Arrival in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Marcos and Sandra drove me to Guatemala City last night for my early departure.  The hotel has shuttle service but my flight was too early to take advantage of it.  I jumped in a taxi, after waking up the driver, at 0315. 

I flew on Copa Airlines and was very happy with the service.  Both flights were only 2 hours in duration, but each served a meal.  It has been several years since I have had food served on a flight.  Now, you really need to be seated for this news!  They actually served the meal with a metal fork AND knife!  Have they not heard what people can do with these?  I was very proud of my co-travelers since everyone used their eating utensils for their proper use :)

I was able to watch tv on the second flight.  Since I have been in Guatemala, I have been watching The Big Bang Theory.  It is not a television show that I would watch in the states, so I am not sure why I am fascinated with it here.  There is just something about it.  On this episode, Leonard was using a Wii and was horse racing.  Lisa can do a great imitation of Sheldon, when he knocks on a door............

I found a taxi to the hotel. It is the Intercontinental Hotel on George Washington Avenue.  After I checked in, I went out to see what I could see.......

This is one of the monuments not too far from the hotel.  I will get more photos tomorrow.

I found a restaurant on the street for dinner and then was in for the night.  Not much sleep in the last 2-3 nights so maybe I can catch up tonight.

Headed to Dominican Republic

Many of you know about the PanAmerican Lectureships.  I will be flying down to Santo Domingo on Tuesday after our clinic and be participating in the week. Please pray for everyone's safe arrival and that we will hear good news of the mission efforts that are being made.

Sunday in Quiche

This morning I went to Quiche for worship.  Many of the young people are in Xela for the weekend so there were not as many people as usual.

Afterward, I went to visit my friend Magda.  She has been very sick and she told me today that she feels even worse.  I am concerned about her but there is a not a lot I can do.....only pray and visit her when I can.

My parents sent me photos from their trip to Mt. Mitchell in N.C.  Beautiful North Carolina and my mom..........well, I should say, my beautiful mom and North Carolina..........yeah, that is better!

I just love mountains.......but then I love the beach........and then I also love the rivers........and you can't forget the................................This is why after God created everything, He saw that it was good!

Clinic in Chuchipaca

This morning as I was getting ready to leave, Kemmel called and told me that the road to Chuchipaca is closed.  He said that they will allow you to pass through but you have to pay 400 Q.  No way!  So, he told me of a different way to get there and said that Manuel also knows the road.

I met Manuel and we headed to Chuchipaca. We found the road without any problem and arrived in time to start clinic.

We had two patients that have epilepsy, but are controlled.  One is abused at home but she has moved in with her mother. She told me that she is doing better but I am not sure.  She usually is very talkative and sometimes even sings to me but she was very subdued today.  Sometimes, we just do not know what people live through with different illnesses and home situations.

One lady has asked me a few times to check to see if she was pregnant.  She never has been, until today!  I thought she would be real excited but it was hard to tell.

We had a good clinic with 10 patients.  I think we would have had more but it was very cold and rainy.

Manuel and I made our way back to Chichi without any problems.  We are always thankful for that.

I have been craving pizza so I decided that it was time to make some.  Now, things are different here in Guatemala when it comes to cooking.  So, I made a whole wheat pizza dough and put it in a bread maker and got that ready.  Lisa had taught me how to prepare hierbas, which are basically just weeds.  We do not have a pizza sauce, so I used spaghetti sauce.............then I topped it with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.   Oh my.............

A couple of days to rest and then back to clinic on Tuesday.

Clinic in Mactzul VI

Several of our group headed out early this morning for two days of clinics and classes in some of our farthest communities.  Please remember Lisa, Kemmel, Ruben, Tomas, Enrique and Martina as they travel, spend the night and serve.

The rest of us traveled to Mactzul 6 this morning.  Lisa called me to let us know that the Mactzul did not have any power so we would need to get the generator from Lemoa.  Sandra and I went to Chichi to get Maria and then drove to Lemoa. We arranged the things in the truck to make room for the generator.  When Josue arrived, the four of us lifted it into the truck.  It is not the lightest thing!

We drove to Mactzul without any problems and Manuel was waiting for us there.

