Rural Guatemala

Our last 2 clinics were held in the rural areas. Saturday we traveled dirt one lane roads which at times the brush and trees thru the jungle areas to El Copado came right up to the sides of the bus. We had 2 armed state police agents travel with us to prevent bus from being robbed - even by the cartel. The ride there was about an hour. A lady from the church opened up her home and that is where we had the clinic - in her yard. As usual, people were already standing in line. The men drew water from the well for the women to cook us a delicious chicken vegetable soup over a large wood fire along with tortillas. I had never seen an pan that big - I bet it was 3 feet wide.
The children were so happy to receive the beanie babies and match box cars - to see the smiles. All received a beaded salvation bracket. It warmed my heart to see the mothers smile when seeing their children smile and laugh. On this journey we say palm tree plantations and sugar cane fields.
The second day we traveled some 2 hours to a small rural church. It had been 14 years since missionaries had. Even there. This was by far the hottest day - exceeding 100 degrees. The pastor of the church came into town to travel with us on the bus. A local surgeon from the church joined us - we saw some 165 people that day. We left the majority medications and medical supplies with the surgeon to use for care. Several patients throughout the week were given his number to call for the care they required - of course he would provide it for free.
The women cooked us a delicious steak lunch. Gene blessed the pastor with his guitar. All the remains glasses (some 4000 pair) and eye testing equipment were left.

Stretch Me

Today the team was dragging - the long week has caught up on us - maybe because we can breathe again and we realize it. Today we notice the temperature change. It was 90 but I am thankful we have a window air conditioner in our room.
We are at a large local church in the city. The people are so friendly. Can you imagine standing in line for 8 hours and then walk in to see us for care and still smile and be grateful. I asked the difference in how people shook my hand when greeting them in the line. I was told by Maria, a translator, that it is a sing of respect. Explain this please - it's because I their hands are dirty and they don't want their dirty hands to touch me. That breaks my heart as we are all people.
I had the pleasure of working with Melina, a nurse who assisted in taking blood sugars and blood pressures. In addition a local physician joined us. This allowed for some 400+ to be seen. As I am jotting my notes to share, there was discussion about what was most important - the number of people seen? No, in the end it is loving people, sharing the gospel, people being saved. Plain and simple - the absolute most important souls saved. And it is happening - if we need to travel some
miles to do that - for even one it is well worth it. Would you do it? God always stretches us to grow our faith. Each trip I have made has stretched me in a different way. And when I am stretched I am more open to being stretched more!

Greetings from Matzatanaga

I am filled with joy. Our last 2 days in San Marcos were jam packed. We had clinics both days at Iglesia Palabra en Accion Church. My guesstimate is that we have treated over 750 people with medical care or eye glasses in the last 4 days but even more important is our sharing the love of Christ. To be able to be the hands and feet of Christ is a blessing - but it is multiplied 100 fold on a mission trip.
I had meet 3 sisters who came for eye glasses on Tuesday at the orphanage. Their sight was very bad. They looked so sad and dejected. I had prayed for each girl sharing that our God is a god of Miracles and He would bring miracles to them too. One of the sisters, Carlily canes on Wednesday for medical care. I was so happy, my heart melted. While she said I was an angel sent to her, the Holy Spirit spoke thru her to me, not the angel part - but that small words, a touch, a prayer - can make a huge difference in someone's life. Diego, a young man of 16 was my translator for the last 3 days. I am grateful for his enthusiasm and smiles. He loves to play the guitar. He says to me, my little brother looks American but not me. Just to drive him crazy I am sure, on of the people thanked us - Diego and I specifically - for coming. It was something he needed to hear and encouraged him that his English is good and sounded like ours.
The team works in tandem, like a wheel, we are all spokes. And the translators, pastors and other locals fill in where spokes are missing as we get to each location - it's neat. Wednesday we had church - worship, teaching and prayer.
We left San Marcos yesterday - no more 5 flights of stairs to our room (hooray). We got to Matzatanaga about 10:30 last night. I can breath again - those mountain people are tough for sure.
I could go on on and on but we start our day in 15 minutes.

