‘Why didn’t you bring him to me before?’

GUATEMALA CITY — When the doctor saw little Juanito’s condition Friday and noticed his parents had missed an appointment early this year, he became angry.

“Why didn’t you bring him to me before?” the doctor asked Isidro’s wife.

She didn’t know what to say. A quiet, polite Kaqchikel Mayan woman, she doesn’t speak Spanish well and was only following the directions given her by hospital officials.

The misunderstanding or wrong directions apparently caused Isidro’s wife to miss an appointment around January with the doctor. They didn’t realize this until later, after they returned from a trip to Guatemala City.

Last July, just a baby, Juanito suffered a severe fever while Isidro, one of Viña Studios’ Scripture recording technicians, was several hours away, recording an audio New Testament. The fever appears to have caused brain damage. At about 15 months, the boy cannot sit up or walk, and he has trouble seeing and hearing.

Five weeks ago, Juanito fell unconscious for 30 minutes one evening, frightening his mother. Once again, Isidro was many hours away, recording the Q’eqchí New Testament. When he heard the news Isidro said he began to think, “I can’t do this any more.” Working at Viña provides regular income for these brothers, but it’s far from lucrative and they struggle financially and relationally.

Friday morning, Juanito had an appointment with the specialist in Guatemala City. When Isidro’s wife and his father arrived at the hospital that morning something special happened. In the doctor’s presence, Juanito fell unconscious exactly as he had last month. The doctor quickly ordered the boy to the emergency room, where they helped him to recover.

As the doctor prescribed medicine for a two-year treatment, he demanded to know why Isidro’s wife had not brought the boy to his January appointment. Through her broken Spanish, she explained that they had followed the directions of the receptionist, taking Juanito to the only appointment they thought was ordered. The doctor was still upset, asking why they didn’t send the boy with someone who understood Spanish better.

By the grace of God, Isidro sent his wife to the appointment Friday. Many monthly therapy lessons have seemed fruitless. They spend 100 quetzales (about $13) — nearly 10 percent of Isidro’s monthly salary — just on bus fare. The appointment often lasts just five minutes.

Fortunately, the Lord allowed Juanito to experience a bad spell in the doctor’s presence to communicate what her words could not.

Isidro and Carlos, Viña’s Scripture recording director, finished their Scripture recording on Monday and returned to Sololá yesterday. We received them back joyfully but it was a bittersweet reunion to see Isidro’s tears and hear how their families are suffering.

Carlos’ wife, who began to experience health problems while he was away, continues to suffer from her illness as well. Just this morning, Carlos had to leave to attend a doctor’s appointment with his wife.

Later, Isidro told me he feels happy to have accomplished something for the Lord’s service, producing a Scripture recording that will bless the body of Christ.

Please pray for these brothers, who, I believe, are on the front lines of a spiritual battle and are experiencing suffering and trials for their service, while they are away from their families for weeks at a time.