar uses to explain things to Bayron. It makes no sense to the rest of us, but they get it, and I suppose that’s all that counts. I know they have stolen a place in Melissa and Ryan’s hearts, as well as Dick’s and mine. I know I keep saying that a different child is my “favorite” almost every time I write, but they really are. Each of them is my “favorite” in a different way, and each of them touch my life and change my heart in a way that is uniquely theirs. When it comes to teaching me what it means to be “resilient,” Bayron and Edgar take the cake.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Pat told me that if I was willing to post the pictures and do all of the driving on this trip she would continue to do all of the Journaling. So once again here is what Pat wrote.

Early this morning Bayron and Edgar woke up, ready for breakfast and a swim. The weather was a bit cool, and Dick tried to convince them that they would enjoy the tub more than the pool, but they weren’t buying this! Since he’d made the promise, Dick got to be the lucky one to freeze in the pool with them. After just a short time, however, they were ready for a hot bath, and once again drowned Dick’s bathroom.

After drying them out, we headed back to Oratorio with them, to visit the house the Westside team had built. On the way there, both boys “helped” Dick drive, though Bayron seemed much more comfortable doing this than Edgar. When we arrived, the house had been finished and we were just in time to pray with the family to dedicate the house. This family was so grateful for the house, and I was grateful to be able to tell Mom that I would check on her little girl, Leslie, each time I was at Hermano Pedro.

We next took the boys home. Though Grandma was at church, the boys’ aunts and other relatives were at the house to greet them. Immediately the boys started showing off the pictures they had taken, and Bayron quite effectively used the pictures he had taken to tell the story of what he had done. Somehow, I have to figure out a way to get a camera for him to use as a communication device. He LOVES to take pictures, and is quite good at it. The major obstacle is that the family has no electricity in their house, so recharging the batteries would be difficult. Somewhere, though, I know I can find a solar powered battery charger!

Leaving was difficult for all of us. Bayron played “tough guy,” though he had to go into the house to keep up his facade. Dick followed him in to say good-bye, and I don’t know if this parting was harder for Bayron or Dick. Edgar walked us to the car, and turned to thank us saying “God bless you.” At this point Ryan, Melissa, and I all quickly got into the car, as we were ALL ready to dissolve into tears. This time, though, the boys knew we would be back. We hope to be able to arrange for a private tutor to work with Bayron now that he is not allowed in school.

We next took a short drive to Oliver’s house. We were greeted by his mother, who is currently battling cancer while trying to continue to care for five children. She told us Oliver was up the road at a neighbor’s house, saying she can’t keep him home. This would be nothing unusual for an eight year old boy, except Oliver cannot walk without crutches. Shortly, though, we saw the truth of her words, as Oliver RAN towards us down the hill. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone run on crutches before. He was so excited to see Dick, and more excited when Dick told him he’d brought Oliver newer, slightly bigger crutches. As we were fixing Oliver’s crutches, an older boy came struggling down the street. His legs were twisted in a variety of directions, but Miguelito did an amazing job staggering down the steep hill. He was wondering if we had crutches that he could have, to make his walking easier. Again, this would not be remarkable, except Miguelito was deaf and unable to speak, but, like Bayron, had no difficulty making his desires known. He didn’t ask out-right for crutches, but did look longing at Oliver’s crutches, even touching them tenderly like they were made of gold.

I wish we had had a video camera running when Dick took out a second pair of brand new crutches from the car. To say Miguelito’s face lit up, is a vast understatement. It was more like fireworks went off in his eyes. Dick quickly adjusted the crutches so they were just the right size for him, and after very brief instructions, he was off, trying to keep up with Oliver. He did stop long enough, however, to pose for some pictures to commemorate his new mobility.

It was a little bit unusual that Dick had decided to visit Oliver, since there really was no need we knew of. Some would say it was coincidence that Dick had brought along crutches that were obviously too big for Oliver. Some would say it was a stroke of luck that Miguelito was visiting Oratoria from the nearby village in which he lived. Any of us who were there today, though, know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was a holy moment, when God had decided to bless a little boy with crutches, and He was gracious enough to let us be a part of His blessing. If this had been the only thing we did on this whole trip, the look on Miguelito’s face would have made the 3 hour drive more than worth it.
Our final stop of the day was at Wilmer’s house. We discovered that because of a mix up, Wilmer had not been tutored for the past few months. Since we were here, we were able to contact his tutor and arrange for his sessions to begin again immediately. This young teacher is a remarkable woman, freely sharing with us about the special needs children she had and currently was teaching in her regular classroom. On top of this, she was willing to take on tutoring Wilmer 5 hours a week, saying that every child deserves a chance for an education.

I don’t want to be critical, but I can’t help compare her to the many of the teachers I worked with as a consultant in the public schools. My job was to help teachers find ways to keep special needs students within the regular classroom. The biggest obstacle to the success of this program was not the disabilities of the students, but the attitudes of the teachers. They felt overwhelmed and did not see why they should make the extra effort. I wish I could introduce each one of them to this amazing young teacher, who may or may not have electricity in her classroom, probably does not even have a desk to sit at, and has no teaching aids beside her students’ textbooks and her own creativity. Who has only a cement block house to live in, and two young daughters waiting for her when she finally arrives home each night. Who is paid approximately $1/hour for her dedication, and yet cares deeply that all children be educated.

