7/31 Update: Yesterday, Dulce's incisions were showing signs of infection. She received shots yesterday to fight the infection. Please pray for her complete healing as she returns home to Mexico. I've also updated the photo album, to the right, with pictures they sent yesterday. Read on for the rest of the story and thank you for your prayers for this sweet baby!
7/28 Update: Last night a picture was posted on Facebook of a new picture of Dulce and it appeared that she was making her way back to Corpus Christi ALREADY for her second surgery on the repair and reconstruction of her bilateral cleft palate. I made a comment on the picture and was told, yes, she is on her way back to Corpus Christi!!! Once again, our friends at Rancho Dos Countries, had to provide the funds to get her and her family across the border. If you feel led to donate towards this cause in any way, please click here for their contact information.
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On August 14, I posted about Baby Dulce. She is a baby from Mexico who was brought to our friends who our missionaries to Mexico. (See www.doscountries.com) She has a severe case of bilateral cleft palate and to many it is one of the most extreme cases they have seen. Our missionary friends were seeking to see if anyone could offer any assistance in getting her medical treatment. My heartstrings were tugged at greatly as Baby Dulce is the same age as my own baby (known on the blog as Baby Bird). I went to work, the morning I read the e-mail, with a heavy heart. I knew there were organizations and groups who performed "medical missions" work and I had even heard about some specific to repairing cleft palates.
Within a few hours I had sent out some e-mails, or maybe a LOT of e-mails and had even received some responses. However, the most promising response came via a connection I made with Stan Brock of RamUsa (www.ramusa.org). Stan placed a call and e-mail to a surgeon in Texas, Dr Kevin Hopkins, of the Driscoll Children's Hospital Center in Corpus Christi. Dr Hopkins is a leader in this field and has also provided this type of medical missions work previously. Within a few minutes, we had an offer from Dr Hopkins to perform the surgery. He also began the process by sending them some special bottles and some literature in Spanish. I could not believe how in the matter of one morning this all came together! He gave further instructions on what he would need from a medical standpoint to move forward and plans were made to get Dulce with a Dr down there so these results could be known and sent to Dr Hopkins.
Soon, we would hear that a surgeon in Mexico had offered to perform the surgery. I was really hoping Dr Hopkins would be able to perform this work but I had to trust God that this was his plan. I had been waiting to hear an update and last week the Martinez' sent out a regular update on the work at the mission but there was no mention of Dulce, so I asked my Mom to please inquire. I was so concerned that something may have happened to her since her nutritional state was tenuous. A week has passed and we had not heard anything....until yesterday!
We were out running errands and when I returned to the car, I had two missed calls. I did not recognize the number and there was no message left. Then I discovered a message on our home machine and it was from Debra, the missionary. She was calling to let us know that after muddling thru much red tape, border policies and paperwork they were in Corpus Christi to meet with Dr. Hopkins today. Apparently the surgeon from Mexico did not come thru and of course the offer still stood from Dr Hopkins. However, getting Dulce and her Mama across the border has proven to not be easy. It amazes me and frustrates me that they have placed such restrictions on her entry and passage yet we have many, many illegal citizens in our country. It is obvious this child is in dire need of the medical care that is being provided yet they are being forced to be back at the border on Wednesday following her visit today. Additionally, the Martinez' had to pay $130 ($65 each) to bring Dulce and her Mama across. It is also a 5 hour drive that will now have to be made several times due to the constraints being placed.
So, here's where we all come in......if you will pray about this and if you feel led to donate financially towards the gas expenses or any of the other expenses such as diapers, clothing, etc. At the moment, the Martinez' are footing all of this from their personal finances. If you don't feel led or cannot help financially, or with diapers, or clothing then please pray for the healing of Dulce and for the Martinez' and Dr Hopkins. Please feel free to forward this to anyone or any group you feel may be able to assist or forward for prayer. Any donations can be sent to - Dos Countries, 217 Chapman Road Del Rio, TX 78840 or if you would rather contact me at thereisaseason@gmail.com. I have a box of footed sleepers and clothing items I am sending for Dulce. She is the same age as BB but about half the size. So, if you have anything to send I would be glad to ship it with mine.
I am placing Dulce's picture in again below this post. Please remember it is a severe case of cleft palate. Thank you again for reading and for your friendship and prayers!
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