He is Alive

I don't know if he should be after living with blood sugar level around 600mg/dL for the last 4 days (normal is around 100), but Justino is still alive. He's an older man, probably 70 something, who came to Leslie last Wednesday night feeling really bad. After some IV fluids and medicine we took him home and have been checking on him morning and evening the last several days. He and his wife live in an adobe house about 10min down the road, and he can hardly see anything even through the thick round glasses that sit on his nose beneath a shiny, bald head. I won't get into the medical specifics, but we think he may be passing kidney stones, and has pain that comes and goes. Today though I went to see Justino and his wife and he told me that he had a dream last night where the Lord massaged his whole body and inner abdomen. He said it was the first night in a while that he's slept like a baby and been pain free. His sugar was still high tonight, and if it doesn't get better we'll urge him more to go to the hospital. Anyway, he tells me every visit that he has faith in the Lord.

Then he told me about other dreams he's had. He knows God is alive and not dead. Three times the Lord has appeared to him in dreams. One time he described as walking on a narrow road that lead into a beautiful park. Men walked with him at his side and showed him all the people there. He said it wasn't hot or cold, just perfect. There was no thirst or hunger, and he said there was no moon or sun. But everything was just right. I don't know he knew of Isaiah 60 where the Bible says there will be no need for sun or moon in the City of God. Justino has only been a Christian for two years. Man did he have a lot to say though. "My God is alive." he said over and over. "He was dead, but three days later he rose again, and he was whole. And he makes me whole. I talk to him like a friend. I have faith in God." And I believe him.





Most of my computer time has been entering data for the corn project and doing e-mails, so I'm sorry for not keeping up with the blog. I'll try to do better. Juan is still visiting people in aldeas (that's where the above pictures are from), delivering food, checking on families in need, and finding new ones. This past week I sent a list with him of people we knew needed a visit. He saw a few of them, but came back with a list of at least 10 more families! At the moment we have given food to around 100 families, but are still in the processes of visiting "pendientes"--those who have approached us for help or we have heard have need. Most times we give the first bag of food to these families after just a brief interview, but to receive continuing help a house visit ensures that the family truly does need help.

Also, before I get off of here I have to at least mention that David entered a local, enduro motorcycle race--about 30 miles of mountain riding with a short obstacle course at the beginning and end. He placed 4th out of 30 riders, many of them professionals from the capital and other cities in Guatemala. 3rd place (and winner of Q1000) was the man who marked out the course and was only a minute ahead of David! He did it mostly because our friends here always urge him to try, and it sounded fun, but he did really good. I entered too, but missed a turn from the start and got way behind, finishing like 20th out of 30. Not too much to brag about. But we had fun and tried to be a testimony for Jesus in the "rich kid" motorcyle environment. You know, as I look at these last four pictures next to the first four I realized that they show two totally different worlds that exist in the same town. We work with the poorest of the poor most of the time, but can still ride motorcycles with the upper class on raceday.

David clearing some rocks and logs.
Me taking on a set of logs and tires.
Tomorrow is clinic in San Andres. It's "Feria" time though, so we don't expect too many people. The street you see at the opening of my blog will be filled with lots of people selling all kinds of things, dancing, drinking, and some bowing to idols set up in tents, or shooting "bombas" kind of like fireworks off of their chests. Witchdoctors urge them to shoot them into the air so that the gods hear them. It's not really a good day, but we'll go for those who come to clinic and pray for God's people to be a light in the midst of a mostly dark celebration time.

Back to Guatemala

This is one of the little guys we see regularly for the nutricion program in Chiminisijuan.

I just realized my last post was never published last Thursday, but just to fill anyone in, I didn't get back to Guatemala until last night. I extended my stay to help Ryan, Duane, and some other friends load up our "corn truck" with grain bins and other supplies. Hopefully the load will get here in a month or so. Our friend Martin plans to drive in through Mexico for us.
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There was nothing like being reunited with my XR650 at the airport yesterday (except maybe a pretty girl). It had been three weeks, and she was inviting me to give her a spin. My friends Dr. Sherwood and his wife Areli picked me up and took me to my motorcycle on the other side of the runway. (It was good to see them too :)! They were there to pick up some friends from Michigan who will be working with them for a week. Hopefully they'll be able to come and work with us this upcoming Saturday too. Anyway, three and a half hours after leaving the City I made it to Canilla just after dark. The dark and foggy mountain roads reminded me that I was back, as did all the familiar faces here at the house. Grace had to show me all of the new puppies we had, and David was sure to leave out some dinner for me.

Today was our weekly Chiminisijuan clinic. Armando and I went up and gave out milk/food to families who were on our programs. We did a lot of praying with families and I was reminded of who it is that we're here to serve. So many familes (many of them single mothers with several children) live in such isolated places just struggling to keep food in their bellies. Hope is much needed, and I feel like I can get so distracted from the Source of Hope in all of my personal worries.

As for major passings since I was gone: The Aztec interior looks really good, and David has been busy with tractor work and repairs on our Tacoma. Juan and I did some cutting and unbolting this afternoon. Our cow had her calf, so the fridge is stocked with milk again (that's a big deal). Duane and Leslie are still in Israel until Monday, but the girls are doing good with their brothers and sisters (and puppies). The corn project folder has over 200 families entered that we are either helping with food or monitoring in case they need it in the next couple of months. Three families came through today for beans, rice, and oats along with 15 kids who recieved milk. Tomorrow is our Sabbath, so I don't exactly what we'll do, but it's sure to include some prayer and worship. My time home was really good seeing family and friends. It was easier saying goodbye since I plan on being home for Christmas in just over a month (way better than 6 months). That's the rundown for tonight, I just wanted to let everyone know I made it back safe!