I was feeling a bit down and sorry for myself and the kids. This message was in my email inbox:
"The most honored parts of the body are not the head or the hands, which lead and control. The most important parts are the least presentable parts. That's the mystery of the Church. As a people called out of oppression to freedom, we must recognize that it is the weakest among us - the elderly, the small children, the handicapped, the mentally ill, the hungry and sick - who form the real center. Paul says, "It is the parts of the body which we consider least dignified, that we surround with the greatest dignity" (1 Corinthians 12:23).
The Church as the people of God can truly embody the living Christ among us only when the poor remain its most treasured part. Care for the poor, therefore, is much more than Christian charity. It is the essence of being the body of Christ.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
My son JJ won a very impressive award for his service in Afghanistan!
The Lord Blessed me with two amazing kids. This photo is of my son Jamie Jr. who was awarded the
"Joint Services Commendation" award for his Marine Service in Afghanistan.
"Joint Services Commendation" award for his Marine Service in Afghanistan.
The Actual Commendation!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thanks and Happy Birthday Nike!
We celebrated our good friend Nike's birthday today. She is a volunteer with a big heart and lots of kindness. A couple of cakes to say, "Thank you" was the least we could do when we see all that she has done and how much she helps the kids.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Grand Opening of Rincon de Ensueno
After months of work and tons of cordinating we launched our pre-school program today for the Eighteen little kids in the center. The idea is to give them an educational opportunity where they are playing and learning with the kids at their own level. The idea is that with a bit more peace and quiet the teachers and nannies can consentrate on idividaul development plans most appropriate to the level of the child. We also plan to integrate the 10 kids in wheelchairs during afternoons. As always, it would be great to have more nineras, physical therapists and visiting volunteers.
Thanks to so many who have worked hard on this and been generous with their time and money!!
Thanks to so many who have worked hard on this and been generous with their time and money!!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Amazing and Touching Video: Get Service
What I find so amazing is that a simple and low budget video can have such high impact. This has gone viral and been seen
by millions. It really makes a difference in my point of view!! Think of all the ways we can simply touch people and brighten their lives. It's easy to do when we remember who we are working For.
A Double Header - Church and Kids
Church Celebrates Fourth Anniversary and a
great visit to Fundaninos!
The life of Reilly (Waldo). We had a great an uplifting message today at my Church, Casa de Libertad. I followed up with a visit to Fundaninos in the afternoon. The baby in the first few slides is Lourdes and she is almost Seven Months old. I saw her first when she was only three days old. How can people abandon such beauty?
For more Photos click on the Slideshow below.
.
great visit to Fundaninos!
The life of Reilly (Waldo). We had a great an uplifting message today at my Church, Casa de Libertad. I followed up with a visit to Fundaninos in the afternoon. The baby in the first few slides is Lourdes and she is almost Seven Months old. I saw her first when she was only three days old. How can people abandon such beauty?
For more Photos click on the Slideshow below.
.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A typical Saturday morning? Is there any such thing?
I guess today would be closest to a typical weekend day.
I arrived at the center a little bit after 9:00 am. The kids had bathed, finished breakfast and had clean diapers. We played outside a bit. I spent specific individual time with four of the kids. Two used the new walker and the other two we just pursued basic exercises and stretching. This walker that was donated by friends at The Village CHurch has been an enormous blessing.
First kid out was Iabella. She is perfect for the walker or as they refer to it here as, "The Spider." She is
twelve years old and has arms and legs that are deformed from childhood abuse. She has profound autism and equally profound epileptic seizures. The medication helps minimize the frequencies of seizures, but the autism and very low intelligence are very challenging. Some of the less educated nineras has suggested that the kids experience more seizures because the weather is a bit chilly right now. I do not know much about it, but I seriously doubt the temperature has large impact on the frequencies of seizures.
At any rate, Isabella does very well in the walker. With help she can take some small steps and partially propel herself and partially support her own weight. If the walker is adjusted too high, she uses it to swing both feet ahead together and would seemingly gain little strength or skill. One leg is significantly shorter than the other so she frequently starts to list to one side or the other. She definitely seems to enjoy the perspective of a: attention b: an elevated vantage to see the world. She is unable to speak or respond consistently with much more than a bit of attention if her name is called.
