The Hastings Family

Some of the most difficult situations that we encounter in the ministry have to do with health problems of sponsored children. The picture above is of a little girl named Dariana who is seven years old. Yesterday, I met with her mom at our mission office following a report from our Amparo Daycare Center. Dariana's mom explained that her problems began two years ago when she was five. It was discovered that Dariana has a form of blood cancer. She has many problems as a result of her disease and the doctors fear that it is spreading. Yesterday, she had a CAT scan as they suspect she may have a tumor in her brain. Dariana's blood platelet count is extremely low and she has to take medicine and receive transfusions on a regular basis. Sometimes her bleeding gets out of control and she has to be hospitalized for weeks at a time.

During these past two years, Dariana has been unable to attend school or our daycare center. Her mom is a single mom with two other children. She is working full time in a clothing store and spends many of her nights at the hospital with Dariana.

The hospital that Dariana goes to is a public hospital here in Guatemala City. The care is free but Dariana's mom has to pay for medications and special procedures and tests that Dariana has to have. She has taken out two loans to pay for these things. As I talked with her yesterday, I could sense that she was extremely weary and nearing her breaking point.

AMG is going to help with Dariana's medical expenses through a special medical fund that exists through one of our partner funding agencies.

Please pray for Dariana, her mom and her two older siblings. This is a very difficult time for all of them. Her mom assured me that they were Christians and that they are waiting on the Lord through all of this. You can help by praying for Dariana and for the health of all the children that are ministered to through AMG's childcare network. Thank you.