We also talked with Wilmer’s parents about Walter, his younger brother. It appears to us that Walter has hydrocephalus, and we had talked with Mom over a year ago about getting him in to see one of the doctors at Hermano Pedro. The family explained that this had not happened, since Walter also had significant respiratory problems, and paying for medical care for these had taken all their resources. By general agreement, it was decided that Dick would speak with a neurosurgeon he knows, and we would try to return and take both Walter and Mom to see this doctor as soon as possible. So we will be returning to this part of Guatemala soon to follow through with this promise.

We had to cut short our visit with these wonderful folks, because once again today the rain began coming down in buckets, and we were still up on a mountain. Driving back to the hotel tonight, the four of us could not help but reflect on the blessings of the day. We had figured it would be a “short” day, and we would have plenty of time to kick back and relax at the hotel. Since it was after five when we returned, this obviously did not happen. I don’t think any of us would have traded any part of our day for a week at a spa. We were tired, but were sure that we had seen God move in an through His people today. What a great way to spend a Sunday!

Pat

Monday, July 12, 2010

Dick and I started out today joking that there would be nothing to journal about today, except we drove and drove and drove. While it’s true that we did drive a lot, so much more was waiting for us than we imagined.

Shortly after pulling out of the hotel parking lot, Dick noticed that the dashboard gauges were acting funny, and we stopped about a half mile from the hotel to see if he and Ryan could figure out what was going on. Melissa and I decided that our best role was to be quiet and pray. Having no luck, we returned to the hotel to see if they knew of a good mechanic. A very kind young man who had a mechanic’s shop just a couple blocks away from the hotel came down to see if he could help. But, as so often happens in Guatemala, the mechanics are not particularly knowledgeable, and the only thing he could think of to recommend was a new battery.

Dick was sure the problem was electrical, but thought it had more to do with grounding. We thanked the man, and decided to try to head out, now that the car at least appeared to be running somewhat adequately. A short way down the road, Dick noticed he had no dashboard lights, and again pulled over, fearing he also had no headlights. After a number of frustrating minutes, Dick was “inspired” to use his jumper cables to see if grounding the dashboard instruments would help. The next thing we heard was a jubilant “That’s it!” from Dick. Now all we need was a piece of wire and we would be set. Dick found one at an electrical store, and pieced “stuff” together (I have no idea what he did, nor do I want to know—as long as it works, I’m willing to trust his judgment!). Now his horns even worked, which he used for the next few miles (okay, maybe it was more like a few blocks!) whenever he could find an excuse. We were once again headed to El Salvador.

While I don’t want to in any way diminish Dick’s “MacGuyver” abilities (or as he prefers to call them, his “A Team skills”), I really think this repair had much more to do with God’s graciousness, and Dick’s sensitivity to His leading. That something so simple could be causing so much of a problem, and that there was such a simple solution once it was discovered, seems to me to have the finger prints of our Father all over it. And, since I know Dick was praying as much as he was fuming, (Those of you who are not aware that many English words have totally different meanings when used here in Guatemala I want to inform you that the word fuming means quietly meditating. Dick ) I’m sure the Father helped him figure out the solution.

In a short time (by Guatemalan standards) we crossed the border into El Salvador at Frontera Hachadura (spelling?). We had just gotten our passports stamped, and were walking around looking for the lady we were to meet, when Dick realized that this border crossing did not look familiar to him, and thought perhaps we had come to the wrong one. (This was the one we almost “ran” earlier in the week, and we all just figured that we had stumbled upon our border crossing. Wrong!) After a number of phone calls, we discovered we needed to be at the next border crossing, about a 50 minute drive from where we were. Once again we were off, after having to get our passports once again stamped (across the office from the window where we had gotten it stamped only 15 minutes earlier!). I have to admit, the immigration officers had more of a sense of humor about this than any of us expected!

We arrived at Frontera Valle Nueva without further difficulty, only about 4 hours later than we were originally expected, and were happy to see Lizette waving at us as soon as we crossed the bridge into El Salvador. If we had any misgivings about whether or not the trials of the morning were worth it, they were erased as soon as we saw Melvin, the young boy who needed a wheelchair.

Melvin had pretty low muscle tone, and we found he had spinal meningitis. He was being cared for by his aunt and uncle, and it was clear that they could not have loved him more if he were their biological child. A physical therapist working with Melvin had also come along—which doesn’t seem like a big deal, except this man had given up a full day to come with this family just to be with them when Melvin got his wheelchair after more than a year of waiting.

Dick and Ryan went to work, adjusting the chair to as perfect a fit as possible, right there in the parking lot of immigration, while Melissa expertly interpreted for Dick. I got to visit a little with the boy’s aunt, and mostly just hung around and took pictures. It was so good to see Ryan working alongside Dick. The two of them seemed to connect easily, as Dick patiently taught Ryan some of the fine points of fitting a chair. During this time, an audience gathered to see just what was going on, interested in how this little one was being helped. Dick told us how different this was from only ten years ago, when someone with a disability would have been shunned by the Guatemalan people.

After finishing the job, Melvin’s uncle began to thank us all. Dick shared with him that the thanks was really owed to God, because He was the one who really had provided the wheelchair through His people. Dick went on to explain, rather tearfully, that he wanted the family to know that Melvin was also a gift from God, sharing that he had helped raise a young man with a disability who was now in his twenties. Dick got a bit choked up when he shared how much Steven had taught him as he cared for Steven.

This last bit of sharing seemed to have impacted Melvin’s uncle, as he thanked Dick for telling him about Steven, and how this gave him hope for Melvin.

