First Pre-Op Lab Day at Hospital Ezell

Yesterday, we had our Laboratory Class by Oldin and Heydi and today we will do out first Pre-op lab day for the March patients who are scheduled for eye surgery.

We started this morning by having a short devotional time together in the dining hall.  We never want to forget or acknowledge how and why were are, where we are.  Yes, there have been more hurdles than I can count. There are been many times, we wondered if we were making any progress. Yes, there have been frustrating times, but we slowly have been successful.  As I have been saying for many years, God continues to bless Health Talents and the ministry.  For this purpose and for His glory, we will continue.

 Oldin and Heydi get ready to cut the ribbon for the laboratory.

A couple of snips and down it goes. 

  

A time of celebrating with Oldin, Heidi, Marta (nurse), Silvia (nurse), Ada (nurse), Jose Manuel (health promoter), Darling (nurse), Victor (evangelist), Jayro (health promoter), Milton (maintenance) and Sergio (guard).

We had close to 60 patients today and all went well. There are some areas that we will discuss to smooth out. It was a great day of accomplishment.

In the afternoon, we had cake to continue the celebration.

 

It was a good way to end the week. 

 

We are one more step closer to the first surgical clinic!

Laboratory Class at Hospital Ezell

Today, we had a laboratory class for our employees.  The class was taught by Oldin, who is our regent for our laboratory. Also helping is Heydi, who many of you will remember. She is always here on Sundays, when we have a surgical clinic, and checking out people who want to donate blood in case the need arises. These two have worked together for many years and are now vital for our service here.  They are very knowledgeable and I have a lot of confidence in them

We had about 12 people in the class, which included the nursing staff and those who will entering the  data into the lab system.

Here, Oldin is talking about the different color of tubes that are used for lab work and how each one is different.

Tomorrow, will be our first pre-op for the March eye surgery.  We will do our labs here, instead of sending them out to another lab.  It will be an exciting day and I believe it will be successful!

Step-by-step.
 

Octavia's Baptism

Last Sunday, they announced that Octavia would be baptized today. I have been looking forward to today!  Octavia is the wife of one of the construction workers at Ezell.  His name is Lorenzo and he was baptized about 6 months ago.

Milton, one of our gardeners, preached a short sermon before the baptism.

 

Obdulio had the opportunity to baptize Octavia.

 

Lorenzo, her husband, videoed the baptism.

 

Obdulio baptized Ocatavia after her confession.

It is another day of rejoicing and a day of thanksgiving.                    

             

Evelyn is the daughter of Octavia and she was also excited for her mom.  Sheri continues to grow and do well!

 

Isn't she sweet!  She is still getting use to me so I am being patient.

Elena's Important Decision

It was a busy day at the clinic. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we focus on Woman's Health, as Dra. Nidian Patrica is with us from Quetzaltenango but she will also see other patients as well.

It was about noon and I literally ran into her in the hallway to discuss her travel plans and she told me that there was a patient that was asking to be baptized.  I asked her when, and she replied, "As soon as we can get to the river!"

Elena has been a patient of Dra. Nidian for many years.  During these consults, Nidian has taken the time to show interest, not only in the physical concerns of Elena but also her spiritual concerns. 

As I tell children in the ABC Program, "To follow Christ, is the most important decision and commitment  that you will make in your life." Once that decision is made, just as in Acts, when the people asked Peter what they needed to do to be saved.......the answer remains the same today.......so we headed to the river for a baptism.

 

There were 16 of us and the river is close to the clinic. Dra. Nidian leads the way, followed by Dra. Lisa and Darling.

 

We have a short devotional before the baptism.  Silvia is to the left of Lisa and Oscar, Milton, Javier and Rigo are to the left.  Oscar, Milton and Javier work in maintenance while Rigo, cleans/maintains the hotel.

 

Baldemar, who is one of our evangelist, shares some scriptures.  Nidian is to the left, Marta (a nurse) and Elena.

 

Rigo helps Elena, as Victor (evangelist) waits.

 

Romans 6:4---We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

 

Elena died to self today.  We and the angels rejoiced with her.

