Clinic in Mactzul I

Today was the second clinic in Mactzul I.  Those of us there were Lisa, Sandra, Maria, Cecy, Manuel, Mitch and I.  We had a few patients waiting for us and that is always nice.

I must tell you that again it was a very cold morning.  When I opened my fridge, the inside felt warmer than my apartment. The sun peaked out a few minutes during the day but not very much.

The is Cecy checking in a patient.

When there were a few down minutes, Manuel and Cecy were counting pills in the truck for a little warmth.

 

 Yesterday was Cecy's birthday.  When Manuel, Mitch and I went to get the generator, we stopped at a little store and bought some cake and a Mood Ring for Cecy.  Just a little something for her day.  The Mood Ring stayed black all day and did not change color at all........

Just a little trivia on the Mood Ring.......it was created in 1975.  It is usually made with glass or quartz but filled with thermotropic liquid crystals that change color with temperature. Cecy's ring stayed solid black all day.  It was just too cold to have an emotion!!

We had 16 medical patients today, 8 dental patients and did one house call.

The building that we are using for clinic, has one section that will continue to have classes in the afternoon.  I did not understand what Lisa meant when she said, "Over here is the junior high parking lot."  When I looked, I understood!

Pedro, from Mactzul VI came by to check on us.  He was kind to pose as Lisa and Mitch took photos of him and his machete.  When asked why he carries it.......well, it just come in handy if a dog or other animal bothers you.  Manuel told us that he uses his to cut down trails as he walks through the woods.  They even shared the story that people believe there is someone out there that cuts of heads of people if they are out late at night........no wonder that I like to be in early at night!!

We will have this clinic on every Friday.  My role will be to focus on education after patients had their consult and received their medicines.

I thought about going to Pana for the weekend.........but the more I thought about it, the electric blanket was calling my name louder than Pana did.  Guess I will spend the weekend here and be more adventurous another weekend.

Wife Needed!

How cold can Guatemala get????   WAY too COLD!!  We all had on 3 layers and the heater blasting on the highway.  We knew that clinic would be even colder but we pressed on!

Enrique, Manuel and I headed out to Chuguxa for our monthly visit. We had a great clinic of 23 patients.  Nine of those patients were new patients and thirteen of them were diabetics. 

I was disappointed with our diabetics today.  Most everyone was just way to high!  I heard a variety of different reasons/ excuses.........ran out of medicine, have been stressed, ate too many tamales over the holdidays, have a backache, the sky is blue (just kiddin' on that one!)

This was the prize patient of the day. His name is Diego and he is 82 years young.  His wife died about 6 years ago and told me today that he is is looking for a new wife. For the last year he had not been feeling very good but now is is feeling great and is in the market for a lady!  I told him that I would ask around and he asked that I bring him a photo of someone next month :)

As we were loading the truck, I told Manuel and Enrique about Diego.  Enrique blurts out, "Now, he is a man that wants full-service from our clinic!"  Manuel and I started laughing so hard that we had a difficult time tieing down the truck!

So, for all my Guatemalan friends, please keep your ears and eyes wide open over the next month for a fine woman for Diego :) 

Home Visit and Class Scheduling

This morning Gaspar and I went to visit a patient that saw Lisa in Lemoa last week.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer and is not doing well.  We traveled about 45 minutes to the other side of Quiche.  Agostina's family met us in the road and then we walked to their home.

This is their home in the distance.  We enjoyed the walk.  It was cool and very refreshing!

We spent about an hour with the family.  Agostina was in bed and had difficulty breathing.

Gaspar asked me to share some thoughts with her and that he would translate for me.  I talked about difficulties that we have in this world but if we are followers of Christ or Christians that we have hope that others do not have.  God is faithful and that is a promise we have.

Gaspar talked about us being sure of our salvation. It is not something that we need to doubt.  He asked Miguel, her husband, "Are you sure of your salvation?"  Miguel responded, "Yes."

It is comforting to know that we do not have to wonder day-to-day about it. It is a question that everyone should be comfortable responding to.

