Clinic in El Reugio, El Salvador

This morning things were a little hurried but everything was accomplished. We went to two different places for clinic. The group I was with, went to El Refugio and we had clinic in a home where they also have their worship service.

Rick and Gaspar are setting up the pharmacy area.

Our group was small but we functioned well. Rick and Gaspar took care of the medicine. Raquel took admitted the patients as they arrived. Dr Jenny and I saw patients and helped with labs or other things that needed to be done.

The other group was about 10-15 minutes away so if we had patients that specifically needed a dermatologist, Rick drove them in the van to see Dr. Allen.

Raquel seeing some more patients when they arrived.

The people were just hanging around for the fun. I think it was their home or the home of family.

This guy had this t-shirt on and I love it!

I did not get many photos today. I was just busy doing other things and that is ok. Our clinic saw 36 patients! We stayed busy and I think everyone enjoyed it.

After clinic, we drove to San Salvador. We had a wonderful dinner together and then it was time to go to our rooms. The group returning to the states has a very, very early flight. Gaspar and I have a shuttle to meet our bus at 0600. It has been a great trip and I think that Gaspar has also enjoyed it. But when it is time to get back, it is time to get back.

Monday clinic in Turin, El Salvador

Every day is so different and yet there are some things that do not change. God does not change and we have that promise from Him. We should want to continue to serve Him.......and remember that one day, we will be with Him.

After breakfast, we drove to Turin and set up clinic. Marlene checks in the first patient.

This is the pharmacy area. Cecilia, Conrad and Gaspar mostly worked in the pharmacy. The others came and helped as time allowed.

This is a group shot in the clinic area.

Rebecca and Jennifer checking the blood pressure on one patient.

Racquel checking the pulse on another patient that is being checked in for a consult.

Awwwwww.............that is all that can be said..............awwwwwww.................

Charles making a glove into a balloon after a consult as Roger continues to talk to the mother.

Dr. Darrah and Stephanie listen to a patients concern.

Dr. Jenny talks with a patient. I really enjoyed working with Jenny. She is a medical examiner and shared some of her experiences.

Charles looks though his bag of toys as it looks like Roger is going slap him up for taking so long :)
I think this was the sweetest patient of the day.

She did not even fuss or cry during her consult. I had the opportunity to help Dr. Charles.

After the consult, Walter prayed with the patient. It is important to get the members of the congregations involved.

Today we saw 61patients!

One patient that was special was a lady that Dr. Allen saw. She needs a ultrasound and was tearful when we talked about it. We talked to a gentleman from the congregation and he offered to visit her tomorrow and take her for the exam.

It was a good day but it was also a hot day. When we returned to the hotel, I thought about visiting Mr. Doughnut again. The other day Adrian, Marlene and I did and I enjoyed it. But once we got to the hotel, we decided it was too close to dinner.

Tomorrow is the last clinic! I was thinking that we still had one more day but I was wrong. In the morning, we will pack everything into the trucks, split into two groups and do two clinics. After the clinics, we will regroup and drive to San Salvador.

We had our final devotional together. Roger offered us a few things to think about. We continue to remember Jose, who needs eye surgery. We are thankful that Roger's mom and Charle's wife are doing better. We will also continue to pray for the work in El Salvador and that the church will continue to grow.

Please continue to pray for the patients and for us as we travel.

Sunday in Santa Ana, El Salvador

We had breakfast this morning before worshiping with the local congregation. It was a very uplifting time together. The congregation was very appreciative of our visiting. After the sermon, Adrian spoke for a few minutes about Health Talents and the work that it does. Health Talents wants to help the ministry of the local churches.

For lunch we all went to Pizza Hut and I think there was 29 of us in our group........you can always gain more people when you mention food. That is international!

Rick wanted Gaspar and Walter, the minister, to have the opportunity to talk more. I asked Gaspar if he would talk to Walter about how HTI has helped their ministry in Xepocol and he was excited to do that.

We went back to the hotel for part of the afternoon and then went to the mall to buy things we would need for the clinic tomorrow. Some of us bought other things as ice cream from Sarita's McFlurries from McDonalds and a phone from TIGO. So the question is, who do you think bought the Sarita's mango ice cream?

When we returned there was a short time to relax so we went by the pool with Raquel and Jennifer..........and their little friend. This grasshopper was huge!

I asked Raquel and Jennifer to swim out to the Mayan so I could get their photo but they kept telling they would later.............yeah, right!

Having the restaurant at the hotel is a great resource. It is convenient and the food was ok.....................but the wait was sometimes seemed a little longer than necessary. On Sunday night people were bored and giggly. I think Gaspar was extremely bored and started folding his napkin in the styles on different tables.

Other people started following suit for entertainment............Marlene and her captain cap.

Jennifer used the sugar packets for this creature's eyes.

