Preparation for the May 2023 Surgical Team

We had a week of preparation before the May 2023 surgical trip.  It was a lot of hard work but we were ready for it.

Jodi, as you know spent some time with us and helped in many ways. One day, she prepared medicines.

 

Deep cleaning takes a large portion of the week.

 

Restocking and cleaning in the bodegas.

 

 

 Always more cleaning to be done.

 

Oscar gives the final approval for the patient ward.

 

 There is a never-ending pile of laundry.

 

Then there are the pre-op labs and patient education.

Darling assures that we have enough professional and auxiliary staff. 

 

Diego preps the beds in the patient area, the day before the team arrives

Eva makes sure all of the paperwork is in order.

 

Kevin and Berta, assuring the pharmacy is ready to go.

Of course we always need supplies to get the jobs done

 

And then it is finally show time!  One of our greatest opportunities is to pray with patients.  We never want to take prayer for granted.  It is not our ability that is important, it is our allowing God to work through us that touches people. Being able to pray with patients is a blessing.

 

 

The week passes quickly, but seeing these smiles get us ready to do it again in a few short weeks.

 

We pray that the team has a safe return to the states and that each member will return to serve with us again.

Marie and Sherry Visit

The history of Health Talents is rich and because of God's blessings, the ministry continues to grow. Thank you, Lord! May we always serve you, knowing that you will never fail us.

We have the opportunity to have Marie Agee with us for a few days.  The dreams of Health Talents began with Marie and she has written Mud on Your Own Boots, which documents the history of HTI through the years. Jodi is holding her book, here at Clinic Ezell............which holds much of the history and wonderful stories.

Before Marie arrived, she mentioned that she would like to do a few things. Kemmel was very kind to drive us around for the day.

We visited Chocola, where Health Talents originally served. We visited with Dr. Serio, who served for many years with Health Talents. It was special to be part of this reunion. Marie worked with Dr. Serio for many years, leading teams to Guatemala, as they provided surgical care, focusing on the Mayan population.

We then walked down the road, to visit another family that remembers Marie very well!  As you can see, they had prepared for her visit and had made "Welcome Marie!" signs.

 

As you can tell by the house, they work with bamboo and sections of their home is constructed with bamboo.  What a kind and generous family they are!

They made several gifts for Marie and also gave each of us something to remember the day.

 

What an influence that Marie has had on this community, different families in the area and the volunteers that have been coming down to Guatemala over the years.  The number is incalculable and continues to grow. 

When we left Chocola, we went to visit a physician.  His name is Dr. Zack and he has been associated with Health Talents for many years.  We visit him at his home and then he showed us his clinic area and it was very nice.

 

Health Talents has a program to help mothers with newborns with education and milk supplements.  Marie sponsors a young girl in the program and wanted to meet this child and her parents. 

 

This little girl was a princess and enjoyed playing very much, until the camera was out.  The photo below was one that he parents took before we met them in the dining hall.  What personality!

 

We also visit a chocolate farm, outside of Chicacao.  It was another adventure. Marie trying some of the cacao, fresh from the pod.

 

As we returned to town, we stopped in for some ice cream..............and of course, it was Saritas!

 

I think we all had the same......strawberry cheesecake, with chocolate syrup.  Sherry, with her portion.

Marie and Sherry's visit has passed quickly.......we accomplished a lot but do not be concerned, we left more to be done on their future trip!

I took Marie and Sherry to Antigua, where they had two more day to enjoy themselves.  I prayed for their safe travels and look forward to their next visit!

Spring HTI Board Meeting in Antigua

Katie and I drove to Antigua on Friday afternoon.  It was so good to see people that I have not seen for several years.

Several of the Guatemalan team members were able to come and have lunch with us. It was nice that everyone was able to meet them and get to know them a little better.

Matt and Kara were able to come from Winston Salem, NC

Several of us had lunch at El Tenedor. Katie and I walked back down to Antigua after lunch.

Week with Katie and Two Weeks with Jodi

As I had mentioned in a previous post, Jodi is an RN who is going to stay for two weeks and help in the May GYN/ General week.

Here she is in the pharmacy prepping medications.

 

Keeping the medicines packaged for dental, medical mobile teams and for the clinics here three days a week is almost a full-time job.  People miss the "old days," when we use to sit around a table and chat for hours as we bagged medicine.  Now things need to be done in a different manner.

Katie is a NP that has been down several times and has helped in ABC Clinics in Chichicastenango. Today, she went to an area called Santa Clara and they had a busy clinic. She went with Jose Manuel and Diego.

 

During this week, we found out that we had received the lab license for the hospital.  We are a fully licensed hospital now!!  I asked Darling to announce it at our devotional on Wednesday. Of course, all celebrations need to have a special treat, so we made a cake run before the devo.

 

 

Everyone enjoys the cakes from this place in Chicacao.

 

In the photo above Silvia, Katie, Leslie, Victor and Marta.

When the cake was all gone, it was time to finish off the frosting.

Everyone was able to have a section of the plate. Jose Manuel was able to get the last section taken care of.  We had NO double dipping.......all was done on a sanitary basis.

One afternoon in Chicacao as we were out making a run.

 

Katie made a delicious dinner for us her last night! It was so good!

