Well,
We finally made it to Atlanta, and I must say, as a spoiled "gringo,"American, I am loving the hotel restroom with a toilet that actually flushes and a nice clean shower.
The flight was uneventful, and quite pleasant.
We got back to Atlanta at around 6, but it took almost two hours to go through security and get our bags, mostly because they sent our bags to the wrong conveyor.
When we left Guatemala City, Jamie's temperature had dropped to 101, and by the time we got to Atlanta, she felt a lot better. Thank you all for your prayers.
We will be headed back to Knoxville tomorrow, and are planning on speaking about our trip tomorrow night. We are looking for more people to join in for next year. We would love to get enough people together to charter a flight and avoid commercial air altogether. A big thank you to all that followed us. It was a wonderful trip. Mike Parker is putting together a group of kids needing sponsorship. He said the info will be online sometime in August and you can sponsor a child for $30 a month.
I almost forgot to mention our live entertainment on the flight. The video system on the plane was broken so we got serenaded by a steward with a harmonica. He played Guatemalan music for us until we took off, and then played God bless America when we landed. He was quite entertaining.
Goodnight and I will be signing off until next year. God bless you all !
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Medical Day in Jocatenango
Today was our last day working in Guatemala. We will be flying out at 12:30 tomorrow. Let me start by asking for a special prayer for my baby girl, Jamie. She has a 103 temperature and a very upset stomach. I hope she will be better before our long flight tomorrow or she will be miserable.
We were stationed for our medical in a church in Jocatenango, Guatemala. It was a beautiful church with a school on the second floor. We worked here part of the day and then part went back to San Antonio. In the clinic, I met a 24 year old man who had a sore throat. What was different about this patient was he could not speak and didn't know how to sign. As they have no special classes here in Guatemala to help a person like this, he never was able to develop. From my interview, I determined he was basically a 5 year old in a 24 year old body. Amy Rosine and Scott McCormick from Graveston worked in the room seeing patients as well. Laura, Becky, and Leah worked in the pharmacy. I also became a Guatemalan dietician as I counseled a woman who wanted to lose weight. That is the amazing thing about Guatemala. You never know what your role will be.
At about 2 pm, half of the med team, including myself left to go back to San Antonio where the children in the mission feeding program were given new dresses for the girls and shirts for the boys. They were all given goody bags also. I finally got to paint some fingernails for the girls and we played soccer with the boys.
The finished up by doing some of the Bible school songs which I got some great video of (hope to post later).
When they were finished, the teacher we had been working with and her husband spoke to the group. At this point the emotions were overwhelming. They were so appreciative of our efforts. The teacher told us she had been married 15 years, and this was the first time she had seen her husband cry. The kids were wanting to hug and us and most were crying because we were leaving. I told the teacher that as much as they thought we were their blessing, they were actually ours. They made each of us keepsakes with our names on them which they presented. It was a foot cut out of wood. The name of the mission school is Paso a Paso, which means step by step, and their symbol is a foot.
When we left San Antonio, we headed to Antigua to the market to get some last minute shopping done.
Our excitement for the day was when our bus driver hit a curb and the rim bent.
When we got to Antigua, as I was walking through the market, my friend from last year, Alexander, saw me and pulled me to the side. I just figured he wanted to sell me something. He said, "I have a gift for you Jim (He actually remembered my name). He gave me a cross carved out of resin, and told me God bless you and to have a safe trip home. Amy met a person who worked in the market that we had treated in the clinic, and he gave her and Scott a pair of shoes as a thank you.
When we left Antigua and were coming back to the mission house, we noticed an array of trucks lined up on the side of the road. When we asked why this was, we were told that trucks can only drive in the city from 9pm to 5 am to cut down on traffic. What an awesome idea! I wish we implemented this in the U.S. Well, I have everything packed and I am ready to go in the morning. I want to thank you all for your prayers this week, no matter how big or small. We could feel the prayers, and this week has truly been a blessing to us all.
