celebrating 8 months old in Puerto

Jacob places his order...

update

Greetings,

We have a been back to the Rocablanca mission base now about 2 1/2 weeks. Following a week in Chiapas with a small group from the base, we returned for Laura's wedding, a medical campaign in the small Mixteco city of Jamiltepec and organizing the work of the clinic for the next three months in Laura's absence. We are blessed with Dr. Eder who joined our staff last year and with his wife of 4 months has moved into the clinic to give round the clock care to patients. We also have two nurses and a doctor just about to enter residency from the US helping us during the months. Two short-term medical teams will arrive in May and June along with other medical interns so we will have a complete team to continue reaching out to mountain villages.

We have been warmly received back at Roca and are comfortable in the main floor master bedroom with a full kitchen next door. So every 4 hour feedings, washing and sterilizing bottles and liquifying vegetables is convenient. Jacob is adapting well to the climate as he is a "sweater" like his dad. The positive side is that the mosquitos don't seem to bother him. He is slowly adapting to his caregiver three days a week but either Angelica or I need to reassure him of our presence at least every hour.

Thank you so much for your continued support with finances and prayer as we seek God's will for our lives as a family for the long term.

P.S. We have an urgent need to replace the clinic's septic system as it is full, overflowing and quite smelly. Cost runs about $1000US and donations can be sent to the VLAO office with Corban clinic on the memo line. Muchas gracias!

Jack Swanson's 80th birthday!

We just want to honor this man (Dan's dad) today on his 80th birthday. Here holding his grandchild number 7! He grew up on the Swedish side of Rockford, IL, attended Wheaton college and earned his Phd from Northwestern U. His marriage after college to a non-Swede would point to a life of rattling some cages and breaking down barriers. He strayed from his Swedish Covenant background to raise his family in the Evangelical Free tradition though eventually landing in the Presbyterian church. Just a quick rundown of his 80 years: teacher, coach and counselor at Wheaton Academy, Asst. principal/counselor at East High School (his alma mater) and first Principal of Guilford High School in Rockford, IL, Asst. supt. of the Deerfield/Highland Park, IL high school district and Supt./Principal of Oak Park River Forest High School. Finishing his school administration career at the age of 57 he proceeded to search out opportunities to serve the most poor of our world through Christian ministries: Director of Legal Aid clinic at Circle Urban Ministries, Director of the Development corp. and health clinic of the Lawndale Community church, pioneer missionaries in a squatter settlement of Manila, Philippines with CARE Philippines. He was also a loving and devoted husband to his wife through her decade long struggle with Alzheimers. And always a faithful provider, wise counselor and loving dad and grandpa to his three children and seven grandchildren. My favorite memory, however, is when he was asked to give his "living testimony" on the Chicago Sunday Evening Club on the same TV program that they had also taken a risk (in the early 70's) of inviting Bill Pannell, an African American pastor and teacher to preach. Dad has always been my inspiration and a shining example of a life devoted to God's service for others.
Thank you Dad,
Dan, Angelica & Jacob