Hurricane and Fire....

   Just as power and internet returned here to the Adirondacks one of our family houses burnt to the ground yesterday morning. It's my brother's house right next door to mine on the lake and it burst into flames at 7:50 am yesterday. From my bedroom window I saw the kitchen already engulfed in flames.  Praise the Lord that nobody was hurt. 

   I had recently purchased my deceased Mother's property and it is an old Adirondack Camp type structure.  A much more obvious candidate for fire. My brother had just re-built his cottage about 20 years ago. His gas oven apparently backfired and started the fire. It was truly frightening how quickly the structure was past the point of saving. So many happy memories of the kids and their childhoods.

  God is good and merciful. Nobody was hurt and we are fortunate to have things like good insurance, other homes and helpful families. Please pray for my brother and his family.

Daniel's Prayer

 
Solo Fe  

"¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”


The rest of the Chapter 9 there is more of the Prayer and the important and prescient Prophecy

Daniel’s Prayer

 ¹ In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes^[a] (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian^[b] kingdom— ² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. ³ So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.  ⁴ I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
   “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
 ⁷ “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. ⁸ We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. ⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; ¹⁰ we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
   “Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. ¹² You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. ¹³ Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. ¹⁴ The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the LORD our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.
 ¹⁵ “Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
 ¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

The Seventy “Sevens”

 ²⁰ While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill— ²¹ while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. ²² He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. ²³ As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision:  ²⁴ “Seventy ‘sevens’^[c] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish^[d] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.^[e]
 25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,^[f] the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. ²⁶ After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.^[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. ²⁷ He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’^[h] In the middle of the ‘seven’^[i] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple^[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.^[k]”^[l]
Footnotes:

1. Daniel 9:1 Hebrew Ahasuerus
2. Daniel 9:1 Or Chaldean
3. Daniel 9:24 Or ‘weeks’; also in verses 25 and 26
4. Daniel 9:24 Or restrain

Great Activity for Special Kids and Shout out to visiting Missionaries.

On Friday we were invited to a nation wide event celebrating the performing arts of special needs kids from all over the country. It was kind of like the Special Olympics where everybody has great success and great joy. We coordinated our travels with two sister orphanages that have some kids with moderate disabilities. We all had a terrific time and the kids really benefitted from the exposure and the

enthusiasm.

We were doubly blessed because it was the first day of a visit from two missionaries from Texas; Brittany and Kat. I think they were nearly overwhelmed at first and it would have been nice to give them a day of orientation at the center, but they handled the event with poise and energy.

I am going to look for more online information for this event. It was hosted by a Catholic Church group that does outreach and has some outstanding programs. The event was in the middle of seemingly nowhere: Chapas Santa Rosa. The county of Santa Rosa is not even mentioned in any of the tour books, so I guess we had an authentic Guatemalan experience.

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.

A Father's Day Blessing

  After enjoying Father's Day in New York with my children Lizzie and JJ, I returned to Guatemala on Saturday. Ironcially, Father's Day is normally celebrated in on Friday in Guatemala and on Sunday in the USA.

  Imagine my joy and surprise to receive this excellent award from the leadership at the center as well as the senior managers at their National Social Services. It was a very emotional and joyful event and I was honored far beyond my merit.  The award really belongs to the people in the trenches working day in and day out with the children. And of course all the credit ultimately belongs to Him; as we are but mere stewards and servants that try to worship and honor Him in what we do.

  The celebration included some songs and special gifts from the boys. Each one delivered a gift and a photo to each of the ten men who work with us. Ernest had my gift and he is a really sweet young man. With the clearest blue eyes and a bright smile he has so much potential. Unfortunately, at times his seizures hit and he starts throwing anything in his path. For a small guy, he has remarkable strength for these short bursts.

  I continue to be excited about the new management team the government has installed at our center and in Social Services. They are committed to process and execution. It is a wonderful thing.  Please pray for all the managers and leaders in social services for this country!

Cold and Flu season starts early here.

  The rainy season is upon us and along with the rains we have a lot more sore throats and runny noses. Not just the kids, but many of the staff have some ailment.  Other than that, all appears well and the overall condition and cleanliness has continued to improve.
   We visited Valle de Los Orfanos and Fundaninos after Church yesterday. The countryside is so beautiful and those two  venues are such a sea of tranquility.  The kids at Fundaninos were having a blast with the visiting Missionaries from  The Village Church. The afternoon was almost perfection.

  We continue to try to align our staff with the activities of the larger staff and kids who live at the center. There are always some frictions, but all is well. Charlie Osborn and Jonny Aho visited the center and we discussed how we might work together and promote networking amongst all the centers and initiatives.   I mentioned my plans for the Guatemala Missionary News and Institute.

  Father's Day will be celebrated on Tuesday. They dealyed the celebration in order to accommodate my schedule. Certainly a holiday fraught with irony and mixed emotions for many.

  The Lord has blessed and given us so much. I am very grateful for His kindness and love. Having left here a few weeks ago on a high note, I plan to keep the energy and attitude at a high, but loving level.
Thanks for your continued prayers.