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I told you that my desire was that we don’t just put “band aids” on the people that we come in contact with – but we develop long term meaningful relationships – well, after our trip to Belize we have been able to make a difference in the life of a little 7 year old boy, Moises. Below are some words from 26:12 in Amarillo. Moises fell out of the back of a pick up truck several months ago – Tim Tam and the Word at Work has worked diligently to help save this little boy’s life. Our staff stepped in in the midst of a huge blizzard to be surrogate moms for this precious little one. I put the ‘posts’ in chronological order – with the greatest news at the end!
From Tim Tam: “Tears of joy shower down today all over Belize City and beyond.
It started when my wife called and gave me the word that Baptist Saint Anthony Hospital in Amarillo Texas has agreed to receive Moises as their patient. It took me a while to stop crying so I could begin to share the good news with others. Our God once again hears the prayers of his children and brings hope to the hopeless. A network of caring people, friends connecting with friends all over the United States nonstop, thousands of emails, everyone striving to secure help for this little guy who refused to die.
Perhaps on Thursday, at least by Friday, a private jet will arrive in Belize to transport Moises, his mother and his Dr. to Texas even faster than a commercial airline. BSA Hospital in Amarillo is fully equipped to handle the case.
Early this evening I went to the hospital to share the good news with Moises and his mother. Unbelievable joy has pushed away all the sorrow in their rooms. And Moises is showing new energy and great improvement. Only days before, one of the nurses from Accolade Home Health Care (www.accoladehomecare.com) secured the TPN that was desperately needed to get nutrition into his body. Cars from distant cities drove through the night to hand off the medicine to a mission team from boulder Colorado bound for Belize who then rushed it to the hospital at the moment they arrived. The results were almost immediate. Tonight we noticed that the sores on his scalp and arms were now healing. There is new life in his eyes. But here is what blew my mind…… Perhaps you remember from the last alert we sent out that Moises spoke of a Angelic visitations, a man dressed in white who was helping him. Here we had come to the hospital to tell them they were about to go to the United States, and his mother shared that he already knew it. She awoke in the night to find Moises sitting in the chair next to the bed. He has not been out of his bed for many weeks. The “man who had been helping him” told him that he needed to get ready to go. Moises got out of bed while his mother slept. He bathed himself with wet wipes and put lotion on his skin. He put Vaseline in his hair and combed it and then sat in the chair ready to go. She didn’t know what to think of it other than that she was glad he was gaining strength and, though it little bit shaky, was able to walk around.”
Then tragically, his mom didn’t get to go with him initially to the states. There was a problem with her visa at the airport. So our ladies in Amarillo stepped in and became surrogate moms for a couple of days.
From Amy Chapman: “The storm is just getting here, but they have closed the roads north out of Amarillo, and west out of Amarillo already. It was only dusting snow when I was driving in, but it was VERY hard to drive because of the high winds making it white. Moses is getting excellent care… Iike he’s the only pt here. He loves the gifts 26:12 bought him, but especially the slinky!! It is constant activity with doctors in and out. Will give update when things slow down. “
From Tiffany Heizer, our administrator in our Amarillo office: “I just spent about 5 hours with him. He is very precious and a brave little boy. We played with play dough, colored, watched Dora—that is his favorite. He got out of bed and drove a Hummer up and down the hall then we played in the toy room. He is of course very frail and weak. As I carried him back to his room, because he was too tired to get back in the hummer or walk, I just about melted. I am so blessed to have 2 little boys who are healthy. We are blessed to live in a country where our children don’t have to lie in a hospital bed for months like he has not knowing when or even if you are going to get the surgery needed to repair your injury.
Beckie, thank you so much for passing his story on to us so we could share in this wonderful time for him and his family. “
From Lisa Tam: “Moises’ mom is here. And all are happy. The willingness of the Accolade folks to set aside personal schedules at the last minute, and in the midst of blizzard conditions, was truly a gift of grace.”
From Tiffany H. “His mom got here about 8:30… he had pain meds a little before so when she walked in he just laid there but smiled from ear to ear…She kissed him all over his face and was so happy to see him. I let Lisa and Beth know to please call us for any needs they have, mom was very excited about seeing the snow and having some warmer clothes there. So there is one little happy boy and his momma tonight.”
