Xepol and another adventure!

The guys and I headed to Xepol today. It is one of our smaller clinics but I enjoy it for a couple of reasons. I think it is one of our poorer communities and Tomas is always there to help us. He helps translate and when I mention different things about the church, he translates and then adds to it. It is wonderful when the church members are active and participate in the clinics. It lets the members of the community know who they can go to when they have problems.

My little buddy, Victor, was there today and he was wearing the UNC cap. His mom tells me that he still is getting along well with his brothers and other boys. He is also helping his dad and this is good. He had one big seizure this month so he is still doing better. People in the community do not understand seizures and give his mom a hard time. They tell her that she should put him in a hospital or seek out a professes. Sometimes it is also difficult for her. But overall, I think the family is doing better and in time, can even improve more.

One lady was pregnant and she simply was not healthy. We talked about her eating, since she does not like to eat and also seeing her mid-wife more often. This family, as Tomas', are not Christians. This is will be their 7th child so we also talked about responsibilities that parents have when they have children. Yes, we teach them different things in life that are important but more important is teaching them about Christ. We invited them back to clinic and to the worship service in Xepol. We will see what happens.

When the guys and I returned to the truck, we had a flat tire. It is the first one I have had here in Guatemala. We were dirty when we finished but we were glad that we changed it with minimal problems.



Our drive home was uneventful.......the new tire did not fall off the truck! Every day is an adventure and it prevents us from being bored :)

Clinic in Chutuzob

Today, we had a wonderful clinic in Chutzurob. The brothers and sisters there are always prepared for clinic and that is an encouragement to us. Does this little boy look like he is ready for his consult? These two ladies helped us with clinic today by taking vital signs and checking different labs that were needed. They are a big help to us.



It was a busy clinic and that is good. We had 20 medical patients, 7 dental patients and 5 patients for dental cleaning.

One lady has been coming to the clinic for several months and had not been able to get her blood sugar under control. Sometimes when she comes her mouth is so dry it is difficult for her to talk. Last month it was 467 and today it 147! She told me that she thinks now she understands the diet. The promoter that was translating for me today said to her, "And today you are even smiling!"

So, tomorrow the guys and I will head to Xepol for another clinic. Hopefully, we will find some patients that also have a happy story.

Sunday in Chichi

This mornning I went to my K'iche' class. I told the teachers that we need to slow the pace a little. I do not fully understand everything that they say to me in K'iche and it is very frustrating. I know all teachers have a different style but after only 5 classes we are already studying different tenses and I have not built a basic vocabulary yet.

The UNC vs KU was today and congrats to the KU team and fans! I thought I had a place to watch it and then when it was not on, I was disappointed. Anyways, they played a great game and I hope they go all the way!

We all know that there has been much devastation and sadness in the world and I do not think that it is going to get much better. I am not a negative person but it is the reality in which we live.

There are some Christians in India and Ghana that read the blog and have asked that I ask you for your prayers. They are really struggling and believe that with God's grace, they will make it.

Each country had different struggles and problems. At times it is difficult for us to comprehend the struggles that someone else has. While one student may be struggling to have the money to sit for his final exams, another student is struggling to have the top-line car at graduation. While one man is struggling for coats for his family, another man may be struggling to take his family on their dream vacation. Struggles are struggles.........all cause discomfort.

Maybe we can spend more time praying for each other............maybe one day we will be the one asking for prayers.

Chuchipaca Clinic and Diabetic Class

Today, was our clinic in Chuchipaca and first Diabetic Class. I was excited, as I think we all were. We started a series of three Diabetic Classes and plan on rotating them. There may even be more classes because when we start doing the diet plan, I think the class will go very slowly.

When we started setting things up, we were told that everyone might not fit in the classroom.........isn't that a terrible problem to have??? I think not!

Kemmel took the names of the patients as Gaspar took their vital signs. We prayed and then started the clinic. There were 22 patients that wanted to sit in the class. I do not think all of them were diabetics but that is OK. During the class, the promoter would call out the name of next patient for Lisa to see and we would continue with the class. After class, I helped with seeing patients.

I think the day went very smoothly. There was a lot of participation and a lot of questions. Gaspar translated for me and he is always a big help. There were 25 patients for the day and that is a good clinic. What a great day.......and all for the glory of God.

Just another day............and it was good!

Today was a day to get many things done.

First, I want to tell you about a new restaurant that has opened in Antigua and I think it will be a great restaurant. The name is Oris and they are already preparing for Semana Santa. They have a wide range menu. It is in a huge house that has been totally remodeled. I was in it a couple of years ago and did not recognize it on Monday when I visited. The managers are very nice people and I am sure that you will enjoy it.

Address: 1st Avenida Norte, Building #12

So, today I worked on the Diabetes Class I that we will be offering on Saturday in Chuchipaca. It will be the first class of three that we will rotate. In the afternoon, I went up to the office and had Maury look over it. Tomorrow, I will make a few changes and then we will be ready!

When I was walking home, I stopped and talked to Tomasita's son and he asked me what I had been doing. When I told him, he got really excited. He said there is a community near by that has a lot of diabetics and wanted to know if we could offer the class there. I told him that I would get back with him but I think it is a great opportunity. So, we will see.........

This evening, I sat on the porch and had a ice-cold DDP........thanks to Dr. Jim.

It was a good day and I think tomorrow will be the same.

Dicussing the digestive system

Today we had class in Lemoa and Lisa talked about the digestive system. It was very interesting and people participated.

One group doing their project on the hood of the truck.

We had about 23 people in class. Many of tried to sit in the sun as this morning was very cool.

Lisa explaining the anatomy of the digestive system.

When the guys heard how many feet the colon has in it, Tomas jumped up and ran for a measuring tape. I think the class was in shock when they realized the length.

The big news of the day is that President Colom and his wife, Sandra, are divorcing. She wants to be elected as the next president but someone can not run if their spouse is the current president. So, there you have it! You can draw your own conclusions on that.

Class was good and I think everyone learned a lot.

Tomorrow, I will finish a diabetic class and then spend the afternoon reviewing it with Maury. It will be another good day..................

Teams going to Antigua

We left ealy this morning for Antigua. We stopped along the way for breakfast.

Trish letting us know that she is Guatemalan now!!

When we arrived in Antigua, we placed our things in a storage room and hit the streets. Kemmel returned to Chichi. We met the students from David Lipscomb, who have been working down on the coast with Marie and Julie.

It was a good week having Rick here. Kemmel and Lisa kept us organized. Tomorrow I will head back to Chichi.......to clean, do laundry and prepare for my K'iche' class on Sunday.