Last clinic of the Year in Mactzul I

Today, we had our last clinic in Mactzul I for the year. I picked up Martina and we met Enrique, Tomas and Aura at clinic.  we set up and started seeing patients.

Byron and his mom came to see us today...........Byron is growing fast and doing well.

Dental won the competition with more patients than Medical............but that is just ONE clinic.  I will spring back!

After clinic, Aura wanted to practice driving.  When we use to have English classes in Pacaja, we would go out driving some...............so I was excited that she wanted to continue today. 

Aura likes first and second gears..................but we will graduate!  She never stalled out the truck and this is improvement!  I told Martina that when we return from our Christmas break, she also needs to learn!  She was open to it!

Tomorrow, we have clinic in Chuchipaca. There are a lot of activities going on, so I will leave an hour earlier just to assure that I can get out of Chichi. Lisa and Kemmel will travel to the capital and then fly out on Sunday. We will all scatter in different directions but start the clinics up on January 3, 2019.

ABC Celebration in Chuchipaca

One way that we know the year is coming to an end, is the ABC Celebrations.  Each community now had their own celebration and often invite different communities to join in for the day.  Today, they announced that over 300 people were present.

Cesar began the program and welcomed everyone. He works very hard with the ABC Program and it has come a long way from when it first was started.

Noe spoke for about twenty-five minutes on the responsibility of the parents, when it comes to spirituality.  He did a really good job with the topic.  Noe is our physical therapist and he rotates his schedule between Chichi and Montellano.

This is Rosa and she is Sally's ABC Child.  Rosa is in the 4th grade and still deciding what she would like to do. Her parents told me that her grades are good and they asked me to thank Sally for sponsoring their daughter.  Thank you, Sally!

One photo just to prove that I was in Chuchipaca.  I promise that Rosa was smiling before we took the photo.

Tomorrow, we will have clinic in Lemoa. Last Thursday, there were about fifty patients so I believe that tomorrow will be the same.

New Clinic in Saquilla

Last Tuesday, we moved our clinic in Saquilla to another location.  It is a little closer to Chichicastenango but still is a great spot to attract many patients.  So, we took down the sign from the other spot and hung it here.

As I was putting the exam table up, I noticed that a couple of pieces had fallen out.  I walked across the street to a hardware store and explained what I needed. He gave me a couple of pieces to try and one was perfect!  When I asked for two of them and the price, he told me to forget it.  I told him that I did not want him to lose money and he told me it was for a good cause!   Now, I know that he did not lose a lot of money on these two parts but it is the principle and his kindness.  I can not see this scenario happening in a hardware store in the states. I really appreciate his help and so does our patients.

Our first day in the clinic, I only had three patients.  Today, I had fifteen.  I hope that this clinic continues to grow and do well. I had one pregnant lady, several diabetics, some with general aches and pains and one child with epilepsy.

Last week, I had a young girl who has problems with her nerves.  She was very jumpy and could not sleep. When I asked her mom what she thought about her daughter, she replied, "I think she has an evil spirit."  When the mother told me this, I spoke to the young girl and tried to reassure her that this was not the case. I was hoping that she would return today but she did not.....maybe I will see her again next week.

This was my view during they day from the consult room.  Very, very pretty...............looking like a Carolina Blue afternoon!

When we finished clinic, I stopped an had dinner with Carol.  We are getting ready to wind down activities for the years.............almost time to head to North Carolina.

Tomorrow, I will be in Chuchipaca for an ABC program. It will be good to see many that I know and see how they are finishing out the year.  Hope to get some good photos.

New Clinic Location in Saquilla

Yesterday, we had clinic in Saquilla.  We have found a few house to have it in and I believe it will just take a few weeks to get our numbers back.  Last week, I only had three medical patients and yesterday, I had fifteen.

This is our new spot and I like it.  It is quiet and a little closer to Chichi. As you can see, we have hung our sign and will be here every Tuesday.

Last week as I was putting the exam table up, I realized that two pieces of the bed were missing. I always dread the thought of a patient laying down on the table, especially a pregnant lady, and the bed collapsing. So, I ran across the street to the hardware store to see if I could find something that would work.  I did and the guy did not charge me for them!  He said that it was going to go for a good cause and just to take them.  How very nice of him!

This is the view from the consult room.................pretty peaceful!  I think that I like it!

I was hoping that one young girl would return but she did not. She claimed that she is nervous and jumps at every noise that is around her. We talked for several minutes and then I asked the mom, what did she thinks. She told me that her daughter has an evil spirit.  I listened to the mother for awhile and then reassured them that I do not think this is the case. I invited her to come back and talk some more so we will see if she does.

I good clinic and a good day.  Tomorrow, we have an activity in Chuchipaca..........it .should be a very good day!

My First Eye Clinic and View of Fuego

Even though I have been associated with Health Talents for almost twelve years, November was my first surgical eye clinic. This week was done somewhat differently than other surgical weeks but the outcomes were the same.  People had come to the clinic, in search for answers and hope..............seventy-two patients had surgery and left better than when they first entered the clinic.  What a great week it was!

