Clinic in Mactzul II

We met at the hotel for breakfast again and then headed to our different locations. One group went to Paxot II and we went to Mactzul II.

When we arrived in Mactzul II, I started looking for our supplies to evaluate the school children and then I realized it was back at the hotel.................I had a few supplies in my backpack and we managed to pull together enough things to make it through the day. Kemmel told me that Josefina had quite a few patients so once the children were being seen, I went down to help Josefina.

It was a busy day with 70 medical patients, 78 dental patients and 8 patients for dental cleaning.

We had several members of the local church helping us. These men are looking for previous charts on patients who returned today.

I was not able to get out and take photos so Somer helped me with today's photos. Thanks, Somer!

This is Brad, our pharmacist-chaplain. By day he is a pharmacist and in the evening, he serves as our chaplain. This is Brad's first time here but I think he will return!
Josefina consulting with a family.

This is Steve, our physical therapist and Somer, his daughter. It is their second time visiting!

This was the group for the bus ride home. We took two ladies back with us that helped prepare the wonderful meal that we had.

Between the two clinics, about 300 patients were seen. We pray that something was said or done that will cause the patients to think about their spiritual well-being.

As always, we are thankul for our safe travels.............everyone is home or in the hotel and safe.

Tommorrow.................as always, another adventure!!

Three clinics in one day!!

We all met at the hotel this morning for breakfast and then traveled in three different directions. Lisa took one group to Clinica Carris in Lemoa, Josefina took another group to Xatinab and we took a group to the school in Sepela.

We screened 150 children today and several will return to Clinica Carris for more follow-up.
We measured, weighed, evaluated vision and asked basic health questions of the children.

While we were screening the children for health issues another group was doing some lessons on respect. They did some of these lessons last year in the schools and there was a positive response from the communities.

Of course, there is always some time for playing and entertainment.

Students showing off their freshly polished fingers nails.

The children enjoyed playing ball and running around the school.


After the clinic, the teachers and the students thanked us for the work. The teachers are interested in and have asked for some lessons in basic health. They want to have a better understanding of when they need to refer a child to the clinic in Lemoa. This is a great opportunity for us and we pray it will continue to open more doors for education within the community.

Steve, who is a physical therapst, made a home visit today to a gentleman that is not able to walk. He taught him some exercises that the man can do that might help him regain some of his mobility. Kemmel said that we will have the opportunity to continue to visit and encourage this patient.

Lisa did see the child with the seizures. She gave them direction on how they can go about getting some neurological exams that need to be done.

For more of the same events but from a different perspective, remember Kemmel and Lisa's blog at www.Kemmelandlisa.blogspot.com

Tomorrow will be another day...........another adventure..........stay tuned!

Let the jornada begin!!

I helped Kemmel this afternoon take a couple of truck loads to the hotel and then we waited for the group to arrive. When they arrived, we were all waiting for them. It was good to see many people return and to also have several new faces with them.

Dentist Jim, brought me a Diet Dr. Pepper!! He is from Texas and has been visiting Guatemala for several years. He reads my blog and has seen how mom and dad meet me at the airport with one..........so he surprised me! Thank you, Dr. Jim!!

This is John and Nancy from Alabama. They also have been involved with Health Talents for many years. They just finished studying some Spanish in Antigua and then resting at Lake Atitlan.

This is Sandy and Lydia from Texas. Sandy made her first trip with Health Talents 4 years ago. She then returned home and studied Spanish.......and now she translates for us. Since then, she has recruited her family and also her sister's family!

It will be a busy three days of clinic. Tomorrow we will be in Clinica Carris, Xatinab and also in the Sepela School, screening students. Tomorrow, I hope one mother brings her baby to see Lisa in Clinica Carris. His name is Oscar, he is 11 months old and has seizures. I am hoping we can do something to help him.

Please pray for our clinics tomorrow and that we have safe travels. Rick asked the group tonight to be open and aware of events that take place during the next few days. We are the instruments of God, having the opportunity to reach out and minister to those who have needs...............it is an awesome responsibility and privilege.

Clinic in Chucam

Tomas picked me up for clinic and then we drove to meet Manuel. We had clinic in Chucam, which is not too far from Chichi. Martina's dad, Miguel, helps with the clinic there.

