PAP/ IVAA Clinic for Tiquisate Patients

Today, we had a special clinic planned for the ladies of Tiquisate.  This is a community that Dr. Nehemias, Jayro and Karina visit.  Several months ago, they started talking to the ladies in this area about providing a special PAP and IVAA clinic for them.

Usually, our Dra, Nidian is at Ezell on Tuesday and Wednesdays, doing woman's health screens but today did not turn out as expected.  Last night, the communities announced that several large highways would be closed today and that would make travel very hard. The main highway leading out of Xela, where Dra. Nidian lives, would be closed at 0430 and that she would not be able to travel to Montellano.

When I went to the clinic, patients were waiting and there was a lot to do.

Darling screening and preparing the ladies from Tiquisate.

We had a total of 16 from Tiquisate and 31 general medical patients.

Marta and I saw the 31 medical patients, while Darling and her team provided the woman's health services.

We are thrilled to be offering surgical care again but the clinics are filling fast.  The April, June and July surgical weeks are almost filled. 

We look forward to the next team arriving on April 15th, to provide general and gyn surgeries.

More on the Wheelchair Jornada

I want to share a little more with you over the wheelchair team with Faith and Practice.

This morning, the nursing group had our weekly devotional together.  Darling led the devotional and she selected verses from Job for us to read. For those who know the story of Job, know that he suffered issue, after issue and loss, after loss.  He questioned God, and why God allowed him to struggle.

Last week, we were able to help 106 patients by improving their mobility and hopefully, their independence. I am sure that the majority of this population have questioned God.  Why did God allow this accident to happen to me and I will never be able to walk again?  God, would it not have been better for me if I had died and then I would not have been a burden for my family? Lord, what did I do wrong to cause my child to be born like this?

The list of questions will continue until the of this world.  People will continue to wonder why things happen and the majority will never have a sufficient answer that brings peace. This is the reality, of a non-perfect world.

The only peace that we can achieve is through Christ. It is the only way.

Many of the patients left during the week, excited with their walker.

 

Some were very excited with their new wheelchair.

 

 

Some were very inventive on the way they would get it home.

 

Faith in Practice also donated two wheelchairs to the local Red Cross.
 

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If you have read about our collaboration with the Guatemalan Ministry of Agriculture, this area is of great interest.  They are here several times a week, caring for the plants and watering them as needed. 

Recently, they placed the bamboo fence to prevent any damage to the young plants.

It is our faith that keeps us going. Our knowledge that this world is temporary and eventually, our struggles on this earth will pass, gives us hope for the eternity.

Activity After the Eye Surgical Team

Yesterday, I received an email from Dr. Walter.  It was an update on the post-op visits of the patients we saw last week in the surgical eye clinic.

Sixty-one patients were seen and all are doing well. There were no complications, for any of them.

Since I have been working with Health Talents, many have asked me during the years, why Health Talents is better or how do they function differently than other organizations.  

What happened today, is a perfect example that I want to share with you. Before you join a team or donate to an organization, it is good to know their philosophy and how they run with donated funds.

A few months ago a friend shared with me that she had gone with a different organization and she was uncomfortable how the patients were approached. Before they could receive any care, they needed to pray a certain prayer to be treated. She said to me, "A mother will pray any prayer you give her, just to have her child taken care of."

There are times to share the gospel and there are times that first, you you need to care for the patient. Knowing how to share the love of God, is just as important as the message itself.  If a patient is unable to breath or starving, that moment is not the time to quote scripture.

Last week, we were able to help sixty-one patients with their vision.  We made a connection with them, and now, it is time to see if they are open to the gospel. Before surgery, many had difficulties walking. Many could not see more than a few feet.  Many were unable to read due to poor vision.  They all returned for their visit on Friday and then today, several returned to hear more about the Bible.

Baldemar sent this photo to me today. It is a group of people, who have gained trust in Health Talents and then returned to hear more about the Bible.

 

They all have Bible materials to study and an open invitation to return if they have more questions. Our three evangelists will follow up with those wanting to study more.

 

It is all about service and love.

 

The patients want to thank all of the physicians, nurses and caregivers, who made the week possible.  And even more important, let's give thanks to God.  Gracias a Dios.

 

Wheel Chair Clinic With Faith in Practice

We had 120 patients scheduled for the Wheelchair Clinic with Faith in Practice this week.  I still do not have a final count but we did run out of wheelchairs and had to have more delivered today.

There are so many wonderful stories that took place this week. It is impossible to share all of them but I will mention a few to you.

Donna walks a young lady out with her mother and a new walker. What a wonderful opportunity this young lady has, to be more mobile and independent.

 

One mother brought her daughter to clinic last week on her back.  It was a heart-breaking sight and such a demonstration of love, from the mother. Knowing that we were going to have this clinic, a visit was scheduled for this family.

 

 

Once this young girl was placed in a chair she became calm and very content. What a blessing for the mother and her daughter!

 

Rita is always a BIG help when she is around.  She checked everyone in this week and walked patients out, as they were ready to leave.

 

Patients were beyond excited!

 

Another young boy needed special adjustments with the chair.  The tray did not fit right for him so I asked Carlos to help us........and he jumped right on it!

 

 

He made the area some larger for the boy.

 

And we finished with a perfect product!

 

It was a great week and so much was accomplished.

 

We have one more week this year with Faith in Practice. I trust that it will be another week of blessings for the patients and their family.

Wheelchair Clinc With Faith in Practice

Friday morning we said adios to the Eye Surgical Team.  It was the first surgical team that we have had in three years.

On Sunday afternoon, another team arrived, called Faith in Practice.  They provide many types of services, including PAP/ IVAA and Wheelchair clinics.

