Monday..............it is still HOT in Montellano

On Monday we had a total of 12 patients. Everyone did well and the day ran smoothly.

During the week, some of the visitors will have the opportunity to help with the distribution of ABC supplies. We just received word that there are 720 children now in the ABC program.

This is Katie (OK) and Rosario who have known each other for quite awhile. Katie's father, Mike, was a physician with HTI in Guatemala for several years. I frequently hear his name and positive comments, even though I have not had the opportunity to meet him. Later in the week, Katie was able to visit the area that she and her family had lived in and also visit with some friends of the family.

Marie stayed close to the patients and helped with their needs during the afternoon.

This is Patrick (AL) who entertained this child during the afternoon before his surgery. This was Patrick's first trip down to Guatemala and he will be attending med school in the fall. Good luck, Patrick!

This little boy had hernia surgery and enjoyed coloring as soon as he was able. Someone had drawn him a picture of his purple hippo and he was detailing it.

Sharon (TX) has been to Guatemala may times and always finds something to do to be helpful. She continued to practice her Spanish and prayed with the patients. This lady was the last patient of the day and only spoke K'iche'. Even though Sharon does not speak K'iche', a special bond was formed and this lady will remember Sharon for a long time!

This is Naomi and she lives in Antigua. We needed another nurse for the week so she volunteered to work at the clinic.......and she even worked 2 nights with me. We decided we wanted to be role-models.............this poster even with becomes more interesting when we go to Antigua......you shall see........

We survived the night..........and looked forward to the next one!

Sunday in HOT Montellano

As you can tell, the dates and the days of the week to not correlate. We had very little internet service in HOT Montellano during the week but I will get the blog updated quickly. It was a great week and I want to introduce you to many people.

This is Carlos and Tobey. Carlos works full time for HTI and I always ask him, "Who is walking who?" He admits that Tobey is in charge :)

We walked across the street this morning and worshipped with the local church. Later we migrated to the recovery area to look at the equipment, supplies and the paperwork. As I told everyone, until the operating room starts putting out patients, there will not be a lot to do.......and then it all changes.

This is Sharon (TX) and Andrea (MO). This is Sharon's second time to Guatemala and Andrea's first.

This was our sterilization crew from New York! Steve, his son Adam, and Jesse. This is at least their third trip down and they keep the operating rooms supplied with that they need.

These two new nurses are checking out the equipment. Ashley, is on the left and is from Alabama. This is her first trip down and she will take her boards the first part of July. Sarah, from Kentucky, is making her third trip since last year. She will be taking her boards on

June 3oth! You will do well!

There were seven surgeries on Sunday afternoon and all of the patients did well.

We finished the day with a devotional and thanking God for His mercy and grace.

Please don't give up!

Please stay tuned...........the internet here in HOT Montellano is not cooperating due to the heavy rain. Everyone is well and I will post stories and photos as soon as I am able.

Montellano....did I tell you HOW hot it is here??

My parents drove me to the airport after breakfast and then I returned to Guatemala. I spent
the night in The City and met the group to travel to Montellano.

Marie was the last person out of the airport and on the bus. We were wondering if security had delayed her......but if you notice, they followed her all the way to the bus :) Her she and Gary are making sure everyone is accounted for before we leave the airport.

We arrived in Montellano without any problems............Gracias a Dios. Did I tell you how hot it is in Montellano? Well, if I have not, I should have.

As usual, the Guatemalan staff have everything ready for us and the patients. The dormitories are clean, the recovery area is spotless and the grounds have been groomed. This is a photo of the male side of the recovery area.............the silence before the storm.

We have 42 people on this trip with may first-timers. I am sure they will be in for a great experience. We also have some that have been returning for 18-19 years.

Michael and Josh are from NC and this is their first time. They are pre-med students and are standing in front of the supplies that will be delivered to the ABC children this week. There are 700+ children in the program and many will have the opportunity to help with the distribution this week. Michael has just been accepted at Chicago Medical...........congratulations, Michael!!

This is Alice and her daughter, Merideth. They are from IN and Alice has been involved with Health Talents for many years. Her first trip to Guatemala was in November of 1977 when she visited the Peten and lived there for two years. She is organizing the recovery room schedule for the week..........welcome back, Alice!

It will be a great week with the mix of people we have. Charles will be sharing his thoughts in our evening devotional. We want to thank God that we arrived safely and pray that the patients do well. We may have patients this week that do not have a relationship with Christ so we want to serve them physically but more important, spiritually.

We will worship in the morning with the local congregation and then begin surgery..........stay tuned for an exciting week.

Wednesday in Ft. Myers

On Wednesday we had a full day. We drove over to to Alligator Bay and took an air boat ride through the Everglades. We had a great time. Mo took us out on his air boat with three other passengers from England.

There are many channels through the area and a lot of small islands.

This is one osprey that we saw.

After the ride we stopped and had lunch. Mom had shrimp while dad and I had grouper.

In the evening we went across the street and looked for the manatee and we found more!! This is the one that played with mom.

He came up and wanted to kiss mom as she was petting him! She said he was hairy and more slimy than she thought he would be be.

I had to keep mom from falling in......she was so excited!

I think we will go back again!

Tuesday in Ft. Myers

This morning we drove over to Lover's Key Beach. It was a pretty drive and then you rode a shuttle into the park area. The beach was white sand and the ocean was very calm. Dad used a coconut to pound the umbrellas into the sand. Here are some of our new found friends on the beach.

Later in the day we went to a fish market and bought shrimp and scallops. Dad cooked diner for us and then we went over to the marina to look for manatee.

No, these are not manatee but they were willing to pose.

As we were walking down the docks, dad spotted them. Last year, he and mom saw several so they were hoping that they are still here...........and they are. If you tilt the computer to adjust the lighting you sill see a small baby manatee in front of the mother. Right behind the baby is the head of the third manatee. You can double click the photos to enlarge them.

I am sure we will try to find them again another evening.

A few days in Florida

This morning I left Winston Salem and flew to Florida to spend a few days with my parents. The weekend was very busy seeing and visiting my sponsoring congregation, South Fork Church of Christ. Sally drove me to Charlotte and my parents met me in Miami.

This evening we walked on the beach after dinner.

One of my new friends.

The condos have very pretty gardens.

My parents enjoying their walk.

I will keep you posted.............