My Buddy Marlon...

God is faithful.  I think maybe, sometimes in Honduras it is hard for people to see that; to recognize that God is faithful, when they are surrounded by so much poverty, and hardship, and hopelessness.  But never the less, it is true, and God is making that clear in the case of Marlon Herrera.

Marlon Herrera, born June 29, 2003, was immediately diagnosed with several congenital defects.  As is common in Honduras, he was scheduled for many surgeries at the government hospital between the ages of 1-4, and none of those surgeries were brought to fruition.  His family would leave their mud brick house at 3 am, to walk two hours to the bus, to ride the bus eight hours to the capital, only to be told that the surgery was cancelled.  Excuses ranged from, the doctor is out of town to the hospital has no anesthesia.  In July of 2007 a group of doctors, nurses, and dentists from middle Tennessee came down to offer medical and dental consults in the little outpost town of Duyure.  It was there that Mission Lazarus first met Marlon.

After a thorough assessment, we immediately knew that Marlon would become one of our special cases.  With major congenital heart and intestinal defects, Mission Lazarus immediately scheduled several appointments for Marlon in the capital.  Though Marlon's heart defect is his most significant health concern, this cannot be treated in Honduras.  Unfortunately, the US hospitals will not accept Marlon for open heart surgery, until his GI issues have been treated.  So that is where we have started, with the end goal of getting Marlon to the US for heart surgery.

Last May, Marlon had his first of three planned surgeries (two GI surgeries, and one heart surgery).  After eight days in the hospital, Marlon was discharged and sent home to recover.  Now, after ten months of treatment at home, by his awesome mother, Marlon was ready to meet with the surgeon to see if it was time for the second surgery.

I took Marlon to an appointment yesterday with our favorite surgeon, and he was very pleased with Marlon's progress.  Right there, in that moment, the best pediatric surgeon in Honduras sat down and called on his right hand man, the second best pediatric surgeon in Honduras, and then called on the only pediatric anesthesiologist in Honduras certified to anesthetize kids with heart problems, and everyone agreed to do the surgery for free!  The hospital, as well, will be giving us a huge discount.  God is faithful.

Marlon is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on Monday, February 23.  Surgery will take place on Tuesday, February 24th at 8 am.

Please, please be in prayer about this surgery.  We know that God is going to do amazing things with Marlon, and want him to be glorified through out all of this.

Thanks for your love and support!  We seriously feel every prayer!