We were stationed for our medical in a church in Jocatenango, Guatemala. It was a beautiful church with a school on the second floor. We worked here part of the day and then part went back to San Antonio. In the clinic, I met a 24 year old man who had a sore throat. What was different about this patient was he could not speak and didn't know how to sign. As they have no special classes here in Guatemala to help a person like this, he never was able to develop. From my interview, I determined he was basically a 5 year old in a 24 year old body. Amy Rosine and Scott McCormick from Graveston worked in the room seeing patients as well. Laura, Becky, and Leah worked in the pharmacy. I also became a Guatemalan dietician as I counseled a woman who wanted to lose weight. That is the amazing thing about Guatemala. You never know what your role will be.
At about 2 pm, half of the med team, including myself left to go back to San Antonio where the children in the mission feeding program were given new dresses for the girls and shirts for the boys. They were all given goody bags also. I finally got to paint some fingernails for the girls and we played soccer with the boys.
The finished up by doing some of the Bible school songs which I got some great video of (hope to post later).
When they were finished, the teacher we had been working with and her husband spoke to the group. At this point the emotions were overwhelming. They were so appreciative of our efforts. The teacher told us she had been married 15 years, and this was the first time she had seen her husband cry. The kids were wanting to hug and us and most were crying because we were leaving. I told the teacher that as much as they thought we were their blessing, they were actually ours. They made each of us keepsakes with our names on them which they presented. It was a foot cut out of wood. The name of the mission school is Paso a Paso, which means step by step, and their symbol is a foot.
When we left San Antonio, we headed to Antigua to the market to get some last minute shopping done.
Our excitement for the day was when our bus driver hit a curb and the rim bent.
When we got to Antigua, as I was walking through the market, my friend from last year, Alexander, saw me and pulled me to the side. I just figured he wanted to sell me something. He said, "I have a gift for you Jim (He actually remembered my name). He gave me a cross carved out of resin, and told me God bless you and to have a safe trip home. Amy met a person who worked in the market that we had treated in the clinic, and he gave her and Scott a pair of shoes as a thank you.
When we left Antigua and were coming back to the mission house, we noticed an array of trucks lined up on the side of the road. When we asked why this was, we were told that trucks can only drive in the city from 9pm to 5 am to cut down on traffic. What an awesome idea! I wish we implemented this in the U.S. Well, I have everything packed and I am ready to go in the morning. I want to thank you all for your prayers this week, no matter how big or small. We could feel the prayers, and this week has truly been a blessing to us all.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Day 4 in Villa de San Antonio
Our plan for today was to see patients until one, and then shut down for a block party for the kids in the village. We were supposed to only take 30 patients, which were to be pre registered. Much to our surprise, upon arrival, we found that we already had 45 registered. We wound up seeing over 50 patients and as God always has a plan, we had rain in the afternoon which cancelled the block party and allowed time to see the additional patients.
Amy treated a five month old baby that had pneumonia, but was turned away at the national hospital for treatment. She was so sick, it just broke our heart.
Strike another one up for socialized medicine.
We did Bible School, music, and crafts. Each child made a picture frame with their picture in it.
It was a lot of fun watching the little girls in our group sing Spanish gospel songs and dance with the other children. The first one they did was Agnes Dei in espanol, which was beautiful. We did a skit on Jesus being a Fisher of Men, Luke 5, 1-11. I taught the lesson with the help of an interpreter and the kids portrayed Simon Peter, James, John , Jesus, and the fish. We had 16 children accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour today. Amy's mother, Betty, got to present them with a new Bible. Laura and her sister Becky worked in the pharmacy today which is more hectic than the clinic.
We had a great meal tonight of chicken parmesan, but it was our night to wash dishes and clean the kitchen. The Union group washed dishes for an hour and a half, but it was actually fun because we cut up the whole time.
Tomorrow we are going to a new village called, if I am getting it right, Heurtotenegro where we are doing a medical clinic.
