We walked on down the narrow alley for just a short time. We were almost there.
I hadn’t seen her in months.
I heard she was walking. I heard she was defying what the
doctors said she would never be able to do. I couldn’t wait to see this miracle
child with my own eyes.
We turned the corner and ducked under shanty balconies and
we continued our way to Yasmin’s home. In was quiet in this neighborhood, not
the way you would typically describe where they live, but it was early in the
morning and most were sleeping after partying until all hours of the night.
We winded up a spiral staircase and when I got to the top,
there she was! Walking! Talking! She
even had a little belly on her! Her bone thin ankles and legs had a little more
meat on them than they had before. She was getting stronger.
Yasmin
I also met the newest addition to their family. Yasmin has a
baby sister, just a few months old at the time of my visit as well as a seven
yr. old sister. The oldest took care of Yasmin, while Yasmin, now three and a
half tried to carry her baby sister in her thin arms. I smile and think to my
self how the bond of sisterly love truly transcends all cultures as I think
sweetly of my own daughters who care for each other dearly.
Carina with her new baby
I snap a few pictures for Carina, holding her precious baby girl. We chat about life, Yasmin, being a mom and then they have something to show me. We head down stairs and out the door to the main street in the barrio and they give Yasmin 20 pesos and she begins her journey to the Colmado (corner store) to by her galleticas (little crackers). She walked quite a way as if she knew exactly where she was headed! Stopping all along the way to play with older kids and say hello to many as they begin to emerge from their houses as the morning wears on. I am told this is her game, and it builds strength in her legs as she walks this distance daily.
This little girl can walk!
This little girl is fierce warrior, fighting for her life
and for a chance to live each and every day. Thanks to the many who have stood
alongside of us and partnered with us to get Yasmin the help she needs, she
will have that chance.
Yasmin and her grandma
Pediatric Doctors, coming on a mission trip with G.O. Ministries this summer, will evaluate Yasmin. She continues her regiment of 1.5 bottles of ensure a day to gain weight and muscle mass. Ensure in the D.R. is expensive. It costs $65 for a case of 24 and in one month, Yasmin needs 45 cans of Ensure, not to mention her medicine needs. Providing she is at an acceptable weight at the end of the summer, we will have her re-evaluated by Operation Smile in hopes that she will be able to have the surgery she needs to fix her cleft pallet. Once that is taken care of, we will begin the harder work of having her observed to determine what neurological condition she suffers from and how to get her necessary treatment.
I am thankful for sweet gifts like Yasmin who show me what
it really means to fight for something worthwhile. I love this little girl and
I find myself thankful for this tiny little girl who has already begun changing
lives and showing God’s Sovereign power to heal and overcome adversity.
Carina with her three sweet daughters!
We need your help! Please join us in prayer for Yasmin and
her family. If you would like to make a donation to help with her ongoing
medical needs please make checks payable to G.O. Ministries, Inc. and send them
to 11501 Plantside Dr. Suite 14, Louisville, KY 40299. In the memo line, be
sure to write “Perez/Yasmin.”
Much peace!
Alan and Jackie
