Babies for surgery in Febuary

Twice a year, surgical teams come to Montellano to do surgery for children who have cleft lips and palates.  It is a great blessing to the children and to the parents.  I am very fortunate to know people that want to help with this work.  ASELSI has been very kind and has paid for the transportation for the children from Chichi area. Solomen's Porch, in Panajachel, has paid for the transportation for the children in that area.

This is Amarilis.  She first came to us last year but had a very loud heart murmur.  She then went to Guatemala City and they replaced one of her heart valves.  Now, they have cleared her for surgery and she is good to go!  She is growing and doing very well.  Her surgery will be sponsored by Tom and Freda in Morganton, North Carolina.

This Anderson Joel and his parents. His surgery will be sponsored by Danny in Morganton, North Carolina.  Anderson is a patient at the ASELSI clinic, not too far from Lemoa.

This is Angelica and her mom. Her surgery will be sponsored by Janie in Morganton, North Carolina. Angelica is one of the babies that came to us from the Panajachel area.  Noe is now working with Solomen's Porch and will be driving them to Montellano on the 9th of February.

This is Edison.  He has had his lip and palate surgeries but he still has a small hole in his palate, that we hope can be repaired.  Carrie and Travis, from Pilot Mt., North Carolina will sponsor his surgery.  Edison is growing into a fine, young man!

This is Hector Fredy and  Betty.  Betty is now working in Panajachel and has been accompanying the babies on their travels.  Hector's surgery will be sponsored by Nancy from Nashville.  Nancy was with Hector when he had his lip repaired in 2011, and now she will be with him for his second surgery.

This is Marcos Rudy and he is nine months old.  He is a cute little baby and his surgery will be sponsored by Frank and Evelyn, from Morganton, North Carolina. 

This is Osman and his parents.  He and his family are from the Chichicastenango area.  His surgery will be sponsored by the Morganton Church of Christ. 

This is Tomas Perez and his mom.  Last year, he had his lip repaired in the Santa Elena Hospital in Quiche.   His palate surgery will be sponsored  by Kory, who lives in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Tomas and I spent a lot of time talking to his mom about the Bible after the consult.  It was exciting.  She had a lot of questions and interest.

This is Yony Wender and his mom.  Yony has had a difficult road since he was born with microcephaly. Hopefully, we will be able to do his surgery.  Terry, from Ft. Worth will be sponsoring his surgery.

So, now you have met our babies! We all will be traveling to Monetellano on the 9th of February.  The parents know to bring everything that they and their babies will need for 4-5 days.  We will attend worship together on Sunday morning and then the surgeries will begin.  It will be an exciting time for all of us.

While the surgery is a physical blessing for the baby and parents, what may take place over the week may also be a spiritual blessing.  Many patients and families go to Montello without a personal relationship with God or it is possible that they know very little about God.  During this time, we will pray with them and talk about the hope that we have as Christians.

Please pray that the surgical team will arrive safely, that the surgeries will go well and that those who are not Christians will have fertile hearts to the gospel.

More photos and stories will follow that week!