I first met Freddy at the church we attended, and immediately could see that he had a physical problem. I watched him with other teenagers and saw his slowness even though he strived to keep up with them. The fellows would put out the chairs before church service, and Freddy had his struggles. Several of his friends played in the church band, but Freddy couldn’t handle anything heavy when they prepared for services. He grabbed my attention because of the glow of happiness on his face.

The girls from Shadow of His Wings Orphanage attended youth group meetings with Freddy and filled me in on their observations of his health status. In time, I learned that my Guatemalan friend had kidney failure and received regular peritoneal dialysis treatments. Since I had assisted with these treatments for one of our former girls in Shadow of His Wings Orphanage, my heart went out to this sixteen-year-old. I could see that Freddy would not let this chronic problem slow him down.

Freddy and I formed a friendship, and on occasion over a two-year period, he came to visit and share about the things he did the weeks before. Most of our conversations covered insights we had during our daily Bible studies. During one visit, I asked him if he had a job. Freddy admitted that he couldn’t work because he would have to ride his bike to work, and he didn’t have the physical strength to work in the fields or on construction projects. Those were the only types of jobs available. His clothes revealed his lack of funds. The old shirts, at least, two sizes too big, hung on his body. Lord, what can I do for Freddy?

I learned that he came from a poor family that had a lot of kids. Because of his diseased kidneys, he needed medication, dialysis solution, and monthly visits to the doctor in the City. Some of those visits required that Freddy stay overnight in the hospital, with his mom in attendance. I calculated the cost for a round-trip bus fare for two to the City, food, lodging for his mother, and the medications. I again asked the Lord how I could help this friendly and happy young man. The answer came unexpectedly.

A high school friend contacted me saying he would like to help others through me and donated a monthly sum of money. I could choose how to use these funds. My heart leaped for joy thinking of Freddy and how his life could be made a little easier. From experience, I knew I needed to approach this situation cautiously so that Freddy and his family wouldn’t think I had a money tree growing in my backyard. I wanted Freddy’s family to be responsible for the parts that they could cover. The Lord used my friend to help Freddy, and Freddy needed to see it as supplemental but limited help. I contacted our pastor in Monjas and worked out a plan. He agreed to be the middleman, keeping the donor anonymous and leaving me out of the equation. Our pastor would make sure that the money would be used to cover the cost of the hospital and medication.

The next time Freddy came for his monthly chat, he commented about the price of his medication. After inquiring about the cost, and knowing Freddy and his mom had a trip to Guatemala City coming up, I offered him some money to pay for his traveling expenses. I knew the pastor would give them money for the medical needs from the same donor according to our plan, but since the trip would be in two days, I wanted to make sure Freddy had what he and his mom needed. I felt peace knowing everything would be covered for this delightful young man and his family. I think I saw Freddy flying when he jumped on his bike and headed down the street. Lord, I don’t know what plan you have for this fellow, but I pray for your healing and will in his life.