Update May 29, 2022 (updates from Eric):

May 25:  So much happening this week! The house building crew is with Rita Rabre de Pinto working in between rain showers while we are on board working on arms.

 

Laurena's Hardware also donated some paint and they are painting the one room that part of grandmothers family owns out of the building next door. It may be one room for them to live in but they are so proud of being able to do something they never dreamed of. Paint the walls!

The work is proceeding well considering the weather!

 

I have to say that when we left the States a year ago never did I imagine that we would be helping so many in such varied ways with our local partners. This is all done as an expression of God's love and we thank the wonderful people who have donated to make this possible! I cannot imagine what is in the future as God moves according to His purpose. I see how little of an idea my plans have been in comparison to His.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 May 27:  Lots of progress today! I was able to measure a young man who lost both lower arms. In a few weeks he will have two new prosthetics! Several days of printing ahead and Monica got some computer training today using the OpenSCAD software to create the various parts for printing.

 

Rita Rabre de Pinto and the crew have been making lots of headway despite working around the rain showers. The boy who is recovering from his first of several big surgeries and his sister had a smiles seeing their new home coming together.

 

Since this project was close enough to home for Rita she cooked up a great lunch for everyone! A big thank you again to those of you who have donated to make all of these things happen! We can't do this without you. I'm so excited to see how God is using all of us to change lives here.

 

 

 

Rita Rabre de Pinto said "We left the kids handprints in the doorway to remind them that it was through them that they got this house".

 

 

 

 

May 28: We measured our second double arm recipient yesterday. Today we start lots of printing but just think of how much they will help! Will also make him a utensil holder to use as well.  First parts being printed.

 

More photos are available on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444644079017550

 Update May 25, 2022 (updates from Eric):

Abel, you have an arm waiting! Monica's first assembly!

 

 

 

 

And,  Rita Rabre de Pinto and our crew hard at it in the on and off rain today! Progress despite the weather. The family of the woman has also been putting in work as well.

 

 

 Update May 24, 2022 (updates from Eric):

Rita Rabre de Pinto has been on the job with our new house project today. This is the grandmother with two special needs children. One of whom just started a long road of corrective surgeries on his legs. 

 

The walls were leaning over they were so far gone. There was a floor slab for a change but it was cracked and buckled. They made amazing progress as it didn't take much to come down. Footers dug and rebar done. Now waiting on delivery of more materials and our weather forecast could be better!

 

 

 

 

 Also, started our assistant Monica learning assembling today.  And on May 16, we did a video call for measurements for a recipient who needs a lower arm. Two printers have been working on that!

 

 

 

 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!