Eleven Years in Santa Cruz

Recently, I marked my eleventh year here in Guatemala.  The time has flown quickly and so much has changed. I began worshipping with this congregation in Santa Cruz when I lived only three blocks from here. People have always been very friendly and welcoming. Even though I lived in Santa Cruz for only two years, I continue to return on Sundays.

When I first moved here, the morning worship was very small.  We would have only eight to twelve people.  Now, there are usually fifty people in the morning and the evening service is packed. This morning, there were a few over fifty and a children's class upstairs.

With it being an early morning service, it gives me the advantage to have the rest of the day to prepare for clinic, do laundry, clean and go to market.

It has been a wonderful eleven years!

ABC Children from La Palma and Update on Fearful Wednesday

This morning, we all met in Lemoa to see children from the La Palma area. We had eleven children and their parents come to see us. They all arrived in a small truck.....and I mean a small truck. The back end barely cleared the ground.

Many have asked about the woman who was in labor on Wednesday. I will update you on her in a little.

La Palma is a small community about two hours from Chichi.  We saw eleven students today and they were all doing well.

My parents have sponsored Noe for about 12 years now. This is the first photo of Noe that my parents received.

Now Noe is 14 years old and he is the young man on the left. Next to him is his sister, Alejandra, his mom and then his brother, Domingo.

We wish them the best as they continue their studies.

On Tuesday, I told you about a lady that almost gave birth on our exam table. Manuel drove them home but he left his number with them, in case they needed anything.  About an hour later they called him and asked him to take them to the health department.  We packed Manuel up and we went to be the ambulance service of HTI.  Notice, I sent him!!

Yes, I sent Manuel since I was afraid this lady was going to give birth at any moment!  Especially when she squeezed her midwife's hand during a contraction and weakly screamed, "Help me!"

Today at lunch, I asked Manuel if he had heard anything from the family and he said that he had.  After he had driven them the health department, they were sent to the National Hospital in Santa Cruz and they did a C-Section.  I knew we were close!  Whew!

So reliving the event on Tuesday, everyone started laughing and calling Manuel the ambulance service of HTI.  If you have been around us, you know that we can get kind of goofy and joke around a lot, especially at lunch.  So someone started making ambulance noises and then others started.  People decided that Teresa made the best siren noise so we are going to strap her to the top of the truck the next time and put a red bag over her head as Manuel drives the patient where they need to go!! Not  a dull lunch for sure!

Meet Debora

This morning, I met Manuel at Kemmel's house since we needed to change vehicles with Tomas.  As soon as we looked at the truck........we heavily sighed. The truck had a flat tire.  We changed it in about 15 minutes and then we quickly went our different directions.

Today, we have another baby that needs surgery. Her name is Debora and she is just as sweet as she can be.

I could not get her to smile like Carol did!  In the above photo, she was watching Carol's every move.  She is a doll!

So, Carol will sponsor Debora's surgery in August. The best part is that she will be in Montellano and be able to spend time with Debora and her mom that week. Thank you, Carol!

Tomorrow is another day and another adventure..................keep posted as we will go to Mactzul I tomorrow and on Friday, we will have an ABC Clinic with La Palma.

What Would Cause You More Fear??

Yesterday, we were in Saquilla and we had a good number of patients.  About the third patient that came in for a consult was pregnant.  With her, was her mom, husband and midwife.  We went through the usual consult and then I had her get on the exam bed............she started having contractions!  I asked the midwife if her water had broke and she told me that it had not.  Because of that, and this only being her second child, not her eighth, I thought that we had a little time left.

I asked where they lived and they told me up the mountain.  She had walked all the way down having contractions.

I got really nervous when she grabbed her midwife's hand said, "Help me!" The midwife told her to squeeze her hard and to start blowing.  Now, I could have done that!

So when things got under control again, I told them that Manuel could drive them home but I would rather they go to the hospital or health department.  They did not like that idea but agreed that Manuel could drive them up the mountain.

The next day, we had to take the long way to clinic since this trailer had not been able to make the turn and had blocked the road.  So, it took us an extra 90 minutes to get to clinic. 

With with this blocking the main highway, all of the traffic needs to take the back roads.  We have had a little rain so now we have less dust.  We needed the little rain that we received but with all of the trucks, buses, min vans and motorcycles taking these roads, we now have mud.