Orphanage

Today we started our day returning to the 'same' bank we were at yesterday to exchange money to cover the team expenses. Rule 1 for a missionary is to remain flexible - and we did - they smiled when we walked through the door - I am sure saying 'they're back'. The banks have various limits - the one we used allowed foreigners to exchange up to $500 per month. Yesterday we thought we will just have to find another bank - that didn't work. So 10 of us lined up.
We then went to a church run orphanage and set up the clinic to see not only the orphans but also those in the community. People were waiting in line for us before we arrived. Glasses are a wanted item and many come just for them alone. There were 3 sisters (teenage) who came with their father whose vision was very, very bad. They looked so sad and empty. I had been watching them from afar but did go introduce myself to each of them. The oldest started to cry and hugged me...my goodness - I do believe that God was moving - I prayed for her and then asked Jenny if she would interpret for me. I had dropped 3 of the rubber band Miracle on Second Street brackets in my backpack at home. One was given to each of the girls sharing that God had done a miracle in my town, that He was a God of miracles and I was believing God for a miracle in their life. I pray when they look at that small token they are reminded That God is the God of miracles. I can't say there was joy in their faces. I can't say when a miracle will happen in their life. But I know that God was there in that moment.
The children living in the orphanage are beautiful. I got to hold Sophia and Marta, 2 of 3 newborns that were abandoned on a doorstep or business / farm. It is believed that little Sophia had been abandoned more then 24 hours - being dehydrated and suffering hypothermia. Abandoned infants are named by the state - but are given only s first name. They will not have a last name until they are adopted. All I can say is wow. That she's me sad - only half a name.  
Lastly I am thankful that Jenny, our interpreter who is from Panama and is traveling with us has recovered from her elevation sickness and dehydration. She had become ill starting yesterday. With much encouragement from the entire team (and the threat of having to get an IV started to give fluids for re-hydration) she was able to drink 3 liters of water with rehydration medicine in it. I hear it tastes bad, but chug-a-lug Jenny.
I ask that you continue to pray for our team and the people in Guatemala we are reaching.

Travel and Mission

Yesterday our team of 13 travelled to Guatemala. I had not anticipated it would take as long as it did. We left Detroit at 5:25 am, arrived in Guatemala City at 12:30 pm and after a several hour bus ride we arrived in San Marcos - total travel time some 17 1/2 hours. Lunch was delicious - extra crispy fried chicken with fries at Pollo Campero. We stopped at McDonald's for supper / snack - yummy! We are staying at a very nice hotel.  Jenny, Ann and I have a room with 4 beds - in case we want to switch it up or have someone stay for a sleepover. We are on the 5th floor. Can you say NO elevator? Yes, that's correct, us ladies are on the 5th floor. The altitude is 7868 feet above sea level (in Newport the altitude is about 575 feet) then add 5 flights of stairs - we are going with that as to why we are winded rather then being out of shape. Our team is started taking a medication called Diamox on Saturday to help us fight altitude sickness.
Monday, our first day on mission was spent at a military base, Brigada de Operaciones Para Montana. We divided into several groups: eye glass distribution, prayer, give away of beanie babies-match box cars-blankets-hats-gloves, medical including blood sugar / blood pressure checks, and doctor visits. We saw all ages, young, old, military and dependents as well as extended family of the military. While it may seem trivial, but it was a blessing to us to have the soldiers unload our 26 (50 pounds each) bags and carry them to the buildings. I was of course in the building with medical. A gentleman came in with the worse case of gout I had ever seen. He said he had had it for some 25 years. The skin on his one hand broke open from the swelling. The most powerful thing we could offer was prayer. A grown man with tears as he was prayed over - that is powerful. Another lady came in with a broken wrist of 2 plus weeks - we were able to provide a splint, sling, and some over the counter pain relief. The young soldiers were very polite and respectful. I had fun teasing them as they wanted their blood sugar checked but didn't want to be poked with the tint needle. The funny thing was that many of them stood in line for the steroid joint injections no problem. They made me smile.
It was a very good day. God was in that place. I saw smiles and bright eyes when taking with people. I do say I miss not praying for each and everyone - rethinking how I can do that without slowing the flow. I pray that the light of Jesus shown from each of us today.

Preparation

I am preparing to leave on my 5th short term mission trip - this one to Guatemala thru His Healing Touch Medical Missions. I am excited, anxious and nervous all at the same time. I know there is a reason that I am going (yes a reason - other then the obvious) and can't wait for God to reveal it to me. I am grateful that Dr Jeff Chapman extended the offer for me to go - as it was not in my thoughts; to my husband Ron for his love and believing that this is what I am called to do; my rev22:2 mission mates who have supported me both financially and in prayer; my family and friends who encourage me (even though some have called me weird - qualifying me as an 'ok weird'); and to my God who is using me in this mighty way. 

Guatemala, here I come....