We ate a late lunch and then set in to finish the day. We enjoyed a lunch of grilled beef, black beans, rice, tortillas and a peach drink.

After lunch, I did not have any patients, so I helped a family with transportation.

One patient, who was very sick, had carried his mother to the clinic for a dental extraction.  The lady is very elderly and is unable to walk.  He told me during his consult, "She is my mother.  I had to bring her.  What else could I do, since she is my mother?"  He had tied her in a chair and carried her on his back and he only weighs 85 pounds. 

It took four of us to get her into the truck and it was about a 10 minute drive.  Sometimes, the expression of love is over-whelming. 

We had 9 medical patients, 5 dental cleanings, 4 dental fillings and 7 patients for dental extractions.

We finished and left the community about 1630.  We stopped by the clinic to unload much of the truck.

Tomorrow, Manuel and I will go to Chuchipaca for clinic.

Ladies Class in Chichicastenango

We had our ladies Bible Class in Chichi this afternoon and seventeen ladies were present. 

We studied John 13:34,35 and thought about application.  When we have these classes, I talk about how we need to live or apply the scriptures today.  If we read the Bible, but do not think of how to apply it, we have not really learned or accomplished anything.

Even before Christ's birth, He knew what would happen during His life here on earth. In this chapter, as they are all around the table, Christ is aware of what Peter and Judas will do and yet He treats them no different than the others.  His actions here, as His whole life, were that of a servant. Here, Christ gives them a new command..........and this command remains true for us today.

John 14:34.35---A new commandment I give to you. That you love one another, as I have loved you, so you also love one another. If you have love, for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.

There was a command under the old law about love, but it was different.  This is a new law, a new command and it is different.  Christ knew that our love for each other would distinguish us from non-believers.

We talked about ways that we can show love for each other, for members of our family, for other Christians and for our community. We need to look for ways to show more love and it is not always easy.  Christ's words were not a suggestion, nor does it hold for us, if someone loves us first.  Each of us needs to make a conscious effort to love more, as Christ did.

Conference in Mactzul VI

Today, Mactzul VI started a two-day conference.  Kemmel and Lisa picked me up at 0700 and we made our way there.

As we arrived, it was very dreary and the rains continued most of the day.  Kemmel, always takes Bibles, song books and other material that people like to have.  He draws a crowd as be opens his boxes.

I just love this little lady.  Her name is Micaela. She is ?? years old and lives in Mactzul I.  She somehow finds a ride every Sunday morning to worship in Santa Cruz.  She walks barefoot in the streets but stops to put on her shoes as she enters the church building for worship.  Yes, she is standing on the same step as Lisa and Kemmel. She found us today before the activities began.

I made my way to the kitchen to watch the activity.  I was told that they were preparing food for 3,000 people, so this is probably for both days.  I think this was boiling beef.

These were boiling pots of carrots and squash.

Anyone for a tamalito??  One for me, please!!

Then the singing began!  Just a glimpse of what heaven will be like!

Between sessions, there were several little stores set up.  We enjoyed hot rice drink and chuchitos! Other vendors sold ice cream, ice cones, candy and pork skins.  Lisa wanted hers with mayo.......just kiddin'!!

There are always children wanting their photo taken.

It was a good day.  I heard different numbers of how many people were in attendance.  Most people thought 1,200 adults and 215 children.

For lunch we had beef soup, tamalitos, chili and Coke.  The kitchen staff was already cooking the meal for tomorrow.  What a great opportunity for the church to spend two days together.

Pap clinic in Lemoa

This morning, Lisa, Maria, Manuel and I went to Lemoa for the pap clinic. We had four paps and a few other patients.  Manuel is learning how to EKG's, so he and Lisa were able to do one today.

As we were ready to leave the clinic, Maria said something to me and I was confused on what she was talking about. I walked over to where she was, and then I understood!

So, what do you think this photo is??

I was reminded of something I blogged about on October the 17th.  I mentioned that God does not see time as we see time and that we should not give up on each other.

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 3:6----I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

When we are trying to teach people or show them Christ, everyone responds differently.  This is taught in the parable of the Sower and the Seed.  We can only do so much and then pray for good results.  The results, are not in our hands or in our power.