We hope to have time tomorrow to tour the coffee plantation in Antigua or hit the market for a couple hours. Tomorrow night is pizza for dinner so I know Jamie and Sarah are happy. God is good, and he has blessed us this week beyond belief, especially healthwise. We have all had our nicks and dings, and are about to the point of exhaustion, but remain ready for the next task at hand. Some of our mates at the Mission House have not been so lucky. It is hard to believe that tomorrow night, we will be packing for home. As we hoped to be a blessing to the children in Guatemala this week, the blessings were actually bestowed upon us. I have one funny story before I sign off. One of the little boys, Hector, loves to fist bump and yell "que pasa!" which means what's up. I taught him to say "que pasaaaaaaaaa!!" Like on the commercial, "whats upppppppp!" By the end of the day, all of the boys were doing it to each other.
Amy treated a five month old baby that had pneumonia, but was turned away at the national hospital for treatment. She was so sick, it just broke our heart.
Strike another one up for socialized medicine.
We did Bible School, music, and crafts. Each child made a picture frame with their picture in it.
It was a lot of fun watching the little girls in our group sing Spanish gospel songs and dance with the other children. The first one they did was Agnes Dei in espanol, which was beautiful. We did a skit on Jesus being a Fisher of Men, Luke 5, 1-11. I taught the lesson with the help of an interpreter and the kids portrayed Simon Peter, James, John , Jesus, and the fish. We had 16 children accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour today. Amy's mother, Betty, got to present them with a new Bible. Laura and her sister Becky worked in the pharmacy today which is more hectic than the clinic.
We had a great meal tonight of chicken parmesan, but it was our night to wash dishes and clean the kitchen. The Union group washed dishes for an hour and a half, but it was actually fun because we cut up the whole time.
Tomorrow we are going to a new village called, if I am getting it right, Heurtotenegro where we are doing a medical clinic.
We hope to have time tomorrow to tour the coffee plantation in Antigua or hit the market for a couple hours. Tomorrow night is pizza for dinner so I know Jamie and Sarah are happy. God is good, and he has blessed us this week beyond belief, especially healthwise. We have all had our nicks and dings, and are about to the point of exhaustion, but remain ready for the next task at hand. Some of our mates at the Mission House have not been so lucky. It is hard to believe that tomorrow night, we will be packing for home. As we hoped to be a blessing to the children in Guatemala this week, the blessings were actually bestowed upon us. I have one funny story before I sign off. One of the little boys, Hector, loves to fist bump and yell "que pasa!" which means what's up. I taught him to say "que pasaaaaaaaaa!!" Like on the commercial, "whats upppppppp!" By the end of the day, all of the boys were doing it to each other.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day 3 at Villa de San Antonio
We started today with a bang as we had over 50 waiting for us when we arrived at the clinic. We ultimately saw 110 and left the village about an hour and a half after we expected. There were so many in need, and GOD had a plan for us. I was in the doctor role today as I diagnosed and treated patients and prescribed medications. It was revealed why I wound up in this position as a sweet 9 year old came in hoping to be treated for an ear infection that she had for 3 months. It was obvious the amount of pain she was in as soon as I met her. I prescribed an antiobiotic for the infection and some pain medicine. When I explained to her how to take the meds and how they would work, she jumped around my neck and kissed me all over the cheek, and had tears rolling her face. In the clinic, the monotony can set in as you see so many people, but at that moment, I knew exactly why God put me here. We saw a little boy named Julius Caesar today. I didn't tell his mother that his friends would eventually stab him in the back. Our patients so far have ranged from 6 months to 91 years. The construction team built a house today, yes in one day. Laura and Becky worked with us in the clinic as we were overwhelmed by the amount of patients. It has been amazing to watch Amy work this week due to the amount of caring she puts into her medicine. She will forever be known as "Una Doctora." We were treated to an awesome chicken casserole for dinner tonight. Our devotion was based on "clean hands." We each washed each others hands to signify the importance. I am so proud of Jamie and all of the other young girls here this week. They have been so independent. As many times they have been separated from their parents due to the tasks at hand, they all jumped right in and did what ever was needed. Poor Jamie was so worn out that she went to sleep in the clinic while we were seeing patients. On a final note, I just spoke with one of the guys in the dorm, and he said that near the construction site today, their was a sinkhole that was at least 100 feet across. I have to see that tomorrow.
