Another Reason to Join a Trip

There are many reasons why people join a week with us to serve in Montellano, Guatemala.

Maybe it is to see how hot Montellano really is??

Maybe it is to see how hard it can rain in Montellano??

I think it is because people have a heart to serve and want to see what has been happening for these fifty years.

Health Talents focuses on Medical Evangelism. The medical and dental care that we can provide for patients is only the door, by which we can share the gospel with people. We not only focus on the physical well-being of patients but also the spiritual and social aspects.

While I believe that each of us have the responsibility to share the gospel, we have a team of three evangelists.  During the time that there is a not a surgical team with us, they visit people in their homes and also encourage the area congregations.

This is Elmer, Baldemar and Victor in an area called Santiago.  It is near Lake Atitlan.  They have been going to this area for about six months now and have the dream of being able to plant a church here.

 

Baldemar, praying with one of the gentleman in Santiago.

 

 

Elmer, sharing his thoughts from the scripture in a patient's home.

 

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Victor speaking at a special event.

 

 

Baldemar and Elmer visiting in another home.

 

Victor enjoys visiting patients during the surgical clinics.  He goes from bed-to-bed visiting and praying with the patients.  In this case, he shares the Bible before a lady goes into surgery. 

 

When people are sick, they are vulnerable and this is a great time to share something of eternal importance.

 

Not everyone is medical that chooses to come, serve and visit with us.  Let me know what talent that you have and we can discuss how you can be used.  God only needs someone that is willing to go, serve and love..........that someone may be you!

September Already???

 Unbelievable  how the months and jornadas have flown!!  Fast and wild.

We prepared for the surgical trip, as we always do with cleaning, restocking and cleaning again.  The cooks went shopping with Obdulio and purchased the food that they will need for the week. Rigo and William have the hotel/ rooms ready, with all clean laundry.  Milton and Javier have the grounds looking wonderful!

Silvia preparing the ORs.

 

Diego opening and cleaning all of the patient's bedside tables.

 

Jaquelin wiping down all of the trash receptacles.

 

 

The patient recovery area is ready!

 

Darling working on the staffing schedule.

 

 

Ada and Imadeysi restocking the anesthesia room.

 

Luis David, also helping in the anesthesia area.

 

Pascual and Maria prepping OR #3.

 

Sergio, power washes the bathroom shower mats.

 

When everything is in its proper place, we are ready to see patients.  This week, we will have enough patients to run two OR for GYN surgeries and one OR for pediatric urology.  I think that we have enough patients to keep the team busy.

 

As patients are ready to go to the operating room, they are seated in a special area.  Their IV is started, sometimes an antibiotic is given and then the person who will be giving the anesthesia visits.  They review what the surgery will be, discuss allergies if there are any, answer any questions that the patient may have and then they are prayed with.

Here two patients have some time to get to know each other a little before they walk to the operating room.

 

We had several children and babies this week. One small baby needed to have some special care to his lungs after surgery.  Lauren quickly managed the baby and all went well.

 

Susan had her ABC Child visit on Sunday. They were so kind and brought her flowers. The ABC Program assists with children who continue to study in school and also assists the family.
 

 

One patient did need to receive blood in the afternoon of her surgery.  Elmer was in Mazatenango when I called him. He arrived safely, with two units of blood, in fifty minutes.  The blood infusing with a "pressure bag" around it.  

As fast as September arrived. so did Friday morning.  We had our traditional photo before we loaded up the buses and made our way to Antigua.  This group was a wide variety of people who have been coming down.  Several new people were in the group and I hope to see them again, in the near future.

 

Many thanks for everyone's hard work!  It was a great week, many patients were served physically and I also hope that some have a closer relationship with their Lord after the week.  I will let you know how the patients are progressing, after Dr. Walter sees them.