August 2025
Help from home
31/08/25 21:15
Danilo's mom came from their mountain community to accompany Danilo, have her eye checked with the same problem as Danilo, and to take Valery back on Monday for classes. Danilo is going to stay for another two weeks to rest until his eye completely heals. We have enjoyed their company as well as their meals. Since they live in the mountains with animals, their special treat is guinea pig. When properly cooked, it's delicious!
Eye Operation
23/08/25 14:37
The opthalmologist operated on Dani's eye on Thursday. He has to keep his eyes covered for one whole week. His little sister, Valeria, is taking care of him. She's only twelve, but already knows how to cook. I have to check on Dani every four hours to put drops in his eye. They're staying in our front house. We're all going through this together. My challenge is how to keep Dani occupied when he can't see. One day at a time!
Full House
18/08/25 10:02
We now have four families with us: three permanent and one visitor - Danilo and his sister came yesterday to stay while Danilo receives an operation on his left eye. He came in March for one of his checkups, but now he has three weeks vacation from his studies and time for the operation. Technically he has a "Pterigion" in his left eye. Today we saw an opthalmologist. Tomorrow we do blood tests, and if everything is fine, the doctor can operate perhaps Wednesday. The recovery is the tough part. Danilo will have to spend 8 - 10 days with his eyes covered. He can use the good eye for eating and bathing, but should keep both covered most of the time. So we'll have him and his sister here for a while.
Patience
08/08/25 15:46
So far, I have installed six alarms in the neighborhood. Occasional burglaries have occurred and so people want to scare them off and alert everyone else. But … the typical message in our neighborhood Whatsapp chat is "Please sound the alarms." The idea is for everyone and anyone to be able to activate the alarm using their cell phone. The sirens are connected to smart plugs that work through the internet. Once the alarm sounds, we all check out the chat to see what's going on and how to respond. Yet, just about no one can sound the alarms. Now our neighborhood is a bit spread out, so if one alarm sounds on one street, those on another street are not likely to "run around the block" to see what's going on. Those near the alarm are expected to turn out. In short, we have a long way to go yet. Most adults do not even know how to download apps on their cellphones, much less how to register oneself on the app. Then once done, we have to connect them to the smart plug that activates the siren. My frustration has turned to acceptance. It's going to be one-on-one to teach folks how to use the alarm in their cellphones. But that gives me an opportunity to get to know them better.
I compare this to Bible knowledge. Very few people know the Bible. How I would like the opportunity to sit down and teach them what the Bible says. God has His perfect timing. I pray.
Hospitality
01/08/25 17:29
Today we received a new family into our home: Marcelo and Juilo (brothers). Faby's family and their family have known each other for half a century. Marcelo lives off his meager retirement pension and Julio sells food door to door. I ran into Julio a few weeks ago and he told me they were looking for a cheaper place to live. We have room and are glad to host them. So now we have three families living in our home: Marcelo and Julio, Jorge and Vilma, and Faby's great nephew David Andres.
"Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romanos 12:13