Old Guys Rule

As you can tell by the previous blogs, I had a great time in FL with my parents.  One day when we went shopping, I found a great cap for my dad as I was walking in the store. Since he has a few special caps, I have to find one that I think he would like.  They had several colors, so I hid what they were but had him select a color.

As we were getting ready to leave the area, I heard him chuckling as he was reading the "Old Guys Rule" logos on shirts.  I knew I had found something he would like!

He liked his cap so much, that mom went back and got him the shirt.  They sent me these photos from Florida.  I think my dad looks looks like a gangster with his glasses!

This is the back of the shirt.........made in the shade!

Yeah, I think my dad rules!

Sunday---worship, market and more ABC Children

This morning, we had a special worship time together.  Some of the group went with Lisa and Kemmel to Chintinimit, to a new congregation.  I had a hard time deciding what to do, so I asked Lisa and Kemmel for a rain check on that visit. 

Dale led us in a few songs.  Then Dave led us in some thoughts about the resurrection.  The Gospel or The Good News is that Christ died, was buried and resurrected.

I Corinthians 15:1-4----Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you,which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firm to the word that I preached to you.  Otherwise, you have believed in vain.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:  that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Paul goes on to talk about other actions of Christ, but it is the gospel that saves us.  There is no other manner of salvation.  There are many things that are important in the Christian life, but Paul is plain about the first importance......the death, burial and resurrection.  If we miss this, we miss it all.

The market is always enjoyable, especially to people who have not been many times.

The luncheon buffet was made available to us and it was as good as always.  This year, is the first time that I remembered having strawberry pie.  I might have to return for pie and coffee later this week :)

Steve, Lydia, Somer and Haley had the opportunity to visit with Eria and her parents.  They live in Mactzul I and she is a child in the ABC Program. It was a wonderful time together.  Erica had made a large poster for the family, which I know they will cherish. 

Erica wanted Somer to polish her fingernails!  If you have ever thought about having an ABC Child, this photo will convince you!  You can tell that Erica really enjoyed her time with the family!

Erica brought Steve the colorful hat that is in his hand. I need to get a photo of him with it on!

It was a great close to the week..........what a week it was.

When I did the blogs after the clinics, I was disappointed with my photos.  I did not do a very good job of getting photos of everyone during the clinics.  I apologize..........but it also means that you will have to return :)

The team will now return to Guatemala City with Lisa and Kemmel.  We pray that they will have safe travels to the city and safe flights back to The States.  It is always exciting to have people come down and participate in the work here!  Thank you for all of your hard work!

Dental Clinic in Las Cuevas

This morning, after a prayer for safety, we headed to three different communities.  One group went to Chuchipaca, one group to Chintinimit and we went to Las Cuevas.

We had basically a dental clinic today, with just a couple of medical patients.

This is Sandy and Scott with their ABC Child, Vicente.  They have sponsored Vicente for 7 years now and it is very obvious.  He is now 16 years old and as you can see, he is taller than both of his parents.  I positioned them like this, so you could see the benefit of the ABC program.

When children, especially babies, have proper nutrition and education, their growth does not have to be stunted.  Because of the ABC program, Vicente is now taller than his parents and will continue to grow a little more.  We have to start this program as early as we can!

While the dental team was seeing patients inside, we were providing education outside.

Sandy is teaching a group how to properly floss.  Since there is not a Walmart or CVS down the road to buy dental floss, Sandy taught them how to use a plastic bag.  Plastic bags are used on a daily basis here and can be cut to be used as dental floss.  As you can see, even the parents participate.

We also talked and practiced proper brushing.  We got the children to count with us to fifteen, so it was not a "swish-swish, I am done!" type of brushing.

Molly made sure all of the children had toothbrushes and participated.

OK, I did not get many photos again today of everyone.  This is where I realized that my camera had a "chigger-bite."  A new term that Sandy shared with me.  I caught them in a middle of a bite, so it is not a very good photo but I do not have another of Molly.  So, here is Manuel, Molly, Sandy and Scott. 

Molly was a big help in Tzanixnam yesterday with the 56 medical patients.  I have really slipped on getting photos of everyone this trip. Molly, I will be looking for you on this trip with Scott and Sandy next year!

This is Marcos, demonstrating how he wrapped five tortillas into one!

Santos, wanted a photo of each of his three sons, with the family cow.  I am going to make copies for him and then he is going to mail them, with letters to the sponsors of his children.

This is Noe, my parents ABC Child...........I hope that Manuel could tell that Noe has been flossing and brushing!!  This is Maury, helping Manuel.

I hate to admit when I get tired.....but I was tonight. The group was eating as we arrived but the kitchen quickly prepared us a plate.  Julie and Stan entertained me so I did not fall asleep.....................home to shower and sleep a little bit.

Tomorrow, a time of worship together and the market!

New clinic in Tzanixnam

Today, we parted in three different directions after a prayer for safety.  One group went to Saquilla, one to Mactzul Toto and our group went to Tzanixnam.

