Wolfhowler

O-Day+1

Last night was not easy. For me it was the same sleep schedule as the night before. Sleep at 2300 and awake at 0400... in between other wake up times.

Zak is doing well but experiencing pain. He has been quietly moaning and every once in a while he will say... I want to go to the car. He is breathing well and not having any nausea.

The doctors saw him this morning and they are very pleased with his progress... considering all he went thorough.

I will return to Colorado Springs today and Zak's Mom will take over. I will return Saturday.

It is hard to see him in pain and know there is little that can be changed at the moment.

O-Day

We came in at 0530 as planned. Zak was not so keen but he was brave, he had an idea of what was coming.

After a few preliminary questions, he was given his first dose of a series of medicines that put him into a deep sleep. At first he did not like the taste and even called the nice nurse (left) who gave it to him "ugly", Zak's worst insult. She replied, "I'm the most beautiful nurse in the hospital and I'm taking care of you".

I then followed as he was taken to the OR and in a few minutes he was asleep. I then left him there.

I was under the pressure of many things but was glad to have Sheryl Burdine from N8, accompany me while the surgery took place. Her presence made my time much easier. Thanks Sheryl! 

I was expecting to meet the surgeon again between 1300-1400. However to my great surprise he returned at noon to say that he was finished and that it all went beyond his expectations!.

Zak had done very well and would be soon going to the ICU. His breathing, which was of great concern was doing so well that they removed his breathing tube, something they were not expecting to do for a day or so. 

My friend Chad Livingston also surprised me with a vist but after a brief talk, I fell asleep on him. Sorry bro! 

I can already see that Zak's looks much straighter and the pressure the curved spine was putting on his lungs is no longer there.

I'm thankful for these friends who accompany me in this day. I'm also thankful for those who were with us in heart and mind. We were not alone.

A day with Zak

We had his favorite breakfast, pancakes; his favorite lunch, Chipotle and his favorite dinner at Panda Express; Orange Chicken, noodles and veggies.

I made many suggestions but Zak sometimes can have a one track mind. He wanted to see cars and computers. So we went to car dealers and looked at cars and to the Apple Computer store where he asked me to buy him this computer or this iPhone or that iPod or...ANYTHING!

I was a good day and I'm thankful to have this day with my son.

We are all set for the BIG day. We'll be in the hospital at 0530 and we'll take it from there. One hour at a time.

Zak's spinal fusion surgery

Tomorrow (30 July) Zak will have surgery to attempt to correct his scoliosis. The curvature of his back is now at 84 degrees. This is an additional 10 degrees from the last measurement. We will arrive at Children's Hospital in Denver at 0530 for a 0730 surgery.

This is a high risk procedure which is further complicated with Zak's special conditions. Of great concern is his lung capacity which is now at 25%. The doctors are expecting to make a 50% correction of his curvature. This would leave the curvature at around 40 degrees.

At Children's Hospital Zak will have the best of human wisdom and technology. The team of doctors are very experienced with over 180 procedures every year. Zak also has many friends around the world who are praying for him. We are asking that God would lead and enable his special doctors to make a 30 degree or less correction.

Zak is also dealing with his own apprehension and fears over the operation. He is doing well but he told me this morning that we should go to Venezuela instead!...that would be very nice!

Today we are in Denver and we'll have his favorite pancake breakfast and this evening his MOST favorite Chinese dinner at Panda Express.

We are expecting for him to be in Intensive Care for up to 5 days and in recovery for another week or so.

Please also pray for me and also for Donna, Zak's Mom, as we face the challenge this process will bring.

My brother Willie

You normally will find him full of dust from sanding a floor somewhere. He owns, Fashion Hardwood Floors, and he does marvels installing wood floors. It is a messy job but for Willie each project is a work of art. But no matter how he looks, or how busy he could be my brother Carlos Wilfredo (Willie) will stop and make you forget the problems of your day.

He rarely takes time off his work but right now he is in Republica Dominicana (Dominican Republic). He is one of the leaders of a team of 25+ High School kids that travelled there to serve orphans and poor kids.

They have been running a VBS for 200-300 kids and they are busy over there.

I have little info about it all, but I'm very glad that Willie can be there. I know that he is in the place where his life can truly be spent on the things that matter most and in that place, is where he is most fulfilled as a person.

Kevin

A couple of days ago my close friend Kevin turned 40. I'm glad that his wife Sheryl did not have an "over the hill" party for him. I don't enjoy being reminded of my own decline!

Last March, Phil and Jaleh, other close friends, arranged for me to have dinner the day after I arrived from Indonesia with the Burdine's. We had a great time and shared many things in common. Since then, we have spent many hours sharing and working together. We connected at a very deep level.

Kevin has a real relationship with God. He openly speaks of his joys and disappointments with God. He is the father of two kids (15 and 13). His wife Sheryl is a strong woman who stands by her man. I love that!

Kevin has the heart of David. He is an artist and adventurer at heart. He is hungry for God and I appreciate how Kevin seeks Him in his everyday life.

I have learned much from my friend.  The most significant lesson for me has been, that one's life can be restored after great loss. Kevin stands for me as a story of God's grace.

We share a similar taste for good wine and Kevin has introduced me to some good beers. Here we shared a good Franziskaner Hefe-Weisse Dunkel which I introduced him to. 

Kevin and I share a similar deep passion to express the love of God to anyone, no matter where they are in life. We enjoy walking alongside others giving them glimpses of a life under grace. 