Was the gospel presented today? Absolutely—in the manner of St. Francis who said, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” Christ was proclaimed not only to the family, but to all those who had gathered to watch. Dick “preached” a sermon, not by “fancy words” as St. Paul says, but by his life, his love and his example. Was God glorified? I believe He was, as I think all of us realized what a divine appointment today was. Was the trip and the hassle of the morning worth it? I’ll let you decide.

Pat

Thanks Pat. I want to thank Melissa and Ryan as well. This was their first trip ever to Guatemala but by the way that they jumped right in and got fully involved with what ever we were doing. I have very little doubt that that they will be returning to Guatemala again soon.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, July 1-4, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 03:04:00 +0000

Above one of the caregivers at Hermano Pedro
takes time from her 12 hour work day to love on one of the kids.

(Today she will earn about $12.)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

I know that over the years people, myself included, have written a about many of the things that we do not like about Hermano Pedro orphanage and changes that we would like to see made there. Granted there are still a lot of changes that I would like to see but I have to say that I am very grateful that Hermano Pedro exists. I know that many of the children that live there would not be alive were it not for the care that they receive there. Would I rather see each and every child that lives there living in a loving home environment? Of coarse I would, but the same could be said for any child that lives in even the best group home or institution in the USA or any other country. I hope that I never fall to speak up on behalf of the children when I see room for improvement, but I am finding that a lot more gets accomplished when I work along side of some one than when I work against them, especially when I am there as their guest. No it is not a perfect place but I have seen and held far to many disabled and starving kids that had no Hermano Pedro to go to, and like the 5 children pictured here, most of the other little ones are no longer alive either.

. .

My good friend Pat Duff sent the following to me a few weeks ago just before she moved full time to Guatemala.

Pat writes,

I'm reading the book Gracias! written by one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen. The book is his journal of six months he spent in Latin America, discerning God's will for his life.

In it he quotes an unidentified Latin American Catholic Bishop who has a message for all of us who go to Latin America as missionaries. I think it's worth sharing since many of my friends are interested in and/or support missions. Here are the Bishop's words to us:

Walk with Us in Our Search.

Help us discover our own riches; don't judge us poor because we lack what you have.

Help us discover our chains; don't judge us slaves by the type of shackles you wear.

Be patient with us as a people; don't judge us backward simply because we don't follow your stride.

Be patient with our pace; don't judge us lazy simply because we can't follow your tempo.

Be patient with our symbols; don't judge us ignorant because we can't read your signs.

Be with us and proclaim the richness of your life which you can share with us.

Be with us and be open to what we can give.

Be with us as a companion who walks with us--neither behind nor in front--in our search for life, and ultimately for God.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Friday, July 2, 2010

Today I took another volunteer teem to Hermano Pedro Orphanage.

Some had special needs children of there own
and loving on these kids was not difficult for them.

Some instantly feel in love with the kids.

Others were a bit more apprehensive at first,

But it didn't take long before each and every member of this teem forgot about themselves and let the love of Jesus shine through.

Thanks teem!
Each and every one of you
were true reflections of
Jesus Christ.

Goodnight, .. . . . . . . .
Yours in Christ: Dick

Saturday, July 3, 2010

It was a bit wet today so rather than rent a soccer field as planned some of the kids and I decided to take in a movie.

Before going to the movie we drove to Antigua and picked up Pat Duff who joined us for the movie and then for a late lunch. Or was it an early supper?

The 4th of July came a few hours early at my place. Tonight I was home alone for a change. (My choice not theirs) The vote on whether or not the kids would stay longer was actually 11 to 1 in favor of the kids staying but since I was tired and in need of a kid break, I decided that my 1 vote would equal 12). Why some of the most interesting things that happen around here take place in my shower is beyond me but tonight I had a private fireworks show. I am not sure what came first, the power serge that caused my widow maker shower head to short out and resemble an exploding sky rocket or an exploding shower head that caused a power surge that melted the electrical line that runs from the light pole across the alley to my house but it put on quite a fireworks show both in my bathroom and outside in the alley. While I got to witness the one in the bathroom at a not at all safe distance of about 6 inches I only heard about the fireworks display out side of my house from my neighbors. I would have run out side to see it my self but I was not properly dressed for the occasion. Had it been a birthday celebration I would have fit right in as I was already wearing the proper suit. Thankfully the water that was running through the burning shower head quickly put the fire out and I was not burned or electrocuted. I was also glad that none of the other wires that run from the same light pool were effected because if my wire count is correct I think that this one light pool must supply half of Chimaltenango with power.

Any way it will likely be several days before I have lights or before I will be able to take a hot shower. I am trying to look at it optimistically though. I figure that with out lights no one is going to see me so why do I have to look clean.

Well the battery of my computer is running low and I still have to figure out where I put my can of deodorant so I better say, "Goodnight".

Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, July 4, 2010

The kids and I thought that we would start off the day by playing a little soccer. Not that I enjoy getting up at 6 AM on the weekend all that much but I am Dutch and the soccer field is only 10Q ($1.25) if you rent it before 8 AM.

After the game most of the crew came to my house for breakfast then the kids and I headed off to church. That was followed by more food. an hour at the orphanage and then a hike up to the cross that is on the hill that overlooks Antigua. My crew has now dwindled down to about 3 kids and I think that is as low as the count will get because it looks like they are settling in for the night.

Well I think that I will go take a cold shower and then head off to bed.

Oh by the way I do have lights in the house, not to many though. I don't want to fry the extension cord that is plugged into an outlet over at my neighbor's house.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 22-29, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:57:00 +0000

(Click on any image to enlarge)

I have to admit that I have once again fallen way behind on my journaling. Thankfully a few people that I have been with have been more faithful than me in that department so once again I am going to post one or 2 of their journals along with a hodge podge of my pictures and a few comments. I will try to do a better job in the future but no promises. There are only 24 hours in a day and I seem to have a knack for finding more interesting things to do than writing. Here are a few photos of some of those things.