A huge truck made a delivery of wheelchairs, walkers and canes.

 

Many of you will know Cary, who works in sterilization when we have a surgical clinic. He and one other gentleman assemble the wheelchairs in the dining hall.

 

 

The chair then waits in the new area of the hospital until they have an owner.  The Faith in Practice team has a physician for a consult and a physical therapist for education and to size the equipment.

 

 

It will be an exciting week for many patients. Having a wheelchair will increase their mobility and assist them in being more independent.

 

Last week during the eye clinic, I noticed the flags that Rafael painted at the entrance of the surgical rooms. 

He is doing a great job painting the chair rails in the hospital.

There will be some great stories through the week......so stay tuned.

Ending the First Surgical Clinic in Three Years

Wow........we have waiting for this time to come and it sure went fast. It seemed that the bus arrived with the eye team and as soon as it was unloaded, it was time to pack but up and return to the states. Oscar called me when the bus arrived in Cocales, so we could be ready to meet the bus and the team.  In they drive!!

We had a short time together on Saturday night and then it was time to worship on Sunday morning.  Oscar translated for Kevin, so the team would understand the sermon.

 

Rick was asked to lead some songs in English.

 

 

During the days and evenings, we had surgeries and consults for the next day. We never want to forget the reason that we are here. We provide medical care for patients, that hopefully opens doors so that they will have a closer relationship to Christ. 

We share special times with patients.  For those that are in healthcare, we have opportunities to meet the needs of patients at a very vulnerable time in their life.......I pray that we never lose that insight.

 

Alice shared one night the plan for the following day.

 

 

Donna speaking about the book that Marie wrote, Mud on Your Own Boots.  It is about the history of Health Talents International, which this year completes fifty years in Guatemala.

 

 

Even though it is hot and we work hard, we find some moments to enjoy time together.  Alice, Rita, Marta and me in the recovery area. 

 

 

During the week, the team completed 62 surgeries.

Then on Friday morning, it was time for the team to head to Antigua to spend the day relaxing.  We pray that they have safe travels to Antigua and then to The States.

Even though the surgeries have been completed, there is still more work to do. Next week, these patients will return to have a post-op visit with Dr. Walter.

There is also the cleaning and preparing or the next surgical team on April 15th.

Soon, we will have another team in and a line of waiting patients.  May God continue to bless the patients and the work of Health Talents International.

Dr. Stan and Donna Sizemore

A few months ago, I started contacting some physicians that I thought may be able to help us with some of our mobile clinics.  Dr. Stan and Donna. at one time lived and worked near Xela so I was beyond thrilled when they told me that they would be available to help us for three weeks!

The three weeks have flown by and I have enjoyed spending time with them.  The other day, we went to a restaurant near the clinic and had lunch. It was very pretty and we enjoyed it.

We found a photo op!

 

Thank you for your hard work during these three weeks. They were able to enjoy a slower week in Montellano, the week of the eye surgical clinic and also the week of a wheelchair clinic with Faith in Practice.

Thank you Stan, for traveling with Jose Manuel and Diego to various clinics.  Thank you Donna, for your encouragement.  The landscapers truly enjoyed their time with you, as you worked side-by side, swinging that machete and not perspiring!!

You guys have an open invitation to visit and do clinics with us at any time!

Remembering Our Brother Pedro

On Monday afternoon, we had a baby shower for Evelyn, that works in dental.  What an exciting time it is to celebrate a birth and the addition to a family.  Two days later, we were celebrating the life of our Hermano Pedro.

Many will remember Pedro, who worked at the gate of the clinic for many, many years. He was very active in the church, in his community and a dedicated employee.

 

We cancelled our afternoon devotional so people could go to Chicacao and visit with the family and church.  When we arrived, the procession was in the street and walking for the cemetery. 

 

 

The ambulance led the way for about a thirty minute walk.

 

 

Following the ambulance was the funeral home car, with the casket.

 

 

During this walk, I kept thinking about a post I saw last year called, "We are walking each other home." This walk today, reflects just this.  One day, we will all make this trip.....the one that we are accompanying our brother on today. Today, this phrase had a new meaning to me.  Through my years here in Guatemala, I can not say how many times, I have walked someone home. It is a walk that we all will make.

 

When we arrived at the cemetery, the guys took the casket and carried it the remainder of the way.  Luis, is part of the congregation so he helped with the casket.  Luis is in the front and works with the ABC Program.

Jayro, one of our health promoters, was in the front on the right side.

 

When we arrived, Baldemar shared some thoughts about Pedro and how he was a very humble man. He talked about how Pedro is now at peace and resting.  He encouraged others, that if they did not know Christ, to not wait another day.

 

We do not know what tomorrow will hold, but we must remain faithful......until we make that final walk home.

Deep Cleaning for Eye Clinic

We have started deep cleaning for the Eye Clinic this month. It will be the first surgical clinic in almost three years and we are excited!  A team from Abilene Christian University will arrive on the 11th and we will do surgery from Sunday afternoon to Thursday afternoon.

The beds had accumulated so much dust that the power washer was needed. Kevin uses the power washer but even with that, they needed to be washed by hand.

 

Marta scrubbing to get the multiple layers of dirt off the bed.

 

We had about six people helping with the process. Below is Kevin, Marta, Ada and Luis David.

 

They lined the beds up and pushed them out the door as more room was created.

 

 

Of course, I was out there playing too.

 

 

When the beds were washed, they were set in the sun to dry.

 

In just about a week, we will have patients in these beds.  We are looking forward to the team arriving and being able to surgically serve our patients again.