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!