For the last two days, the guys and I have had good clinics.
Yesterday, we were in La Palma. It was a good drive and when we arrived closer to La Palma, we exited the truck to see if the road was passable. Tomas and I decided that Manuel could do it! It is always easier to decide if someone else can do it when you are not driving :)
The road was slick due to previous rain with areas of deep mud. There was a deep ditch on one side and the cliff on the other. Manuel managed the technical maneuver very well! I gave him a "10!!" We had an excellent clinic of 11 patients and then enjoyed lunch together. We visited one patient in his home and I always enjoy that.
Today, we had clinic in Chichi. We had 13 patients and 6-7 were diabetics. I hope that in the future we can have the series of diabetic classes in Chichi.
For lunch, we walked to a close restaurant for lunch. Luis, one of the ministers from Chichi went with us. I always enjoy talking to Luis. He speaks slowly, clearly and is an exellent teacher.
He started asking me about diabetics, how they need to change their diets and why it is difficult for them. I did not have any idea that he was leading into a sermon that he is working on. So, eventually, he says that we have difficulty when we do not practice what we know that we need to do. Bam! His sermon is on target but it is not always that easy.
I told him about different conversations I have had with patients. Sure, everyone tells you that they know that they need a relationship with God but do they actually take steps to have it? Everyone tells you that they know they should pray more.......but do they do it? Do we always practice what we know that we should do? Of course, the answer to that is no.
We all can make improvements in our lives. The key or question is, "Are we doing it?" Small steps are better than no steps. I would rather have a diabetic patient refraining from eating some sweets than not changing their diet at all. I would rather have a Christian reading their Bible some days instead of not studying at all. As they say here in Guatemala, "Poco a poco." Little by little. Maybe those small changes will cause us to want to make bigger ones in our life. Just something to think about...................
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A special day for Lisa and Kemmel!
Lisa and Kemmel---------Happy Anniversary! I hope it is a special day for you.
Thank you for all that you do for us :)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Diabetic Class in Chuguexa
Today was our first diabetic class in Chuguexa. I have been excited about this because it is probably one of our clinics with with largest diabetic population. We were small in number but the participation was there!
Gaspar and I doing something silly to emphasize a point in the class.
We only had 12 patients attend the class but they asked a lot of questions and they listened to each others comments. There was a political meeting across the road that was burning out the loud speakers and we were told many people were attending that.
The next class will be on the 26th of July and I am looking forward to it.
Gaspar and I doing something silly to emphasize a point in the class.
We only had 12 patients attend the class but they asked a lot of questions and they listened to each others comments. There was a political meeting across the road that was burning out the loud speakers and we were told many people were attending that.The next class will be on the 26th of July and I am looking forward to it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Health Classes in Mactzul I
Well, as many know, my camera broke so I have been slow in blogging. It is difficult to blog without a camera but Kemmel and Lisa let me "steal" some of their photos.
Yesterday, we had health classes in Mactzul I and they were a lot of fun. We started the classes in Mactzul VI and we are slowly working our way around the Guatemalan globe :)
The MET students were with us and they added a special flavor to the day. They took photos and coached the students. Classes can be fun and also educational.
As you can see by the students faces, they were really listening!
The students deserve an "A" for paying attention and participating through the classes.
Here, "Dirty Phillip" had just eaten some chips off of the floor! Both he and Zach really got into their character and entertained the students while also teaching them some good lessons.
We provided the material to nine classes and each one was great. After the class, Lisa and the MET Students gave the students medicine to fight against worms and to better their health.
Yesterday, we had health classes in Mactzul I and they were a lot of fun. We started the classes in Mactzul VI and we are slowly working our way around the Guatemalan globe :)
The MET students were with us and they added a special flavor to the day. They took photos and coached the students. Classes can be fun and also educational.
As you can see by the students faces, they were really listening!
The students deserve an "A" for paying attention and participating through the classes.
Here, "Dirty Phillip" had just eaten some chips off of the floor! Both he and Zach really got into their character and entertained the students while also teaching them some good lessons.
We provided the material to nine classes and each one was great. After the class, Lisa and the MET Students gave the students medicine to fight against worms and to better their health.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Cook out at Lisa and Kemmel's house
This afternoon, Kemmel and Lisa were hosts to a cookout at their home. It was great to see them and spend some time with them. The grilling burgers smelled soooooooo good and I am sure the neighbors wished they were invited. Lisa and I cut up fresh pineapple and every slice was eaten!
Kemmel hung up the hammocks for us and people took turns in them...........the students rolled out of them after the large meal :)
But was there room for coffee and one more cookie???
Waiting their turn in the hammocks.
Maury, Martina, Manuel and Juan were just as comfortable on the ground.
When it came time to pack up, my camera stopped working. I walked up to Chichi and got leads on different places that might be able to fix it but none worked out. There might be a place in Santa Cruz so let's keep our fingers crossed. If I can not get it repaired, the blog will look very boring until I can work something out.
Tomorrow, we have different clinics. Please pray for our safe travels and that we will be able to help the patients both physically and spiritually.
Kemmel hung up the hammocks for us and people took turns in them...........the students rolled out of them after the large meal :)
But was there room for coffee and one more cookie??? 
Waiting their turn in the hammocks.
Maury, Martina, Manuel and Juan were just as comfortable on the ground.
When it came time to pack up, my camera stopped working. I walked up to Chichi and got leads on different places that might be able to fix it but none worked out. There might be a place in Santa Cruz so let's keep our fingers crossed. If I can not get it repaired, the blog will look very boring until I can work something out.Tomorrow, we have different clinics. Please pray for our safe travels and that we will be able to help the patients both physically and spiritually.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Class in Lemoa
Today was our monthly health promoters class in Lemoa. Ruben taught the class on the system of the skin. It was interesting and I think everyone enjoyed it.
Before we got started, we took a few photos. These are the students today before class.
We began class with a scripture reading, prayer and a few songs. Then after Ruben taught the lesson, the class was divided into three sections. Still getting the class to understand to count in threes or how many groups you want, is still a BIG challenge. I think that Ruben was ready to go into the corn field and scream...........but he will catch on :)
Each group wrote out a summary of the different levels there are in the skin and then answered the questions.
There were 28 students and everyone participated.
Sebastian ended the group discussion with answering his questions and doing a fine job!
We enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken, rice, salad, tortillas and tea.
The next class date was announced and everyone helped clean up the porch. The trucks were loaded and then it was time to return home.
Before we got started, we took a few photos. These are the students today before class.
We began class with a scripture reading, prayer and a few songs. Then after Ruben taught the lesson, the class was divided into three sections. Still getting the class to understand to count in threes or how many groups you want, is still a BIG challenge. I think that Ruben was ready to go into the corn field and scream...........but he will catch on :)Each group wrote out a summary of the different levels there are in the skin and then answered the questions.
There were 28 students and everyone participated.
Sebastian ended the group discussion with answering his questions and doing a fine job!
We enjoyed a lunch of grilled chicken, rice, salad, tortillas and tea.The next class date was announced and everyone helped clean up the porch. The trucks were loaded and then it was time to return home.
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