FINAL HOURS OF HOSPITAL EZELL CELEBRATION

After a full day of activities to celebrate the license of Hospital Ezell, we waited for the fireworks.

Before it got too dark, Obdulio did the the fire extinguisher class for the group from Chichicastenango.

Of course, to have a fire training class, you need some fire!

 

Everyone did well and enjoyed the training.

 

Cecy, of the Chichi nurses put the fire out quickly.

Right behind Cecy was Brenda, another nurse.

 

When everyone had a turn with the extinguisher, it was time for the big fireworks.

 

I think there were some people a little unsure about this, but I have confidence in our guys. They carefully set the explosives in place with some concrete blocks.

 

All of the guys, Obdulio, Lorenzo Milton, Javier, Cristofer and Carlos pitched in.

 

I think there were seven sets and each of them were a little longer.

 

We got some good photos and videos.
 

It was a long day but it could not have been any better.  We helped everyone with transportation home, since it was later than normal and we wanted everyone safe.

There are no words to express how thrilled we are to have the license and soon to be able to host surgical teams again. Yes, they are hard work but it is what we are all about. Providing care to patients, both physically and spiritually. Meeting those needs, when patients are the most vulnerable and needing hope in their lives.

Soon, we will be back to where we were, about three years ago. Yes, surgical weeks will look different, because the world is different...........but we will still be able to serve and share the love of Christ. Please come and join us!

To fill out a trip application, you will be able to find it at:  www.healthtalents.org

 

CELEBRATION WITH NOISE AND PINATAS

After we finished cleaning the kitchen and dining hall, we went out to burn a 25 meter roll of noisemakers.

The guys unrolled it in the walk area between the dining hall and hospital. Milton, Cristofer and Obdulio work on getting it unrolled.

 

Finally accomplished.

 

 

Oscar lights it, as Dr. Walter feels that it is best to walk away!

 

I do not have a video of this but it sure made a lot of noise and a huge mess!

Then it was time to go out to the soccer area and have some fun with the pinatas. We had one for the ladies and one for the men.  Milton, Luis and Cristofer helped set this up.

 

Naby, a dentist, was the first up and we blindfolded her to make it a little more interesting!

 

 

She goes after it!

 

She makes some contact and the pieces fall..........

 

Marta, is one of our nurses, and goes in for the candy!

 

Next up is Darling.

 

She soon makes some contact!

 

And the mob rushes in for the kill!

 

Rosalia walks away with a stash! Rosalia recently went to work in dental full-time.

 

Violeta gets a few swings in!

 

Violeta still going after it, as everyone dives in for the candy!
 

When she finishes, there is some still left so Silvia gets a few swings in.

 

 

Now it is time for the guys to have a shot.  First up is Jorge.

 

He is able to eliminate a few pieces and then it is Alfredo's turn. You can see Obdulio cheering his dad on! Obdulio is in the red shirt, to the left of the pinata.

 

After just a few swings, Alfredo has totally emptied the pinata!

 

Next time we do this, I will near to buy protective gear!

 

Dr. Nehemias is happy with his yield!

 

Cristofer and Obdulio did not do too shabby either! Cristofer works with our accounting and Obdulio works in several areas. When he can learn new things, he is thrilled.  Leslie, below, is his wife.

 

 

We also had another activity that several enjoyed. Kemmel and Leslie are at one end.  Leslie is an dental assistant and also studying to be a physical therapist.

On the other end is Berta and Miguel.  They were soon married after this photo was taken. Berta is a health promoter and studying to be a nurse.  Miguel is one of our guards.

 

Jose Manuel, taking a shot, as the other guys cheer him on. Jose Manuel is a health promoter.

 

Diego takes a turn and he also is a health promoter.
 

 

Manuel, a health promoter from Chichicastenango attempts a few tosses.

 

As people stayed for the night-time fireworks, I was able to get a few more photos.

This is the dental group at Ezell.

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Jayro (health promoter), Dr. Walter and Luis (works with ABC Program) talking before the evening fireworks.

 

Miguel and Katrina enjoying the afternoon,

Soon, we will head down to the river and the staff from Chichicastenango will do their fire extinguisher training and then we will have the fireworks.