I can assure you that the thought of a patient giving birth on our exam table makes me much more nervous that being on these muddy back roads with crazy drivers.

Just to let you know, once that Manuel drove them to the house and returned to clinic, he received a call from the family.  They were now nervous and wanted to go to the health department.  Yes, Manuel drove back up the mountain to pick them up and take them to the health department. I will update you as soon as I hear anything.

Class in Chuchipaca and Fires

This afternoon I met with the ladies from Chuchipaca again to continue our study of Proverbs 31.
We had a good class with some participation and there were about 40 ladies present.

On the way home, there was so much smoke in the air.  We are toward the last months of the dry season, so everything is extremely dry.  We do often have fires as the hot sun penetrates the fields and the smoldering turns into flames.

This photo is not too far from where our clinic is in Lemoa.  We are thankful that no one was hurt or homes destroyed.  We are just extremely dry and need some rain.

We have a busy week ahead of us and I expect that I will have some good stories to share with you.

Meet My New ABC Daughter!

While the Harding PA Students were here, Sierra was able to meet my newest ABC Daughter. I have not had a chance to meet her yet but I will. She lives in Paxot III and her name is Ana Leticia.  I hear that she is an excellent student and I will meet her soon.

Also, our nurse, Ana, saw another child of mine, Rosa.  Ana took a photo and sent it to me.  Rosa is doing well and she lives in Chutzurob. Rosa has really grown since I saw her last.

I am a big supporter of the ABC Program. If you have any questions about the program, let me know.

Last Day with Harding

The week has passed quickly!  Today a group went to Mactzul VI to see ABC Children.  We had fourty students in the clinic, so we stayed rather busy.

Dr. Brian, demonstrating to a student how to take a deep breath during the consult.

Drew, watching as Gary and the students move through the consult. It appears at this moment, they do not need him to translate for them.

Susan and Julie Ann reading with students and showing the the books that are available.

This was a great group of Harding students. We wish them the best in their future studies. Many thanks to Rick, Susan, Julie Ann, Drew, Brian, Joe and Melina for also helping through the week.

 We pray that everyone has safe travels back to the states and that you will return to help again in the future.

Down and Dirty on Wednesday with Harding.

Again, we headed out with the Harding P.A. Students to several areas.  We had two truck loads and nine passengers.  We were loaded as this group headed out to Chuguexa.  We have clinic here twice a month, with a large population of diabetic patients.

We are in the dusty part of the year.  When we jump out of the truck, the dust rises up!  As the dust settles, it actually settles on us.

This Gary and his ABC Daughter Angelica.  Since she lives close to this area, she and her family came to visit Gary today.

Rick has been spending his time reading with students. We are actively trying to find ways to introduce books and reading, where in the past it is not something that is done or valued. Later as young adults try to pass entrance exams into colleges and universities, they struggle due to a lack of reading comprehension.

Rick take a break from reading and provides some balloon entertainment.

We had a busy day with eighteen regular patients and twenty-four ABC Children.

When we were finished, we packed the trucks up and headed back to Chichi to celebrate and morn the loss of Andrea, who is one of our dentists.  We celebrate with her since she will soon be married and it is a happy time for her but we mourn our loss. She has been an asset to the team and we wish her the best!

Everyone gathered upstairs while we celebrated with cake.

Then it came time to also celebrate Andrea's birthday and we did not want to forget the Guatemalan tradition of taking a bite of the cake, as someone helps you from behind.  In this case, Lisa gave the extra push and then ducked the camera!!

Happy Birthday, Andrea.  We wish you the best in the future and Health Talents International will miss you and your service! May God bless you!

Tuesday With Harding PA Students

I headed out with a group of  P.A. Students and Joe, P.A. to Saquilla.  We had a busy day with 17 regular patients and 22 ABC patients.

I remember Joe from several years ago, when he started working in the OR, in Montellano. His daughter, Melina, who is also on this trip studied to be a P.A. and then Joe followed in her foot-steps. This is Joe and Tomas at the beginning of the clinic and as we welcome patients.

The students prepare to take vital signs and see patients.  Holly, looking over a patient chart. Tim and Sierra are to her left, followed by Tomas and Lindsey.  Brenda is running around and keeping us all in line.

 Lindsey talking a blood pressure. 