The clinic will close at 1 tomorrow, and we will have a block party for the kids in the village. That will be a blast! Oh, I almost forgot. So far this week, three scorpions have been found in the women's dorm.
The clinic will close at 1 tomorrow, and we will have a block party for the kids in the village. That will be a blast! Oh, I almost forgot. So far this week, three scorpions have been found in the women's dorm.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Day 2 in Villa de San Antonio
Today, we stopped at the Exxon on the way to the village. Jamie got a Mancha Mancha, or moon pie in English. Of course it was made in Mexico. I had an "American Donut."
When we got to the village, the day started with a bang as we only had 30 people or so waiting for us before we even opened the doors. I spent most of the day assessing patients with an interpreter. We saw about 75 today, with ailments ranging from high bp to diabetes. We gave out around 30 pairs of glasses as well.
We saw lots of babies today ranging from 5 months to 2 years. The main afflictions today was parasitic infections, scabies, other fungi, and upper respiratory infections. We also treated a baby that had confirmed hepatitis at birth. What really stands out is that some of these folks have had these problems for years, many of which would be treated in a day in the U.S. A lot have been to the national hospitals, which are free, but can't afford the medicine that is prescribed. Hey Obama, this is how socialized medicine works! The look on their faces when they find the have no charge for the doctor or the meds is priceless. Jamie had fun today carrying babies around and playing with them in the park.
We were so busy, I didn't get to see what anyone else did, but I know a lot of smiling babies got off the bus when we were picked up at the clinic so I am sure they had a grand time.
Each day, the kids are bused to the park for Bible school, and brought back to the village afterwards.
I got a lot of great picture of the erupting volcano just outside of Antigua.
We had our first rain of the week on the way back.
Amy did tonight's devotion and we had a fun "team building exercise."
We were treated to an authentic Guatemalan meal tonight prepared by one of our interpreters. Thank you Claudia ! Her daughter has lupus, so she is retiring to take care of her. She has a wonderful family. Please remember her in your prayers. I miss my wife and my other babies! Skype is hit and miss at best and our conversations have been difficult. Well, I have gone to sleep twice typing this so I guess it is my bedtime. Goodnight everyone !
When we got to the village, the day started with a bang as we only had 30 people or so waiting for us before we even opened the doors. I spent most of the day assessing patients with an interpreter. We saw about 75 today, with ailments ranging from high bp to diabetes. We gave out around 30 pairs of glasses as well.
We saw lots of babies today ranging from 5 months to 2 years. The main afflictions today was parasitic infections, scabies, other fungi, and upper respiratory infections. We also treated a baby that had confirmed hepatitis at birth. What really stands out is that some of these folks have had these problems for years, many of which would be treated in a day in the U.S. A lot have been to the national hospitals, which are free, but can't afford the medicine that is prescribed. Hey Obama, this is how socialized medicine works! The look on their faces when they find the have no charge for the doctor or the meds is priceless. Jamie had fun today carrying babies around and playing with them in the park.
We were so busy, I didn't get to see what anyone else did, but I know a lot of smiling babies got off the bus when we were picked up at the clinic so I am sure they had a grand time.
Each day, the kids are bused to the park for Bible school, and brought back to the village afterwards.
I got a lot of great picture of the erupting volcano just outside of Antigua.
We had our first rain of the week on the way back.
Amy did tonight's devotion and we had a fun "team building exercise."
