Hospital

Sunday Felis, Adrianna and I took three children to the Hospital just down the road from Eagle's Nest.  A group off doctors from the States is here all week providing surgeries to women, children and men under the age of seventeen.   Regular policy at the hospital is operations are only done if life threatening. Otherwise you have to go to a private hospital and pay for the care.  We arrived at 8:00 and stood in line about hour before we could fill out paperwork.

Victoria has a constant runny nose and Felis wanted to see if they could help with that.  Victoria doesn't have an ear on one side and just a tiny part of one on the other.  We wanted to see if they could possibly open the canal on the side with no ear to help with hearing and possible the constant drainage.

 They said that was something that could be done but would be an extensive surgery and not something they could do.  They gave us antibiotics for her runny nose and said if that doesn't help she may need to be checked for allergies.

 She has little glasses that attach like a headband but are hard to keep on since she doesn't have ears. She is just adorable and has improved so much since I was here last.

David, pronounced Dauveed, is three years old and has been here under a year.  He was brought to the home because of abuse and neglect in his home.  His little lips look like this most of the time but he has a beautiful smile. (didn't catch it on camera)

 He constantly has tears in his eyes and he has a male issue that needed to be checked out.  The first doctor that saw him lifted his shirt to hear his heartbeat and asked me about a scar on his stomach.  I told her I didn't know what it was from.  She said it was from trauma so I explained his background.
It is from some sort of blow to his body. She then noticed that his pointer fingers weren't functioning normally and looked more closely at them.

He uses them fine and can do everything so she said she didn't think necessary for surgery.  Probably caused from trauma.  Looks to me like his fingers were broke and knuckles didn't grow properly.   His male issue will have to be taken care of at a larger hospital.   I simply can't imagine anyone abusing a baby so badly to cause that or the type of scarring he has on his body.  I got to love and hug on him alot for we were at the hospital several hours.

Nahum is 13 and has webbed hands and feet.  Pedro and I took him to the hospital at 6:00 this morning.
Check in here is quite a bit different than in the States!   The surgery was to separate the fingers on his right hand.  They will take skin graph from his stomach to use on his fingers.

His left hand has seven fingers.  The thumb and  three fingers are webbed together.  That surgery will be more extensive and can't be done at this hospital.  He was embarrassed to show them his feet.  Hopefully after the hand surgery he will feel more comfortable with process and can get a consult next time.  Felis and Pedro have been told that the foot surgeries would require numerous surgeries and take about three years.  He can do anything any of the other boys do and plays soccer very well.  His webbed feet does make it hard to find shoes for his feet are so wide and he wears them out very quickly.

Once the doctors realized Pedro could translate they came and asked him for help many times.  One little boy had to have his foot amputated.  Several cleft palate surgeries.  Gall bladders were removed and much more.

 Nahum asked that we take a video when he was coming off of anesthesia but the doctors wouldn't allow us back in that area.  Here he when they wheel him out.
He was very cold, they have no heat or air in the hospital and most patients come out of recovery so bundled up you can't tell who they are.  We sat with him in the recovery room for about an hour and tried to get him to eat some crackers and drink some gatorade.

 He was very dizzy and we just couldn't keep him warm.
Once the nurse gave us Tylenol 3 to take home for pain off we went.  Pedro didn't see wheelchairs nearby so he got a workout in for the day.  Nahum was very wobbly when he tried to walk.  He would also be most upset with me if he knew I was posting all these photos so mum is the word!!

Little did we know that while we were on one side of the hospital Ana, one of the mama's, had brought Christina into the Emergency room.  She fell off the monkey bars and broke her arm, will be in a cast for 4 - 6 weeks.   Good thing the hospital is right down the road!!

Nahum will go back friday so they can take the bandages off and see how it is doing.  It will be a couple of weeks before he can use his hand at all and he can then slowly start moving them.  It will be important that he move them in next couple of months so that he has normal use of them.  He is unable to hold a spoon with his left hand because of how it is webbed so the next couple of weeks he will be dependent on many for help.
So glad he is here for he will get the love and care needed after his surgery.   Please keep Nahum and Christy in your prayers as they heal.

Pedro is truly a father to all these children, plus a wonderful father to three of his own.  He and
Felis are amazing.  Love them and all they do here for the kids.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

The Grublets

Was soooo very happy to see the Grublets last night.  If you have read past posts you know
about this family.
http://d-guatemalajourney.blogspot.com/2013/02/got-to-see-grublets.html
I met them a few years ago with Claire. She discovered the family years ago when their little shack stood alone in the field.  The home is next to a tire shop and several other businesses now.  If you don't look good you would assume it was just a junk area for the businesses.  But it is not.  It is a home to this family.

