Up and Running Again!!

OK, the holidays came and went!  Some days were better than others but we all survived!

My flight home was delayed 3.5 hours, when I left Guatemala.  Needless to say, I missed my connecting flight in Houston.  The airline was nice enough to put me in a hotel for the night but all of my luggage was sent on. Therefore, I have a new Houston shirt to wear :)

My parents had to make two trips to Charlotte but I know they say that it is OK :)

This is my family on Christmas Eve.  From left to right is Mike, my brother.  He is a fireman and works for the NC Fire Service.  Angie is his wife and she works in real estate. Paige, is their daughter and has a new baby of 11 months. Then there is my mom, Ginny who is holding Mackenzie........and then my dad, Jack.  I am very thankful for my family and it was good to share time with them.

This year, we did things a little different and it worked well.  Usually, South Fork Church of Christ has a dinner and I share stories and photos of the work here in Guatemala.  This year, they asked if I would do it on a Sunday morning, after worship.  It went well and we counted a little over 85 people.  We had a few people from Charlotte and Lenoir and it was good to see them. It was also good to see Rachael and Vanessa from the hospital.  I had not seen them in almost 10 years :)

South Fork continues to look for a minister so please remember them in your prayers.

The rest of the time was spent relaxing.  I spent three days in Winston with Sally and we visited her mom.  Mom and I did a little shopping but not a lot.

I spent one Sunday in Morganton, worshiping with the Morganton Church of Christ.  It was good to see them and share the year of activities. 

My flight returned to Guatemala on January 1st.  Since it was a 0600 flight, we spent the night in Charlotte................and it was a good thing.  That last night, my parents were attacked with the flu.......and I mean, ATTACKED!  Both were totally down.  We did not sleep the whole night and I had to take a shuttle to the airport.

When I arrived in Antigua, I spent the two days in my room.  I am so thankful that I was not as sick as they were but it was difficult getting back to Guatemala.

So many things occurred over the three weeks but it is time to get back to work.

Tomorrow, Sara and I will be in Lemoa in the clinic  It will be good to see everyone again.  I am so lucky that I have two worlds in my life and they provide me with much happiness.

More parades and activities

Today, when Manuel and I made our way back to Chichicastenango, there was a parade passing for Santa Cruz del Quiche.  It was a long parade but we patiently waited for them to pass.

We had a busy clinic today with about 30 patients.

These were some of the cars that were in the parade..........unusual not to see children strapped to the hood of the car..

I would like to buy this minivan..........so cute!

Tomorrow, I will head to Quiche for worship. After, will visit my friend in Quiche, do laundry and begin my list for the end of the year.

Everyone is working hard to finish the end of the year.

Lisa and Kemmel are in Chichi with their ABC Celebration.

Please stay posted to our blogs for the rest of the year because we we will have some great stories and photos!  Kemmel and Lisa are www.KemmelandLisa.blogspot.com

Thank you for reading!!

My poor sole!

A couple of weeks ago, I found a pair of shoes that I had not worn for awhile.  I started wearing them because they still were good and it has been a little chilly.

The other day, Manuel and I were in Xepol and I knew there would be some mud.  When we were loading the truck, I heard a FLAP!  FLAP! FLAP!  I did not know what it was.............eventually, my soul, I mean my sole fell off!

We had a good laugh over it!  I thought, only here in Guatemala.  If I had been in the states and this had of happened, I would have died with embarrassment.

Manuel told me that he has a friend who can put the sole back on for me.  He can either glue or stitch it. He even took the shoes for me.  What service!

Well, the shoes came back to me and were in great shape!  It cost less than $3 to put on new soles.

The other day, I had the opportunity to have my shoes shined and here they are!!

My "new" shoes for less than $5!  Now, that is a bargain in any country!

Clinic in Chuguexa

This morning, I met Manuel and Francisca at Chuguexa.  The room was packed with patients and some were waiting on the porch.  We prayed and started clinic with everyone.

We have always had this clinic once a month but it is continuing to grow.  Today, we had 31 patients arrive and we finished seeing 30 of them.  There were several new patients and almost 50 percent of them were diabetics. 

