The group returns to Guatemala City........

We met for breakfast and then began the day. Many people headed out to the market to find the best sales. The streets were not packed so it was a good day to wind through the streets.

Mom and Paige in the courtyard of the hotel.

We had an ice cream social with 5 of the ABC children. I did not get many photos so maybe some can be sent to me to be posted.

This is Dad and Noe..........my parents ABC Child. He and his parents traveled for 2 hours to come and see my parents.

Sarah and Rick met Paulina, their ABC Child.

There were 31 of us together and it was fun. Again, it is a great program that offers medical and dental care for children while promoting education and involvement with the local church. The program is continuing to grow ad if anyone is interested in helping, please email me.

It was hard seeing the group leave. I really enjoy it when people come to see what is happening and it is sad to see them go........especially when some of them are your family and close friends. It was a great week........but time to get focused on the next group that will be here.........in about 2 hours!!!

Clinic in Paxot II

As usual, we enjoyed a good breakfast and then went to different clinics. Today we had clinics in Chuchipaca and Paxot II. Everyone gathered outside and and got checked into the clinics. We saw medical patients, ABC Children, dental patients and offered dental cleanings.

This is the dental area as they were getting started for the day. Maury and Paige assisting the dentist. Paige eventually pulled three teeth during the day and I think it was the highlight of her trip!

Rick worked with the children through the day.

Sarah painted finger nails for the little girls.

When it was time to break for lunch, we went to visit the family that I lived with during the MET program. It was exciting to return and see them and it was also exciting for them to meet my family.

There was a lot of excitment as we entered. They had placed pine needles on the floor for us and the kitchen smelled so good. We had a lunch of grilled steak, beans, salad and tamalitos.

Martina asked if we wanted to go into my room. Everything remained the same as when I left. Paige and my dad played jacks with Angelica on the floor.

We all gathered outside for a quick photo before we needed to return to clinic. From left to right........Rick, Sarah, Paige, Mom and Dad with Martina and her mom.

It was a busy day with 27 medical patients, 46 ABC Children, 56 dental patients and 5 dental cleanings.

We returned to Chichi and then walked around town before it was time for dinner.

Clinic in Mactul V

We enjoyed breakfast today and then loaded the bus and trucks for Mactzul II and Mactzul V.

Our group went to Mactzul V. This is the new church building they are building. I have not seen it since it was started and I was very surprised at how large it is. Some of the guys helped move the cinder blocks an helped out with some of the construction activities.

This is dad and Neva after we had lunch and were returning to work.

Mom, Dad and Paige worked in the dental area today. This is Jim and Barbara....they are my Diet Dr. Pepper suppliers!

Rick and Sarah were in the other Mactzul today. Sarah worked with the children's activities and Rick prayed with the patients after their consult.

Lisa, Lesca and I saw the medical patients today. There were 37 medical patients, 38 ABC Children, 66 dental patients and 8 patients for dental cleaning.

These were some of our happy patients today.

We arrived back at the hotel at 6:30, just in time to get ready for diner.

We had another good devotional and then it was time to head home.......................tomorrow another day, another adventure!!

Clinic in Mactzul VI

We had three sets of clinics today.....in Lemoa, Panaxjit and Mactzul VI.

The clinic in Mactzul was a little slow getting started but once it was going, it went well! We saw adult patients, ABC children, dental patients and also had a work crew going.

The kids loved playing with the blown up globe.

Eventually, globe had more kicking than it could handle and had to be put to rest in the trash can. Susan, looking on as the globe went flying by.

Sarah blowing up balloons for the children.

Kemmel and Rick making some decisons about the day.

These ladies worked the pharmacy area and this is their first time down........Carol, Kristen and Cameron. Carol attends Auburn University and is a physical therapy major. Kristen is a pharmacy student at David Lipscomb. Cameron is also a pharmacy student and attends Harding University.

Mom and dad worked in the dental area cleaning the dental instruments.

Rick and Johnnie played in the cement all day...........they will be sore tomorrow!

It was very busy day but a good one. We finished the day with 24 medical patients, 30 ABC Children and 70 dental patients.

We enjoyed dinner at the hotel and then our evening devotional.

Tomorrow will be another day........................another adventure......................

The group has arrived!

The group has arrived and all is well. It will be a full week, packed with a lot of different activities and it will be especially exciting for those who are here for the first time. I love having people come down and learn about the work. There are so many different aspects........it is not just dental, medical and surgical.

This is the group from Morganton that is here. Rick, Sarah, my mom, Paige and my dad. I am sure that they will have a lot of fun stories to tell, if dinner was any hint of what the week will bring :)

Tomorrow, we will divide into three teams and run three different clinics.

We should see a lot of medical and dental patients, with also children from the ABC Program coming for their well check. We will also be having some painting being done and community projects.

Wish us luck! It is raining hard right now but maybe the weather will clear up in the morning.

Ladies Bible Class in Chichi

Today we had the Ladies Bible Class in Chichi and it went well. I thought there were 15-17 ladies there but when we gathered after class for the photo, there were less. I either counted wrong or some were camera shy and left early.

Before the class started, they presented me with an agenda and asked me if it looked ok. It was a great agenda! They had designated times for singing, praying, a snack and also lunch. They were ready for the day!

I love the enthusiasm that they had about studying. When I asked them to break up into groups to do some short activities, they jumped at! They wrote down the material they came up with and then eagerly described to the group what their answers were.

They were not excited when I asked the other ladies if they had questions for each group so I did not put them on the spot.

They participated and asked a lot of questions. They had good comments and they want to continue to study. We will have to see because the calendar stays full. Maury translated into K'iche' for me and did a wonderful job!

This was our photo after the class.

Ok, home to get other things ready for the rest of the week.............the large group will be here tomorrow.......and so will my parents, Rick, Sarah and Paige.

Happy 4th of July...................

HAPPY 4th of JULY!

Today we said good-bye to the last of the MET Students. Nate stayed one more week, I think, to study some K'iche' in Xela. He will fly back to The States tomorrow morning. I say, I think. because I have lost all concept of time. I tried telling Lisa and Kemmel tonight that we are still in June..........we are, aren't we?

Anyway, the time is flying but we spent the day doing what "good Americans" do. Lisa called and invited me to a wonderful lunch of grilled cheeseburgers, corn-on-the-cob, squash, chips/salsa and PINK lemonade. It was really good.............then we packed Nate on a van and then we headed to church.

Tuesday will the the ladies seminar and I am on track. Tomorrow will be the final editing. On Wednesday, we will have a large group here and it will be a full-busting week.

My parents will be with the group, friends Sarah and Rick and my niece, Paige. We will have clinics everyday and some additional events.

On Friday, we will have lunch with my other family in Paxot II. I am excited about everyone meeting each other. Martina, my new mom, is suppose to tell my original family about how I would never get out of bed or do what I was suppose to do.........we will see how that goes :) On Sunday, we will have an ice cream party with about 25-30 people. My parents will get to see their ABC child, Noe, again.............he has really grown! Sarah and Rick will meet their ABC child for the first time. My ABC children will be there of course..............it will be a great time!

I hear fire works, so people are celebrating!

Ok, back to preparing..............please be praying about the class on Tuesday.....that the ladies will understand and that Maury will not have problems translating into K'iche'.

That is all I have to say tonight.............good night.........

PS............Lisa and Kemmel, thank you again for lunch!

PSS.........Mom, Dad, Sarah, Rick and Paige, see you in a few days!!