We had a lot of errands to run yesterday in Chela so it was after dark before we arrived.  It actually looked deserted to me.  Not one hint of light, we have assumed in past they had no electricity.  The idea that they may of moved crossed my mind and my heart sank.  Selfish of me but I would want to keep up with them regardless of where they lived.  Felis turned the headlights toward house and we honked.  The dogs that were pups last year came running outside and as soon as the older girl realized it was us they all came running.  She shouted to the other kids and they all came running. Hugs, hugs and more hugs.  Just loved seeing them.  Dorian had been with us last year, Felis and Pedro's son, and the younger boys were happy to see him.  They gave him a rabbit to hold while we passed out groceries and a bag of goodies for each of them.  The kids said their mom wasn't going to come out for it was pretty cold,  But she did, she bundled up in a hat and came out to see us.  The kids were shivering from the cold so we didn't keep them outside long. The odds are they sleep huddled together at night to stay warm on cold nights like this.  Most times when we stop they are very dirty with smudges of black which is probably from a small fire they have in the home, with no ventilation.  Felis and I are hoping the mom will let us go in her home next time so we can see what we can do for them.  Repairs, clean up, etc...   Couldn't stop thinking of them last night, prayers for them all for warmth, safety, and God's provision.

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, 

how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17

p.s. Grublet name came from this story Larry and Claire's children listened to
growing up.  It is an endearing term
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U59AKvP_E0&amp

  

New Baby at EN

This adorable little boy was brought to Eagle's Nest Wednesday night.  

 He was abandoned at the hospital and authorities have asked EN to care for him.   No name was provided on documents so Felis has named him Brandon.  She is guessing him to be about six months old.  

It was easy to get a smile out of him and he seems healthy although he was none to happy when it was bath time. Odds are he hasn't had many, if any, baths in a sink. I made excuses to go to the Home and love on him as much as possible yesterday.  Even got to feed him dinner.  I told the mama's that he would fit in my backpack just fine!!  They all laughed....

Bryan is around nine months old and he too was abandoned at the hospital.  I believe his age is nine months old and he has been here several months.

When babies are left at hospital it is usually because the family simply can't afford to take care of them.  If no family members come forward to care for him the courts will give EN full custody and he will be raised here till he is 18, like many of the children here.

All of the kids love Mama Felis and Papa Pedro.  They are not just raising their three kids, they are basically raising 48, can you even imagine?  Larry and Claire will be here next week and the kids are very, very excited that are coming for awhile.  (they started this ministry about 35 years ago - and I can't wait to see them too)

                                                       Papa Pedro getting hugs from Jaciel

                                           Cutie Ever with Felis

Prayers for them as they oversee this awesome ministry; they do an amazing job.  May they be blessed with every need that is necessary to keep things running smoothly and for the strength, wisdom, and guidance to do so on a daily basis.

We are off to Chela today to purchase some items needed and to see the Grublets!!  So excited.  Will post photos later.  Thanks for keeping up...


One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts
Psalm 145:3

Busy day

                    The team that is here has done so much in a short amount of time.

 The men have torn out and replaced kitchens in the rooms teams stay in.  They have tiled tops of dressers and repaired closets in rooms.  The ladies and I have painted the older boys rooms and varnished  the dressers for their rooms.  (It allows them to have three drawers to put all their clothes and personal belongings in).  I am excited to be able to get them new curtains and bedspreads while I am here also.

It was fun helping Felis with photos of the kids today for their monthly reports. A couple here with the team are professional photographers and they took some too.  Can't wait to see them.  Lizzy's personality has blossomed since last year - she is just a cutie pie - and calls me Mama Denise.  Melts my heart.

          The kids have been helping move wheelbarrows of rock that weren't
          used for the concrete pour on monday.

                                        Pablo ready for another load of rocks.

                                 Jenny was very happy helping haul rocks!  

Felis and I were able to get the "virtual" bookshelves finished.  They are for the buy a book campaign to raise funds for the kids in the Home going to school.  When you purchase, a for $25.00 your name is put on the "virtual" book.

I try to help with Manna feeding program monday through friday so I can love and hug on those kids.  Some of them I know for they have been coming a few years.  Others are new so trying to get them to let me touch them.  The Guatemala custom in not hugging like we do in the states, it is touching someone lightly on the upper part of the arm.  So the young kids, some very small, are frightened when you try and love on them.
One of the advantages of staying here longer than a week is you can get to know them a bit better.
One of the new families here was very shy with me the first week but this week I have been greeted with running, open arm hugs from the middle aged child.  Her name is Anna Patricia, the older girl is Sophia ( or something close - can't get it exactly) and don't have the little girls name yet.  She won't get real close to me and her sister had to coax her to take photo.  Hopefully that will change.  They walk up for the feeding program and the oldest takes care of them as a mom would.  I assume they have a mom and dad at home.

