Sandra's Graduation

Today, I met Sandra and her family in Chichi at 0745 and we made our way to Quiche for her graduation.  It was a FULL truck but we had a good time!

This is Sandra before the graduation started.

 There were 313 students in her class. The ceremony lasted 3.5 hours.  We started with a prayer and then continued with a speaker.  Each student's name was announced as they walked down a ramp.  Then we had another speaker, who announced each student as they walked down the ramp with a candle.

 This is Sandra and her father...........one PROUD father!

 

This was our group.  Sandra's mom and brother were killed in accidents a few years ago.  Three of her sisters were able to attend the graduation.

The new graduate!!

When we returned to Chichi, we ate fried chicken in town.  It was very good!

Sandra told me that she wants to continue to study.  She is thinking about working a year and then will check into different programs.  Her grades are excellent, so we will see what happens!

A special thanks to Mike and Julie for coving the clinic so I could attend the graduation.  I really appreciated it or I would not have been able to go.  Thank you!!

Day of the Dead in Chichicastenango

Today is a very celebrated day, with many traditions.  The cemetery is cleaned, painted and everyone flocks to celebrate.  Food, drinks, small burnings are offered in remembrance of those who have died.  The streets are packed with vendors of flowers, food and kites.

People make their purchases as they walk to the cemetery.

The cemetery is very colorful and a lot of preparation goes into this day.

 Some areas are very simple...........

 while others are very elaborate.

I walked down to the Mayan Sacrificial area.  There was some activity there but more in the cemetery.

Walking back into town, there were three areas set up for people to toss coins in the pools.

If your coin landed in a bowl, you would win a package of beverages.
 

Happy Birthday Sandra!

Today, we celebrated Sandra's birthday in Mactzul V.  It was fun to catch her off-guard. Julie and Cesar carried the cake in and we started singing!

This is Cesar, Sandra, Maria and two of the guys from the congregation that helped with the clinic today.

 Before diving into the cake......This is Mike and Julie who are working with us for a few weeks. 

When Mike asked Sandra how old she was, she and Cesar busted out laughing.  She finally confessed about 10 minutes later :)

For those who have tried Guatemalan bakery cake........well, there is no need to remind you of what it is like.  But, this was the best bakery cake I have had so far.  We polished it off and then enjoyed looking at each other's blue teeth.  The problem was that Cecy and I were headed to Mactzul VI to do a class.......we needed special dental care :)

A group photo before we left.
Maria, Sandra, Cesar, Cecy, me Julie and Mike.

When Cecy and I arrived to class, it started raining.........and it rained.......and it rained.  We had a very dificult time doing the class due to the noise from the tin roof.  Yes, we had a microphone but it was not sufficient.  From time-to-time, we would just look at each other and have this helpless smile.  Now we will see how many ladies are interested in having a pap/ivaa clinic in this community. 

We were invited back next month and that is always a good sign!

ABC Clinic in Chichicastenango

Yesterday, Manuel was out making the purchases for the ABC Children.  This morning, the supplies arrived in Lemoa for distribution into the ABC communities.

The coordinators of the ABC program work very hard to make sure that things are done correctly.  This is Manuel who made all of the purchases.  Cesar called all of the coordinators to let them know what they needed to do.

 While others were making the distributions, I went to Chichicastenango to do a clinic with Enrique, Sandra and Brenda.  ALL of the children presented very well and ALL of the children were above their expected weight. Hands were clean, nails were trimmed, hair was combed and everyone was shiny.  Sandra was pleased from the dental aspect.

While we were downstairs, the distribution was going on upstairs.  Families were receiving beans, milk, rice, dental products..........things that can really make a difference in health.

 For those of you who have met Maury, this is her mother on the right.  She is very active in the congregation with children's classes and ladies classes.

 And the work continues.

 OK, here is Emanuel.  He is waving to Jim and Barbara from Texas.  They sponsor Emanuel and for this reason, he is able to study in school and have the opportunity to do many things!

Thank you, Jim and Barbara!

Taking off in Four Directions

Today, we had activities in four different areas.  Mike and Julie went with Manuel to Xepocol.  Sarah and Andrea went to Saquilla.  I went to Chijtinit with Sandra and our group.  Gaspar had a class in San Jorge.

We saw all of the ABC children in Chijtinit plus one lady that we were happy to help.

When we finished with the clinics, I met up with Gaspar at my house.  He was so excited that his class went well.  There were two brothers in that congregation who had left the church.  Today, they returned, asked for forgiveness and were reconciled.  When Gaspar was telling me the the story, he got so excited!!  He said, "Sheri, this is my work!  This is what I want to do!"

The following photo is of Gaspar when he was studying the Bible with Manuel.  He had been a patient in our clinic for quite a long time. Manuel was baptized and then later died.  We were so thankful that he had been granted enough time on this earth to realize that he needed the blood of Christ for his salvation.

Clinic in Chuchipaca

Today, Mike, Julie and I headed to Chuchipaca for clinic.  We met Cecy there and we already had a few patients waiting.

It felt like an eye clinic and that is good.  We were able to help several ladies with reading glasses, which will also help them with their sewing and embroidery work.  This was one of our content patients.  We did not have a mirror so when I took the photo, they could see if they liked the glasses or not.  Of course, we took the little white tag off before they left :)

I was also pleased with one of our diabetic patients, Antonio.  He is a severe diabetic and one of the rare ones, that uses insulin.  He has very dense cataracts and has been wanting to have surgery.  For the last several clinics, he has been controlled so we now have him scheduled for surgery in November.  I look forward to the day that his vision is much better.

It was a great clinic with about 17 patients.  Cecy is always fun to work with and keeps me on my toes.

Now, it is time to relax for a little during the weekend.  A few weeks ago, Kemmel downloaded a few seasons of Blue Blood.  I am watching the first season and have really enjoyed it.  Thank you, Kemmel!

Thoughts from Carlos in Montellano

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Montellano to visit the group that was there and to also visit Marlene.

Carlos preached the sermon from Psalms 42 and the anguish that David felt.  Many people do not think it is correct to admit distress and have a good heart-to-heart with God.  That it is not good to admit depression or face their fears.  This is far from the truth.

David mourned and cried.  He felt struggles and pain as we do today.  David penned those emotions.  He remembered when things were good, when he rejoiced and praised God. 

He questioned his feelings.  He questioned God's presence.  It is OK.............but we can not let that be our last thought.

We must remember that God is our refuge.  He allows our pain and our struggles and because of this, if we are faithful, God will remain our hope and our salvation.  He pulls us closer to Him, if we allow.

It was a great lesson, Carlos.  Thank you.

I have mentioned my shepherd friend that lives near by.  Today, when I went walking, she had two new babies with her.  This lamb is less than 2 days old.

Isaiah 40:11

He tends his flock like a shepherd;

He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.