Health Promoters class in Lemoa

Today, we had class in Lemoa with the health care promoters. We studied diabetes as we continue to prepare lessons for different communities. We talked about what diabetes actually is, what causes the illness and the symptoms that patients will have.

We then divided into two groups to discuss the symptoms more and symptoms that patients have that are not related to diabetes.

Group one listing symptoms that people have with diabetes.

Group two listening common symptoms that people have but ones that are not related to diabetes.

Kemmel talked about Christ and how when He was in the world, He served. He divided the class into four groups and then had each group read scripture and answer questions about service.

As you can see, the classes are often divided into small groups for discussion projects. It allows for everyone in the class to participate and take an active role.

Next month, we will continue to discuss treatment of diabetes with diet and exercise.

What do you value more? Feet or your shoes??

For those who have visited recently, you are aware that they are in the process of paving the road that goes out of Chichi. They have been moving along pretty good on the work and progress is being made.

As I was coming through the area today, I was watching a lady that was walking along the side of the road. New asphalt had been laid down but it had not hardened yet. It was still fresh, had a strong smell to it and it still looked wet. This lady had a strong desire to get to the other side of the road.

Because of her desire, she took her shoes off and walked across the wet asphalt in her bare feet. When she finally reached the other side, she started trying to wipe her feet off in the grass but the bottoms of her feet were permanently black!! I felt bad for her but I am sure she thought about what she was doing before she did it.

I know I would have ruined a pair of shoes before I would have done that to my feet. It is just another example of how people value things differently. Cultures are different and cause people's actions to vary. It is possible that this lady only has one pair of shoes. She may value her shoes more than she does her skin.

Today, I did not see my shepherdess ladies. They tend 15 sheep near my house. I am slowly working my way into their circle in hopes of them inviting me to hang out with them. I do not have time for my own flock so I am hoping to play with theirs........or so I am hoping. I will keep you on my progress.

Catch up.........................

Wow..................the last three weeks have been a whirl-wind but they have been good. It was great having Pepperdine, Harding and ACU visit. I enjoyed the dinners, devotionals and singing in the evening. It is always great to have new people come down and have them share in the work. Hopefully, we will see many of them return again.

Now, it is time to get back to regular life. Clinics were cancelled today and tomorrow for different reasons. I will use the time to get caught up and start prepare for class on Tuesday. We will be having a class on diabetes and I hope that the promoters are able to learn a lot.

I will keep you posted on our next clinics and events.

ACU meets Lemoa

As usual we had breakfast this morning and then headed in different directions.

I forgot to mention another project that was done yesterday and that was a group that Kemmel took to Mactzul III. They are building a new building there so Kemmel and some of the guys went to move some dirt. From what I understand, they almost moved a mountain and some of the guys will have blisters to show for it!

Today, some of us went to Lemoa for a clinic. This is the photo at the end of the day.

We saw 17 medical patients today. I am not sure how many dental patients there were.

Kemmel took a group to help install smokeless stoves in a few homes.

Tonight we had our last devotional with ACU and it was good. The challenge was to return to The States and refrain from becoming complacent......which is usually what happens when people return home from a week as this. People talked about different ways in which they keep their prayer lives active or continue to read the Bible on a daily basis.

We pray that ACU has safe travels to Antigua tomorrow and then a safe flight to The States on Saturday.

Pap Clinic in Lemoa

Everyone enjoyed breakfast at the hotel this morning and then we went in different directions.

Josefina, Manuel and I went to Lemoa for a Pap Clinic. We had only four ladies come for the clinic but two of the ladies had very special needs.

Josefina had talked to me about these two ladies and I was glad to see them return.

One lady was in her late 20's and has attempted suicide, she told Josefina, six times. She also has a history of substance abuse. The other lady was probably in her early 30's and has two small children. She says that at times she feels like harming her children. She has problems with controlling her anger and wants to lash out at those around her.

If you were to look at these two women, you would not think either one had a problem. Both are attractive and look as if they take good care of themselves. For this reason, we always need to be looking for those who need help. Those with the greatest need, do not fit in one category. Those in the greatest pain are not in one socio-economic status. Those crying for help are not of one color.

Christ came to teach, set us free and to heal............................

Luke 4:18-19------"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Without Christ, it is impossible to have any of the above. It is only through Him and in Him.

Josefina explained this to these to ladies. She talked to them about the difference that Christ could make it their life. She talked about prayer and how prayer could help them. She encouraged them to return to the clinic when they needed support and that we would spend time with them. I hope to see them return again.

And remember.................the next person you speak with may be looking to you for help and encouragement.

ACU meets Mactzul I

After breakfast at the hotel, we went to two different areas. Our group went to Mactzul I. It is not a far drive and we set clinic up fairly quickly. This is a photo of the Abilene group before clinic started.

We began clinic as we always do, with prayer. We welcome the patients and explain what services we will be providing.

