Update 3 on Belen

With sighs of relief we rejoice with Belen and her family that her tumor is benign. I've been told that Belen may be transferred back to Colonia the end of this week. She is doing very well and still eating, drinking and talking. The only problem she has had is fluid build up in her head. I'm not sure if that is a result of the trauma of surgery and will resolve with time, or not.

Please continue to pray for the Mengens and for other families whose news is not so good. This week our friends, Shawn and Sandy Smith, received news that Andrew's tumor is enhancing. Meaning that it is either growing or necrossing, neither is good. They are 11 months into their new life in the brain tumor world. I know they have been a blessing to other families thrust into that horrible reality. And I know they would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Update 2 on Belen

This afternoon Belen is recovering from a second surgery. This time the doctors found and removed a very large brain tumor. The last report I had was that she was out of surgery and recovering. Please continue to pray for her family and her recovery.

Update on Belen

I can't begin to imagine the patience a parent would need to have to wait as long as Pocho and Leticia needed to for the surgery of their daughter. Originally scheduled for 2pm Uruguayan time the surgery didn't begin until 5:30. Unfortunately the surgery was halted after the surgeon repaired a prominent vein he accidentally cut through. After exploring the area they decided that there was too many veins and they weren't certain there was even a tumor.

So now they are keeping Belen in a drug induced coma for a couple days for the vein to begin healing. Hoping to discover the reason for the excessive amount of veins the plan is to inject her with a dye and see where it goes.

Please continue to pray for the family. They are all resting in the Lord but they need our prayers nevertheless. Also pray for Pocho and Leticia's other children, Lucas and Timoteo. Timoteo is one of the six babies born last year and right now is sick with a virus and has a fever.