Monday, February 11, 2008

We arrived in Montellano!

We arrived in Montellano for the surgical clinic after leaving Chichi at 0730. The internet was not dependable so I had a difficult time blogging.....but I will catch up!

It was good to drive up to the clinic, walk across the street and worship with the Church there. It was good to see some people I had not see for awhile. The weather was very different so I was ready for another shower before lunch.

After lunch some patients arrived and they began surgery. It was a light schedule so about 13 of us decided to go to a cocoa plantation for a couple of hours. We loaded up a truck and van and headed out, not knowing what we were in for. It was very interesting and the family who owned the land was very kind to walk with us and explain the process. We did not know what we would meet in the jungle and we were even more nervous as the man walking with us held his machete as if he were going to use it at any moment.

The first photo is of the beans being dried on the concrete before they are sold.

Below is Martha and her friend Mary Ann from Birmingham. I met Martha over a year ago and we have continued to stay in touch. She celebrated her birthday while being in Guatemala and will soon be celebrating retirement!!! yahooooooooooo.......I have told her and Mary Ann that they are invited to come and visit me any time! Mary Ann is a bereavement counselor and was in the recovery area helping as patients needed a kind touch.

The tree that they are standing in front of is a ciebaa tree and it is the national tree of Guatemala.

Some people showed their upper body strength as they used vines to swing across a small stream. It was very entertaining! There were some small boys with us and they could not resist the camera. They were very happy to pose for us.
The first surgical day ended late but it was a good one.........and as always, we pray the patients and their families come to have a closer relationship with God through their experience at the clinic.

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