We were treated to an authentic Guatemalan meal tonight prepared by one of our interpreters. Thank you Claudia ! Her daughter has lupus, so she is retiring to take care of her. She has a wonderful family. Please remember her in your prayers. I miss my wife and my other babies! Skype is hit and miss at best and our conversations have been difficult. Well, I have gone to sleep twice typing this so I guess it is my bedtime. Goodnight everyone !
Monday, July 25, 2011
First day in Villa de San Antonio
We made the hour and a half trip up into the mountains to the Villa de San Antonio. Some of the interesting things along the way, a man cutting the grass with a 4 foot machete, and a "road block." It really was a road block with blocks in the road.
When we got to the village, one team started painting the new feeding center. The other set up the pharmacy and the medical center.
Amy Rosine was in charge of the clinic, and I worked in triage taking vitals and getting patient info. We saw a variety of patients from babies with suspected hepatitis to a 90 year old man with chest pains. Amy had to refer one patient to the national hospital as he thought he was having back spasms but actually had blood in his urine. We wound up seeing about 50 patients today.
The younger kids played with children and painted fingernails in the morning, and went to the park to do a Bible school in the afternoon. Laura taught today. She is becoming so proficient in Spanish that I think she will not need an interpreter tomorrow. :) The children acted out the Bible story. Jamie, 9 thought it was funny that Leah, 11, was her mother in the play. The kids got to pick and sample limes, oranges, and avocados. Some of our group bought a 60 cent 1 liter glass bottle Coke in the market tienda. Most of the little ones were conked out and slept all the way back to the house, but not my baby girl, who made a new friend, Julian, Mike Parker's son. He kept her and half the bus in stitches all the way.
Finally, just before dinner, we had an earthquake. It was a small one with no damage. "I felt the earth move under my feet."
My favorite part of the day was letting the tiny Guatamalan kids listen to their heartbeat with my stethoscope. The grins that followed were priceless. I got more hugs today from people I just met than I do in the U.S. in a year. Christ is definitely at work here and we have barely begun our week. Please continue to pray for us. Your prayers are needed and appreciated. Until tomorrow.....
When we got to the village, one team started painting the new feeding center. The other set up the pharmacy and the medical center.
Amy Rosine was in charge of the clinic, and I worked in triage taking vitals and getting patient info. We saw a variety of patients from babies with suspected hepatitis to a 90 year old man with chest pains. Amy had to refer one patient to the national hospital as he thought he was having back spasms but actually had blood in his urine. We wound up seeing about 50 patients today.
The younger kids played with children and painted fingernails in the morning, and went to the park to do a Bible school in the afternoon. Laura taught today. She is becoming so proficient in Spanish that I think she will not need an interpreter tomorrow. :) The children acted out the Bible story. Jamie, 9 thought it was funny that Leah, 11, was her mother in the play. The kids got to pick and sample limes, oranges, and avocados. Some of our group bought a 60 cent 1 liter glass bottle Coke in the market tienda. Most of the little ones were conked out and slept all the way back to the house, but not my baby girl, who made a new friend, Julian, Mike Parker's son. He kept her and half the bus in stitches all the way.
Finally, just before dinner, we had an earthquake. It was a small one with no damage. "I felt the earth move under my feet."
My favorite part of the day was letting the tiny Guatamalan kids listen to their heartbeat with my stethoscope. The grins that followed were priceless. I got more hugs today from people I just met than I do in the U.S. in a year. Christ is definitely at work here and we have barely begun our week. Please continue to pray for us. Your prayers are needed and appreciated. Until tomorrow.....
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Off day in Antigua at the Straw Market
Well, It was an eventful day in Antigua as we started with a church service at the cross overlooking the city. John Grigsby from Graveston delivered the message as we were serenaded by a marching band in the village just to the west.
We then journeyed to the village to shop in the straw market. Our interpretor, Amy was very helpful as she first led us to the dvd store at my request where I got Transformers 3 and Cars 2 for Wyatte for $1.25 each.
We then went into the inside market where I think Amy Rosine finished her Christmas shopping.
