Our Ramon...

Ramon is now heavily sedated to keep him from moving around so much and damaging the new skin graftings. The good part is that he is not crying from the pain. I think this is a huge answer to prayer. It's too early to tell how the new skin is doing from the second surgery. They have scheduled another skin grafting surgery for next week.

Rosa said that her and Ed can't remember a worse attack from Satan than what they have experienced this past month. She said, "If it wasn't for the saints of God praying, we wouldn't have made it. Please tell everyone thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. God is faithful." When I talked with Rosa today she said that she was cooking a meal for the nurses at the hospital to thank them for all they have done for Ramon. They have no idea as to how much longer he will be in the hospital because there are so many variables yet.

Please keep praying for Ramon's recovery, Ed and Rosa's health and stamina, the other children at the oprhanage who are in need of Mama and Papa's time and safety for everyone. There are several other things going with adoption situations that also need your prayer. Thanks!

Ramon

Papa had the God-given idea of having Ramon's brother (Pablo) come in and feed him. Since then Ramon is eating (without having the feeding tube) and has gained 2 lbs. This morning he had another skin grafting surgery and time will tell if it was successful.

This whole ordeal is putting tremendous stress on Mama and Papa. Besides the responsibility of being at the hospital and feeling helpless as they hear Ramon cry throughout the day, there is the issue of vehicle transportation back and forth to the hospital for everyone. Ed and Rosa are exhausted which makes everything else harder to deal with. Even Nohema and Brenda are tired because of added responsibilities. Let's continue to fast and pray for them.

Another Ramon Update...

Ramon had a surgery last week and the Dr was hoping that 70% of the new skin grafting would take and only 30% has. Ramon has now lost 20 lbs and they are thinking they will insert a feeding tube. They are now waiting for Ramon's skin incisions to heal (where they removed the good skin) so they can get more skin for the grafting. His pain is still very real.

At the hospital someone from the orphanage is expected to be there 24-7 and they insist that Ed or Rosa be there during the daytime. So, Ed gets up and is there with Ramon in the mornings, Rosa is there in the afternoons and Ed takes the evening shift. This is taking quite a toll on both Ed and Rosa. Rosa has lost 3 lbs due to not eating properly at the hospital and Ed is not doing much better.

They did receive good news...they are on a list to possibly receive enough funding to build the new girls dorm dining hall. There are other non-profit organizations that are also on the list, but we are praying that God would give Lily favor and the money would be awarded to them.

Satan may be working...but God is working too! And guess what??? Our side wins! Thank you, Jesus!

Thank You, Jesus!

It now looks like Ramon's total medical costs will be paid for by the government while he is in the hospital. Rosa is not sure if the meds needed after he comes home will be covered...but we are thankful for the current blessings! Ed and Rosa seemed in better spirits today. Barb Hernandez from our church flew down and arrived this afternoon to visit for a couple days. I know that she will be a blessing to them...because she is a sparkler! She needed to fly down there for some adoption paperwork, but I think that the Lord had it orchestrated so she can bring some cheer to everyone right when they need it. Isn't God awesome?!!! Fred, your loss is Lily's gain!!! Chin up!

More Ramon Details

The accident of Ramon took place on the 15th. His face, chest and arms were for the most part spared of burns because he curled up to protect himself but the Dr. has said that the burns are on 30% of his body. Ramon has had many complications and they almost lost him on the 19th, but then he rallied. Ramon is in tremendous pain and cries out constantly even though they have him on Morphine. Yesterday he came down with a blood infection...and Rosa does not know if that will interfere with the surgery that was scheduled for today. The surgeon said that the surgery will be very very long. Rosa has been with Ramon for most of the time and Satan has been working overtime at the orphanage. Her CD player that she purchased about 9 months ago has been stolen along with all of her CD's (I bought her several Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir CD's which she loved listening to because that was where she was saved.) Anyway, now a staff cell phone has been stolen as well. You know how it is...when it rains...it pours. Rosa and Ed are discouraged and need our prayer. Let's pray Ed and Rosa and Ramon through this dark time.

Please pray for Ramon

Our sweet Ramon




What a smile!




Ramon and his brother Pablo.



A friend tipped me to a recent comment on the blog regarding Ramon. I promptly called Papa to see what happened. Aparently Ramon our sweet boy in the wheelchair with cerebral palsy, tried to be a 'big boy' and take a shower by himself when no one was in the casa. (You'll remember that he lives with Tia Mica and the little boys in the middle house.) Apparently the hot water heater was turned up high to begin with. He somehow managed to stand up to get the hot water turned on and then fell and couldn't get out of the shower. The details are sketchy, but the result was that Ramon has 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 25% of his body. He is in one of the best burn hospitals in Mexico and will need skin grafting. Mama has been with him most of the time but she is exhausted. The hospitals in Mexico are quite different than ours. If there is a medication that is needed it is not given and added to the tab. Someone has to be there to purchase the meds and then they can be given to the patient. Also, there is a shortage of nursing staff, so someone has to be by the side of the patients to take care of their needs...especially with children. Ramon has two things that I am concerned about while he is at the hospital. #1...he is Indian and they are regarded as 'monkeys' and often given last priority. #2 is the fact that Ramon has cerebral palsy and 'imperfect people' are also regarded as a 'low-life'. Please pray for his pain to subside, complete healing with no bad dreams, strength for Rosa, successful skin grafting, and peace for his brother Pablo as they are seperated during this time. If there are more updates I will be sure to post them here.

All Dogs Don't Go to Heaven...

Lola





Always by Rosa's side.




Rosa's beloved dog, Lola, has recently died from a snakebite. Some of the children and Rosa's hearts have been saddened by this news. Gary and I are big dog lovers and we've never met a dog that didn't like us...except Lola. We were often greeted by growls and she even tried to bite me once when I wasn't paying attention and stepped close to where she was resting. I had to convince myself that she was just protecting the children. So, although she was a great watch dog and loved Ed and Rosa, she also had the name of "the enemy" by some of the staff...including us! :) We are sad for Rosa but in our hearts, we definitely know that all dogs DON'T GO TO HEAVEN...especially Lola. :)

Also, Rosa has said that Chihuahua is experiencing a very high amount of rain during the past few weeks. (The city of Chihuahua received 1 meter of rain during an afternoon). There is a problem with bodies floating out of gravesites because of the extreme water conditions. It has gotten to the point where people are having to wear masks because sickness. I am telling you this because we need to pray for their protection.

I will be back down to Lily the first part of November to prepare for a team from Michigan arriving so I'll be able to post on the blog again. If anyone would like to send down food money, please send it to my address by the end of October. Linda Beggs, 7282 W. Fox Rd., Mears, MI 49436

If there are any more news updates, I will be sure to post them. Please continue to pray for the adoptions in progress. Things seem to be standing still at the moment. Satan is putting up a big fight.