Next year, we will have two clinics a month and I am looking forward to that.  I do not like to feel like I have to rush through consults because I know that people are tiring from the wait. It will also be a better opportunity to offer dental cleanings.  We will see what happens.

This lady was very excited! She recently had surgery in ASELSI, which is a clinic near my house in Chichi.  She is enjoying her new glasses and vision. Thank you Carol, Dr. DeLeon and ASELSI!

I have already started seeing babies for the Feb. 2016 clinic for cleft lip and palates.  I will post photos when they return with their labs in early January.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!  I am thinking about you today...............as every day!!

Thank you for the Christian example that you have always been to us.  I could never dream of having a better mom or dad! I am looking forward to our time in December and we will celebrate even more.

I have always loved this photo of us a few years ago in Guatemala.

 You are even being thought of in India!

 See you in a few short weeks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, another Thanksgiving has come and almost gone!  Many people have expressed their gratitude today for family, friends, health, God's love and mercy and the list goes on.  I also, am very thankful for all of those things and many more!

I am looking forward to spending some time in North Carolina in a few weeks.  It will be good to visit with my family, friends and a couple of church families.  While I look foward to that time, I do not want to overlook what I have been blessed with here in Guatemala.

I am fortunate to live in a safe community.  I rent a small house that that belongs to a wonderful couple.  Tomasita and Jaime are always looking out for me. When I have been sick, Tomasita has checked on me.  When my parents were sick and I needed to return to the states, they have come and prayed with me. Jaime quickly fixes anything in the house that needs repair and they watch out for my things when I am not here. I appreciate them very much!

I live very close to Kemmel and Lisa and this is another daily blessing that I have.  If I ever need anything, they are here for me. I remember the first time that I met them in 2005.  I never dreamed that I would one day live down the street from them and have the opportunity to serve in the way that we do.  This is another wonderful blessing that I have every day.  Thank you, Lisa and Kemmel!

While I am looking forward to December and traveling to my parents, I do not want to forget what I have TODAY!  Gracias a Dios!

The Work Continues...................

It is unbelievable that I have taken this long of break from the blog.  The time has flown and so much has happened.  I do not even know where to begin.

I do know that my prayer request list has continued to get longer and longer.  I told Lisa the other day that sometimes I think God tires from hearing my requests but I know that is not true.  But I do know, that it is equally important to lay prayers of thanksgiving before Him as well.

So, my list of requests:  parents health, Sally and her family, the work of HTI and the strength of the leaders, Kemmel, Lisa, Sara and family, Sandra and familly, Aura, all of the workers, Anna, Roberta, Marleny, Sofia, Santos, Pascuala, that ASELSI can find a physician to work with them, Carol's travels, Jennifer and family, Erin and family, Katy and family, Rick, Jo, Selwyn's family, Cecy and her exams, Martina and famiily, Mary and Jim, Dustin, Sandy, South Fork searching for a new minister, the work in India.........and the list goes on.

List of thanksgiving:  for family, friends and the people that I work with, our safe travels, recent baptisms here in Guatemala, South Fork Church of Christ, Hennessee Church of Christ, Morganton Church of Christ, Dave and Susan's son Matt, Julie, improvement with Marleny and Sofia, recent surgeries that have gone so well, recent rains that did not cause many problems, Magdna, being able to pray with people and their willingness to listen, Santos, Gaspar and his work following up with patients, the ABC program and the people that contribute to that..............and the list goes on.

A few months ago I wanted to post this photo and now is the perfect time.  This photo demonstrates why I enjoy Guatemala and the work that we do.

Lisa went to visit a lady behind our clinic that has respiratory problems.  She needed some medicine so I took it to her.  We visited for a while, had a Coke and a Club cracker and then as we left, a family member picked some fresh greens from her garden to show her gratitude.  Kemmel titled the photo, "Lisa and Sheri with their pay."  I did not know that he was taking it until I saw it posted  :)

Anyway, the blog is up and running again.  We are beginning to wrap up the year.......we have about 3 more weeks of clinic and activities.