Eva came with her wonderful parents. Eva was very tired and had waited many hours after a long ride to arrive at the Corazones Unides. Her parents love for her was very real. Eva had several brothers and sisters. Eva happily received her chair, a warm hand knitted scarf and small gifts, but her parents were thrilled when she received a beautiful Bible from WFTW and verses of encouragement. This family also loved the Lord and depend on his help daily.
Marina 49, arrived with her daugher,26 who she lives with. Marina had a stroke 2 years ago and had no PT or help to learn to move out of a chair. They were resigned to life in a bed or chair. Craig fitted her with a beautiful wheelchair-her first, and a quad cane. Marina did not think she could use a cane, but with Craig, the PT's encouragement, she took several steps with squeals of fear. She rested a moment and was ready to try again. This time she was smiling with tears of joy as she and her daughter realized she has a future that includes walking. Craig is confident that in 2 weeks she will be walking around the house. Many tears fall as we meet our beautiful patients each day and see the life changes that are happening with a little care. Most of our patients have not had any followup care available to them after a hospital experience, so muscles are no longer working and need some hard work to be useable. Many folks needed surgery but did not have the money so they are stuck at home, unable to work. Our health care costs now look like a gift, compared to the lack of opportunity for many.The gospel is shared by the team and the guests then move on to see the Dr and the Evangelism team.
Sandra arrived with her father, a tall white-haired Peruvian man. She appeared to be a teenager, however upon introduction she answered the intake questions and we learned that she is a 36 year old mother with aplexia, a muscular disease inherited from her Mother who passed away 10 years ago. Sandra loves the Lord and loves her husband and daughter. Her father also helps her to have opportunities.
Our final guest for the day was Angel, a 13 year old by who was born with no use of his legs. Well, he is not one to sit around. He had worn thru many chairs and has visited WFTW in the past. He loves to play soccer and he is the goalie....the only wheelchair team member. His eyes lit up as he found a teen book in his gift bag along with the Bible story of Joshua and I encouraged him to be strong and courageous as Joshua of the Bible. Jill, our team leader arrived to greet Angel, as he has been a special guy to the team in the past and is well known and loved. It was at that time that I realized Angel is the little guy pictured on our prayer card, a photo obtained from the WFTW site. How exciting. Angel loves Jesus and recommited his life to Christ with the counselors.
I have enjoyed learning to know the teens, the translators and the Peruvian volunteers that we are serving with. It is a true joy. This ministry is very well prepared for our arrival with lots of wheelchairs, food for us, and materials and many helpers. A Carpenter and seamstresses are ready for any request and fashion whatever is needed. We prepared photo cards of the team for the volunteers tonite, writing a note and a verse on each card for the 75 volunteers from Corazones Unides.(check spelling:)
We left the center after 8 Pm last eve, after playing musical wheelchairs, as we moved chairs to be loaded in a truck to travel to our next Outreach site...Chulucanas. Please pray for us as we travel on Friday and that the wheelchairs arrive on time and that we are safe as we visit uncharted territory.
We celebrated Joyce's birthday today and she stated that she had the best birthday ever. We need more team member birthdays to celebrate. The Peruvian birthday cake and ice cream was a special treat. The food has been wonderful and the Peruvian cooks are sure to feed us plenty of safe and healthy food and we praise God for fruit and wonderful fresh juices along with ample chicken and rice served in many creative and delicious meals.
God bless you. We thank you for your support and prayers and please continue to remember us.
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