These 6 girls from the teen section of the orphanage
enjoyed going out to the park.

Judging by the expression on Mercedes face they enjoyed Camperos even more.

A few days later several of the younger kids had their day out on the town.

It appears that Camperos was the favorite part of this groups outing as well.

The following was written by Amber Greathouse, one the ladies that volunteered at Hermano Pedro this week.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

It would have been very easy for me to turn around and leave. When I first entered the children's ward I was so overwhelmed I thought I might lose my breath. There were what seemed like hundreds of children all lined up against the walls strapped into wheelchairs. Some were covered with mosquito netting so bugs and flies would not crawl into their open mouths and eyes. Most of the children where starring into space and slobbering. I thought to myself I will never make it through this day let alone this trip. There were a few little fellows zipping along in a more open area. Some with stand up wheelchairs and one with a head controlled wheelchair, and they were so darn cute. Angela turned to us and said, "well, OK pick one". Pick one? Was Angela crazy? This wasn't exactly like going to the pond for a new puppy. These were children, someone's most precious possessions, a little person with a heart and a soul and a mind, no matter how functioning, and I was just supposed to pick one? There would be no way I could possibly help any of these kids. This was way beyond a small group of volunteers. I was starting to think hiking Volvan Agua would be a nice way to spend the day, and then Angela handed me Perla.

She had gorgeous black curls and a total of 4 teeth, all that were fully covered with bright silver mercury filled fillings. She was expressionless, just looking out to nowhere. I sat down and said one of the few Spanish things I knew, "hola Perla", and suddenly her face wasn't so expressionless,maybe she had heard me? I was wishing that I had learned at least one Spanish song, but since I hadn't I started counting. By the time I got to diez I got a full fledged smile. This precious little girl, who would never walk, talk, sit up, or probably ever eat solid food, she just smiled at me.

I guess I held Perla there for about an hour or so. I sang the days of the week and counted to ten probably one hundred times and she seemed happy the whole time. It was amazing.

Later I held Patita. She was a little more aware than Perla, she could sit up a little with a lot of help. She didn't have Perla's cute curls. Instead she had a buzz cut, shorter than most of the boys. I really liked her. She wasn't as cute and cuddly as some of the other children. Dick Rutgers, one of the main volunteers that has been there for years, said that she was one that didn't usually get a lot of attention. I liked her so much that she's the one I went and found after lunch that day and every day after. I spent about 3 hours with her that first day. I even fed her, which basically amounted to me holding her while her IV bag drained through her feeding tube. I sang the days of the week, counted, and shouted fiesta over and over again. I taught her the C-A-T-S- cheer and told her about the Wildcats. When I started moving her arms up int he air for the "Fiesta" cheer and the "Cats" cheer she started to laugh. She started to laugh out loud. What an amazing sound! Angels could have came from heaven up above and sang and it would not have sounded so sweet.

I was so overwhelmed when I had first walked in but by the end of the day I had made several wonderful new friends, Patita being one of my favorites. I guess Angela wasn't so crazy after all.

Amber Greathouse

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

At the beginning of the school year I promised the kids that hang out at my place that I would take those that got good marks on their report cards to a water park in Esquentla. Nine of them got to go.

No Camperos here
but we all had
a great time.

In spite of his good grades I did not allow Calin to go with us to the water park.

but a few days later I let him join us for a neighborhood soccer game.

Thursday, June 24, 2010Marcos, Esbin (They are out of school for a week???) and 2 people that are visiting from the States joined me for a visit to Ronny and his family. This was not a scheduled visit but the night before I received a phone call that Ronny's power wheelchair had quit running. The drive to Ronny's house is 2 hours each way but well worth it knowing how much Ronny's power wheelchair means to him. As an added bonus Mara, one of the people that accompanied the boys and I got to see the Democratica, the town where her adopted son came from.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Cesar, Bryan (Who are also out of school for a week) and I traveled down to Jalapa Along with Chris, some of the Bethel workers, and a group of volunteers from the States. Cesar Bryan and myself helped out with the wheelchair distribution that was held in Jalapa on Saturday and then headed back home on Sunday. Chris and the others are planning on staying in Jalapa for several days so that they can build a house for a family who's son received a wheelchair and also to distribute food to needy families in the area.

Kathy Christensen who is here with the volunteer group from the Seattle area is doing some journaling and here is what she wrote about the wheelchair distribution.

Cathy Wrote the following.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord."

Romans 12:11

It is good to be back in Guatemala with Dick and Chris. The wheelchair distribution in Jalapa was simply a blessing. It was a blessing to be able to help pack the truck in Chimel on Friday with the supplies we'd be needing during our time here. Wheelchairs, walkers, wheelchair parts, tools, food, clothing and a house. (No kitchen sink, but rather a stove).

There were a lot of people who attended the wheelchair distribution. To realize that many of them have been waiting decades for mobility helped to keep us focused on each individual chair fitting. An elderly woman we helped was so pleased to have a chair that her eyes sparkled with joy. They were even more sparkling when she was treated, for the first time in her life, to a manicure from one of our team members.

There were a lot of children needing chairs. From previous experiences these require specialized fittings. Though I've lived 18 years with a child in a wheelchair, never would I profess to have the talent for such an undertaking. And yet when confronted with the task, and by God's grace, oh, and Dick's excellent suggestions, my group was able to fit a chair to a precious little girl whose loving father was grateful for receiving. It was a highlight, and a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit.