Sometimes, it can be a challenge since we do not have an automatic blood pressure machine. Here, Laura instructs how to take a manual blood pressure with a cuff and a stethoscope.

We saw a total of 25 medical patients and 25 dental patients.

In the afternoon, the children came to visit when their classes finished. This young man sings a song for the group.

The young ladies teach a song with hand motions.

The children enjoy face paints and coloring.

This young girl wants to be painted as a kitten.

When I took this next photo, I had no idea what was in store for Rebecca. She is a student in the area who was waiting for a sponsor for the ABC Program. She always looks a little sad and has difficulty hearing.

The next thing I hear is that Laura and Martin want to sponsor a girl from this area. Rick set it up so now Rebecca has sponsors and she gets to meet them!!! She will now have her medical and dental care paid for, she will receive some clothing for school and her family will receive food. More important than all of this, is she will be able to continue with school and be able to develop a relationship with her sponsors!!

What can be more exciting than that?????? That's all folks!!

Tomorrow, another adventure!!

Abilene Christian University meets Xejox

This week we are fortunate to have the Abilene Christian University with us. One group went to Clinica Caris today and we traveled to Xejox.

We started out with Kemmel and Lisa's Nissan but ran into a huge problem when the attendants at the gas station pumped diesel into it. Oh my! Kemmel came up with another plan but had to stay back because it was going to take 3 hours to pump and clean out the tank. We were very thankful that the problem was caught before the Nissan was started.

Our group traveled to Xejox for an ABC Clinic. Twice a year, the ABC children are provided a medical and dental clinic. The driving time is about 2.5 hours from Chichi and it is upward! The children were in classes today so the local church provided us lunch before we began seeing the children. We had chicken soup and tamalitos.

This is part of the Abilene group before clinic began.

Playing around with the children................the more we are here, the more comfortable they are with the camera.

Ellen, continues to entertain the children.

Rick, completed the date base and took photos of the children in the program.

Did you know that working in the pharmacy could be this much fun?

Lisa, examining one of the students as the family observes.

Ellen, with a patient before the end of clinic.

It was a great ABC Clinic and we saw 34 ABC Children. So many people are thankful for the ABC Program. We are thankful as Health Talent workers but also are local church, the family and the children. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a child, please contact me. We have children in the Highlands waiting for a sponsor.

Quiet clinic in Choacaman

We have completed two weeks with students. First we hosted the Pepperdine group and then last week the group from Harding University. Today, we are without students and it is a quiet day. When you get use to visitors being around and then they are gone...........it is like, "Where did everyone go?"

Clinic went well with only 9 patients and that is about normal for Choacaman. Martin was there that helped us with the clinic in Chinique. I asked him if the ladies in that area would be interested in starting a Bible Study. It is a fairly new congregation and they speak Spanish. He smiled and said he would be sure to ask them. We will see what their response is.

Tomorrow, I will buy some things that we need for the next group and try to get a few other things done..............................................next, here comes ACU!!!

Harding meets Zacualpa

Today one of the groups traveled to Zacualpa. It is close a 2.5 hour drive and it is a beautiful drive. We parked the trucks and then needed to carry the equipment but not too far.

This is part of the group from Harding. We ended up seeing 23 medical patients and 3 patients for dental cleaning.

Check out the sharp uniform that Amanda is wearing. She struck a pose for the camera showing off her new uniform she bought off of Ebay for $2.60.

Preparing one of the three stations for consult.

Kemmal, Tomas and Gaspar joking with the patients before clinic began.

Gaspar signing patients in for clinic.

The area of Zacualpa is large and also very pretty.

Sometimes consults can be a challenge........translating from K'iche to Spanish and to English but the students did well.

Josefina and one of the students during a consult.

This little girl decided that she wanted to share her art with the group. She would go and color a page and then return with it and give it as a gift.

Today, Kemmel visited some of the surrounding areas to see if there was interest in hosting more clinics. The response was positive so I think that we will be having more clinics in this area. We are always happy to visit areas, while helping the local church teach and share the gospel of Christ.

Harding meeets Chinique

Today, we had a good clinic in Chinique. I do not have any photos for you and it is because my battery died. I thought my camera recharged as I was uploading photos to the computer but I was wrong. It was a sad day for me when I realized I would not be able to take photos.

Our group had a good turn-out for clinic with 26 medical patients, 19 dental patients and 13 patients for dental cleaning. Notice, I did say 13 for dental cleaning!!! We were very excited about this and so was Tomas.

I meant to tell you something about our clinic on Monday in Chuchipaca. Only one time since I have been in Guatemala has someone told me that they did not want us to pray. Today, when we finished a consult, a patient told me that she was Mayan. She went on to tell me that she followed the Mayan beliefs as did her father, they believed in the four corners of the world and also believed in St. Simon. I asked her a question about Christ and she said she did not want to talk about him.