Roger, knocked his over, punched it and then claimed it was a dead dog. If we would have had some ketchup, we could have added some color :)

Gaspar started this so we have him to blame. Conrad, in the background did not want any part of this nonsense :)

We had a short devotional time together. We prayed for all of the patients that we have seen and remembered Jorge Alberto from yesterday that needs cataract surgery.

We will be up ready in the morning and will visit Turin, I think.

Clinic in Grecia, El Salvador

This morning we had a quick breakfast together together and then drove out to clinic.

As we were waiting for everyone, I grabbed a few photos.

This is Marlene and Adrian who are the connections here in El Salvador. They are really nice and are wanting to help the people with medical needs but also with connecting with the local congregations to help them with their ministries.

Here, Marlene is standing with Raquel and Jennifer. Raquel is a nursing student and Jennifer is a medical student. They will be working with us this week in the clinics.

Gaspar found a place to sit in front of the Hotel Tolteka.

We drove for about 20 minutes until we came to a community called Grecia. We had clinic in a house with a garage. They were a very welcoming family that allowed us to totally redecorate their garage and living area outside of the house.

We set set up tables for a registration area, four consult areas, pharmacy and a area for prayer after the patients were finished with everything. It always takes a while to get organized and set up........but once it is done, the flow begins!!

We were able to get a few ore photos before the patients arrived.

Rebecca found a friend and she was very friendly! She posed for several photos!

Marlene and Rebecca wait for patients to arrive.

Allen checking out his camera before his patients arrive. Does he looked confused??

The patients arrive but it is a slow process.

Dr. Darrah and his translator sit and chat between patients.

Dr. Alan and Rick discussing important issues.

Several people participated in praying with the patients after the consult. Here, Jennifer prays with a patient before she leaves the clinic.

Dr. Charles sees a patient and Roger translates for him.

Rick, continues to discuss important issues with Roger.

Dr. Charles and Roger with a different patient.

We saw 36 patients for the day.

One patient was an older gentleman that has very poor vision due to cataracts. We gave him the information to go to Clinica Ezull during the July trip. We hope that he will go and get the help that he needs. We realize how far the clinic is for him but also understand the benefit of the surgery.

I had the opportunity to try a new fruit today. It is called pitajaya. It is very bright red inside the shell. The red color will stain anything in touches....fingers, lips, teeth.......anything. It was sweet and good. Jennifer, Randy and Raquel show you their pitajaya.

It was a good day. It was good to get back to the hotel and shower after dinner. Tomorrow we will worship with the local congregations.

We have arrived in El Salvador!

Kemmel drove Gaspar and I to Guatemala City this morning and we jumped on a bus to El Salvador.

It was a little over 3 hours drive but it went quikly. When we arrived at the border, they collected our passports and we waited on the bus. I was not excited about being separated from my passport but there was nothing I could do about it. When they returned with it, they had quite a few questions for me and I was not sure why. Apparently, I passed and they let me through. I hope that I do not have any problems returning into Guatemala.

When we arrived in Santa Ana, El Salvador, Gaspar and I jumped off the bus and reclaimed our luggage. I was not exactly sure how we were going to get to Santa Ana once we were off the bus so I had been praying about it.

They let us off at a gas station that appeared to be very quiet. There was not a lot of action going on. On the side of the gas station was one taxi, just one, just sitting there and the driver was reading a book. I thought....that is our answer! So this fine taxi driver drove us to Hotel Tolteka.

We met the group at the hotel and everything is going great! We will leave early in the morning for our first clinic. Please pray for us as we serve. I will be posting lots of photos and attempt to keep you informed.

Clinic in Mactzul I

Today is Mother's Day here in Guatemala and celebration started early!

The celebration woke me at 0430! First, the firecrackers went off, then the chickens squawked and the cows mooed! Then there was singing from the microphones and the dogs howled!! Then the process was repeated.............firecrackers, chickens, cows, singing and then the dogs! This cycle went on forever!! Then it was time to get up and start the day.

The guys and I had clinic in Mactzul I. Because of all the celebration, we did not think we would have many patients but we did end up with seven.

The big news is that Mactzul I is adding on to their cooking area. They asked me to take photos so I will share them with you.

This man sifts, one box at a time, the sand from the stones. The stones are placed in the brown bags and the sand is mixed with other stuff to cover the sides of the building.

This guy is mixing the sand, white powder stuff and water by hand. They do not have many mixers here.

Here, they have covered the sides of the building with this cement stuff. I know, I do not know the technical names but I am sure you are getting the idea.

Behind the building, the guys are working hard.

This is inside on one side of the building.

So anyway, that is the exciting news of Mactzul I.

Tomorrow, we go to Chuguexa for clinic. I hope we have a lot of patients.

I am also packing and getting ready for El Salvador. Gaspar and I will be leaving on Friday to meet a group down there. We will be helping with some new clinics down there and will be returning on the 18th. I will share stories and photos as I am able. Please pray for the safe travels, that we will have good clinics and that people will be interested in hearing the gospel of Christ.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Mom,

I love you!!