 Sierra and Holly getting ready for their next patient.

Kemmel bought us some new flavors of drinks but they did not go over well with our promoters.  Aura tastes her first root beer and had a hard time swallowing it. She tried to share with the others but they did not enjoy it either. I heard others did like it so hopefully, it will not be wasted.

When we had a break, we ran across the street to buy some animal crackers. Yes, it is the small things in life that bring us true pleasure.

It was a very good clinic and everyone pitched in and worked hard.

Tomorrow is another day, another road and a lot of dust on our clothing!

How are the Babies Doing????

Today, Hector traveled about two hours with five babies and their families.  Previously, they had cleft lip and palate surgeries with us in Montellano. It is something that we started a few years ago and as to date, we have taken about fifty-one babies.

It was nice to see them today and to be reminded of God's blessings. Babies or adults can have physical illnesses but God has blessed man with the ability to sometimes make changes. Without surgery, these children would have been hid from society and not have been given a chance at life. People have generously donated time, travel and funding to make these changes happen and I am so thankful to every one.

This was Jaime in August 2013 before his lip and palate repair. His surgery was sponsored by Danny from Morganton.

 This is Jaime now, at six years old!! What a handsome young boy!

Another child that visited us today was Jose Luis. When we first met Jose, his mother felt he was sick and underweight since he had seen a dog when he was only three days old. 

This is Jose today, at six years old.  What a change and difference!  Thank you Don and Jessie, who sponsored his palate surgery.

Today, we also saw Carlos Enrique.  When we met him, he was only five months old.

Today, Carlos is five years old and doing great!  His mother continues to be very thankful!

Danny also sponsored Carlos' surgery.

Then we also had Randy Edilson, who was eleven months when he had his lip repaired.

 Now, Randy is five years old and doing well.

Then the last child that we saw was Eleazor. Here he is at seven months old.

 Eleazor now is four years old and dong very well. He is very out going and playful!

I was pleased with how well each child has grown and how well they are doing. They seem very content and did not cry or scream when I examined them.

Many thanks for those that donate their time and travel with the surgical teams. Also, many thinks to those who support the surgeries. A child and their family will always remember the love and support that you have shown!  And as always, to God be the glory!

First Day With Harding in Lemoa

We divided up this morning into groups and went our seperate ways.  I went to Lemoa with Gary, Drew, Lindsey, Jalyn and a few of our staff.  We had a busy day with thirty patients.

I had five babies come to clinic today that had previously had lip and palate surgeries.  I will do a seperate blog to show where they were five to six years ago and where they are now.  It is so very exciting!

After clinic, we cleaned, reorganized and loaded the trucks.  We stopped for a brief photo.  So, Drew is on the left and he translates for us.  Then we have Lindsey, who is a pre P.A. Student and Jalyn who is in her first year of the P.A. program.  Then, the infamous Gary Hill, P.A. who keeps the students on track.  He has them well prepared every year and they do not disappoint!

We will head back to the hotel for dinner and a devotion and then prepare for tomorrow........for who knows where it may lead????  I will keep you posted.

Changing Gears.....NC to Guatemala

Well, it is time to return to Guatemala after being in the states a few weeks.  My time here has been good and I have been able to visit a few places.

I spent time with South Fork Church of Christ and the Morganton Church of Christ.  I was also able to visit with the Marion congregation and the Pine Vally congregation in Wilmington.  Phil is now preaching there and they were very welcoming to my mom and me.  It was my first time in Wilmington and I would like to return.

Mom and I ate at Cracker Barrel both mornings and had delicious pancakes.  I love this photo of my mom!

Dad spoke at the South Fork gathering on Sunday afternoon. There was a good number of people present and I always enjoy my day with them.  They are planning on visiting us in August and I look forward to that! This is a distant shot but this is dad, speaking about the ABC Program and how beneficial it is for the children in Guatemala.

Jody from Texas surprised me by being there.  I think that she and my mom planned it and kept me in the dark.

I am disappointed that I do not have more photos. I did not take my camera due to weight and luggage. I will have to do better next time.

Mom, Dad and I out for dinner one night with some friends from Morganton.

Ok, it is back to Guatemala!!  The Harding University P.A. Program will be with us for a week and that will be good.  They are always prepared and do well.

I will keep you posted!