 

In the morning, Katie and I will drive to Antigua for the Spring HTI Board Meeting. It will be nice to see everyone again.

Jodi will remain at Ezell and help prepare for the surgical team that arrives next weekend.

This is a sunrise photo that Katie took.

I pray that everyone arrives in Antigua safely for the board meeting and the planning/ preparation for the surgical team goes well

Jodi, thank you again for staying these two weeks.

Katie, thank you for coning and helping with the medical mobile clinics.

You both are a blessing to everyone that knows you!

Clinic Finished---Mom and Sally Returning to the States

Well, we finished with the busy clinic week and have two weeks to prep before the May GYN and General team arrives.

When looking over the staffing for the May clinic, we realized we were short a couple of nurses.  I asked Jodi if there was any chance that she may be able to stay for two weeks and help us in May.  I kind of held my breath, as I told her to take her time and think about it.

She called her family and they were able to do the things that needed to be done so Jodi could stay.  Thank you Jodi and many thanks to your family for helping with this process.

We all traveled to Antigua to have dinner with the group before they left.  Mom and Sally will return on tomorrow, Sunday.

Sally and I goofing around to prevent mom from being in the photo.

Awwwww, Mom........so sorry.....

 

Jodi with with us to the capital and we all spent the night in The Barcelo.

 

Saturday evening, Kattie arrived and she will be with us for a week.  She will be doing the clinics of Dra. Nidian Patricia, who has had to cut back her hours.

 

I will miss mom and Sally, when they fly back tomorrow. It has been great having them here and I look forward to their next visit.

Beginning of a Busy Week---GYN/ General Surgical Team

The team arrived safely on Saturday evening.  We had dinner, a short meeting and then ended the day.

Sunday morning began with worship in Montellano and as always, it was wonderful.

Oscar translated through the service.

 

Rick led the congregation in some English songs.

 

 

It was arranged so I could meet my new ABC daughter Julisa.  She live near Montellano.

 

 

Pink is her favorite color and she brought several members of her family with her.

 

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This week, we will be running two operating rooms.  This is the first time that we will be utilizing the anesthesiology machine since COVID.  We have had them serviced and maintain but now it is show-time.

We never want to forget how important prayer is.  I can not tell you how many times a week, we as a team join in prayer. It is also touching to know that patients do the same. It is humbling and reassuring to know that it is not all left up to us and our abilities. Our God is the ultimate power.

 

Anne is a nurse that has been on several surgical trips and here she cares for a patient post surgery.

 

 

Below, Susan also cares for a patient post op.  We know that the care that we give patients physically, spiritually and emotionally is very important.  Susan will also return to care for patients during the May surgical trip.  Thank you, Susan for your care to the patients!

 

 

Below, Jodi is with a young patient that had surgery.  Jodi has offered to stay in Guatemala for two weeks to help us during the surgical week, as Susan.  She will be a big help to the staff in preparing for the clinic that we will have in two weeks.

 

During the week, we have to have a few minutes to enjoy different things.  Kemmel, our director, calleda bakery that is about 45 minutes away to deliver a fresh truck of pastries for us to enjoy.  Thank you, Kemmel!

 

 

During the week, we accumulate  a lot of laundry.  I will post photos later of the work that several of the ladies do, to prepare us for the next surgical team.

 

On this team, was my friend Sally. This was her first surgical team in Montellano. It was wonderful having her here to experience the surgical week and to have her see all that happens.  We have a longggggg history in ICU together and she has been such a big supporter of me and HTI. Thank you, Sally!!  I hope that you return!

 

 

We never want to forget or minimize the spiritual outreach of the ministry.  Victor, visiting with patients after their surgery.  This is such an important time. They have been seeking relief from pain and problems and now we can offer spiritual and emotional comfort. Great is our God!

During the time of COVID, we did a couple of campaigns to maintain the clinic. One of them was a Cross Walk Campaign.  Susan, found a brick that was purchased in her honor, for the work that she has dedicated here in Guatemala.

 

What an honor! We appreciate so much the time and dedication that people give to the ministry! Thank you, Susan!

 

 

A few of the nurses gathered.

 

 

We never want to forget the cooks.  What an awesome job they do, starting at 4:30 am and going until 10 pm.

 

Friday morning came quickly..........and it was time for the team to head to Antigua. We will pray for their safe travels and that they will return again.

Thank you, Lord that our second surgical trip went well. You gave us strength to continue and complete the week. We want to continue to serve and to grow closer to you. 

It will soon be time to be preparing for the May surgical team!

Mom and Semana Santa

Mom returned to Guatemala with me to experience a little of Semana Santa and also be here during a surgical trip. We spent 5 nights in the capital and also visited Antigua.

As usual, the alfombras were beautiful.

People lined the streets as the parades passed.

It is always pretty in front of La Merced.  It is my favorite cathedral in Antigua.

So much work and energy go into making the alfombras.

There are some interesting people.

Mom and I visited Violeta and the congregation that she worships with on Sunday.

We also ate at a restaurant near the clinic.

Tomorrow, the group will arrive and we will begin a Gyn and General Surgical week.  It is the first big surgical week since COVID is under control and since we have obtained the license for the hospital. We are praying that all goes well and I believe that it will.