December 8, 2025
Dear Friends,
As I write this, I hardly know where to begin—so much keeps happening. You know the saying, “When it rains, it pours”? Well, that’s exactly how it has been for us these past few months. I’ll start with an update from the past few months here in the United States.
After many delays in Colombia, we were finally granted a 90-day visa for our granddaughter Lana and her baby Dwayne so that Dwayne could receive the urgent medical attention he needed for his eyes. He was going blind in his left eye due to paralysis on the right side of his face that occurred at birth. A special thank you to everyone who helped make it possible for them to come to the States. We were heartbroken to learn we were too late—Dwayne remains blind in his left eye. The doctors were unable to restore vision because, during his early development, his brain had already shifted reliance to the good eye. Dwayne is now one-and-a-half years old and has been fitted with clear protective glasses for both eyes. Although he is blind in the left eye, the eye itself is otherwise healthy. While here, Lana was also able to receive much-needed dental work. Mission accomplished—just before the visa expired!
Gary took Lana and Dwayne back to Venezuela. Right now, he is still in Puerto Ayacucho tending to family members and patients. Like I said—when it rains, it pours!
First, there’s our grandson William, who needed medical and dental care. We’re glad to report he is doing much better and has had his dental work completed.
Then there’s his sister, Rosalina, who had a high-risk pregnancy along with ovarian cysts and four hernias that required repair. She is recovering well, and great-grandbaby #32 and mom are both doing fine. Rosalina still has significant medical bills to pay and needs additional dental work before returning home, but we currently lack the funds for that. Her two children were also sick but are now improving.
Next, Rosalina’s Yanomamö grandmother has skin cancer on her face. Gary began treating her with ivermectin, and the lesion on her face is clearing up nicely.
Then there’s another grandson, Domanic, who injured his knee months ago playing soccer. The local doctor suspected he might need surgery, so we sent him by bus to a larger city for an MRI. Thankfully, surgery isn’t needed at this time, but he has lost the synovial fluid in his knee. Doctors will draw his blood, create platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and inject it in three treatments. This will cost us $600.
We also have great-granddaughter Rianna, who has three tumors on the back of her head. Yesterday she and her mother traveled to another city, where she successfully underwent surgery. If all goes well, they will return by bus on Monday. Please pray for her, as we still don’t know the cause of these tumors.
Then there’s Danielo (Yanomamö), who had eye surgery several months ago. He returned home but came back a month ago with a serious infection in his good eye. Surgeons cleaned out the infection, but the doctor suspects cancer. Danielo is not allowed to return to the village for three months while they monitor him and await biopsy results.
We also have two people from another village who urgently need gallbladder surgery—their gallbladders are on the verge of rupturing. We need funds for these operations.
Additionally, Juve (Yanomamö) was brought out nearly dead from severe malnutrition and hookworm. After parasite treatment and blood transfusions, he is now strong and ready to return home.
One thing you need to understand: Venezuela is broke, and medical care is no longer free. We must cover:
- Travel for the patient to town and back (unless they’re lucky enough to hitch a ride on a rare government boat)
- All lab work
- Doctor visits
- Medications (if treatable without surgery)
- X-rays, scans, pre-op kits (often purchased in Colombia), the surgery itself, and post-op care
- Food and lodging while patients recuperate in town
- Basic supplies patients must bring for surgery: two changes of clothes, shoes, towel, sheets, and a blanket
It’s not cheap, but this is a vital part of our ministry. We show God’s love and share the Gospel with them while they are in our care.
On the family side, our daughter Jeanne recently had brain surgery to relieve pressure on a nerve causing severe pain. There were complications: high intracranial pressure caused significant bleeding, and the artery had embedded itself into the nerve. Surgeons had to carefully separate them before placing the protective buffer. Jeanne is recuperating at home, but the surgery left the entire right side of her head and face numb. She’s starting to regain some feeling, accompanied by painful shocks similar to what she experienced before. We’re not sure yet whether the surgery ultimately helped. Please pray this numbness and pain are temporary and that she will soon find lasting relief, as the previous medications had severe side effects that made her very ill.
Our niece Megan (who lives in Illinois and received a liver transplant as a baby) had another liver transplant a month ago. Since then, she has undergone several emergency surgeries and remains in ICU. She is slowly improving—please keep her and her parents in prayer for continued strength and endurance through this long ordeal.
And the latest: Gary’s sister Faith needed urgent medical care and flew out last Thursday. Gary took her to an eye doctor—she is now 100% blind in one eye and 50% blind in the other due to advanced cataracts. She needs cataract surgery in Caracas and also hernia repair. She has asked me to travel to Venezuela to accompany her to Caracas and help during recovery. I need to raise travel funds within the next week.
You’re probably wondering where I am. I’m currently in the States for my own medical and dental check-ups, visiting family, and helping Jeanne recover. The original plan was for me to stay while Gary returned to Venezuela, as he will come back soon to raise funds for medical and food expenses. However, because Faith needs my help immediately, I will now return to Venezuela on November 29. That gives me just one week to cover my travel costs—prayers for this need are greatly appreciated.
When Gary finishes in the jungle, we will both return to the States together for fundraising. At that time we’ll send another update and would love to visit any church or group that would like to hear more in person.
There is so much to pray about. Thank you all for your faithful prayers and for those who continually give to keep this ministry going and meet every need—whether for our family or the Yanomamö people we serve. We appreciate each one of you more than words can say!
May God bless each of you in a special way.
For His Kingdom,
Gary and Maria Dawson
If you feel led to donate to the work that God is doing here in Venezuela, please click on the link below:
https://www.mpaviation.org/give-online/
Or send checks to
Mission Padamo Aviation and Support
P.O. Box 644
Island Lake, IL, 60042