Second kid in the walker is Haroldo. He has had recent surgery straightening out his legs and feet. He is seven years old. They used ligaments or tendons from his lower abdominal wall for his ankles. He had also had some oral surgery shortly before the leg surgeries because his infections in his mouth were incapacitating. Though he is still wearing the casts on his legs, he is energized and eager for physical activity. He takes off on the walker and will no doubt be walking on his own before too very long.
He is a very sweat kid with and eye that goes off at an angle like Lon Chaney.
I then spent time with Angela. She is the physically most challenged child we have. Profound cerebral palsy combined with extreme malnutrition have left her very weakened and with virtually zero independence. Nevertheless, she is everyone's favorite kid. She has a smile that could launch a 1000 ships. She is unable to swallow normal food and has a profound scoliosis. When she arrived at the center at 11 years of age she only weighed 20 pounds. She is now 14 years old and weighs about 45 pounds, but still has limited mobility and challenges swallowing liquified foods. I held her and prayed with and for her. I see the eyes of God when I gaze into her eyes. She coos when you stroke the side of her face. I hold her on my lap and help her trying to keep her head upright. These days she has sufficient musculature to maintain it in an upright position almost a full minute. Previously, her head would only flop about like a raggedy Ann doll. She is so precious and appreciative of any attention and warmth. I prayed with her in Spanish and English. I told her how much she is loved by God and me. I think she may understand some of what I prayed in Spanish and I hope the Holy Spirit helped her "feel" some of the love embedded in the prayer in English.
My final hands on kid was Kerina. She is one of our smallest and youngest children. She has one of the lowest intelligence and some of the worst autism. She frequently rocks back and forth and will bounce her head on the floor. She has horrific scars on her forehead from early childhood trauma. We are told that her Father is also her Grandfather. Yeach.....
Her physical constraints are different than others. She has no obvious obstacle to crawling and walking; rather it is her extremely low intelligence and the fact that she has been institutionalized and waited on her whole life that keeps her in her own autistic world. Importantly, she benefited from a surgery a year and a half ago that fixed her Achilles tendons so that her feet were not frozen at an angle that one would use to walk on your tippy toes. Unfortunately, she feels little impetus to stand or crawl much. She receives some physical therapy, but not enough. When I put her in the aforementioned walker, she just pulls up her legs and swings in the harness. So today we spent time just working on her standing with knees straight. I maintained a hand on each knee and leaned her back against me while we excercised. It is obvious that the lack of muscle development in her legs from years of atrophy remain an obstacle but I remain optimistic.
Thanks for reading this and may God Bless you in so many ways....
*** Names are fictional to protect their privacy. If you want their real names you can email me and I will give you the cross reference. Those of you who have visited can guess which kids I am talking about.
I arrived at the center a little bit after 9:00 am. The kids had bathed, finished breakfast and had clean diapers. We played outside a bit. I spent specific individual time with four of the kids. Two used the new walker and the other two we just pursued basic exercises and stretching. This walker that was donated by friends at The Village CHurch has been an enormous blessing.
First kid out was Iabella. She is perfect for the walker or as they refer to it here as, "The Spider." She is
twelve years old and has arms and legs that are deformed from childhood abuse. She has profound autism and equally profound epileptic seizures. The medication helps minimize the frequencies of seizures, but the autism and very low intelligence are very challenging. Some of the less educated nineras has suggested that the kids experience more seizures because the weather is a bit chilly right now. I do not know much about it, but I seriously doubt the temperature has large impact on the frequencies of seizures.
At any rate, Isabella does very well in the walker. With help she can take some small steps and partially propel herself and partially support her own weight. If the walker is adjusted too high, she uses it to swing both feet ahead together and would seemingly gain little strength or skill. One leg is significantly shorter than the other so she frequently starts to list to one side or the other. She definitely seems to enjoy the perspective of a: attention b: an elevated vantage to see the world. She is unable to speak or respond consistently with much more than a bit of attention if her name is called.
Second kid in the walker is Haroldo. He has had recent surgery straightening out his legs and feet. He is seven years old. They used ligaments or tendons from his lower abdominal wall for his ankles. He had also had some oral surgery shortly before the leg surgeries because his infections in his mouth were incapacitating. Though he is still wearing the casts on his legs, he is energized and eager for physical activity. He takes off on the walker and will no doubt be walking on his own before too very long.
