Update October 10, 2021: ( from Eric on Aaron, the first hand recipient,):
I wish y'all could have been there when Aaron got his hand.
Today for him literally was a life changer. In fact for his parents as well.
They are Christians. His mother was telling me how her first husband abandoned
them when he was born because he refused to have anything to do with a cripple.
She fought and prayed for 12 years to raise him. She was
told that a non working prostheses would be $10,000 USD. He would need a new
one yearly. That's more than they make in a year as it is. Aaron has been telling her he didn't want a dead hand but
one with moving fingers.
So they looked guarded when we got there. I'm learning
that's a normal Guatemalan response because so few people follow through on
promises that they aren't sure they believe something good might happen.When I got the hand out they seemed really surprised. Then I
showed it work and Aaron started getting a huge smile, his whole being changed. I told him we might have to make some adjustments to get it
to fit so don't worry if it doesn't fit first try. The guarded look again.
So the cup was indeed to tight and I told them we are
OK, let's make this work. Ten minutes with the heat gun and Aaron's whole life
changed. I taught him about how to use it, gave him his own screw driver to
adjust the finger throw how HE liked it and we talked about needing to exercise
and use his wrist muscles. He picked up big spools of thread, a tomato and then
said he wanted more than anything to hold something he had in his room. He came
out with his prize possession, a slingshot. He isn't quite strong enough to really fire it now but he
now is determined to make his wrist strong enough to use it. He could even pull
it a little.
His mother said she is so incredibly
happy. Was praising God for answered prayers and said she wantedto run outside
and scream for joy. Both parents kept hugging him and he was hugging back. We
were being hugged there were tears of joy shed. Then his mom said she wanted to pray and thank God for
bringing us and the hand. She and her husband were praying fervently and the
Spirit was very present! They were curious as to why? I explained that God had
called me to serve people with needs like this. More praising God. All from a crazy Gringo and a piece of plastic.
Then they tell me of a family they know with a son who only
has, I think, a thumb and index finger. He is about nine and has been so badly
bullied over it he has dropped school and won't even leave his house.
Chronically depressed and just stays in his room. Can I help? God give me guidance but I've seen printed hands that are
for this. We will get pictures and measurements and then talk to the designers.
Luckily we got out before the rain as this village for Aaron
would not be accessible without 4wd in the rain. This other boy I believe is
even further out and this is nor even a remote village!
Your generosity helped bring this to pass! It was just over
1 1/2 months from idea to first hand delivered!
