Ups and Downs

Julber seems to be doing a lot better socially. He is striking up conversations, laughing, and creating art and crafts fairly regularly. We are very glad to see this part of his development, because he used to be very shy and would look down when speaking.

His growths are not doing better, however. They have been growing, and just recently, it seems that the skin cannot keep up with the growth of the flesh, and his hip and knee have been leaking fluid. Lucy has been faithful in changing bandages, but we are concerned about infection. Just last night, both Julber and Lucy reported that his hip and knee are drying and the holes are closing up. That is good news! But it seems that when there is an "up," a "down" is not too far away! And so, we are trying hard to get the Samaritan's Purse hospital in Julber's hometown department of Apurimac to take Julber in for a look. We have made phone calls and are sending emails with little progress so far.

Julber is 13 now, and we do not want to keep him from his family for too long. He has been living away from them for about a year and a half. It is time that Lucy, along with the Styrons and me and Lee, make some decisions about his near future. He needs more than pain medication and a change of bandages. He needs good medical attention. And he needs his family, especially his mom. We want him to be able to be an independent young man. Please pray for the decisions that need to be made, and continue to pray that God would miraculously and mercifully heal him completely! We have not given up hope or faith that that can happen!