To be the hands and feet of Christ is an awesome experience, and does so much more for us than the recipients. To understand that God is changing our hearts and minds while we are serving others is a reminder that these types of trips are so necessary for our spiritual journey. When I am here it is apparent that God calls us to help others not just for their benefit, but for ours. And this team I am on is truly serving with fervor, jumping in and working hard in Jesus' name - with actions and in truth.

This is also an experience in discovering the true meaning of need. These lovely people do not have the services we have come to expect in the States. And having a child or adult with a disability is much more problematic for families living in a country that is impoverished. So sharing our blessings with those in great need not only helps us appreciate what we have, but also shows us why God calls us to share our portion with "the least of these".

Thank you Lord for your lessons in humility, service and faith.

Cathy

Monday, and Tuesday June 28 & 29 , 2010 During the past few days I have spent most of my time at Hermano Pedro Orphanage. Since School is still out (???????) I took 2 of my boys with me each of the days. On Monday Fernando and Elder came along with me and today Esbin and Bryan accompanied me. Watching my boys interact with the kids at the orphanage always does my hart good. If you were aware of some of the things that my boys have been through you would think that they would be angry at the whole world. That is why I always marvel at the love and compassion that they show to the orphanage kids. They are living proof that God can heal the most wounded harts. Thank you Lord for putting them in my life.

Goodnight:
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 26, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:29:00 +0000

Last Week I wrote about the trip that a few of us took into one of the remote ares near Huehuetenango. Dennis McCutcheon of Vine international was one of the people that accompanied me on this trip. The following is part of Dennis account of one of the days that we spent in the back country.

Dennis wrote-

..........Dick Rutgers and Roland our interpreter have a knack for finding handicapped children in the hinter lands of Guatemala. Here some of these children when born in rural villages are either killed at birth as local village leadership encourage the fathers to take the child into the jungle and bludgeon it to death with a stick. If they survive birth – praise God not all fathers do what the witch doctor prescribes - they are kept hidden away in dark corners. There are very little in resources for them. Dick has written about a desire to take doctor’s into homes, because these kids are often not brought out to the big medical teams. Woody Woodson the president of Vine International got together a small team that explored doing what Dick envisioned. Dick told of the audible sigh and visible relief in one dad when Dick told him his cerebral palsy son is not a curse for his sins.

We left the valley floor at about 3,000 feet and climbed dirt track, sometimes concreted roads at 30 to 40% percent grade in ‘GRANNY’ gear. We parked at the top at over 8,000 feet and walked about a mile and a half to a school where we found a small empty room and saw a few patients. I saw a woman that has stepped up to the plate and adopted two special needs children in this highland village, This is so rare. She struggles each week to put tortillas rice and beans on the table a couple of times a day. But two kids are alive…

(Click on any picture to enlarge)

But more moving than that on this awesome Thursday – Guatemalan Father’s Day was going to Ileni’s home. We were literally in the clouds. This dirt floor two room house has the floors and porch neatly swept (yes you can keep a dirt floor home neat and clean). Flowers decorated the yard, hung from porch and walls. Sheep, pigs, and chickens that wanted to roost on my back pack were everywhere. This dear child had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and has been on steroids for two years. Dr. Bruce Allsop examined her. What impressed me most was this child’s dad. He stayed so close that he was always between the child and the mother in fact. Unusual in these villages. When Dr. Bruce explained changing medicine regimen, he asked questions and went over the instruction on more than one occasion. I was ‘moved with compassion’ to see this dad engaged in the care of his daughter.

I asked if I could bless the house and while praying for this family told the father that he had a most difficult job. That God gave father’s to children to represent in a small way Who God is and that God gave him his wife that he may be a picture of Christ to her. When I raised my head the wife had her arms around her husbands neck (gently) and tears streaming down her face. That kind of relationship does not exist in every home we were in this week and it was so good to see.....

First stop in the climb from 3,000 feet to 8,300. You can see in these photos why a mountain man from West Virginia loves the land and the roads.

Mountain vistas on the other side of the mountain we are standing on we could have seen Mexico if the clouds had not been so dense.

Switch back - (sister kisser in West Virginia - because when your daddy took the curve you slid across the bench seat and hit your brother or sister. Why our parents let us live after some of those arguments I will always wonder! HA!)

A family died here when their car left the road five switchbacks up the hill. Praise God for manual transmissions, low range 4 wheel drive and Granny gears.

These young men got to cut class to meet the gringos. They would have carried our stuff if we asked. They could run the road and made it in less than half the time. But being sort of like me, any excuse to cut class is a good excuse. For me the walking at over 8,000 ft. elevation was exercise enough. Dick Rutgers is on the left. He and Roland our translator were the first gringos many of these children had ever seen. Dr. Bruce is in the middle - his usual position always in the thick of things!

Those gringos are quite a show!

More of the "gettin' there."

You will notice that many (gasp for air) of my photos are from behind (gasp for air) that was just for the photography effect, (gasp for air) no seriously.

(Another gasp for air)

Still "gettin there"

It is the "Rainy Season"

Woody talking about Jesus

When Dick first came with 5 wheelchairs a few years ago, these kids would not come onto the same soccer field where he parked his vehicle. By the way he is doing one of my favorite things - sharing the digital photo with the kids he just snapped.

Now these kids flock to him
Our team is against the wall on chairs. We are an attraction that is for sure.

