A few months ago Maria shared with us that she had lost her glasses was using glasses that were 14 years old.  These glasses were causing her headaches and were making her eyes hurt.

Thankfully, there is a ministry in Guatemala city called Hands of Love that does eye exams for only $7.  If you need glasses they then refer you to a clinic that gives a 30% discount on glasses.  Through this blessing and the faithful support of sponsors like you we were able to get Maria new glasses.  Although it took her some time to adjust to the new glasses, because they are bifocals, she is very thankful for them is also happy to be able to see properly again.  She is also thankful that she no longer has to deal with the eye pain and headaches that her old glasses were causing.

Maria is doing much better with her eyes but is still struggling with a lot of pain from the diverticulitis.  She has recently switched doctors because the other doctor was not helping her and because this new one was cheaper.  Sadly, the treatment the new doctor is giving her isn’t helping much either.  We have tried many times to explain to Maria that this is a disease that requires many months of consistent treatment as our doctor told her months ago.  We have also told her if she ever wants to return to the doctor we trust and start her treatment again we would see how we can help her.  But, she has to be sure she is willing to stick to it this time because we do not want to lose time and money again if she decides she wants to stop in the middle of the treatment because she feels it’s not helping her.

It is so hard for us to see her in this much pain, knowing that had she stuck to the original treatment she would most likely be doing much better by now.  But, we know that it has to be her decision and even in this God is caring for her.

She was also diagnosed with neuropathy recently because she has been having some very severe pain in her legs and feet.  Thankfully, the injections that the doctor gave her for these seem to be helping with that pain.

Please continue to pray with us for complete healing for Maria.  She is so worn out by all this illness and pain.  She is also still struggling with loneliness because she lives by herself.  She often tells us that she’s just tired of living and is asking the Lord to take her soon.

Thank you for your continued love, prayers and support for Maria!  Thank you also for those who have reached out to her by sending letters and pictures.  If you have time and would like to write to her again there is another team coming down in January of 2018 and we know Maria would love to hear from you!  She always tells us that visits and letters from the people at Servants brighten her day so very much!