Wilder Medical Update

As many of you know, Wilder returned to Cincinnati with us last Thursday evening due to health issues.  We had our first appointment with his doctor at Christ Hospital this morning.  The indications from his first tests appear that his body is NOT rejecting his new kidney.  (Thanks for the many prayers.). He is scheduled for additional testing next week.  Please continue to keep Wilder in your prayers.  

We will keep you updated.

Supporting Melvin

Melvin and his baby brother, Wilson.

In an earlier post in January, we started to tell the story of an 8 year old boy, Melvin, who has had numerous operations recently. He was born without an anus and the surgeries to correct it have not completely solved the problem. On Christmas Eve, just a matter of days after he came home from another surgery, he fell and the internal stitches and mesh holding his intestines broke.

Melvin's brother, Dixon, helping to put a zinc roof on a house. 

He is now back recovering in his makeshift home in Mulukukú. His mother is a single mom and has three other children.  She has been very attentive to Melvin and when he fell she bundled him up, came for transportation and some medical expense money and left for Managua the same day.  The other children were alone in the house with no food.  We were able to give them food once a day.  The oldest, a boy of 11, came on his bike to pick up food and take it to the children.  The youngest child is under 2 yrs old.

Melvin's sister, Yaritza, carrying a 5 gallon bucket of water.

Tin Roof has been contributing to Melvin's expenses for the last five years, since our local contact, Sister Sandra Price, first came to us asking for help for an operation to close the colostomy when he was only 3 years old. Please continue to pray for Melvin and his family.

Last Day in Nicaragua

Wednesday, February 15

We were invited to attend the Conference for Nutrition Solutions in Central America, hosted by the Cargill Corporation and The World Soy Foundation.  Featured speakers were Nathan Ruby, Executive Director, World Soy Foundation, Gary Clements, Economic Counselor, United States Embassy in Nicaragua, Alfredo Velez, Corporate Vice President, Tip Top Industrial, S.A., Cargill Meats Central America, Helmut Rauch, Representive in Nicaragua, World Food Program, Kevin Marinacci, Executive Director Fabretto Children's Foundation, Bridget Owen, Associate Director, National Soybean Researh Laboratory-NSRL, University of Illinois.  The discussion centered around the effects of poor nutrition in the early years of child development and corporate responsibility serving the less-fortunate.  

Our last evening was spent visiting friends.  

Next day...very early flight to Cincinnati.

Al & Charlene

Spending Time With Old Friends

Elba and Andrew 

In the past twenty-two years that we have been coming to Nicaragua we have met many people who have become our Nicaraguan family.  It's always interesting that they somehow know when we are in country.  On each visit we try to spend as much time as possible with our "Nicaraguan family".   

The past couple of days we have been able to visit with Rider and his son, Bryan.  We met Rider 10 years ago.  He was our favorite waiter at our hotel.  Over the years we have met his entire family, visited his home, and was even invited to his daughter's third birthday party.  

We have provided a scholarship for Bryan through high school.  He has worked very hard to make good grades and do the required volunteer hours throughout the years.  We, and his family, are very proud of this young man.  He is now 17 years old and would like to study International Commerce at the university here in Managua.  (Education in Nicaragua is a bargain.  $30 per month will cover the cost of his tuition.)  Of course, our answer was Yes!  

We also visited Wilder and his family.  Elba, his wife, and Andrew, his baby, are doing well.  We can't believe how Andrew has grown since we last saw him.  He is eleven months old and already has 6 teeth and weighs more than 20 pounds.  He is always smiling.  Al says he is already calling him "Uncle Al".  (Al was the only one to hear him.)  

Wilder is having some health issues since his kidney transplant last year and will be returning to Cincinnati with us on Thursday.  We met with his doctors at the Military Hospital this morning.  While Wilder is in Cincinnati for tests, his doctors at Christ Hospital will share their information with his doctors in Managua.  Please pray for Wilder and his doctors.

We have more meetings scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow.  We have been invited to a seminar held by the World Soy Foundation tomorrow.  We met some of the farmers this morning and are looking forward to the meeting.

Until later,

Al & Charlene