Dennis McCutcheon

Thanks Dennis:

It was a pleasure having Woody, Bruce, and you meet these wonderful people that I have such a burden for. Ever since my first trip up into this village less than 2 years ago I have been praying that I could somehow get a doctor up into this area. The 3 of you were an answer to those prayers.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 22, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:02:00 +0000

This past weekend we traveled several hundred miles to reach out to one child.

I must admit that I was a bit proud of my self for being willing to take part in this journey.

Then I remembered how far Jesus had been willing to go for me.

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 16-18, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:37:00 +0000

I have just returned from a trip to an area in Guatemala that is near the Mexico border north of Huehuetenango. Five of us went in to this rather remote area to assess some of the medical needs of the people in this area. One of the members of our teem was a Doctor from the USA. Instead of putting on a big medical clinic we mostly visited people who were in need of medical care right in their homes. Because of the remoteness of many of these people we were only able to visit with a few families each day but we all returned agreeing that this was truly a worthwhile trip. We may not have reached multitudes but were able to get to know those that we worked with in a personal way. Not only were physical needs met but friendships were strengthened and established and spiritual needs were also met.

I would like to go into a lot more detail and tell you more about these wonderful people that we came into contact with but tomorrow morning I will be heading out with this same teem for a few days to the Rio Dulci area so rather than spend my time writing I am going to post a few pictures and then spend the rest of the day with the kids.

Hiking medicine in to Erica's home.

Doctor Bruce examines Freddy

Doctor Bruce changed Freddy's medication a bit so that he will hopefully be seizure free.

We will soon be Taking Hilda in to see a specialist in Guatemala City to determine weather or not a shut will have to be put in to drain off the water that is building up inside of her head.

The trail in to Christopher's home is so steep and narrow that his mother had to carry him about a half mile so that he could go to school. He is now to heavy for her to carry so we are trying to find a sponsor for him so that he can attend school at home.

Roland does a great job of interpreting.
He even got most of the hand gestures right.

Woody Woodson from Vine International.

Even Land Cruisers
can get stuck.

The last part of this road was too muddy to drive so we had to walk in to this village.

Depending on which member of our teem you talked to the hike was anything from 1 to 20 miles.

It gets a bit foggy at
8,200 feet above sea level.

10 year old Rudy Aguilar Lucas is Deaf. My friend Pat Duff has offered to work with him so that he can somehow communicate with people.

(Actually I haven't told Pat about him yet but she reads my journals so now she knows that she has offered to see him.)

THANKS PAT

4 year old Heidi Marimar Gomez Lucas has no opening into her ear. We are trying to schedule her in at Hermano Pedro so that she can see a specialist.

6 years old Noe Avidail Gomez Martinet
lives on sugar water and 2 tortillas a day.

Goodnight,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 11-15, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:36:00 +0000

At the top of most of my Journal entries I post pictures that I have taken of some of the beautiful children that I work with here in Guatemala. Here is another picture of a beautiful child.

"Lord help me to see each child that you have created
in the same way that you see them."

The LORD said to Samuel,

"Do not consider his appearance .........
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7

Friday, June 11, 2010

I woke up with intentions of going to Hermano Pedro orphanage this morning but my stomach soon told me otherwise. After all these years of living here in Guatemala I have gotten to the point where I can eat just about anything with out it bothering my stomach. Like I said just about anything. Evidently something that I ate last night got to my otherwise iron stomach. Funny thing though my kids ate my cooking and they didn't get sick.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(Click on any photo to enlarge),,,,,,,,,,,,,

These 4 pictures in today's post are not paintings of what the inside of my stomach is feeling like. Believe it or not they are untouched photographs of Pacaya the volcano here in Guatemala that erupted 2 weeks ago. The majority of the pictures that I post are taken by me but as much as I would like to take credit for these I have to admit that I did not take them. They were taken by Nick Weaver who works with Orphan Resource International.

Thanks Nick

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Saturday, June 12, 2010

I'm feeling better today. I hung out with the kids most of the day. Four of my boys had a big soccer game in San Lucas. They took a buss with the rest of their teem but 13 of us took my car there to watch the game. This was their last game of the season and a big one. Chimaltenango and Antigua were playing for first place after beating out 8 other towns during the past few months. It was a close one but my kids won by one goal. Tonight I took the kids that played out for supper to celebrate.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Church, and then the kids and I took 2 visitors from England and 3 from the States through Hermano Pedro orphanage. Nearly every kid was in bed when we arrived shortly after 1 PM but we made short work of that.

Not only did this group love on the Orphanage kids but they had a great time with my kids as well.

Monday, June 14, 2010

I plan on being on the road again for the next 7 days. So I decided to spend the day at the orphanage just hanging out with the kids. In the morning 2 American volunteers and myself took 3 of the kids out to the park and then at noon I took Ervin out to Camperos. I would have liked to take more of the kids out to lunch but the 2 girls that helped me take the kids to the park had other commitments. It was really difficult for me to decide which kid to take to lunch when so many of them wanted to go and in some ways it would have been easier for me to not have taken anyone but I am learning that reaching out to just a few or even one is better than burring my head in the sand and not reaching out to any any of them. Ervin who Spends 4 to 5 hours a day tied to a post in his wheelchair and the other 19 to 20 hours a day locked in his crib wholeheartedly agreed.

I headed for home at around 3 PM because I had promised my kids that I would spend some time with them before going back out on the road for a week. A few of the kids do not get out of school until 6 PM so the rest of us hung out at the house and played some games. Once the rest of them got home we walked down to Camperos and had Pizza. We had reserved a soccer field for 8 PM (Why they call it a field when it is cement is beyond me.) so I tried to convince the kids that it was not wise to eat to much pizza before playing.

