FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
The year 2010 is coming to a close. Yesterday, in the local NEWSPAPER, in bold headlines, was a Guatemalan reality, 6,000 asasinations in Guatemala in 2010. This is almost 500 deaths a month through violence! Truly this is great saddness for this beloved country.
Here in the Clinica Maxeña, daily we also deal with LIFE AND DEATH! There are many premature deaths that could and should be prevented. Health Care continues to be BIG BUSINESS and not a HUMAN RIGHT for every human being. Last week we lost a 34 year old mother to advanced tuberculosis. Her two small children were heart broken as well as her devoted husband. One indeed feels helpless. Even in last minutes in advanced stages, I could not obtain the medications I needed from the Ministry of Health. WHY was she not diagnosed earlier by the local Ministry of Health Clinic.
God gives LIFE and also calls home his children. WE are called, each to care for one another. We are blessed here in the Clinica Maxeña also with accompanying others back to health. As the years ends we are happy to report on the progress of our young AIDS patient, Maria, 13 years old, who was sexually abused, raped, by a family member.
Maria weighed 54 pounds when she came to our clinic less than six months ago. Today she weighs 80 pounds and is smiling. She is talented in embroidery and has been producing some beautiful T-Shirts. She is experiencing some side effects of the medications of her treatment, but she is coping well. She and her mom and siblings are living with an Aunt. Our Clinic personell are accompanying her monthly to obtain her antivirals for AIDS to a clinic two hours away and providing her nutrition supplements.
WE ARE ALL THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS! YOUR DONATIONS MAKE POSSIBLE OUR WALKING WITH AND HEALING, CHILDREN OF GOD, WHO COME TO OUR CLINIC! THANK YOU!!!
I enclose a photo of Maria when she first came to our clinic and the picture that was on my CHRISTMAS LETTER! Maria has a cross on that I received from an Irish cousin during my recent journey to Ireland. This cross is from Medjugorie. I want a miracle for MARIA! Thank You for your prayers and financial support.
Send donations to: www.diocesehelena.org and mention that it is for the
CLINICA MAXENA! THANK YOU!!!
SHEILA
