www.manoconmano.org
April 2004
Page 3
Susan Jones with Maria Vicenta and Virgilio, Marvin,
Edwin, Roni, Ana and Elsa. The family is happy, healthy and grateful for God’s
work in their lives.
In the last In Focus, you read about Maria Vicenta, the young woman of 26
who had recently lost a baby due to complications of childbirth. Sadly, like
many village women, five of her ten children have died. God has used this
situation of deep loss to allow us to form loving relationships with Maria
Vicenta and her family. In March we celebrated her birthday...as a “celebration
of life”...at her request. Vicenta wanted to express her gratitude to
God for saving her life, and for the care she received during her difficult
recovery. Her husband now works with us in the clinic doing cleanup and has
helped translate and work in the vision clinic with Del Rey Hills Church.
When it was discovered that Vicenta and Virgilio’s three sons would
miss a year of school
due to lack of funds for “inscription”, MCM paid their enrollment
and supply costs. All the family’s money was spent saving Vicenta’s
life and buying food while Virgilio stayed home to care for his wife. Your
faithful support has made this kind of “coming alongside” the
villagers possible. Medicine, food and schooling spell L-O-V-E.
Mauricio Canel Grande is a 21 year old Mayan man from
the tiny village of Santa Marta.
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Maria Magdalena
Maria Magdalena is Lorenzo’s grandmother and neighbor. She was one of Anita’s very first patients over five years ago. Her diabetes has progressed to the point that she needs insulin to control her skyrocketing blood sugar and prevent further damage to her body. On a recent trip to speak at a conference in Monterey, Susan Jones was given a case of insulin for Magdalena. God continues to touch the hearts of friends and strangers to help these patients. When the pharmaceutical rep was moved to help and discovered the “coincidences” that put her in the chain of many extended hands helping Magdalena (Mano con Mano), she said, “Wow, this is really weird. I am so happy to help, you have made my year. I have Goosebumps.” Susan smiled and said, “It’s a God thing. You are feeling what it is like to be an answer to prayer.” Without donated medications, supplies and financial support, this ministry would be impossible.
Mauricio
Santa Marta is one of the three villages served by Hands of Hope's clinic where Susan Jones works alongside Anita Giagnacavo. Mauricio (pictured left) was born with a gigantic hemangioma on his right leg. He spent much of his first few years in the hospital due to complications from this birth mark. Over years of not walking correctly due to pain and swelling in the lesion, Mauricio's knee and foot have become deformed. MCM hopes to remedy this crippling birth defect through the generous help of Dr. Jose Domingo Soto, a local orthopedic surgeon, and through radiation therapy. Mauricio's dream is to become a doctor to help his people. He is in the equivalent of 9th grade, and hopes to go on to colegio and San Carlos University. This determined young man is now working in the village clinic as an interpreter (Kaqchikel to Spanish), medical assistant and administrates the milk program for children two days per week. The other days he works in the fields before heading off to class each afternoon. Without your help, Mauricio would have no hope of ever straightening his leg, walking normally, or leaving the agricultural fields where all of his family works. Mauricio needs your prayers as we seek to coordinate the best possible solution to his unique condition.