.........(Silly me. Nice try, but it didn't work!)

It still baffles me as to why my kids tell me that I am being cruel to them if I ask them to walk to the store for a dozen eggs when it is drizzling out but have no problem playing soccer in a downpour.
A while back I was asked how I could do any missionary work when there were always so many kids around. My answer to that is not only do I try to involve my kids in this ministry but that God is showing me more and more that a big part of my ministry is being there for my kids. Yes there will always be Calin days when I walk into a room and find one of my kids stealing from my cupboards, but there are are also the Miguel days when I walk into a room and find one of them on his knees praying with the others. I feel so blessed that God has allowed me to be part of these kids lives.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Thursday, June 15, 2010, 11:18 AM
In an hour or so my good friend Woody Woodson from Vine international, Dr. Bruce Allsop and Dennis McCutcheon should be showing up at my place. Today the 4 of us will travel to Xela where we will be joined by my friend Rolland Elf and then tomorrow we are planning on heading up to some of the remote villages above Huehuetennago where we will spend the next few days. I am excited about this trip because I have been praying that we could get a doctor into this area ever since my first visit a few years ago. On that visit and those to follow I saw a need for doctors that were willing to go in and visit some of these people. Because of their rather remote location and their close location to the Mexico border not many outsiders visit this area. Some of these remote border settlements are hot spots for drug runners so most visitor and unfortunately most missionaries stay clear of them.

I ask that you pray for this trip that it may be just the first of several trips where we can go to these people and demonstrate God's love in action. We will be as careful as possible but are aware that there are dangers. We know that bad things can happen to good people, but we also know that God said "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15) So we are going. Ever since coming to Guatemala I have known that I was exactly where God wanted me to be so what better place could I possibly be?

Yours in Christ: Dick

Journal, June 7-10, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0000

(Click on any picture to enlarge.)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Tropical storm Agatha has left a lot of people hurting, so this morning I headed over to Bethel's wheelchair shop and picked up some walkers, crutches, mosquito netting, children's vitamins, and a few water filters. Then I drove to Antigua and picked up my friend Carlos. We then headed over to Hope Haven's wheelchair factory where Mark Richard helped us load up my car the rest of the way with boxes of food, and then headed for the coast.

Mark is the one with the gray hair and the beard.

I am the one with the gray hair and the beard.

Or is it the other way around?

It has been over a week since Agatha hit Guatemala so enough roads have been reopened that we figured that we could likely make in in to most of the families that we knew. Our first stop was at the home of Irma. Irma is a lady that is in a wheelchair that we built a house for several years ago. She, her 2 children and granddaughter had to move into a community shelter for a few days when the storm filled their house with water but they managed to hang up their meager belongings on the rafters of their house so they lost only a few things. Their well that was always polluted is now nothing more than a hole in the ground that is filled wiht mud ans sludge though. Chris had already managed to get some money to Erma so that she could have the well cleaned out and today we gave her a water filter and a some groceries.

....Carlos & Irma's granddaughter

Our next stop was at the clinic in Lagomara. My good friend Doctor Josey and the mayor's wife took time from their busy schedules to visit with us and tell us about some of the ever present needs along with new ones that the flooding had brought on. We gave them some of the supplies that we had and then moved on.

From there we drove a narrow dirt road to Ronny's house. Even though it had to be close to 100 degrees we kept the windows of my car rolled up on this stretch of road. This was the same road that I had met the 3 armed bandits on a few months ago. My windows are not bullet proof but they are tinted and so it is hard for a bandit to know how many people are in a car and weather or not they themselves are armed. I do not carry a gun but feel that it is best to keep certain people wondering.

Ronny's family is always one of my favorites to visit. Over the years they have become like family to me. They told me that the water had gotten about 2 feet deep but fortunately we had built their house high enough that not a drop got into it. An hour suddenly turned into 2 and even though it seemed like we had just started our visit we knew that we had to move on.

Before leaving we stopped of at a few of their relatives that had experienced flooded homes and gave them some food and mosquito netting as well. Some times it feels like we are doing so little but I have come to realize that even though the food and other supplies are needed and appreciated, letting these people know that we care, and more importantly that God cares about them is even more important.
Less than an hour after leaving Ronny's house we arrived ant Julio's home. 11 year old Julio is still in the malnutrition ward of Hermano Pedro. I was able to get him in there after he dropped down to around 20 pounds. He is doing well but I knew that the rest of the family would likely be in need of food especially after most of the homes in their village had 2 to 3 feet of water in them about a week ago.

We then drove about another hour and actually found a hotel that is quite nice. You might say that it is a bit humid out side. Still in the upper 90s and pouring down rain. We paid a bit extra for a hotel that had air conditioning and it was likely worth it were it not for the fact the the lighting took out the electricity shortly after we arrived. Oh well at least I am getting a lot of journaling done. If it were cool in my room I would likely be sleeping instead of writing in my journal at 3 AM.

4:30 AM My room has finally cooled off to somewhere in the upper 80s so I thing that I will try to get some sleep.

Good night:
Yours in Christ, Dick

Tuesday, June 8, 2010First thing this morning we drove to the home that we recently built for Rosa and her 8 children. Rosa and her family are doing better now that they are in their new home but there are still some problems. We would like all of our efforts in helping people to have Cinderella results but unfortunately that does not always work out. On a positive note several of the kids are now in school and the family no longer lives in what resembles a pig sty. Please pray for this family though because they need Christ in their lives before they ever find real happiness.

