Guatemala Day 3-October 2, 2016

The true definition of a Blessed Day!

We began our Sunday at Leo's (our translator) home church here in Guatemala City. The church was vibrant, full of life, and exactly what we needed to begin our Sunday! We were welcomed with open arms by the congregation and although the message was in Spanish, we could feel the passion in the body of believers. From what we could gather, from the quiet translation of Leo, was the following that as the body of Christ and the extension of Jesus as a servant to others. 

For we are God's handywork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

We truly felt this was the word we needed to move forward with our day! 

After chuch we were privileged to go meet Gerson, a young triathelete and his family in Chimaltenango. A year and 2 months ago, Gerson, an accomplished triathelete was involved in a bicycle wreck with another competitor and suffered a severe head injury. Through Anita, our friend and local Guatemalan contact, we were able to visit Gerson and spend several hours speaking with him and his family to help better his quality of life, advance his progress, and give encouragement to his family, who is already doing AMAZING things. Before our arrival, his dad had already fabricated a resting hand splint and a stander! We were able to show different positioning techniques in bed to improve postural alignment, cervical exercises for increased head control, and braces for better foot position.

Gerson is a bright, intellegent boy who was already able to communicate with his family with eye blinks to indicate yes and no. Paige was able to program a donated Dynavox speaking system to allow him to communicate his wants and needs using a touch screen, while Kelly and Abby problem solved how to make his arm and fine motor control more refined using a chewy "T" and iPad stylus. We will be heading back to test our whole system on Wedneday, so stay tuned...

Although we did many things within our professional scope today, the most evident lesson was that of steadfast love and hope in Christ. Gerson's family was the epitome of a family anchored in faith that their son would live and thrive! 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28New International Version (NIV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain..."

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

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