Update on employee’s condition

SOLOLÁ — We received some good news about Renzo this evening.

He was not riding his motorcycle. He had taken a bus to his class in Quetzaltenango, about an hour away. While en route, on the Pan-American Highway, the bus — which was apparently traveling at an excessive speed — skidded and crashed into a piece of heavy machinery.

As seems to be the case all over Guatemala, road crews were busy widening the highway. Huge pavers, trucks and back-hoes can be seen at many points widening and paving the highways. The stoppages make bus drivers impatient. Passengers don’t pay by the hour.

Apparently, Renzo was thrown around by the crash, injuring his head. He was the only one seriously injured. Doctors sewed up the cuts on his head with more than 30 stitches. Renzo is conscious, recognizes people and feels pain — apparently quite a bit of pain because I’m told he’s shouting and crying out a lot. He has been transferred to a private hospital in Quetzaltenango, where he should receive better care. The bus company is covering the costs because the driver was at fault.

To be honest, I feel very relieved to know he’s in pain. At least, he’s alive and has hope of recovery. When I heard “motorcycle accident” and “skull surgery,” I feared the worst. Please continue to pray for his recovery. Thank you.