Next stop was at the home of the Gonzales family. David who is confined to a wheelchair has suffered from bed sores a good part of his life. The past few months they have been so bad that he has had to drop out of school. This is sad because it took years with a private teacher before we could get any school to accept him. David has full intention to continue his schooling but he and his family have decided that he has to get these bed sores taken care of first. With in a few days we plan to have him see a doctor and then he will likely have to be hospitalized for a period of time.

..........................................

We then drove for about 2 hours to the home of Jason, his mother and sister. A few weeks ago I mentioned in my journal that principal of the school that Jason had been attending told Jason's mother that his teacher had come to her and told her that see no longer wanted Jason in her class because Jason who has CP had poor penmanship. Believe it or not the principal sided with the teacher and Jason was booted out of school. Today I had the pleasure of telling Jason and his mother that we now have a sponsor for Jason and that a teacher would be coming into his home a few times a week to teach him one on one. Both Jason and his mom were excited. I had also brought a walker along from our shop and once I got it fitted to him he was non stop.

One more stop for a quick visit at Owen's home and we then made a 2 hour drive to our hotel here in Mazatenango. I has been a long day but a good one.

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

This morning Carlos and I headed up to the village where Florinda and her family live. There we met up with Roland Elf who had spent the night there. Florinda is a little girl that Roland and I brought in to the malnutrition ward of Hermano Pedro about a year ago. Thanks to Roland's persistence and a great nuro surgeon Florinda is now back with her family. She still has a long way to go and only time will tell if she will fully recover but she is no longer having severe pain or seizures.

Florinda 11 months ago.

Florinda Now

After our visit with Florinda and her family we stopped off and visited several other poor families in the area. Each and every family thanked us over and over again for the food, vitamins, and mosquito netting that we gave them. This village did not receive much damage from the storm that we had a week and a half ago but there are still a lot of people living there that are in great need. To me it was a not so gentle reminder that often times we are quick to jump in and help people when a major disaster happens but seem to forget them once their pictures and stories disappear from the front pages of our news papers. I do not have the time to write about everyone that we met today but here are a few pictures.

We gave food and mosquito netting to the 4 people that live in this house.

The 9 people that live in what is left of this home received food and we gave a supply of vitamins to the children.

We didn't give mosquito netting though because this family has no beds to put the netting over.

This man asked if we could get him a wheelchair. He also asked if there was any way that he could see a doctor. He said that he wanted to know why he was dying.

After seeing still more people in this village we drove about 2 hours to visit with Enma and Jose. I have known this family for over 10 years so I always enjoy visiting with them. Enma told us that Water surrounded their home which is located on top of a small hill but the flood waters never did get into their house. They did loose part of their grass roof though so things inside of their house got very wet.

Both Edma and Jose were thrilled with supplies that we gave them and Edma broke into tears when we gave her a new water filter. Before leaving we had prayer with the family. Please remember them and the other families that we vised this week in your prayers. I know that those that we visited this week are simply a few out of millions that are suffering, but perhaps God put me here on earth to reach out to these few. Just think though if each of us reached out to one or 2 in Jesus name "He" could do so much.

"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world."

Goodnight:
Yours in Christ, Dick

Journal, Saturday, June 5, 2010

dick@dickrutgers.com (Dick) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 04:15:00 +0000

It has been almost a year since I caught Calin stealing money out of my wallet. He was band from my house for nearly 6 months and once I did allow him back in he was made aware that I was keeping a close eye on him. Even though he has many qualities that I deeply admire I have learned over the years that he can not be trusted when it came to stealing. Calin is one of the most compassionate people that I have ever met. He some times come on a bit loud and obnoxious but underneath that rough exterior he is a pussy cat. If you could observe him when he is with the kids at the orphanage or the people that we visit in the villages you would marvel at the love and compassion he has for them. He truly enjoys coming along with me and helping out in any way that he can. On more than one occasion I have overheard some one ask him what he wants to do when he gets older and his immediate reply has been "Like Dick." I guess that is why I found it so hard to once again tell him that he is no longer welcome in my house.

This morning I let my guard down a bit by allowing him to remain in the house by himself while I went out to my bathroom, which is in a separate building than my house, to take a shower. When I got into the shower I realized that there was no one else in the house but Calin so I cut my shower short and quickly returned to the house. In the short time that I was gone Calin had managed to find 2 keys that I had hidden in different places and had not only gotten into a locked cupboard but had also turned off the alarm and gotten into a locked strong box. He was in the process of locking things back up and was standing there with over $200 in his hand.

I will not go into great length as to the conversation that I had with Calin and later with his step dad other than to say Calin's step dad and I were on the same page as to what should be done. Were the police in this town to be respected or trusted they would have been notified. They are not so they were not. Calin is no longer allowed on my property or in my house. Both step dad and I agreed that for at least one year I will not sponsor Calin's schooling. I was assured by his step dad that he and Calin's mother will keep Calin in school even though it will be a big finical burden for them.

For the first time in his life Calin actually shows some remorse. Only time will tell weather that remorse is because he stole from me or because he was caught and is being punished. I am not ostracizing him. He will be allowed to come along to Church if he so desires but if I take the kids out to eat afterwords he will be brought home first. I told him that he can call me on the phone when ever he wants and I will make sure that we stay in close contact with him. Even though Calin will no longer be in my home he will always have a place in my hart. This has been an exceptionally rough day for me.

"When your children are little, they step on your toes....
When they grow up, they step on your heart."

Goodnight,
Yours in Christ: Dick