When we finished, I visited a friend from the congregation in Quiche.  I talked with her about doing an IVAA/ Pap class, so I now have a meeting with the ladies there on February 24th in the afternoon.

Later, I went to Chichi for an early dinner.  I often see this gentleman reading his Bible.  His vision is so poor that he lays his cheek on the pages to read it. I thought of the following verse. 

Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all had this same desire to know God's Word?

Clinic in Lemoa..............Happy Birthday, Dr. Mitch!

This morning, there were several of us in Lemoa for clinic.  Dr. Mitch, who is with us for about 3 weeks and I saw the general patients.  Dr. Sara saw the patients who needed procedures, paps and IVAA.

This is Dr. Mitch and we had a variety of patients today.

During the consults, I noticed his socks.....................we have joked about the battle between people from Michigan and Ohio so the socks grabbed by attention!

Then he said, "Wait until you see the bottom!"  Very cute!

We had 18 patients for medical consult and 5 dental cleaning.

Tomorrow morning, Gaspar and I will visit a lady in her home.  She has cancer and we have heard that she is not doing well. I hope that we will be able to help her feel somewhat better and see if there is anything that we can help her with on a spiritual level.

Passport Experience

Yesterday afternoon, I traveled to Antigua to get my passport done in Guatemala City.

We left this morning at 0545 and arrived at 0815 at the US Embassy.  There were not many people there as I began to enter.  I was told that the office was not working today because they had an important meeting.  I about slid down the wall in despair.  I explained to the lady my situation and she told me to wait for a few minutes.  She returned after making a call and they decided to let three people in........I was the third!!

After redoing some paper work and getting some new photos taken, I was ready to go!!  I was able to pay with my credit card and was told that the new passport will be ready in about 10 days!

I found a taxi that took me to where the buses were and I jumped on one to return to Antigua.  Guatemala City is not my favorite place to be.  I try not to be nervous but just be aware of what is going on around me.

As I was walking in Antigua, this was the view near Hermano Pedro as the sun was going down.

I will head back to Chichi in the morning, worship in Quiche on Sunday and be ready to start clinic on Monday.

I will return to Guatemala City in a few weeks to get my new passport and will not have to think about it for another ten years!

New Clinic in Chuicaca

We had a new clinic today in an area called, Chuicaca.  I know, after a while, all of the clinics seem to sound the same......but there is some difference, however slight it may be.

Lisa, Cecy, Sandra, Maria, Manuel, Gaspar and I all headed out this morning at 0710, in two trucks.
There were a couple of dental patients waiting and a couple that wanted dental cleanings.  Lisa and I had to wait until we had some patients arrive.

It is a pretty view from where we held clinic.

After we waited for about 30 minutes, Cecy and I walked to market to drum-up some business.  It was market day so there were a lot of people in the streets and in the market.  We talked to several people and store-owners, giving them a personal invitation to visit the clinic.

Sandra and Maria with their first patient.

Gaspar had heard an announcement from a van that they were selling Gasparin icecream.  When Cecy and I were walking in the market, we found it!

We bought some to take back and share.  They had flavors of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. They were pretty good!

We were served lunch and it was very good.  They had some great chili!  It had a little bite to it and also had a great flavor.

We will be going to this clinic on a monthly basis.

When we arrived back in Chichi, we met up with Kemmel.  He was going to install a stove in one of our neighbors home.  Lisa and I went to help carry the materials.

In the morning, I will travel to Antigua for the night and then on to Guatemala City.  It is time to apply for a new passport and this will be the easiest way to do it.

New Neighbor

We have a new neighbor and her name is Stormy!  I know, it does not sound like a very appropriate name.  She is a little Chiwawa and I mean that she IS little!

It is very entertaining to watch her and Mike play.  She sits very calmly as Mike runs around and around her, barking at the top of his lungs.  She will occasionally let out a little bark and Mike runs away scared!

Just something to keep us entertained in the neighborhood..........