After a few more minutes, I decided not to ask anymore questions but just to finish the consult with one of the church members praying in K'iche'. After we started, during about the third sentence, she let out a little giggle. After about 2 more sentences she started playing with my hair. I gently took her hand and placed it in her lap and continued to hold. it. It was was very obvious that she had no respect.

When I think of someone who will not listen to the gospel, it is shuddering because of the future of their soul. I remembered the instructions that Jesus gave in Matthew 10:11-15.

Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there an stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it;if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement that for that town.

I realize that the situation today was different than the situation when these instructions were given. But the truth remains, there are still many that will not listen to the teachings of Christ. They may be like this lady today and believe only in what their fathers teach. We need to return to the teachings of Christ and not accept what other people say.

We need to pray for people who refuse Christ. We need to search and study so we know the will of God for our life. We must teach Christ and not let other teachings influence us.

Harding meets Patzite

Today is the first clinic in Patzite and it is a beautiful area. We will see how clinic goes and if the congregation is interested in having us return.

One reason I like working with the Dunhams so much is they do not shrink back from work. Kemmel sets the example. All of the equipment has to make it up hill and this blue chest is full of cokes and drinks!

Wondering what is so heavy in this container??? It is the dental equipment.

After running up the hill a few times with the equipment......................hmmmmm, wonder what our carotid pulse is????

This photo was taken after the crew had recuperated from carrying everything up hill and now they are ready to begin their work for the day.

The congregation was nice to prepare lunch for us. We enjoyed chow mien, tortillas and horchata. That basket in the front is filled with tortillas!

Some children wanted their photo taken as we were packing up for the day. Notice the young boy that has learned to wave at the camera.

This was the dental crew for the day :)

It was a very productive day. We ended up with 27 medical patients, 21 dental patients and 1 patient for dental cleaning. The most exciting news of the day is that the congregation wants us to return every month for a clinic.

We hope that as we continue to work with the congregation with dental clinics, it will give them an opportunity to provide teaching within their community and lead people to Christ That is what it is all about!

Tomorrow, we will be in areas of Mactzul VI and Chinique..................another day and more adventures!!

Harding meets Chuchipaca

We enjoyed breakfast this morning at the hotel and then we traveled to different areas. Our group went to Chuchipaca and had a wonderful clinic.

Chuchipaca has always opened their doors and welcomed us when we had large groups. They did the same today.

The health promoters take the names of patients before the clinic begins. We will have medical consults, dental consults and dental cleaning offered today.

We prepared the different areas for patients and then we were ready. This is one set of students that would see the medical patients.

This is the dental group.

This is Jake maintaining the pharmacy on his own :)

As usual, we welcome all of the patients before we begin. Juan is standing on a mound of dirt to the far left as he speaks to the patients. He explains the services that will be provided through the day and then asks them to be patient as the clinic begins.

Then a prayer is offered as we ask God to bless the clinic and all of the patients.

It was a busy day with 30 medical patients, 46 dental patients and 5 patients for dental cleaning.

It was nice to work with the students. They were eager to learn and to practice their Spanish. Hopefully, they became a little more comfortable with obtaining the history of a patient and with physical exam.

It was a great day and all for the glory of our God.

Sunday................

Last night, the Harding group arrived and another group from North Carolina. We are thankful for their safe arrival.

The Harding University P.A. group will be with us for one week and will be assisting in clinics during this time. Another group that arrived last night is from North Carolina. They will be doing building projects in different areas.

I want to introduce you to Trish. We worked several years ago in the same hospital. During this time, I worked in the Intensive Care Unit and Trish worked in the Emergency Department. I was always excited to see Trish coming with another patient for us :)

This is Trish with a few members of her group.

We walked through the market in the streets and then visited the vegetable market.

Anyone need any tomatoes????

Trish and I went back to the hotel and sat as they packed the bus. It was good to see her again and meet the different people in her group.

Later in the afternoon, I worshiped with the Chichi Church. The Harding group went to Xepocol with Lisa and Kemmel. I was hoping that the parents of Amelina would meet me as they said they would. I will continue to ask them and maybe one Sunday they will surprise me :)

Tomorrow the Harding group will go to clinics with us. I am sure that this week they will have many adventures and experiences that they will want to share with their family and friends.

Paxot II Clinic

Kemmel and Lisa took the Pepperdine students to Antigua early this morning. We pray that they have a safe travel and a safe flight back to The States.

Today, I picked up Martina and Gaspar and we headed out to Paxot II. Marcos drove from Quiche and then we met Juan there.

When we arrived the porch was full of patients! I was so excited. I did not get to take many photos but I did get this one. This little girl had been coloring on the porch and this is when she finished her picture.

There were 29 medical patients and 4 patients for dental cleaning. It was a great day and we are so thankful for it!