Caleb's Birthday

Caleb had a great 4th birthday. He invited several friends over for his “Transformer” birthday party. Since obtaining party decorations is a bit harder here in Ecuador, Caleb and I worked on making them the month before. We improvised on games and had the kids shoot darts from our blowgun at the bad Decepticon and they went on a scavenger hunt. Caleb has been watching many of the missionary kids ride their bikes around the compound, so his big surprise was a bike. It’s still a little big for him, but he’s been very persistent to ride it every day and always picks himself up after a spill. His favorite color used to be red, but after receiving his blue bike, he’s been telling everyone his favorite color is blue.

Caleb and some of his friends showing off the Transformer masks they colored.

Caleb received a great Bat Man costume from his friends Jen and Kim in Quito

Blowing out the candles

Prayers for Nestor

A couple of weeks ago we had an amazing case in our hospital.  A gentleman named Nestor (who gave me permission to share his picture and story) presented for removal of a chronically inflamed and infected gallbladder.  With so much inflammation and the presence of multiple other chronic ailments (diabetes, etc), he had a slow recovery from the surgery.  In fact, he came back a few days after his first discharge and was found to have a large infected pocket (abscess) under his diaphragm.  The abscess was drained surgically, and he seemed to get a little better.  However, he took a bad turn for the worse a few days later.  He became very anemic and spiked a white blood cell count of 39,000 (very high, especially for an elderly diabetic).  According to this information, he was bleeding and had a very bad infection.  We gave him several blood transfusions.  An imaging study showed fluid in his abdomen, and our surgeons feared that his intestines were so compromised that they were beginning to die (necrotic bowel).  Once again, this sick gentleman had to go to the operating room, this time possibly just to confirm the diagnosis of necrotic bowel and try to make him comfortable in his last remaining days of life.

I had become attached to this family, as they had spent much time in our hospital, and I had been Nestor's primary physician for his non-surgical problems.  Nestor's wife and daughter were always by his side, and they were often found reading Scripture to him during his illness (even at 5:30 in the morning).  Before this third surgery, I decided to go and have a prayer with the family.  A chaplain was there as well, and we had a very powerful time of prayer.  It was one of those times when you could tell for sure that God's Holy Spirit was in the room.  I didn't know how God would choose to answer the prayer, but I knew that we had been heard.

The next day, our surgeon reported that he had opened Nestor's abdomen and had found only fluid.  After a thorough search, his intestines appeared to be very healthy, and no other infection, source of bleeding, or otherwise dangerous process was found!  Over the next several days, Nestor looked like a new man.  He continued to regain his strength and he was sent back to his home.  I saw him in follow-up a few days ago and he's looking more spry every day.  Did God perform a miracle in this man?  I believe that He did!  How many miracles does Jesus perform each day?  We don't perceive most of them now, but when we get to Heaven we'll have an eternity to praise Him for all the wonderful things that He's done.

Sr. Nestor Silva and his family

Back to School

Caleb began his first days of Ecuadorian preschool this week at the school our Nazarene church runs.  Though everything is taught in Spanish he does have several other 'gringo' neighbors attending with him, so he shouldn't be too lost.  So far he's enjoyed his days there and looks forward to going each morning.  My friend, Amy, and I had to laugh when we went to the first day's meeting and they stressed that the students had to be there by 8:00am sharp...the main teacher didn't get there until 8:25am that morning and when we arrived at 8:00am for the meeting as we were told to, the church was still locked.  That's Ecuador time for you.  At least the other mornings someone has been there to greet our children at 8:00.

I also headed back to school this week for a few days.  Sadly one our Nate Saint Memorial School teachers was in an accident in the states and hasn't been able to make it back for the first few days of teaching.  (Ms. Mueser should make it to Shell on Friday, but please remember her in prayer as she has a broken bone in her neck.) Today was my first day in the classroom after a long time away.  I was pretty nervous to get back in and teach again, especially since I don't know Ms. Muesers normal routine, but the Lord helped the day go very smoothly, and I really enjoyed myself.  I had the chance to work with all the grades (1st through 8th) and get to know the missionary kids a little better.  Thankfully Amy watched my little ones while I was gone.  I'm sure she had her hands more full than I did since she had four kids under three years to keep an eye on this morning.