Judgement Calls

Pedro is a total disaster as a patient.  He has diabetes.  He eats whatever he wants – the more sugar the better – and does not take his medicines, despite being given them for free.  Yet, he persists in attending the health centre complaining of ever increasing weakness, poor eye sight and recurrent infections. 

He is the father of 8 children.  His eldest daughter completed primary school, then moved away to find work.  His eldest son is happy to swing a machete in the fields during the week and to drink his earnings away at the weekend.  So, when his next son, Jorge, on finishing primary school asked me for a sponsor so that he could attend secondary school, I was not convinced he was going to stick at it.  I turned him down in favour of another child. 

Jorge, then aged 12, did not go to secondary school that year.  He worked in the fields, and helped to support his younger brothers and sisters.  The following year he came to ask me for a sponsor again.  He said he wanted to learn to be a mechanic.  This time I decided to give him the chance to prove himself.  Delighted, Jorge began studying again. 

Four years on, I am so pleased that I changed my mind.

Deciding which children to help is one of the most difficult parts of the sponsorship programme.  We try to look for the poorest, those least able to help themselves.  We also want them to be those who will make the most of the opportunity to study.  Often that is a difficult judgement call to make. 

Jorge completed his first three years of secondary school without having to do a resit, despite his father´s ever worsening health.  This year, as his father is now unable to work much, Jorge enrolled in a mechanic´s course.  He attends the course at weekends, which means he can work to help support his family during the week.  He also has several assignments to complete for his studies each week.  I admire his determination and hard work, and pray he will achieve his goal of having a profession to work in.

This year we have 130 students receiving help for their education through sponsors.  I continue to pray for wisdom to know which new students to take on, as more sponsors come forward.  

Living in the Shadow of an Active Volcano

Cotopaxi volcano is erupting ash high into the heavens daily, and everyone fears it is building up to a catastrophic eruption.  The last major eruption was in 1877, when more than 1000 people lost their lives.  Now, the people who live closest to the majestic peak have been evacuated from their homes, and government warnings on the television instruct people on what to have packed in the event of a major emergency.  Livestock are dying, suffocating in the ash emissions, and crops are destined to fail. 

We live over 100 kms distant from the volcano, but ash reaches us daily, coating the plants and entering our houses, covering everything in a fine, black dust. 

There are more threats being prepared for in Ecuador this year as well.  It is a year with the El Niño phenomenon.  As I write the rain is belting down outside my window, in what should be the driest time of the year.  On the coastal plains of the country meetings are being held to instruct the inhabitants on what to do if flooding occurs.  The crops in that part of the country are expected to fail as excessive rains are predicted. 

Having spread like wildfire through the coastal towns, the Chikungunya virus is now making itself felt in Santo Domingo.  Many people are falling victim to this mosquito-borne virus which causes fever, rash and severe joint pains. 

Add to that the ever falling oil prices, and hence rising prices of every day essentials, and you could be forgiven for thinking that all is far from well. 

I am living in the shadow of a powerful volcano, and other problems.  But, I also “dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  (Psalm 91 v 1).  It is easy to worry about the difficulties we think are on the horizon, but ultimately only God knows the future, and He holds it in His hands.  “Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of His wings.” (Psalm 36 v 7).  Whatever is facing us today and tomorrow, let´s trust our Heavenly Father to take us through it.