Rainy Day update...

All well here. The kids are just fine. Inside a bit too much, but still all is well.

Ileana was happy to see me. She is 11 and can stand for long periods of time. Her seizures are under control and she has many possibilities. Her arms and legs were broken in early infancy and never properly set. Her adult teeth have come in nicely and there are no visible cavities. Her smiles is nice.
When I arrived her rotten baby teeth were evident and her longish hair was always very dishevlled.
She was consuming a bottle of formula to help her severe malnutrition.  At some point we realized that she had caught up on the malnutrition and was actually getting kind of chubby. Her diet the last year is more normal and like most adolescents she is thinning out to a normal physique. She can crawl and stand, but lacks the intellectual motivation to do so. 

Hosea is 17 years old and may return to his family soon. He has a severe MS and his legs and arms are permanently twisted because the tendons have hardened throughout his childhood. If the family does not even maintain a minimal amount of movement the extremities become hardened and makes future progress exponentially more difficult.  He is fairly intelligent and knows many words. He understands much, but has a limited vocabulary of individual words to express himself. They are currently investigating if his family can accommodate his needs when he turns 18 next year.

We have a need boy, Carlos. He is six and always has a smile. His face is expressive and it appears he understands what is happening around him.  His legs are of little use and he can barely crawl or turn over. His smile is endearing and he is very popular with the neneras.

The educational opportunities are running better and the walks around the neighborhood are routine. The kids have far more activities and freedoms than previously.  Many challenges ahead, but God will provide.

God is Good. Switching planes in Houston heading back to Guate

  I am very excited to see my kiddlies. It will be great to see them and see how God is influencing and leading them forward. I think I have identified the split in my heart when I am away from them. It hurts so much that only Prayer reduces the pain and sadness.  Conversely, when I am there I miss my family in the States so much.

  Whatever joys and sadnesses that I feel pale in comparison to the Love and compassion that the Lord feels for us. What did He feel as he watched his Son suffer and die on the cross.    When I see the pain and suffering of the kids at CRPN, I am reminded that the Lord has called us and He has the plan. As I said, my heart is torn and aches with empathy and sympathy for the misery that these people suffer and endure. How wonderful it is that they are so appreciative of whatever creature comforts and personal attention they receive. I know more is to be revealed.

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"

First Place Piseco Triathalon

Piseco Triatholon 2011

 Some Photos of the finish line

Winner Piseco Triathalon Women's Division !!

Calling All Missionaries !! Trip August 4th till the 11th! Join in..

A bit more about our mission

Calling all Missionaries!! MISSIONS VISION Cadanino's mission is: To provide a meaningful and spiritually enriching experience for international missionaries that have a passion for Jesus Christ   and a commitment to meet  the needs of profoundly challenged children.   WHAT IS CADANINO?  CadaNiño is a ministry that serves the profoundly mentally and neurologically challenged orphans  in a government owned  and operated facility in the capital Guatemala City.  The Center is home for 70 children and young adults that are wards of the State. The CadaNino ministry works as a small focussed team within the support of the much larger government staff. We currently provide physical and play therapies for the 15 smallest and most vulnerable children. We have one physical therapist and four Nannies (play therapists).   In explaining what CadaNino is and by implication what we are not, we sometimes refer to our tiny ministry as glorified Candy Stripers (auxiliary hospital volunteers); lots of joy and laughter, but limited line production inside of a complex hospital orphanage. Our  Our primary focus has been on los Niños iniciales*, the four children who are completely disabled and that live in the infirmary and eleven other young children with limited independence.  CURRENT OPEN MISSIONARY POSITIONS   1)   Physical Therapists -Three month   Interns should have experience working with profoundly disabled children. No actual experience or education is required, but strongly recommended that participants have experience working with this profile. Spanish helpful: if no Spanish language skills, participant would take intensive 2 week language course.  Room and board provided at discount rate. Partial Scholarships available. 2) Short term missionary position available for passionate believers who want to serve the neediest of the needy. Room and Board are available at discounted costs and partial scholarships available.  3) Social worker/Psychologist or Physical Therapist Internship. Our center works closely with the local University of San Carlos and has had success with local interns receiving academic credit for their internship at the center. Footnotes: 1) Room and Board: Guatemala City is a dangerous city. The neighborhood where we work is relatively safe, but still extreme caution is required. We choose to strongly advise people of the potential risks rather than gloss over them. We believe that our procedures and policies  dramatically reduce local on ground risks, but it is important that we all work together to insure safety and positive experiences.  2) Language : Spanish is the only language spoken in the center. Our director is the only english speaking person present most days. Many of the children that we work closest to are not yet verbal and of minimal traditional speaking interaction. Therefor, some Spanish is helpful, but it is not required.  3) Infrastructure of Center: CRPN (Centro Residencial Psiquiatrico y Neurologico).  The Guatemala runs this orphanage/hospital for nearly 70 residents. These are the lucky ones. Kids whose families are unable or unwilling to care for their child end up in this center with ample food, clean housing and adequate medical attention. Nearly all the children take psychiatric or anti-convulsive medicines. Almost half of the entire population wear adult diapers. Most of the residents are extremely kind and loving. Occasionally, some have episodes and exhibit anto-social behavior. Though there is no fear or physical threat from the residents, it is not a place for the timid.