New ABC Communuity

Yesterday we headed out at 0600 hours to a town called Xejox and Chuchuca to have clinic and register families for a new ABC program in that church. It is a town about 2 1/2 hours from here during the dry season and 3 1/2 during the rainy season. Although they have transport year round, the trip to the nearest market for them is about 45 minutes in the dry season and 1 1/2 when the roads are muddy. But we made it and had a good day with the brothers and sisters there. It was cold as blazes (good West Texas term!), and the ladies there wear woven wool tops--2 of them. But we saw lots of people without sweaters and kids without shoes. The majority of the adults have less that a 3rd grade education. But....this area has very faithful believers and the churches are growing. We felt priviledged to be able to be there with them and bring this program to their families. We pray that God will bless them through the assistance and allow more in that area to be formally educated.

After clinic, Josefina and I went to visit a brother from the church, Pedro, who had suffered a neurological illness last year (possibly Guillain Barre) and had been completely paralysed and was near respirtory failure when Josefina had referred him to the hospital. The family was referred from there to the capital for further care and they decided to take him home rather that risk him dying in a place so far away. Well, 8 months later, he can walk with assistance and feed himself although he has significant weakness in several muscle groups. He was in excellent spirits and so thankful for the visit. We prayed with the family and left some medications and excercise plans for him until we can see him again. The walk down to his house was about 10 minutes--the walk up was well.... longer!

Our trusty guide, Lucus: "It's only about 5 minutes down the hill, sister."