A Baby, a Race Against Time, and a Vision for Better Care
Josue’s life was saved thanks to quick recognition and emergency surgery—reminding us why expanding access to specialized care in Honduras matters.
Some babies leave a lasting impression on the medical team who cares for them. Josue is one of those babies.
He first arrived overnight at a local public clinic and was treated according to protocol. But the subtle signs of what he was truly suffering from were easy to miss. Thankfully, the physician ordered lab work before sending him home. Because the lab was only open during normal hours, Josue stayed to wait for the results.
At the time, pediatrician Dr. Judy Blumhofer was serving in the public health system. When nurses later showed her Josue’s lab work for review, the results looked completely normal, far too normal for the very sick baby sitting in the room.
Something didn’t add up. The numbers on the page didn’t match the baby in front of her.
After a quick conversation with Josue’s mother and a brief exam, Dr. Blumhofer recognized that something much more serious might be happening. An ambulance was called immediately, and Josue was rushed to the hospital.
Josue was diagnosed with intussusception, a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent section, similar to how pieces of a telescope slide into one another. This can block food or fluid from passing through and cut off blood supply, making it life-threatening if not treated quickly.
When he arrived, the emergency team quickly called the surgeons. Josue was taken straight to the operating room. Later, his mother was told that he had arrived critically ill and that it had been uncertain whether he would survive surgery.
But Josue did survive.
When he returned for follow-up, he looked like a completely different baby - smiling, cooing, breastfeeding, and happily sucking his fingers. His recovery has gone well, and he is healing beautifully.
Together, his mother and the medical team thanked the Lord for His protection over Josue’s life.
Stories like Josue’s highlight a challenge many communities face in Honduras: access to specialized pediatric care can be limited, and frontline clinics are often staffed by general physicians who may rarely encounter certain critical conditions. When recognition and treatment are delayed, the consequences can be life-threatening.
This is one reason the vision for Hospital Yojoa matters so much.
Recently, construction began at the hospital site, and important early infrastructure work is already underway. Storm drainage systems have been installed at the hospital entrance, and the access road is being regraded to ensure safe entry for construction equipment, and eventually for patients and families.
These early steps may not seem glamorous, but they are foundational. Each stage moves the project closer to the day when children like Josue can receive timely, specialized care close to home.
Josue’s story is a reminder of what is at stake—and of the hope that lies ahead.
All glory to God.
The construction team installing storm drains.
