The week started out strange enough. After receiving a donation, we indulged in a meal out. Overpriced taxi driver charged us 80 quetzales for a 40q ride. leaving me 200q and change in cash. Well, we had just checked our account online and were in good shape, so we had dinner knowing we could put it on our debit card. Great meal, Marisol had a wonderful time and got a balloon. Now the bill arrives and I had the waiter my card. He runs it, says, "rejected". I say, "No way!! We've got plenty." Tries again, REJECTED! Tries John's card, REJECTED!! So...I walk to a bank across the mall and try their ATM...balance 0.00q!! NOW what do we do? Return to the restaurant, where Marisol has picked up more than I thought she understood, and is beginning to panic that the police are coming for us (crossed my mind, too!). Starting to recall all those documentaries on foreign prisons, NOT PRETTY!! Bill is 300q and I've got 200q (and change, needed for taxi home). After back and forth discussion with management and a promise to leave John's license and the 200q, and return tomorrow night, we are graciously allowed to leave. Straight home. Check balance online. Still shows no problem. Can't do anything till morning, so spend the night in panic mode. First thing in the morning call bank in the US and are told there is no problem, we have a adequate balance. I walk to an ATM in the early afternoon to try again, so I can call the bank back if needed, and have no problem withdrawing cash. Back to the mall Tuesday night, bargaining with the taxis for a fare rate, pay the bill and eat somewhere else. All's well that ends well. But...are week was just starting...

...Tuesday night 2 new children arrived at the home, a 3 yr. old boy and his 2 yr. old sister. The little girl was extremely emaciated, covered in injuries, some of them very infected. Her legs and arms were like broom sticks, and she could barely carry her own weight. The little boy is in better shape, small for his age, and covered with sores (cigarette burns he tells me, but very bright and a great personality. Marisol and the little boy hit it off and play beautifully together. Marisol is very worried about the little girl and can't understand why a mother would treat a child this way...hard to explain to a 3 1/2 yr. old.

By Thursday the little girl was very listless, not eating, and hardly responding to people, and running a high fever. She did, however, cling to John and I, and trust us to give her medicine. We decided that with her low body weight she could take a turn for the worse very rapidly, so I walked her down to a clinic. The doctor was very upset that she had arrived at the home in this condition, and had not been sent to a hospital first. She gave us medicines to give her, to add to those John had already started her on, and we returned to the home. Her weight was 19 lbs, that of a 12 mo. old. She was wearing sized 6-9 mo. clothes. We were hoping she would see a pediatrician that night, or go to a hospital, but he was in surgery.

Friday morning we arrived at the home and could see a sparkle in her eyes. We were told she was eating a little better, and she even laughed when John tickled her. The plan was for her to see the pediatrician first thing that day. She spent the entire day at the doctor, par for the course waiting in line here. On her return we were told she would be going to a public hospital right away, where the poorest of the poor go and conditions are minimal. She would be in a special unit that brings malnourished children back to health. Her stay would probably be for at least a month. We received a call that evening from Cinthya telling us things were worse than expected...she tested positive for HIV, and God Bless the Children is not allowed to take HIV children. Apparently there are 2 homes that specialize in HIV, and she would eventually be sent to one of those. In the mean time, there are limited nurses at the public hospital, so families are required to have someone there 24/7 to care for the child. With an extremely limited staff, Cinthya and one other person were put on the list to do the care. John has volunteered to do some night shifts if needed. The positive about needing 24/7 care is that she will have someone familiar present at all times and not feel that she was, once again, abandoned. All of the other children will now be tested for HIV.

Thank God for whatever neighbor or passerby called the authorities and got these children help. How can a parent so severely abuse an innocent child?? In spite of all she has been through, the little girl seems to be very intelligent and has not suffered any brain damage from the malnutrition. Sorry the pictures aren't much fun, but this is the reality we face. Please keep her in your prayers.