He is a very sweat kid with and eye that goes off at an angle like Lon Chaney.
I then spent time with Angela. She is the physically most challenged child we have. Profound cerebral palsy combined with extreme malnutrition have left her very weakened and with virtually zero independence. Nevertheless, she is everyone's favorite kid. She has a smile that could launch a 1000 ships. She is unable to swallow normal food and has a profound scoliosis. When she arrived at the center at 11 years of age she only weighed 20 pounds. She is now 14 years old and weighs about 45 pounds, but still has limited mobility and challenges swallowing liquified foods. I held her and prayed with and for her. I see the eyes of God when I gaze into her eyes. She coos when you stroke the side of her face. I hold her on my lap and help her trying to keep her head upright. These days she has sufficient musculature to maintain it in an upright position almost a full minute. Previously, her head would only flop about like a raggedy Ann doll. She is so precious and appreciative of any attention and warmth. I prayed with her in Spanish and English. I told her how much she is loved by God and me. I think she may understand some of what I prayed in Spanish and I hope the Holy Spirit helped her "feel" some of the love embedded in the prayer in English.
My final hands on kid was Kerina. She is one of our smallest and youngest children. She has one of the lowest intelligence and some of the worst autism. She frequently rocks back and forth and will bounce her head on the floor. She has horrific scars on her forehead from early childhood trauma. We are told that her Father is also her Grandfather. Yeach.....
Her physical constraints are different than others. She has no obvious obstacle to crawling and walking; rather it is her extremely low intelligence and the fact that she has been institutionalized and waited on her whole life that keeps her in her own autistic world. Importantly, she benefited from a surgery a year and a half ago that fixed her Achilles tendons so that her feet were not frozen at an angle that one would use to walk on your tippy toes. Unfortunately, she feels little impetus to stand or crawl much. She receives some physical therapy, but not enough. When I put her in the aforementioned walker, she just pulls up her legs and swings in the harness. So today we spent time just working on her standing with knees straight. I maintained a hand on each knee and leaned her back against me while we excercised. It is obvious that the lack of muscle development in her legs from years of atrophy remain an obstacle but I remain optimistic.
Thanks for reading this and may God Bless you in so many ways....
*** Names are fictional to protect their privacy. If you want their real names you can email me and I will give you the cross reference. Those of you who have visited can guess which kids I am talking about.
What a great idea. Shoes instead of rice and flowers!!
"Newly married couples showered with shoes to benefit orphans"
What a cool idea!! I stumbled upon this article online and thought it would be great if it was the beginning of a new trend.
"Two Texas Baptist brides who love Buckner International's Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry almost as much as they love their new husbands turned summer nuptials into an opportunity for guests to be part of something bigger."
and more...
"Amy Duncan-Stier, 25, served as a volunteer with Buckner in Guatemala after she graduated from Baylor University in 2008. Her father, John Duncan, is pastor at First Baptist Church in Georgetown .
"We did a shoe trip while I was there," she said. "And when I saw the need and saw what shoes meant to the kids, it just touched my heart. It's just amazing how those children would line up for shoes. ... Since I got back from Guatemala, I've always wanted to do a shoe drive."
After she and Scott Stier got engaged, they talked about trading in a traditional gift registry for a request for shoes."
"Little old ladies would come up to me in the weeks before the wedding and say, 'I've got my shoes for the wedding!' But it was shoes to give to the orphans, not to wear with their dress," Duncan-Stier said.
The couple collected more than 150 pairs of shoes at their reception, and several guests made donations to Shoes for Orphan Souls in their honor.
Rebecca Morton Pyle started planning her first wedding at 56.
"I had a great first half of my life," she said. "It was never a life-or-death, 'I have to get married' situation. But I wanted a different second half of my life, so I intentionally sought out God's choice."
What a cool idea!! I stumbled upon this article online and thought it would be great if it was the beginning of a new trend.
"Two Texas Baptist brides who love Buckner International's Shoes for Orphan Souls ministry almost as much as they love their new husbands turned summer nuptials into an opportunity for guests to be part of something bigger."
and more...