Sara and Jamie both got colored braids woven into their hair. I helped a couple of the other groups find Cuban cigars. We ate lunch at Pollo Comprero, some of the best chicken on the planet. In the play area, Jamie and Sarah gave out silly bands to the children and Amy made another new Guatemalan friend. I was able to find a new jade cross to replace the one that was lost, and Jamie got one as well.
My highlight of the day was finding my "Guatemalan" baby Alejandra that is in my facebook photo with me last year. She was 10 months old when I met her. Now she is running around like she owns the market. I also got to talk to my Guatemalan friend Alex who gave Mike and I a ride to the mission house from the market last year. Jamie made a new friend in the group, Jada. The three little girls sat with me at dinner in Las Palmas, a great Mexican restaurant in Antigua. It was nice to get a break from adult conversation. There was bumper to bumper traffic all the way from Antigua to the mission house, and it took us about 2 hours to get back. This gave the little ladies an opportunity to yell "hola senor" and "hola senorita" to a couple hundred Guatemalans. I should have taught them to say "how you doin !" in espanol. It was Sarah Rosine's 10th birthday today so Amy got her a little Guatemalan girl pinata and all the kids took turns taking a whack. After she dumped her candy, Amy let me punch her in the face (the pinata, not Sarah). We then had a brief meeting with Mike Parker, our host missionary to discuss the week. We broke into small groups to meet afterwards to discuss our various duties. I will be working with Amy Rosine doing triage in the medical clinic. Jamie, Sarah, Laura, Leah, Becky, and Betty will be working in VBS and helping with crafts. We will be doing construction projects in the morning as it rains in the afternoon and doing VBS later in the day. The medical will run all day as we expect a huge turnout. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we hope to touch the lives of so many this week. God knows their need and we pray we are able to meet some or all of those needs.Thanks to everyone for following, and I will talk to you tomorrow.
We then journeyed to the village to shop in the straw market. Our interpretor, Amy was very helpful as she first led us to the dvd store at my request where I got Transformers 3 and Cars 2 for Wyatte for $1.25 each.
We then went into the inside market where I think Amy Rosine finished her Christmas shopping.
Sara and Jamie both got colored braids woven into their hair. I helped a couple of the other groups find Cuban cigars. We ate lunch at Pollo Comprero, some of the best chicken on the planet. In the play area, Jamie and Sarah gave out silly bands to the children and Amy made another new Guatemalan friend. I was able to find a new jade cross to replace the one that was lost, and Jamie got one as well.
My highlight of the day was finding my "Guatemalan" baby Alejandra that is in my facebook photo with me last year. She was 10 months old when I met her. Now she is running around like she owns the market. I also got to talk to my Guatemalan friend Alex who gave Mike and I a ride to the mission house from the market last year. Jamie made a new friend in the group, Jada. The three little girls sat with me at dinner in Las Palmas, a great Mexican restaurant in Antigua. It was nice to get a break from adult conversation. There was bumper to bumper traffic all the way from Antigua to the mission house, and it took us about 2 hours to get back. This gave the little ladies an opportunity to yell "hola senor" and "hola senorita" to a couple hundred Guatemalans. I should have taught them to say "how you doin !" in espanol. It was Sarah Rosine's 10th birthday today so Amy got her a little Guatemalan girl pinata and all the kids took turns taking a whack. After she dumped her candy, Amy let me punch her in the face (the pinata, not Sarah). We then had a brief meeting with Mike Parker, our host missionary to discuss the week. We broke into small groups to meet afterwards to discuss our various duties. I will be working with Amy Rosine doing triage in the medical clinic. Jamie, Sarah, Laura, Leah, Becky, and Betty will be working in VBS and helping with crafts. We will be doing construction projects in the morning as it rains in the afternoon and doing VBS later in the day. The medical will run all day as we expect a huge turnout. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we hope to touch the lives of so many this week. God knows their need and we pray we are able to meet some or all of those needs.Thanks to everyone for following, and I will talk to you tomorrow.
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