We share this passion serving N8, a group which Kevin and Sheryl started. We meet Sunday night and share love, life and food and drink together... some times till midnite.

2nd Independence Day

It happens that Venezuela celebrates it's Independence Day on 5th of July, the day after the US celebrates the same momentous day.

This trip to Venezuela has helped me to view the country of my birth with a new perspective.

A lot of changes have taken place since Chávez became president. He began his presidency with a strong commitment to change the politics of greed and corruption which has marked the last 30+ years.

Since taken office President Chávez has declared himself to be a new Socialist with a Bolivarian perspective. This is a good thing that escapes the understanding of most outside Venezuela. 

This vision originates with Simón Bolivar, who is buried in El Panteón Nacional (left). Bolivar a Venezuelan who broke the colonizing power that Spain had over the country went on to also liberate Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

Long before the European Union, back in the early 1800's, he dreamed of the Latin countries being united as one. Petty interest and selfish ambition of local leaders prevented the dream to come to fruition.

President Chávez has worked to revive Bolivar's dream. However in the process, he has firmly established a very close partnership with Fidel Castro of Cuba and the leaders of Iran. In the other hand, he has come to known as one of the loudest voices against the United States.

While admiring Chávez's vision, I'm disappointed with his methods. The "us versus them" mentality is the standard modus operandi which has characterized political history. I wish Chavez would work for a new order which is all inclusive and is in favor of those deemed "least" in our societies.

From most perspectives this approach sounds illusive, however, the power of God is behind these principles. Therefore, it will work, no matter how small or insignificant any particular effort may seem.

I was excited to see an example of care for the "least" while in Caracas. Traffic in the city is heavy, lots of expensive SUV's everywhere; with US$0.20 per gallon gas is cheaper than water!. However, now days  people can enjoy a very efficient subway system and students, the disabled and seniors can travel for free!. Here is Zak and my Mom in one of the subway stations.

I saw other examples of medical care, food availability and housing which modeled care for the "least" in society. If this is possible in these spheres then it has to possible in all spheres of life.

A closer look at what is happening in Venezuela, a look beyond the rhetoric, will reveal very good things. 

My question is, how can Venezuela become a model of hope and peace for the nations of the world? 

Independence

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. My friend Jim Yost recommended that I read it. The author lived in Jim’s adopted land of Papua. Surprisingly the book is now #5 in the US.

The book has deeply impacted my life. I want to encourage all my friends to get a copy and read it. I promise you will not be able to put it down until it is finished.

It recounts the story of Mack, a man who lived with a great sorrow for his precious little daughter, who was abducted and murdered while on a camping trip. A few years later he gets a strange invitation to meet with Papa. This stranger ends up being three peculiar individuals who end up revealing the deepest secrets of his own life and of life as it was meant to be lived.

On this 4^th of July, I’m mulling over an interesting paragraph, which talks about a deeper aspect of “Independence”… please consider it’s upside down implications.

“Then why did you give us those commandments?” asked Mack.

“Actually, we wanted you to give up trying to be righteous on your own. It was a mirror to reveal just how filthy your face gets when you live independently.”

“But I’m sure you know there are many,” responded Mack, “who think they are made righteous by following the rules.”

“But can you clean your face with the same mirror that shows you how dirty you are? There is no mercy or grace in rules, not even for one mistake. That’s why Jesus fulfilled all of it for you - so that it no longer has jurisdiction over you. And the Law that once contained impossible demands – Thou shall not… - actually becomes a promise we fulfill in you.”

She was on a roll now, her countenance billowing and moving. “But keep in mind that if you live your life alone and independently, the promise is empty. Jesus laid the demand of the law to rest; it no longer has any power to accuse or command. Jesus is both the promise and its fulfillment.”

“Are you saying that I don’t have to follow the rules?” Mack has now completely stopped eating and was concentrating on the conversation.

“Yes. In Jesus you are not under any law. All things are lawful.”

“You can’t be serious! You’re messing with me again,” moaned Mack.

“Child” interrupted Papa, “you ain’t heard nuthin’ yet.”

“Mackenzie,” Sarayu continues, “those who are afraid of freedom are those who can not trust us to live in them. Trying to keep the law is actually a declaration of independence, a way of keeping control.” *

* William P Young “The Shack” Windblown Media 2008 pp 202-203 

My Grandmother

I back from Venezuela but I had very limited internet access while there so I will share some things that were special to me this last week.

One of the main reasons I went over was to visit my Grandma. Her name is Lourdes but we all know her by Ma Lule. She is 93 years old and she is has cancer. Her mind was lucid and while in pain, she was strong and looked good.

My Dad was her first son and I'm her first grandson. That put me in a special place, at least in relationship to her. She had 18 kids and 103 grandchildren and many great-grand children. Several of her children, including my own Dad have passed away. 

She has lived as very strong woman on her own in a farm two hours away from Caracas. Some of my aunts and uncles and their families live near by. They go to the church which was built next to her house. In her back yard she has avocado, mango and orange trees. The avocados are very delicious and they are the size of small papayas!

Her parents were some of the first local people who received the foreigners who brought the understanding of a intimate relationship with Jesus to Venezuela.

My Grandma told me some stories of my Dad and others which I did not know. The journey into the past of my ancestors helped me understand and appreciate the heritage that I have received.

My uncle Joel (green shirt), Jerson and my aunts Betty and Yasmin made great food and told us many special stories.

Experiencing all this love was very special and something very special began to happen inside my heart.