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If you have already read this, click the link below to go to the update page for more details. If not please read this first
and then click the update link at the end of the story which will take you to the new update page.
Go to the Pablito Update
| Pablito |
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Written by Jim Guffey, August 13, 2005
Welcome to the village of San Pablo. Situated on the shore of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala it is one of the poorest larger
villages to be found on the Lake. It is home to Pablito, who is three years old and has suffered from horrible seizures since
he was less than six months of age. A very sweet and tranquil child, Pablito has four brothers and sisters and lives in an
old Adobe 'room' (his house) which measures about 15' x 15'. There is no bathroom and no running water.
Pablito's Dad maintains an avocado orchard and makes approximately 800 Quetzales each month. That's just a tad over 100
US dollars. His mom has a baby and the other kids take turns watching, caring for and feeding Pablito, who needs 24-hour
attention.
When the seizures come they are violent and cause him to bite his tongue, which swells very painfully, keeping him from
eating. This in turn causes other problems. Life is very difficult for this family.
As I sat listening to Hector talk to the mother I watched as she cried, explaining that the medicine prescribed by a volunteer
doctor several years ago costs 70 Quetzales or just under 10 US dollars a week, and they frequently have to borrow the money
to try to procure it or go without. When they can't get the money they have no other option but to wait for the daily seizures
and try to keep "Little Paul" comfortable while keeping him from biting his tongue and hurting himself. It's a
very traumatic thing for the other children (all seven of them sleep in one room, sharing one bed or the floor)to have to
witness and, when Dad is not home, assist.
| Mother and sister |
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After we visited a while I held little Pablito and talked to him in English. It was very nice because nobody understood what
I said. And I won't tell you either. As I spoke, Pablito was fascinated by my goatee and mustache, gently pulling and feeling
and then yanking! But that's OK. While I held him I wondered what will his future be like? Will he one day be able to go
to school? Only time will tell. God knows. Maybe that's why He sent us today.
As we prepared to leave we gave the kids some toys and asked if we could pray for Pablito. I had been studying for an
article I want to write on "unbelief", the story of the little boy suffering from seizures, possessed by the evil
spirit. You may recall the disciples could not cast out the demon and Jesus had to step forward and do it. I wondered about
the parallel here, if any. Did this boy have a similar evil spirit? Could Hector and I be of use if he did? We had already
spoken about the similarity, and whether taking him to a neurologist was an exercise of faith or a lack of same. No answers
yet. But I did tell God we were ready for anything he wanted to accomplish through us. We prayed for him uneventfully (to
us) and then left to return to Panajachel.
| The 'Patio' |
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Monday, God willing, we will take Pablito and his family to the second largest city in Guatemala, Xela, where there is a neurologist.
Please pray that God will use this for His glory and that this family may have some peace in accordance with His will.
Also, please pray about the possibility of you or your family providing support for this family and their needs. Remember,
they need almost half their monthly income to buy medicine. It is an impossible situation. But we, who in the United States
have so much, do so little. I know that if the right opportunity was before you that could change. This is that opportunity.
I can promise you that 100% of every penny you give will go to this or another needy family. God brings these people to
us for a reason. Whether it be $30, $40 or $50 a month, it would be a major help to them and I promise you, a major, major
blessing to you and your family. Please prayerfully consider this and return to this web site in the next several days as
I will post more pictures and a biography with names and photographs of the entire family.
I will also see to it that you will receive regular updates, pictures and status reports as well as be available to bring
gifts and other needed items at special times of the year to this family from you. Your kids will benefit, you will benefit
and everyone will be blessed! And most of all, God will be glorified!
Please check back soon to this page.
God bless you for considering God's will in your life.
| Pablito and his brother |
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Go to the Pablito Update
Return to Saturday, August 13, 2005
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