In Honor and memory of our friend Kristi Cary
March 26, 2009
She taught us how to live
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
I received the nicest call today. It was from Pat Pilkington who works in the Presiden’t’s office of Samaritan’s Purse. She just wanted to thank Twenty-six:Twelve for all the support that we have given to Operation Christmas Child over the past few years.
Pat shared a little with me about her trip to Panama this year where she got to be on the distribution team. The children were amazed that people could love them so much. She shared with me that the children in the communities who receive the shoeboxes also go through a discipleship program throughout the year where they study the Bible and memorize scripture. What a joy for her! She got to see their ‘graduation’ from their program.
Then the best part was that I got to talk about us! I have the great privelege to tell people all over the country about who we are and why we exist – and the amazing work that God is doing in and through us.
I (Beckie) was asked to give my own ideas about our week in Belize to my friend at FMS, Kristen Kennedy, this morning. I love that I have so many wonderful people who went and always want others to hear from them – but I do love to share my own passion about 26:12. My vision for 26:12 has been that we would offer a wide variety of experiences with a wide variety of outcomes. What happened this week was more than just a band aid of service – Now, don’t get me wrong. Band Aids are good – Band aids prevent bad conditions from getting worse. But this week in Belize was more than a “band aid”. Because we began eternal friendships with Beatriz Thompson, Tim Tam, John Carr, Kenny Logan – and so many others – we actually provided what would be more like “major surgery” than a “band aid”. Our nurses and others who served that week are continuing to work hard to provide ways to improve the health care and living conditions in Belize. Lives will be radically changed because we were there. More on that later!
“Belize was an incredible journey. My second with Twenty-six:Twelve.It was so much more than I ever dreamed. I have 12 new friends-some of them I’ve had for awhile-very dear sisters PLUS 3 very dear brothers!! The people we encountered there are so very strong and faithful to the Lord!! How they each blessed me!! My life was touched-and I went to touch theirs??? I have plan to go back in the very near future and to work again with The Word at Work and Tim Tam-what an amazing man of God!! We had some very comical moments-as well as blessings. You will need to hear mine and Beckie’s “psych” experience-and my and Angie’s nutrition education class:). Hilarious?!!! Ask-cuz we will love to tell you!” Alicia Anderson
“I think that trip was possibly the best thing that has ever happened to me! I am so at peace and joyful each day! I feel His presence and I don’t feel like I have to be in control of everything anymore. God is great!” Becky James
“My experience in Belize was much more than I expected. It expanded my beliefs on what countries with little or no resources can accomplish. I had the amazing opportunity to spend the week with a physician who has left a mark on my heart for the rest of my life. Only every once in a while can you immediately bond as life friends with someone new. This was the case with this 4 foot ten physician. She is a dedicated christian with an amazing energy and heart. My life was blessed by this experience and part of my heart is left in Belize.” Marcylle Combs
“Our week in Belize was healing for many and the love we gave and received was overwhelming. One thing that sticks out is the simple pleasures and kindness by the people there and the people I went with on this trip. God is so wonderful to have provided us with the opportunities and love we were able to give and receive. We work for a wonderful company that God has a hand in and we are so fortunate to be able to show or patients and coworkers how much they mean to us. We get to work through the Lord daily, which is a blessing. We saw things that hurt, but we also saw things that were so pure and good. We can only hope to do a little of God’s work, but wow, when you serve Him and give all your blessings to Him, good things happen, both in us and the people we serve and love. Blessings to all, I pray each and everyone of you can experience a life changing time like this in your lives. Remember God can be with you, there’s room in your car, house, life for Him!” Cori Reid
”The week in Belize opened my eyes to who I am and who God wants me to be. It made me acutely aware of God’s presence in everything, in all corners. The experience filled my heart with such joy and gratitude for God’s grace, mercy, and love.” Amy Chapman
Thirteen amazing women returned from Belize safe and sound last night. The week was rich with experiences. Our friend, Tim Tam, warned us that ministry happens on the way to do ministry – so to keep our eyes and hearts open to what God is doing around us. He also taught us that God working through us was not near as important as God working in us. I have posted a few pictures and hope soon to post stories and other pictures.
