Update April 25, 2022: (update from Eric):

So with the biggest week-long holiday of the year behind us (Semana Santa / Easter), the Country is getting back on the move again. Things came to a halt as they usually do. We have another person to do arm measurements on as soon as we can coordinate that as he is quite a ways away. We are also going to start using a new design that has been requested. It is for single digits called Knick's Finger. He has made his design available for free and we have a few requests. Here's a video of it. Should be measuring the first person next week hopefully:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6F8aj2A8MY 

Update April 10, 2022: (update from Eric): 

We delivered an arm to Dominga Beb this afternoon. When they start laughing with joy the very first time it moves and works you know you've done good! Does as much for us as for them I think. Of course first thing is how to use a broom then how to pick up a jar. More laughter, for all of us. Thank you Lord that we can show your love to these people.

 

 

Despite roadblocks and horrible traffic Rodrigo made the trip today to get his new arm! We did his measurements by video call but it's a good thing to make sure it fits properly. We also were able to give him a prosthetic sock. He was actually very, very happy! 

 

He used to weld and wanted to know if that would be possible again. We'll, I told him it is plastic but with a good welders sleeve and glove why not? I told him to practice with his arm and then try it! If it gets damaged we'll fix it but with leathers it could work. I told him the goal is to improve his life and he really wanted to try, so try! But if it works I did ask for a picture because we love to see successes.

 

 

 Update March 24, 2022 (updates from Eric):

Note from home office:  there are a couple of short videos in this post.  If you would like to watch them, please go to the IMS Facebook page and go to the date they were posted: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444644079017550.

Francisco got his arm today! I love it, he flexed his arm and watched the fingers work and just laughed with joy. He lost his lower arm 25 years ago.

He figured it out quickly and was easily picking up and holding a jar. I think he is going to do very well with it. We are also able to fit him with a prosthetic sock for better comfort.    I love our job!

 

 

 

 Francisco is practicing on the ride home on a bumpy road. Good work!

 

We also met Dominga Beb today. We were able to show her how we could help her and measure her for a lower arm prosthetic. Looking forward to the day we can present it to her! She is a Q'eqchi speaker and our team member Monica is invaluable for us as she also speaks the language. God has assembled a very versatile little group here!

 

March 22:

The young lady in Colombia who received her special hand sent this. This is very special and means a lot to us. Thank you!

 

March 18:

For a young lady in Colombia a dream come true. This is why we do what we do! Thanks to all our supporters and to Team UnLimbited who designed this special hand for her.

March 17: 

Another first for us. A request came in for some teaching tools for a young blind person to learn braille. Just started the prints. One is a set of inter connectable tiles with both letters and braille as well as numbers. Can be used initially to learn individual symbols and then words.

The other is a tool to learn to write braille with.  Always happy to meet a need.

 

 

 Update March 12, 2022 (update from Eric):

 

 So some of you will remember Edwar. He lost both lower arms in an attack in his home in El Salvador just a few years ago.    He wants to start a small business weaving hammocks and found the full length arms a problem but felt shorter arms would allow him to work his tools easier.    So today he got his custom short arms! Use them well brother!

 

 

 Update March 12, 2022: update from home office:

We've recently posted our Financial and Programs update for the months of January and February, 2022.  You can read about the Programs update here:   https://islandmissionssupportguatemala.blogspot.com/p/programs-2022-january.html.   And you can read our Financial update for those months here: https://islandmissionssupportguatemala.blogspot.com/p/financial-accountability.html

 Update March 2, 2022 (update from Eric):

Rita was able to deliver José's arm! He had had another prosthetic from some years ago but it rusted up and the control cable froze. That shouldn't happen with this one! As always thank you to Team UnLimbited for this great design!

 

 Update February 24, 2022 (update from Eric):

Four and a half months we've been doing this. We have done 22 prosthetics, 2 sets of communication teaching blocks to a school for special needs children and a few utensil holders. Not to mention a few home construction projects for some families in dire need. I think we're off to a good start!

 

Thanks to all who have helped, supported, backed, supplied designs, helped with dock space and encouraged us. Couldn't do this without all of you. You know who you are!

 Delivered an arm to Arnaldo today. He is a teacher from a neighboring village. He really started using it well! He thinks it will be very useful! Our favorite part of this work.