We Shall Do This Again!

This will be the last post from my house in Chichicastenango.  It has been a little over twelve years since I found several homes for all my belongings and moved to Guatemala.  I have countless, wonderful memories. I never have regretted moving here.

I will be returning to lead teams and to help out whenever I can.  I will just be in the states a little more and also in Montellano a few more times a year. I will be visiting places that want to hear more about Health Talents and recruiting staff for the surgical clinics.

It is impossible to reflect on everything that I have leaned and how I have changed. Kemmel, Lisa and those that we work with have made significant impacts on my life.  Thank you!  I never say it enough.

When you think of those that influence your life, sometimes it is not those that you would think.  Someones, it is not someone that you see often.  Below is one lady that I think of often and when I think of her, I think of humility. An attribute that is of value and one that is worthy pursuing. Humility should impact our actions.  It is not a weakness but it is a strength. Our worship should be filled with humility. Our relationship with family and friends should reflect humilty.  Christ was covered in with blood, perspiration, pain and humilty as he walked to the cross.

 I never want to forget these twelve years and the experiences that we have had together.

So, this will be my last blog as I pack up the house.  Tonight, we will have a dinner together and I look forward to it and I also dread it. I knew this day would come.

Kemmel will swing by and pick me up in the morning. He told me, ¨There is no bus for this trip to Antigua.¨  Lisa will need to stay back for clinic with the MET Interns but they have a raincheck for NiFu-NiFa and I look forward to that!

So, wanting to end on a positive note, I will return in October and, "We Shall Do This Again!"

Proverbs Finished!!

Today, I finished the Proverb class in Chuchipaca with the ladies.  It was a good day.

I started having coffee with Jule and then met one of my ABC Children, Roxana and her mom in Chichi.  She is the daughter of Manuel and Juana and it is fun when we tease about sharing Roxana.

Below are some of the photos that I have used for my my classes the last twelve years that I have been in Guatemala.  All three of them came up today so it was a good way to end this phase.

I like to use this photo when I talk about wisdom in James.  I also used it for the Proverbs class on wisdom.  I encourage the ladies to ask God for wisdom.  Our relationship with God, in many ways is like our physical relationship with our parents.  Parents like to give their children things that are good for them, especially when children ask.

I use this photo a lot when we talk about being content, friendships and having joy.  Everyone should have a mentor and someone that encourages them. This photo just makes me smile!

Proverbs 31:28-----Her children arise and call her blessed.  Something that all mothers dream of---love and respect from their children. 

I closed the class by asking the ladies to continue in their studies. Before two years ago, the ladies in Chuchipaca did not meet on a regular basis. Now they have a service every Monday afternoon. How encouraging is this!

I was excited today when Kemmel and Lisa asked me to do the Ladies Seminar this fall in Paxot II and Montellano. It will be here before we know it and I am looking forward to it.

Time For the Babies!

The last few weeks have been busy but they have been good ones.  I would like an extra couple of hours in the day but I have not yet learned how to make that happen.

Monday, the babies came to see us in Lemoa.  In the future, I will not be in Guatemala as much as I am now.  I have been spending time with Brenda and showing her how we evaluate babies, so she will be able to do this in the future. She will do an excellent job and I have a lot of confidence in her and also in Ana.  We have the best team that we could ever have. I know that they will do well and the ministry will continue. 

We had eight babies come to see us today.

First, we had Eliezar Geraldo and here he was when we was close to a year old.  He has had his lip and palate repaired since this photo and was sponsored by Danny.

Look at Eliezar now at five years old!  He will be going down to Montellano for a consult to see if we can help him with a small hole that remains in the palate.

Second, was Carlos Enrique when he was about seven months old.  He also has had his lip and palate repair and he was sponsored by Danny.

Now, Carlos is six years old and is doing great!  He also has a small hole in the palate and we will see if this can be repaired.

This is Jose Luis, when he was about six months old.  Don and Jessie sponsored his surgeries.

Now, Jose is six years old and doing fantastic.  He says that he really enjoys school and has two girlfriends!

Jaime Lizando was about seven months when we first met him. His surgeries were sponsored by Danny.

Now, Jaime is full of energy at six years old and is ready for the world!  He is doing great and will not need anymore surgery. His mom brought him today just to say hi and to let us know how well he is doing.

Randy came to us for the first time when he was about a year old.  His surgeries were sponsored by Terry and he has done real well.

Randy now is five years old and will return to Montellano to have a small hole in the palate repaired. His mom said that he is also doing very well in school.

We were excited to see Dilon again.  His parents brought him to us when he was about six months old.  His surgery was sponsored by a very special girl, Ava.  Ava sponsored Dilon's surgery by making and selling bracelets.  Her actions, taught a lesson that has several applications.

Dilon went to Montellano in February, but he had developed a fever so his surgery had to be postponed. We were very sad but knew it was the best for him.  Now he is one year and nine months old and will have his palate repaired.

This little girl is Debora, when she was four months old. She needed to wait until she got a little older and her mother said that she would return. 

She came back today and now is nine months old.  She is old enough to have her lip repaired but still needs to gain a few pounds. Her mom said that she is often sick so I think that it is better for Debora to wait until February 2020 for her surgery.  She will be a little stronger and Carol will sponsor her surgery. 

The last child of the day was Yoshuar and he is four years old.  His grandmother brought him to see us.  He had his lip surgery in Antigua when he was only a few months old.  He now will have his palate surgery and the Lenoir Church of Christ will sponsor his surgery.

Yoshuar, also has a sister who was born with a cleft lip and palate.  She was in school today but the grandmother said that she will bring her to the clinic next Monday to see Brenda.

That is the lineup for August and we will see what happens.  The parents will return to the clinic with the lab work and Brenda will finish the process.  Please pray for the team that will travel to Montellano, for the patients and for those who have sponsored the surgeries.  Sometimes the process is not easy but it is worth it.  As you can see,the results are life-changing for the child and the family.