Luisa Marisol being checked by an occupational therapist

As many of you know, we carried Luisa Marisol and her family from Coban to Antigua on Friday to get a new wheelchair. Little did we know, that she would end up being admitted in the hospital instead! I already knew she was malnourished from our visit in her home, when she was fully clothed. However, when the occupational therapist (OT)  examined her to prescribe the correct wheelchair and removed her shirt; I think we were all stunned! The OT is a missionary in the Antigua area and knew of a very successful malnutrition program at a local hospital. Luisa Marisol’s parents were very hesitant to leave her there because of the six hour distance, but they realized that it was the best thing for her well being. One huge advantage that they have is that the hospital is a “social work” style, hospital that allows poor families to pay only what they can afford for her treatment. The name of the hospital in Spanish is Obras Sociales del Hermano Pedro (in English, Brother Peter’s Social Work)  and it is located just a couple of blocks from Antigua’s central park. Please pray for Luisa Marisol’s parents, Sebatian and Luisa; that they will let her stay in the program as much time as needed for her to gain enough weight. It is very difficult for Q’eqchi’ people to trust in people at a hospital that are strangers to them! The family was promised that Luisa Marisol will get her wheelchair after she gains enough weight to be able to size it correctly.