"Amy Duncan-Stier, 25, served as a volunteer with Buckner in Guatemala after she graduated from Baylor University in 2008. Her father, John Duncan, is pastor at First Baptist Church in Georgetown .
"We did a shoe trip while I was there," she said. "And when I saw the need and saw what shoes meant to the kids, it just touched my heart. It's just amazing how those children would line up for shoes. ... Since I got back from Guatemala, I've always wanted to do a shoe drive."
After she and Scott Stier got engaged, they talked about trading in a traditional gift registry for a request for shoes."
and
"The shoe drive wedding reception also was a bigger blessing and a bigger hit with the guests than Duncan-Stier and her husband expected. Everyone loved having the opportunity to participate in ministry through a wedding gift.
"Little old ladies would come up to me in the weeks before the wedding and say, 'I've got my shoes for the wedding!' But it was shoes to give to the orphans, not to wear with their dress," Duncan-Stier said.
The couple collected more than 150 pairs of shoes at their reception, and several guests made donations to Shoes for Orphan Souls in their honor.
Rebecca Morton Pyle started planning her first wedding at 56.
"I had a great first half of my life," she said. "It was never a life-or-death, 'I have to get married' situation. But I wanted a different second half of my life, so I intentionally sought out God's choice."
Baptized !!
On October 20, 2011 I was Baptized by the Holy Spirit in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ. Though Baptized as an infant in the Episcopal Church as an infant I had never been Baptized when I cam to the Faith as an adult. I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour in 1993 and had often thought of adult full immersion baptism. Both my kids did so in their adolesences. At times I was almost embarrassed that I had not had adult baptism and most folks assumed that I had. The matter is resolved and I declare my Faith and allegiance.
Matthew 3:13-17 -- 13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by you, and you come to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Allow it to be so now. For so it becomes us to fulfil all justice. Then he allowed him. 16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:13-17 -- 13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by you, and you come to me? 15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Allow it to be so now. For so it becomes us to fulfil all justice. Then he allowed him. 16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. 17 And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Nice afternoon visit at the center with the kids.
I was amazed to see how much progress Willy and Jaime had made after their leg surgeries. They have had several days to become accustomed to their leg braces and the pain from surgery has disapated. It's almost as if they understand that something good is happening. I can't wait to see how they react to their mobility in a few weeks when we see the legs without the casts. God has certainly Blessed these kids.
Alvaro preached at Church this morning. He was on fire and made many great point and illustrations about the Rock that is our God. We need to hold on and not retreat! We are collecting food items for the many families effected by the flooding in the Solola area. There is a Church there that we are partnering with. Very frightening.
Rainy season has been tough. The mudslides were evident and a bit unnerving on the drive to Church this morning. The problem with the roads here is that when they cut them into the side of the mountains, they do not cut away sufficient mountain to make it safe. I travelled the major international highway that goes to El Salvador and while it was passable, there were many detours. And that is right next the the country's capital.
Coincidentally, the former President of Guatemala and his wife were right in front of me on the flight down last night. As we left the plane I shook his hand and thanked him for his service. I thanked his wife for going to the USA and visiting as a tourist (aka spending money). He is currently the Mayor of the Capital City and she had a weak run for the Presidency in September.
Alvaro preached at Church this morning. He was on fire and made many great point and illustrations about the Rock that is our God. We need to hold on and not retreat! We are collecting food items for the many families effected by the flooding in the Solola area. There is a Church there that we are partnering with. Very frightening.
Rainy season has been tough. The mudslides were evident and a bit unnerving on the drive to Church this morning. The problem with the roads here is that when they cut them into the side of the mountains, they do not cut away sufficient mountain to make it safe. I travelled the major international highway that goes to El Salvador and while it was passable, there were many detours. And that is right next the the country's capital.
Coincidentally, the former President of Guatemala and his wife were right in front of me on the flight down last night. As we left the plane I shook his hand and thanked him for his service. I thanked his wife for going to the USA and visiting as a tourist (aka spending money). He is currently the Mayor of the Capital City and she had a weak run for the Presidency in September.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Eric Metaxas Launches his new book "Socrates in the City"
It was a fun evening in NYC and some interesting folks attended. Had the chance to chat with Dick
Cavett a bit but the photo of the two of us did not come out well. The premise of the book on Socrates in the City is that life is to be examined and that reasonable people can be both intellectual, engaging and fun in their search for meaning.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thank you Summit Junior League for the Clothes!