We only had 4 medical patients and one patient for dental cleaning. There was a community meeting and celebration over their water project. There were some children in the school during the early morning and then they all were able to leave for the festivities. This decoration was in the school area.

Later, water trickled down the statue under the pine needles. You should have seen the excitement because of running water! Some things can really make you just stop and think. When you see people excited because water is running and they talk about what a blessing it is..........their life is changed. Now they will not have to carry water for cooking and now they will not have to carry their laundry to the river!! It is something to be celebrated!

These are the bathrooms behind the school.......one stall is for teachers, one for the little girls and one for the little boys.

We have a group arriving tomorrow afternoon and Kemmel has us ready. We pray that they have a safe flight tomorrow morning and safe travels from Guatemala City. We have two clinics scheduled for each day and two of those days we will be in the school system again. It is an exciting time with many opportunities.

Happy 4th of July!!

CELEBRATE AMERICA !!!

We began our day at Lemoa with an educational day for our guys. Lisa and I presented classes on diarrhea and dehydration.

Lisa began the day with asking the guys what diarrhea was and it was not the easiest question for them to answer. They did very well.....learning a lot and asking good questions. The materials that we used are using are from the CHE seminars that we have attended. It is based on class participation and learning through role playing and dramas. It will prepare them to eventually provide more education in their communities.

Here I am showing how two flowers that have received the same care are so different when one has suffered from dehydration. Lisa made a oral rehydration solution and then we were able to taste it. The CHE materials are very basic and something that the promoters can continue to teach in their communities.

While we were having our class, Kemmel was taking care of other things that needed to be done. He started cutting the grass with the weed-eater. Later he worked on the auto-clave........while he was making sure the washing machine was being repaired...............

Gaspar wanted to try using the new toy.

Then Juan got his turn.

Lisa and Kemmel invited me over for dinner and it was wonderful!! We had BBQ, biscuits, potato salad, vegetables and rice crispy treats! That is an ALL-AMERICAN MEAL!

It was a good day............we need to be very thankful for what we have and not to take things for granted. It is easy to fall in the trap of wanting more and expecting more each day. We are not promised tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come. Let us be thankful for today.

Happy 4th of July!

Lisa reminded me that tomorrow is the 4th of July! The last couple of days have been busy. We had clinic on Thursday in Lemoa with 22 medical patients, 20 dental patients and 2 for dental cleaning. Today we were in the clinic working on educational material. We have started preparing for the team that will arrive on Wednesday. Many of them have been here before and I know they are looking forward to their visit as we also are.

Tomorrow we have an educational day with our team.............I will post some photos.

Have a Happy 4th of July.........eat lots of hot dogs and apple pie.........that sounds festive :)

Fourth Clinic in Xepol

Today was our fourth clinic in Xepol. It takes almost 2 hours to get there and it not far from the highway. The road off the highway could be dangerous in heavy rain but Gaspar received a call yesterday saying we should not have any problem.

We had a good clinic of 14 patients. No one wanted their teeth cleaned but we hope that as we continue to talk about dental hygiene they will understand the importance of it.

These are children that live near by and are family members of Tomas, the gentleman that helps us. Tom translated K'iche' for me and he did a great job!

Before the patients started arriving, we took more photos. The children helped us set up clinic and when it was time to return everything to the truck, they all pitched in again.

This mother came today for a consult. Hopefully we will see her again and she will be feeling better.

I was kneeling over a young child listening to his heart and lungs and he was not happy at all with the process. He was screaming and crying and I just wanted to make sure I listened well.......and then I felt a little dampness on my knee........yes, he was peeing on me.

One lady has an ultrasound that she forgot to bring today. I asked her to please bring it the next time we have clinic. One family was covered in scabies so I hope that family is better when we return. One little child had been severely burned on her feet by boiling water two months ago. I was please when I looked that it was healing so well. One child was covered with sores due to poor hygiene. This is a very poor area so I am hoping that as we continue with the clinics, we will see improvement in the general health.

Even though the area is poor by material standards, they are rich in spirit. When we began clinic this morning, they prayed with emotion that is difficult to describe. I know that God will hear their prayers and He will answer them.