miracle

what does it mean when the bible says "speak for the poor when they cannot speak for themselves"? why would they not be able to speak for themselves? they can speak up just like anyone else, right?

the last couple days, as we have been navigating Milagros and her husband through the necessary steps (consultations, clinics, lab work, tests, and finally today's surgery) i was able to get a better feel for that what that passage means. Milagros and her husband, at each stop along the way, were faced with questions and paperwork.

but neither one of them can write their own name, much less read through and fill out medical forms.

without people speaking up for them, how could have ever been possible? first, they needed more money than they have ever seen in their lives in order to pay for the operation. but beyond that, they had never been out of their village and surrounding area, much less to the "nice side" of guatemala city. it was total culture shock. they were brighter-eyed than a 3 year old stumbling into FAO Schwarz! as forms were slid in front of them, they looked at us the same way every time, as if to say in desperation, "please help."

update and today's surgery
within 24 hours from sending out the story of Milagros needing surgery, we had over $1,800 more donated - to equal over 2,800 total. this covers all expenses, including medication and follow up appointments!

this morning, mark and i picked up Milagros, along with her husband and sister (pictured above) at 4:30am. surgery was at 7:30 and everything was finished at 9:00. it went wonderfully and the doctor said she's going to feel like new within days. even the painful recovery after a hysterectomy will be a comfortable relief compared to how she has felt the last 2+ years.

in spanish, Milagros' name means miracle. i believe that it is nothing short of a miracle that she had a surgery today that - to quote her husband - "no matter how long we worked we would never be able to pay for this". we are talking about a family that, with steady work for the husband at about $4.50 per day, will earn around $1,000 this year.

so in 24 hours, God, using many of you, provided approximately 3 years of salary for Milagros' family in order to have the operation that she needed to make her well. if you asked her, do you think she would say that's a miracle?

thank you to all who have donated and prayed to make this happen.

YOU HAVE SPOKEN UP FOR PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES... AND DEFENDED THE RIGHTS OF THE POOR AND NEEDY. Proverbs 31: 8-9