I am writing to update you on the changes that we as a family first and as a ministry as well, will be facing in the next year. As you may remember, Duane had a vision many years ago about us having a hospital here in Canilla. It was something that was way too big and out of the question so we just “put it on the shelf.” However in the last year, God has begun to move people into place who desire to come alongside of us to fulfill this dream. We have always said that in order to have a hospital here, we would need nursing staff (other than just me and Katie) and physicians. Katie’s dream of a nursing school is coming to pass and will open in January of 2014. By January of 2015, we will have a nursing staff able to care for inpatients. In February of this year, we were “randomly” contacted by a group of physicians (all family practice) who have committed to staffing this hospital. They have a practice in Iowa in which they all rotate throughout the year for 3 month cycles so that 2 can be “on the field” while the others care for their US practice and fund those on the mission field. They are planning to come full time by….January of 2015. Don and Lori – our long time friends who have come to help us each year for many years – have made a 3 year commitment as well….starting in January of 2015. Don is a PA and Lori is a CPA who helps us keep everything in order! And finally, we were again, “randomly” contacted by a physician who is Guatemalan, and currently finishing his residency in family practice in Spain. He and his wife have a heart to serve the poor here in this area. And they will be ready to start in…..January of 2015! None of these people knew about the others nor did we solicit help from them – this was all totally God moving on their hearts, synchronizing timing as only He can!

Now, our dilemma is where to put everyone not only to practice, but to live? Our original thought was to just build a small hospital in our front yard. But that seems short sighted as there would be no room for expansion. And we have been advised by those who have walked this road before us that having the hospital and community housing on the same property does not work well. So, after weeks of prayer, discussion, and more prayer, we finally have a plan that we all agree on and have peace about.

We have put a down payment on a property not immediately next to ours but within about 500 feet from ours. It is big enough for expansion and we feel that it will be a perfect distance from the “home base.” We are trusting (and this is a HUGE LEAP of faith) that within the 3 months that the government is saying it will take to get through paperwork, it will be paid for. We will then begin construction of the first phase of the hospital. We hope to begin with a facility that will have the capability to house up to 20 patients. It will include 2 operating rooms so that we can do C-sections if necessary as we anticipate that much of what we will do is assist with births. We will also be able to help those children who are so sick with pneumonias and dehydration (the number 1 and 2 killers of children in this country).  

I must confess that we are completely overwhelmed but at the same time so completely in awe of what God is doing! For so long we have prayed for a place where the people we love so much would be cared for with love and compassion; a place where they can not only receive medical help but spiritual help as well. Our floor plan for the hospital includes a prayer room - front and center. And one of the only things that the doctors have requested is a full time pastor on staff – someone who will always be there to minister to hearts. 

Again, this is a huge step of faith for us. We do not have money for a project as big as this. But we know that He is the God of the impossible. A friend of our recently said, “Our God is a gentleman. When He invites us somewhere, He always pays.” So we trust that He will provide all that we need!

Please pray for us – that we have wisdom to do all that He has asked with integrity and wisdom. Pray that we maintain our focus on Him, loving Him, worshipping Him, knowing that He is in control of our lives.