So, have you guessed what the photo is of?  It is of a bean, growing in the front seat of the truck.  No one put it there on purpose.  It has not been watered, nor has it been fertilized.   We did not purposefully intend for a bean to grow in the truck.

Our life is exactly the same, as the example above. Every day, we plant seeds.......in our words and in our actions.  We leave impressions on people and many times we are not aware of them.  We need to pray that the seeds we plant are positive and ones that reflect Christ. 

Writing for Daybreak

The week has continued with clinics and different activities.  Paxot II and Mactzul VI will soon be having conferences.  We are preparing to begin the sex education classes since they have been welcomed in each of our communities.  There will be a large group with us in November for a few days, so Kemmel is busy preparing where we will have clinics.

A couple of moths ago, I started writing for a devotional booklet called, Daybreak.  It is published by different writers from the Churches of Christ in North Carolina.  Each month, we are given an assignment and asked to stay at 250 words.  Jude 24, was my first assignment and I wanted to share it with you.

Jude 24

As we mature, we often find  that the grandest gift is not always in the largest package.  Jude, while it is one of the shortest letters  in the Bible, it is packed with warning, promise and hope. It is advantageous, today, to read it with the same application as it was written.

Soon after creation, man thought he had a better plan than God.  Man continues to thinks he knows  best.  Jude warns of false teachers and doctrines.  Jude, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knew that many would turn away from Godly teaching.  He encourages us to remain faithful.  

The only way for man to continue in faith is to know truth.  Notice the way that scripture is described in  Hebrews 4:12.  The scripture is living and active, it is sharp and divides, and it judges.  Truth is not passive.  

We receive robust warnings in Jude and equally strong are the promises and hope. Christ paid our debt on Calvary.  He was the supreme sacrifice.

In Jude 24, we are encouraged. Christ's  death, prevents us from falling.  His death, prevents our death.  God 's promises continue today, if we remain faithful.  One day we will be before Him, whole and complete, ready to enter eternity.  There is no greater hope!  No greater joy!

Let us daily encourage others, as Jude encourages us.

Clinic in Xepol

Today, Manuel, Josue and I went to Xepol for our clinic.  We had a small clinic but it was a good day.

This little girl always comes with her grandmother, who is a diabetic.  She helps us carry our equipment down from the truck and is always full of energy.  Today as she left, she gave a me a bag of rocks she had collected from around the construction site.  She giggled as she ran away :)

This is Juan and he recently had cataract surgery in a near-by clinic, Camanchaj.  He has had great results and is very thankful!

We had one little baby, 4 months old, who was covered in a rash.  The mother uses laundry detergent to bath the baby.  We talked about changing soap and I gave her some Vasoline, to use after bathing him.  Thank you, mom, for the Vasoline!

This is the daughter of Tomas, that stays with us during the clinic.

Victor and his mom came to clinic to get more medicine.  Victor's dad is still doing well and continues to attend worship.  Victor still has about one seizure a month, but his mom says they are very weak.  This whole family situation has become so much better and I am so thankful for it. 

Sometimes, we forget that God does not see time, as we see time.  We can not give up on people or lose hope.  God does not do that to us, so how can we think that we can do it to each other?  People learn and people respond at different rates........we just can't forget this.

We heard of a gentleman that is in his home and is very sick.  Since we finished clinic early, we packed the truck and started to go and visit him.  Tomas told us that we would have about a 15 minute walk...........I translate that into about 30 minutes, but that is ok.

We parked the truck and began our hike.  After about 2 minutes, Tomas' phone rings.  The patient called and asked Tomas to delay the visit until the next clinic.  There is a health promoter visiting him and giving him some IV solution. So, we will visit him in November.

Busy Medical and Dental Clinics in Chutzurob

This morning, several of us traveled to Chutzurob. Since we had so much equipment, we traveled in two trucks.

In August, we visited the home of a young man that was very sick and then died.  You can see more of that story on the August 21 blog.  Anyway, this is his wife and their baby.  The baby, Jose, was delivered 2 months ago.

Jose is beginning to like the camera! He is very healthy and content.

We had a busy clinic and it was a good one.  We had 12 medical patients, 14 dental patients, 3 patients for dental fillings and 3 patients for dental cleaning.

Here, Maury, teaches a young lady how to properly brush her teeth.

