Serving Hearts

Today we had clinic in Chuguexa. Manuel picked me up and then we stopped to get Teresa. When we arrived at the clinic, there were not as many people as ususal, so we could tell it was going to be a lighter day.

We had a large group of diabetics and also some new patients.

One lady brought in a small baby, 4 months old and Manuel took care of the baby during the consult.

I just want to brag a little about the people that I work with.  I have never worked with a group of people with such serving hearts.  They are willing to do anything that is needed to get through the day, do not complain and even take an extra step.  They know that Kemmel will work with them on their schedule so they fill-in for each other as needed and take on a lot of responsibility.

When we are at Montellano, the surgical clinic, we pray for each patient by name at the end of the day.  I do not think that the patients know it but it is something that is important to us.  People come together from many states, quickly start working together and we see great results at the end of the week.

Please pray for the team that I work with daily................each has a family, at times there is illness or something troublesome so I know that they would really appreciate your thought and prayers.

Kemmel, Lisa, Maury, Cesar, Gaspar, Anna, Manuel, Teresa, Enrique, Tomas, Aura, Martina, Andrea, Maria and Noe..........

Thank you!

Music to My Ears

Yesterday, we had clinic in Lemoa and have thirty patients.  The day moved along quickly and it was 2 pm before I realized it.

There are certain things that patients say that just always stick in my mind.........they are music to my ears.

One patient, Miguel came to the clinic last week and he is a new diabetic.  His blood sugar was 542 and he has severe allergies.  Today he looked so much better and his blood sugar was about 130.  I was so excited about the progress that he has made.

He had a lot of questions and has a lot of personal problems so we talked for awhile. He told me that he wants to change his life.  He said, ´´I want to know how to become a Christian.´´ I quickly got him a Bible with larger print, since his vision has been affected by the diabetes.

When we finished talking, I introduced him to Gaspar.  Gaspar spent a lot of time with him too and then notified people in the Chichi congregation.  They already have a date selected to study the Bible together. 

It reminded me of Manuel a few years ago that said, ´´I want to know more about the Church of Christ.´´ and then was baptized a few weeks later in Lake Atitlan.

The members at Chichi will teach Manuel and Peter taught the group in Acts, chapter 2.  Then as even Christ, Miguel may be baptized.

Luke 3, verse 21 and 22.......When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven, ¨You are my Son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.´´

We will wait to see what happens but I think that soon, we will have another soul added to The Church.

Back in Guatemala and Rolling

I have taken a break from blogging and it is time to resume. Lisa and Kemmel have inspired me to continue, therefore I shall.

Part of the break was due to returning to NC to have surgery for my trigeminal neuralgia. Dr. Branch, at Baptist Medical Center prepared everything before the surgery so I was ready to go when I arrived.. The surgery was a success and so far, I have been pain-free without any medicine. When I left my last surgical consult, I was told that I have 80% chance of remaining pain-free for life. I am thankful beyond words and now I am ready to begin working at whatever I can do to strengthen the ministry.

One reason that I think the blog is important is to assure to those who donate, that the work of the church continues. We are in the communities six days a week doing clinics and providing other services. The surgical clinics in Montellano continue on a monthly basis and the patients are very thankful for this option.

Yesterday, Manuel, Petronila and I went to Chuchipaca. This is usually Lisa's clinic but she and Kemmel had a special program to attend so I went. We had a great group of thirty-seven patients. Even with this being a weekly clinic, the number of patients continue to grow.

We were very sad to hear that Antonio, a patient that we have known for several years died 1-2 months ago. He was a severe diabetic with bilateral cataracts for for a very long time was unable to walk without the assistance of his wife. He learned how to control his diabetes and had both cataracts removed. This is Anotonio and his wife before his surgery in November 2014.

When Lisa saw Antonio in the clinic the last time, he was in severe kidney failure.  Please remember his wife during this time of her loss.

Life is jumping and it is good to be back in the flow.  We will have Oklahoma Christian University visiting soon, with Susan and Dave leading that team. The MET program will follow that with students spending about seven months here in Guatemala to see if they are interested in missions. I will be in Montellano in August with the babies that need surgery and then again in September.

Please remember us in your prayers and the patients whom we serve.