It was a beautiful drive.  This was the view from where we had clinic.  It is a new clinic for us so I was really hoping that we had a sufficient number of patients and that they would invite us to return.  Both of those hopes, became a reality!!  Gracias a Dios!

These are the patients that were waiting as we arrived.

We always pray with patients before we start the clinic.  Here, Gaspar is welcoming everyone and letting them know about consults and dental services.  Jeff, a dentist, is in the teal scrubs.  To Jeff's left, is Dave, who is now working with Health Talents.  He and his wife,  Susan, are a big help to Health Talents!

This is the part of the dent crew that is with us today. 

We made a lot of contacts today for future clinics.  Sara and I saw 56 patients.  Dental saw 16 patients and there were 3 dental cleanings.

I saw a lady that is very, very sick.  She has rheumatoid arthritis, is extremely under weight and has other medical issues.  Such a sad situation and she is only in her 30's.

There was a young baby, who was born seven weeks yearly.  He has clubbed feet and has not developed physically.  Again, a very sad situation. 

The highlight of the day, was when a pregnant lady was able to listen her her unborn baby's heart.  She was so excited!

We had safe travels and we are thankful for that.  Tomorrow is another day..........and another adventure!!  Stay tuned! 

Clinic in Mactzul II

We all met at Santo Tomas this morning before heading out.  We went to four communities.......Lemoa, Chichi, Mactzul II and Chicua. I was with the group that went to Mactzul II.

We had a great clinic in many aspects.  We had a good number of patients but more important, we made some very good contacts.

I did not have time to take a lot of photos so, someone grabbed my camera and helped me out.

Lydia, taking a blood pressure.

This is Dave and he has been down a few times to help us out.  Danny is translating for Dave.

This is Cara and she is working in the pharmacy area. She is a big help in the clinics!

I did not get any photos of the dental crew and I apologize for that :(

This is Lydia and Somer at lunch.  We were served chicken, rice, salad and tamalitos.  It was very good!

We had 26 medical patients, 20 dental patients and 2 dental cleanings.

One encouraging discussion we had was with a 13 year old.  She is not a Christian and has been thinking that it might be time to become one.  She told me that she can read a little but does not understand everything that she reads.  This is very common here, especially among the ladies.  So, I am going to try to take her a Bible next clinic and encourage her more to worship with the congregation on Sundays and during the week.

We also met a older man that has not been worshiping for 17 years.  After his wife died, there were some problems and he went his separate way.  He told me that it was ok if I asked Tomas to pray with us.  Tomas remembered the man and was happy to spend a few times talking with him.

Julie, Dave and their family have two ABC Children in this community. This is Esvin and his family.....with Dave, Julie, Abby and Cara.

This is Juana with her family...........Cara, Dave, Julie and Abby.

Julie and Dave were here last year and met with their ABC families.  Last year, Juana's mom asked Julie and Dave to pray for her family.  Her husband was drinking and was no longer attending worship.  So today, Julie asked if there was anything else they could pray for and that they have remembered her and her family in their daily prayers.  

Juana's mom told them that she had a baby die since they have been down.  Also, one of her other children was hit by a car but he is ok.  Due to these occurances, her husband has rethought his relationship with God and has returned to the church.  We talked about this for a few minutes, with Tomas translating.  She then asked the family to remember her in their prayers, that her sadness will be lifted.

We know and have confidence, that God will hear and answer those prayers.

This is Abby with several of the children at the clinic today.

It was a wonderful day for many reasons!  I look forward to the possibility of going back next month and following up with the patients.

Tomorrow, we will head out to different clinics and pray that everything goes well!!  Stay tuned!!

More of Fort Myers.......and back in the groove

I am back in Chichi and getting back in the groove.  Lisa and Kemmel are in Guatemala City and will return this evening with a large group.  We will have three days of clinic together.

Here are a few photos that my dad took in Ft. Myers.  This large bird had just "plucked" this fish out of the ocean.  It was so large, that dad said that he had a hard time flying.

Here are two more photos of the dolphins that played with out cruise of Tin City.

I love the spray in this photo.

Dads new crab friend!  I love his little eyes!

Some of the pre-dinner conversation was how much sun I had got in Fort Myers.  Can you tell which is my arm and which is a Guatemalan arm??

The group arrived safely and we are always thankful for that.  We will have 3-4 clinics in different communities every day.  We pray that all goes well and that people will be open to what they see and  hear. I will have lots of stories and photos!

Back in Guatemala

I traveled back to Guatemala yesterday.  I had safe flights and I am always thankful for that.

Before I left Antigua this morning, I walked to the park to see what was happening........not much of anything. It was a pretty morning.

Arrived in Chichi, without any problems.  Spent the afternoon cleaning and washing laundry.........gotta get back into a full routine.  Tomorrow, I have clinic in Xepol with Ceci and Cesar.

Kemmel and Lisa will arrive on Wednesday with Rick and a group of people.  We will have three days of clinic together.  It will be a very busy time but a good one!  It is always good to have people return and participate in the work here. I will be posting stories and photos of our days together.