Full of Hot Air

Our friend Ivan from St.Louis, came to visit this week. He has been coming along to clinics and making balloon animals for all the kids, and sometimes the adults.                

We are seeing a change in the welfare of our communities, continuing on from past weeks.  It always seems such a struggle to decide who is really in need.  As the harvest season here comes to an end, some of the families we have been helping with food and corn are able to support themselves again and no longer need our help.  We are so glad each time one on these families has had a fruitful season and can make do with what they have. For each family who achieves this, we meet another new family who is in dire need of help with food for all and supplemental nutrition for the children. We met one woman in our San Andreas clinic today who came in asking for milk for her 2 year old. When we asked her why she didn't have an adequate supply of breast milk, she explained that she had an infant at home  in addition to her other 8 children, giving her 10 all together. On top off all of her complicating circumstances, we also learned that she is now pregnant with her 11th.  It always amazes me that the children, even though they may be struggling with hunger or a medical illness, always respond to a gesture of love and kindness. As important as  medicine or food, or as seemingly insignificant as a balloon animal, it is all little reminders that God has not forgotten them, that we have not forgotten them, and that you have not forgotten them either.  Thanks for checking in!