Manuel, doing a dental cleaning.

Sandra and Maria, doing a dental filling for a patient.

Marcos had a couple of unhappy patients.  One young girl screamed and screamed and then ran up the hill, screaming some more.  Marcos went to talk to her and the mother.  Unfortunately, he was not able to get this patient to return. 

The other patient returned for her appointment and when she left, she and Marcos were "high-fiving."  Don't ya just love happy customers???

Tomorrow, the guys and I will go to Xepol for clinic.

Ladies Class in Mactzul II

This afternoon, I went to Lisa and Kemmel's to get the projector and a truck. 

We had another Ladies Bible Study in Mactzul II.  As I was driving, I saw some ladies from Mactzul VI, so I gave them a ride closer to their community.

There were about 30 people in the class.  There were about 20 ladies and 10 young people.  It is nice to see that the younger people are taking an interest in the classes.  Sometimes, they also help out with the reading of verses.  Of the 20 ladies, only one is able to read.  Just a reminder that we should not take this ability for granted.

This originally was a 2-day class, in 2010, for the ladies in Chichicastenango.  Because of the time limit, this is a much shorter version.  Today, we studied the authority of the scriptures and we will continue in November.

Tomorrow, several of us will go to Chutzurob.  We will have a medical and dental clinic.  I hope we have a building full of patients!

Sunday in Chichi

This morning I worshiped with the congregation in Santa Cruz.  There were about 40 people there and it was a good morning.  

I then returned to Chichi to do laundry and clean house.  You know, there are just some things you have to do from time to time. 

I am reading a book about the Holy Spirit that I am really enjoying.  As with any book, there might be some things you may not agree with, but there are some good thoughts in this book.  It is another book by Francis Chan.  It is my opinion, that we need to think more about the Holy Spirit.  We need to have the same close relationship with the Holy Spirit as we do with God the Father or God the Son.

The scriptures tell us that we would receive the Holy Spirit as our comforter and yet many times we are afraid to talk very much about this.  We should not fear something if it is given to us for comfort and peace. 

Tomorrow, a class in Mactzul II and another full week ahead!!

Customer service, at it's finest!!

Today, I spent the day preparing for other things.  On Monday, I have a ladies Bible class in Mactzul II.

It is amazing, and I have always thought this, the amount of money that is spent annually on trying to improve customer service.  It is amazing, the millions and millions of dollars that are spent every year on research, attending meetings, sending people to classes, adding an extra coat of paint, improving decorations, supplying coffee or snacks....................the list continues and continues.

If you provide a good service, at a fair price, people will return.

The little store by my house is one proof of this.  There is no complicated formula!  Lucy, always makes sure that she has a great supply of Diet Coke for me.  When Tigo sells triple phone time, she will call me, to let me know.  She has even put time on my phone when it was raining very hard and did not want me to walk across the street.  I am sure that Lucy has never attended a customer service class, but she knows how to keep us happy.

One of the ladies in the market, always gives me a piece of fruit when I pass her stand.  The other day, she put six bananas in a bag for me.  You can be sure, that when I want some more, I will buy them from her.  

Over the few years that I have lived here, I have seen many examples of this.  It is just common sense. Sometimes, we try to make things tooooooooooooooooooooooo complicated!!  Just my thoughts.

Finished Proverbs 31

I went to Mactzul VI this afternoon for the ladies Bible class.  We finished the study of the virtuous woman, in Chapter 31.  We only had four verses left so we had time for an activity.

We divided into four groups.  The focus of our studies has been application.  How can we apply what we read in the Bible, to our life today? So in context of this class, what can we teach our children about finding a spouse? What should be our hopes for our children?

I asked each group to write just two or three things that they should share with their children.  We have not done an activity like this before, so they were a little hesitant.  At first everyone was very quiet and then they started working on the project. Anna Marie and I went to each group and made sure that they did not have any questions.

When time was up, everyone taped their sheets to the wall and presented their information.  I could not believe that I forgot my camera!  Heavy sigh..........but the work they did was great. Everyone mentioned that they need to teach their children to marry a Christian.  One lady said, "There are problems in marriage and if we can teach our children better, maybe they will avoid some of the problems that we have had."