I wrote this Wednesday night but the winds got so high, I think they were 50mph, that we lost internet.
Wasn't sure we would have it this a.m.  Thick coat of dust on everything in room now.  I have been here through high winds before but this may of been the worst.  Always seems to be at nighttime.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

School Started

                                   Diana, Maria, and Flory in the front - ready for school.

School started yesterday and the kids were so excited.  The Home has 41 children attending school this year.  A special needs classroom has been set up for Angel, Victoria, and Gabriel.

                                            Special Needs classroom

A teacher has been hired specifically to meet their needs and help them learn and grow as much as possible.  I can already tell a huge difference in them just from when I was here last year from the therapy they have received.

                                Sweet Victoria is ready for her first day of school!

A total of 175 kids are attending school for pre-k through sixth grade.  It is a private school that is ranked 2nd in the area.  That is awesome for a school that is just a few years old thanks to the leadership of Pedro!

                                     Group devotion before school starts

Each morning the children line up outside by grade  before entering the classrooms.  Group devotion is held several days a week before school.   Pedro took the big kids aside and prayed with them before they entered school the first day.

They will be examples to all the young children at the school and also the last year here.  Some will be able to further their education and some will not.  Many older kids have to attend school at night or on weekends as they get older so they can work in the fields or in the family business.

                                          Cecilia is new to the Home since I was last year.
                                          She was very happy to go to school.

                                          Juan Carlos and his buddy Marlon

The kids are adorable in their uniforms and backpacks when they leave the Home in the a.m. to walk the short distance to school.  School Sponsorships for the kids education are needed this time of year since school just starte.  They attend school ten months and $500.  provides for teacher salaries, books, supplies, uniforms, snacks, cleaning of school building, and electricity.

That comes to $50. a month for each child. Please consider sponsoring a child yourself or with a group of friends. (Ten friends each giving $50.)  Felis has also set up a buy a virtual book campaign for $25.00 a book to go towards funding the 41 kids from the Home if you are interested in doing that instead.

                                             Little Ms. Lizzy ready for school

Please feel free to pass this along to any church, group, or friends that would be interested in helping children get an education here at Eagle's Nest.  Thank you!!  www.eaglesnestint.org

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.  

Proverbs 18:16 

Concrete pouring at Eagle's Nest

Today was the first day of school.  It was also concrete pouring day. 

 A new addition is being added on so the older boys will have a transition home.  The goal is to have them experience what a home life would be like as they grow older and prepare to go out into the world.  Prayer is needed for rotation couples to come and host the home for the boys for three months at a time.

Materials had been delivered all of last week preparing for today's pour but I had no idea what was involved. Absolutely amazing.  It appeared each group of men had designated jobs.  I never did figure out how they knew it was time to haul more rock, or sand, or dirt, or put more water in the barrel, or put the concrete mix in. 

They moved with such precision, it was like clock work.  I was mesmerized.  Had it not been the first day of school I am pretty sure I could of watched them for hours.  (not the best use of my time I know)

The had a pulley system on the roof, hauled the concrete up to the roof, poured in into wheelbarrows, and repeata, repeata, repeata.

They got it done in 5 1/2 hours and then spent the next couple hours cleaning and dismantling everything that had been set up for the "pour".  

So thankful for the hard work they put in for the  addition on the home.

 A group of ladies here with a team helped get dressers for the boys rooms varnished today.  We plan to get their rooms painted in the next couple of days.  Photos of the kids and the first day of school will come tomorrow. 

Let the favor of the Lord be upon us, and establish the work of our hands. 

Psalm 90:17

Volcano/Earthquake

Yesterday morning was interesting.  I had gotten up to take cough medicine and decided to lay back down for just a bit to see if cough would subside.  It felt like I went into a deep sleep so I was extremely startled when it felt like someone was shaking my bed to wake me up.  So much so that I bolted up and said "what do you want" to thin air.  It was very perplexing for I couldn't replicate the bed moving the way it did.  Didn't occur to me it was an earthquake.  Felis told me later in day that Pacaya had erupted.  The team that left Thursday had wanted to hike "Pacaya" on their way out but the tourism guides had suggested not to.  Thank goodness.  Not sure if the earthquake caused volcano or vice versa but cool photos should you be interested.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/photo/2014-01/12/c_133037704_5.htm

The team that was here last week did a lot of activities with the kids and they loved it.  They taught them songs to sing at church, dance moves to use in a video clip, art projects, sports and so much more.  I was able to help with the field day activities and it was so much fun to watch the kids work together so their team would win.

 I got to help out team six

 Eli in the sack hop race

One legged race

 Sweet Ever helping Maria with the egg in the spoon race

The mama's and the babies cheering on during field day activities.

Another team arrived today and lots of projects will be going on this week. Looking forward to helping with painting and staining the boys rooms.   School starts tomorrow and the kids are excited about that.   More to come later.  Blessings to you.

Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter

 the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3