Once again Summit Junior League Thrift Shop has come through with a significant donation of children's clothing for the kids at Cadanino!!
Not only does it provide these kids in the chilly winter days ahead, it saves us a lot of time trying to find the right sizes and type of clothing. Guatemala winter is not like here. It's cold, but not freezing. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no heat any where in the center so a 45 to 50 degree day and night can be really difficult. And just like here in the States, the kids end up with a lot of coughs and colds. They think it's from the cold, but I believe germ theory indicates that we are in closer proximity to each other in the winter and this more susceptible to airborne illnesses.
Summit Junior League does so many wonderful and generous philanthropic activities. Thank you!
Not only does it provide these kids in the chilly winter days ahead, it saves us a lot of time trying to find the right sizes and type of clothing. Guatemala winter is not like here. It's cold, but not freezing. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no heat any where in the center so a 45 to 50 degree day and night can be really difficult. And just like here in the States, the kids end up with a lot of coughs and colds. They think it's from the cold, but I believe germ theory indicates that we are in closer proximity to each other in the winter and this more susceptible to airborne illnesses.
Summit Junior League does so many wonderful and generous philanthropic activities. Thank you!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Wadda Week
When you visit the center, you either "get It" or you don't. We don't need brochures and pamphlets or
fancy words to describe it. It is hard to not "get It" when you visit. It is a powerful force that explains the unexplainable. "It" is the way God expresses his love through these children. I am also very respectful of those who don't get it and choose to stay away. "It" is exhausting and tests every emotion and spiritual thought that you have. "It" is not God and nobody is called to this place if they are not ready. It is too complicated and I have the utmost respect for someone aware enough to stay away. "It" is the most emotionally challenging environment I have had the pleasure to work in.
Borrowing from those who have proceeded me to Heaven, one of my first questions will be, Why Cadanino? Why this difficult place?"
My favorite two answers that I doubt he might respond with, "Why not you?" or "Because sometimes you make me mad!"
On a happy note: One kid went home to an improved home situation. We drove 7 hours North to the Border with Mexico and returned April to her family in Tecun Uman. She had falsely claimed to have been abused by a family member. She later recanted, but the wheels of justice move slowly and the government used time appropriately to shake out the truth in these matters.
Conversely, we drove back to the capital with a beautiful baby boy Guillermo. He is four months old and was taken from his Mother to protect him. She is a chronic alcoholic who had repeatedly been hitting him in public. Man's cruelty knows few limits.
Guillerrmo is sooo nice and affectionate. Hard to place him in the other center for babies. We had a great time on the seven hour ride. He only fussed when he needed his diaper changed. He seemed to enjoy the tiny taste of a McFlurry that a certain gringo gave him a taste of.
fancy words to describe it. It is hard to not "get It" when you visit. It is a powerful force that explains the unexplainable. "It" is the way God expresses his love through these children. I am also very respectful of those who don't get it and choose to stay away. "It" is exhausting and tests every emotion and spiritual thought that you have. "It" is not God and nobody is called to this place if they are not ready. It is too complicated and I have the utmost respect for someone aware enough to stay away. "It" is the most emotionally challenging environment I have had the pleasure to work in.
Borrowing from those who have proceeded me to Heaven, one of my first questions will be, Why Cadanino? Why this difficult place?"
My favorite two answers that I doubt he might respond with, "Why not you?" or "Because sometimes you make me mad!"
On a happy note: One kid went home to an improved home situation. We drove 7 hours North to the Border with Mexico and returned April to her family in Tecun Uman. She had falsely claimed to have been abused by a family member. She later recanted, but the wheels of justice move slowly and the government used time appropriately to shake out the truth in these matters.
Conversely, we drove back to the capital with a beautiful baby boy Guillermo. He is four months old and was taken from his Mother to protect him. She is a chronic alcoholic who had repeatedly been hitting him in public. Man's cruelty knows few limits.
Guillerrmo is sooo nice and affectionate. Hard to place him in the other center for babies. We had a great time on the seven hour ride. He only fussed when he needed his diaper changed. He seemed to enjoy the tiny taste of a McFlurry that a certain gringo gave him a taste of.
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