Other traits of a good spouse are someone who is a good worker, someone who has patience, someone who treats his wife and children good, someone with good character and who is honest.

The next class will be in November and we will have a class on depression.  It is a study that the ladies in Chichi have requested.

After we had finished the class, an elderly lady approached me.  She has been having a lot of headaches and not sleeping at all.  She asked me if we could pray and of course I wanted to.  A few of us knelt and I prayed for her........a prayer for healing, for peace and the ability to sleep.  She said that she would also come to our next clinic. 

Getting back to Chichi was a little difficult.  Land is being cleared for a new road and sometimes they have to stop the traffic as they work.  When we finished, I went to the office to teach an English class.

When I arrived in Chichi, there were no students. I just thought, "It's ok.......no problem."  Then six people arrived and we studied for two hours.  The lights flashed on and off a few times and then totally shut down.  As we left the office, we realized that all of Chichi was without lights. I walked Maria to where she would catch a micro-van to Xepocol and then I took a tuk-tuk home.  There were no lights anywhere!

When I got out of the tuk-tuk, I walked a couple of blocks in the dark.  I heard familiar paw-steps and it was Nakko!  He walked me home and then came inside, without having to be coaxed. No idea how long he had been outside. 

Another good day..............Gracias a Dios.




 

Clinic in Lemoa

Sandra and I drove to Lemoa this morning and we all got ready for clinic.  We had twenty medical patients and one dental cleaning.

One of Lisa's patients returned today.  She was seen a couple of weeks ago with anemia and her hemoglobin was 8.8.  She has been taking her medications and today her hemoglobin was 10.8.  She is feeling much better but still has a way to go.

We had several diabetic patients and all of them were out of control!  What a disappointment that is.  It is difficult when you have talked and talked and continued to talk about carbohydrates and then the patient acts like they have never heard the information before. Oh well........let's talk some more!

Martina was not feeling well and went home early.  Please pray for her.  I gave her some medicine and hope that she feels better soon.

Tomorrow, I will be in Mactzul VI for a ladies Bible class.  We will finish our study of Proverbs 31. It has been a good study and I hope that the ladies have benefited from it.

Clinic in Zacualpa

We made our way to Zacualpa this morning.  I was really hoping for a lot of patients since the church had advertised the clinic on the radio.  The drive was beautiful and the sun felt good.

When we arrived, there were two men from the congregation there.  They helped us carry our equipment up the hill.  It is a short hill, but it is very steep. The truck can not make it so we have to carry our gear up.

We had only eight medical patients but we had five dental cleanings!  This is a great improvement from the past.  I hope that the word will continue to spread and others will visit us next month. 

We stopped on the way home and had lunch.....fried chicken and tortillas. 

Tomorrow, we will have clinic in Lemoa.

Class in Lemoa

Today, we had our monthly class in Lemoa with all of the health promoters.  Lisa and Kemmel are not with us today but we prayed for them and their safe return.

Ruben, did the class today on different medications and how they are used.  He began the class by asking everyone what were the common problems that people came to clinic with.  He was wanting them to understand the difference between symptoms and diagnosis. 

We we listed the most common symptoms that we see in our clinics:  pain, allergies, cough, fever, diarrhea, not sleeping well, bad nerves and a few others......and then we talked about the medicines that we have available.  We used the book, Where There is No Doctor.  We broke up into groups and then returned when our work was done.

One group using the hood of the truck as their desk.

We returned to the porch and took turns explaining the medicines that are used.

We had about 27 people in the class and it was a good day.

After class, we enjoyed lunch of grilled steak, broccoli, rice and tortillas.

After lunch, Josue, Manuel, Gaspar and I went up to the office for a few minutes.  We painted the wall to make a white board but it did not work well.  I was really disappointed when the marker would not come off the wall. I was disappointed and sad that I had made a mess.  So, Kemmel told me that we could hang a white board.  It will be large enough for everyone to use it. 

I went back to Lemoa to get Sandra, Maria, Martina and Maury after they finished their clinic.

In the morning, the guys and I will go to Zacualpa.  The church made some radio announcements so I hope that we have a lot of patients!

Diabetic Class in Guatemala City

Sandra and I went to Guatemala City after her clinic on Friday.  We enjoyed dinner with her family.  We had tamales, bread and a peach drink.

