First of all…. the way I normally send my emails isn't working…. so PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF YOU GET THIS MORE THAN ONCE.... or if you aren't supposed to be on this list and are.... When I get back to Bolivia my normal lists should work again!!!!
On June 4th, Keiden, Marlee and I left Bolivia to visit family, friends and ministry partners… We had to say goodbye to Marco, who is holding down the fort in Bolivia. He still isn’t allowed into North America (We are allowed to try again to get his visa in another year… so we are praying for a miracle!!!)
We’ve had wonderful visits in the Toronto area, Vancouver area, Washington, Montana and now Calgary…. We have one more stop in Winnipeg before we leave for Bolivia on July 12th (and arrive home really early on July 14th)… There were quite a few people we missed seeing… and other spots we just couldn’t get to… but hopefully next time we will see you!!!!!
Some of the things that caused us culture shock or stress coming back to Canada? Those automatic flushing bathrooms had Marlee scared last time… and whenever she seems to be relaxing about the issue, it happens again and we are back at square one…. I thought some of our grocery stores were big in Bolivia but some stores here are definitely bigger and quite overwhelming…. Large fries or large pop are REALLY BIG!!!! When I have to choose between 25 different kinds of hair elastics for Marlee or so many sizes, brands, flavors and prices of cheese - I just don’t know where to start… They aren’t bad things…. Just things that make me feel a bit lost…
In Bolivia, my kids know that when it gets dark (by 6:30 or 7 p.m.) it’s time to start thinking about bed… but here they have a hard time believing me when I say it is time for bed!!!! Marlee sometimes wakes up in the morning and ask, “Mom, is it night or is it day?!” Very confusing…
Some little things that have been extra nice? Not needing to always look for an adapter for my three pronged plugs and warm running water….
* * *
As I have visited here and there, quite a few people have asked about GARY, ANA KAREN and LEYLA… and MILTON with little DAVID… So I will take a few minutes to update you on these precious people you have prayed for!!!
GARY: Little 4 year old Gary who ended up paralysed in the Intensive Care, doctors believed he had brain damage and his prognosis was dim… God’s hand touched him, and Gary unexplainably (to the doctors) got better and started moving, talking and walking! When he got out of the hospital, he still had trouble moving one of his arms… but PRAISE GOD, now he is all better!!!! Please pray for Miriam (mom, a student at El Jordan), Milton (dad, separated from Miriam, irresponsible and alcoholic – who came for the first time to El Jordan to our Easter movie night) and Noelia (older sister – 19? - who had been making bad choices in her life but vowed, with what happened to Gary, that she was going to change)….
ANA KAREN and LEYLA: Ana Karen is gradually getting more movement and strength in her limbs… she still can’t stand but is gradually getting more strength in her legs… She can use her arms and hands to do just about anything, but the fine motor movements in her hands need improvement… She still has a smile on her face… and a fierce love for her family… Your donations that came in last October when Ana Karen was so, so sick in the hospital continue to provide for: physiotherapy a couple times a week and a person to help her 5 or 6 hours a day so Gabriel can work half days (the other half days are used taking Leyla to the hospital daily)…
Leyla just turned 2 a week ago… and right now is in the hospital waiting to be operated TODAY (Monday, July 1st). This operation is to remove her colostomy and get all of her “tubes” hooked up…. She might be in the hospital for 2 weeks after the operation and Gabriel needs to be with her 24/7. She will need special care when she goes home… This is very hard for Ana Karen who would like to be with her daughter, but can’t be… Also, these are weeks when Gabriel can’t work to provide the basic needs for his family. Ana Karen’s mom will be helping around the house in the mornings, Leidy (our care giver in the afternoons) and Gabriel’s mom will be covering the night shift… (This is the plan anyhow!!!)
Please pray for:
• Leyla’s operation to be successful, for everything to heal well… The surgeon said that they daily visits to the hospital for her dilation might have to continue even after Leyla goes home:
• this to be a time for Ana Karen and Gabriel to know and trust Jesus more intimately
• Ana Karen to receive the encouragement and care she needs in these next couple weeks (it will be so hard for her not to be with her daughter)
• Provision of basic needs in the house (food etc) and at the hospital (diapers, medicines that the hospital doesn’t have on hand)
Not all of you might remember MILTON AND DAVID: the young man who grew up surrounded by family members on the streets yet, God´s hand kept him away from drugs, delinquency and the streets. His dream was to go to university yet raising his nephew David (whose parents are on the streets) and helping out his other abandoned nephews and needy family members made it impossible to barely even scrape by…
Milton is now a father of an 18-month-old girl… so the dream has gotten more complicated to attain. Two years ago he moved away from his needy family which has been a heart wrenching decision for him, but necessary for him to be able to provide in a responsible way for his wife, daughter and David… They have worked hard to start a little business and although they aren’t closed to the gospel, they haven’t made many steps to know Jesus better…. David is still studying… and doing well in school… (thanks to donations that covered his uniforms, school supplies and textbooks for the last 3 years.)
To be continued...
Because HE is faithful,
Corina Clements Soria (for Marco, Keiden and Marlee)
WhatsApp: 591-776-90452