Eye exams were done in the entrance of the clinic and then patients were taken to their bed to wait for their surgery.  Sunday after worship, we went from bed-to-bed and visited with each patient and then prayed with them.

The morning after surgery, the physicians made rounds with all of their patients.  Eye dressings were removed and the patients were able to see.

They were instructed on post-op care and when to return for their post-op visit with Dr. Walter.

A group of us served in different capacities. Rita admitted and placed all of the patients in their beds.  Several volunteered to administer eye drops before the surgery. Some prepared meds to be administered before surgery in the block-room. Some cared for the patients post-op until discharge.  Everyone had a role in the patient care.

Tim served as our chaplain through the week. He talked about our one mission, one goal and one purpose as Christians.

We never want to forget those who keep the instruments sterilized....................even if they are a little wacky!

On Thursday, after we finished the surgeries, some people were able to go to the chocolate farm to enjoy the afternoon. The weather was great and they all came back a little tired from their adventure.

On Friday morning, we headed to Antigua for the day.  We drove through an area that had just reopened after the June eruption of Volcano Fuego.  You can see it continue to puff in the distance and there is still some pink lava flowing.  Thousands of people were killed and hundreds of homes were destroyed this day.

The sad part is that it has not finished.  Under all of this ash, remain bodies that will never be recovered and homes that are forever buried.

You can see in this photo the depth of the lava flow.

There were many flowers and crosses on the side of the road to remember those who were lost.

We continued our way to Antigua but during this section of road, the bus was very quiet........except you could hear a few tears being shed.

Thank you, Dr. Haller for 50 Clinical Trips to Guatemala

A small group came to join us a couple of weeks ago, to do a few days of medical and dental clinics. This trip would be special in many ways but mainly, it would be Dr. Haller's 50th trip to Guatemala.  His wife, Barbara, often accompanies him but was not able to make it this trip.  Barbara's last trip was her 25th trip to Guatemala.

I was only able to have one day in clinic with the group and that was a disappointment but we made the best of the day!  We loaded up three trucks and headed to Mactzul 5 for an ABC Clinic.  While we were seeing an ABC family, the mom gave her baby to Debra to hold as she sat with her other children.

Julie was able to see one of her ABC Children, Galindo.  He is doing very well is school and enjoys studying.

Julie works as Dr. Haller's assistant when Barbara is not able to be here with us.  They love to cut up and joke around.

That evening at our devotional, Julie wanted to present Dr. Haller a gift that she had made.  She had taken several of the Health Talent T-shirts that she has collected over the years and made a blanket for him, to honor his 50th trip.  His first trip was in 1990 with the Abilene University group

Dr. Haller is a true servent and we have been very blessed to have him working with us over the years

Colossians 3:23, 24-----Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.  You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward.  It is the Lord Messiah whom you are serving.  (ISV)

Dr. Haller's years of service reflects this verse by the way he always treats his patients.

Lisa watching as the blanket is pulled out.

Marcos and Tania were able to join us for dinner.  Marcos was a scholorship student and worked with us a few years.  He now has his dental practice in Quiche but continues to serve with us when we have groups.

It was a small team that came but it made it very personal

Thank you, Dr. Haller for your years of service, for touching many people over the years and for being an example of Jesus.  We will look forward to trip number fifty-one!

A Huehuetenango Get Away

A few weeks ago, six of us were able to go and visit Huehuetenango.  It is about 2 hours from Chichicastenango so it was not a bad drive. We got a small house on airbnb!  Andrea found a great deal for us and we all had a wonderful time

When we arrived, we ate dinner at a great place......and we had grilled lamb.  I would love to return to Huehue, even if it was for only that.

Josias, Andrea's brother, Andrea and Maria getting ready for some stiff competition!

We left the next morning at 0500 to watch the sunrise at Mirador Juan Dieguez Olaverri.  It has an elevation of 10,100 feet above sea level so the view was awesome.

We walked to the other side and saw a totally different view.

So this is Maria, Andrea, Edward and fernando.

We had stopped at the Despensa the night beforee we went up just to get a few things.  I bought some potato chips, to take up with us. I always thik of my dad when we have this bag of chips.

Maria and I waiting patiently for the sun to come up!

And there it is!  The first sight of it...................

We then loaded up to go have breakfast......and then to be on another adventure.  We drove a couple of hours to walk to the Magdalena Lake.  The terrain was beautiful and we were met by a herd of cows and sheep.  The sheep really caught my attention since this will be my next job in life. I just need to get a hat, as this lady wore.

These were my favorite photos of the day!

When we neared the lake, there were clean streams.

This gentleman collected our admission fee as he continued his work.

The terrain was very hilly and rocky.

The lake Magdalena.

The next day we went to see some ruins.  They were small but interesting.

They have been maintained and there were not a lot of people there.

Maria thought she could fly......and I bet she could!

We had a really good time.  Huehue is much cooler than Chichi is so I am thankful that I live in here.