On Saturday morning, we began our class with checking everyone's blood sugar.  This is the second class so it is all about diet. Everyone knew to return to class without eating breakfast.  We wanted to be good role models, so we did not eat either.  The blood sugars ranged from 85 - 271.

This is the first part of the class.  It is always hard to get started because counting portions is such a new concept.  Everyone has a bunch of questions so I ask them just to bare with me and in a few minutes they will understand.  And understand, they did!!

We go over the foods first and then we look at specific diets.  This is the first class that anyone had written down what they had eaten the day before!  I was so excited.  We had some great examples! Some were wonderful and some.......well, they gave us room to improve on.  It was great!

Unfortunately, three people had to leave before we took the photo.

We will return in November for the last class of the series. 

Dinner at Santo Tomas

For two days, we have been fortunate to have Harriette, Cynthia and Julie here to interview students for scholarships. I think they had 18 interviews in two days.

We enjoyed dinner tonight at Santo Tomas Hotel.  In the morning they will go to Antigua and meet up with the surgical group that has been in Montellano this week.

So, we had Julie, Josefina, Sandra, Cynthia, Kemmel, Lisa, Ruben, Harriette, Manuel, Martina, Maury, Maria and Josue.

A better view of Kemmel, Lisa, Ruben, Harriette and Manuel. 

We appreciate them for their visit to the highlands.  The scholarships are a blessing to the students.  For most of them, without this support, they would not be able to continue their education. We pray for their safe travels to Antigua and the whole medical team as they return to The States on Saturday morning.

Clinic in Mactzul I and meeting with ABC Families

Today, Tomas, Enrique and I headed to Mactzul I for clinic and a meeting with the families in the ABC Program.  We had a real small clinic and a couple of patients for dental cleaning.  

I thought this sign was interesting in the church building........reminding people to silence or turn off their phones during worship.  It is a great idea but the phone struck me as odd.  In what decade, was the last time that you used a phone like this?  I remember using this style as a child.  OK, now I have made myself feel really, really ancient. 

After clinic, we enjoyed a lunch of steak, rice, tamalitos and peach drink.  We talked about the ABC Program, how it has grown, the classes and education that has been made available and how appreciative the congregation is. They have had the program for two years.  They started with 23 students and now have forty-two.

There were about 45 people present for the meeting.  We wanted to introduce the sex-education to the parents of the ABC Children.  In the past, this would have been a difficult topic and not received very well.  This has changed and now they are welcoming it. 

Tomas and Enrique took turns translating for me and helping answer questions.  Then, we asked the parents what their thoughts were.  One man said that no one had ever talked to him about sex or the changes that were happening to him. He said that when his voice started changing, he thought he was really sick and he was scared! Another man shared that his 8 year-old son came home from school asking about babies being born, since they had been drawing pictures of animals who were going to be giving birth.  He was shocked at his son's questions and he did not know how to answer him.

I explained the importance of the parents being involve in the classes.  If the parents do not know how to talk to their children or do not know the information, the classes are opening the doors for discussion.  Children want to learn.  They have a lot of questions.  If parents are nervous and do not respond well, the child will sense this and hesitate to ask again.  They will go to someone who will give them an answer and it might not be the best information.

So far, all of the communities have welcomed the classes and we are thankful for this.

What is Guatemala coming to??

This morning, Sandra and I headed for the truck and drove to Clinica Caris.  When we arrived patients were waiting and that is always a good site.  We swept the clinic, prepared for the day, prayed with everyone and then began clinic.

We had 19 patients for medical and a few for dental cleaning.  There was a wide variety of patients.

I forgot to tell you about something that happened yesterday, as we drove past this point in the road.

I took a mini-van to Quiche yesterday morning.  As we passed this point, we saw a man with a child over his shoulder and he was standing about 5 feet from this drop off. He was pretending he was going to drop the child off the cliff. It gave me flashbacks of a few years ago, of a pop-star holding his child out a window.  Remember the chaos that was stirred over that incident?  The news reporters went on a frenzy!

What made this incident even worse, was there was a lady was across the street, taking a picture of the man! They thought it was all fun and games..........my thought was,  "What is Guatemala coming to??"