Mission to South Africa 2014

We are the Parada family, preparing to go to South Africa this summer as missionaries with YWAM.

Phoebe

Our biggest update is that Phoebe now has diabetes. Diabetes is an inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to break down sugars, resulting in high blood sugar levels.  Diabetes is treated by injecting insulin and adapting the diet.  Phoebe is now on insulin, which has stabilized her blood sugar levels.  Her diet was near perfect before, so no change there necessary.

Phoebe is patient with the whole finger-pricking procedure, and doing well with the injections.  She continues to amaze us with her happy spirit, and ability to live completely in the present.  Please keep her in your prayers though.

Although this is a big surprise to us, we can clearly see God’s hand of provision and protection.  We were able to catch it early, so Phoebe never got sick.  (A nurse at Phoebe’s oxygen therapy suspected it when I told her Phoebe was extremely thirsty and was peeing frequently. She did an immediate finger prick to test her blood sugar levels.) Diabetes can be sudden-onset, so we are grateful it happened now, and not right before our departure for South Africa.

When I asked the doctor if he thought we could move as planned, he assured us that we could.  He even said that the head of Endocrinology at Children’s Hospital is South African, and would surely help us with contacts in South Africa.  So, I booked our follow-up with him!

To give you some background, children with Down syndrome are at high risk for auto-immune challenges such thyroid problems, diabetes, and celiac (wheat intolerance). Phoebe already has thyroid issues and is on a gluten-free diet, so the diabetes part is the last of the three challenges.  The doctors can foresee no other challenges for Phoebe at present.

We know God uses all things for His glory, so we know this will be no exception.  We live in a hurting world, and God does not promise us exemption from life’s trials.  He does promise to be with us though, and to use the circumstances in our lives for His glory. We now have a window into the lives of diabetics.  Our medical repertoire has certainly increased over the years!

Video

Our video is done!  It’s seven minutes!  Just click this link: https://vimeo.com/91142031  A big thank you to Noël Barlow and Kelly Arnold for your amazing work!

Fundraising Update

We reached our goal of 50% for ongoing expenses by April 1!  Praise God!  Our next goal is 60% by May 1. Our one-time budget is 67%.

Thank you to all of you for partnering with us in this area! Your role as senders is so valuable.  You are participating with us in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Family Update

Ana turned 17 on April 9.  We are so grateful for her cheerful spirit.  She got a camera for her birthday, which she hopes to use to document life around her, both here and in South Africa.  Many of the pictures used in our video were taken by Ana on her trip to South Africa through Boston Trinity Academy two years ago.

Margaret sang in Park Street’s Cantata at church recently.

Words from Alberto

I try to imagine seeing Jesus at the desert: fasting, praying, suffering for me and for you. Just when we were dead in our sinful ways with no direction to go, our Lord Jesus had mercy on me.  I feel like I am a very weak man compared to the courage Jesus showed. During this time of Lent I have been realizing how good life is and how I need to exercise my spiritual muscles, as I haven’t experienced real pain yet. I pray that the Lord will help us to live in a way that responds to and honors the sacrifice He made for us on the cross.