Last Clinic

The traffic getting through Guatemala City can rival Atlanta rush hour traffic any day.   Today was our last clinic day.  We saw close to 100 people who were very grateful to have us visit their neighborhood.  The church served us a delicious meal - chicken and rice soup with tamales, a spicy green chile sauce and we sat at the table all together for a short break before the second half of the day.  Lots of bibles, vitamins/medicine, prayers of health & deeper faith were requested and distributed amongst the attendees.  Such immense gratitude and smiles walked out from the church today.

Tomorrow we are visiting the school with tons of supplies and lots of energy to meet the students.  Plus we'll have a fun visit to the market.

Days 3 - 5: Clinics

Just got back to the mission house after 3 days in the mountain regions of Guatemala for the clinics - not sure how to describe it except to say Wow, just wow!  How amazing, overwhelming, touching, educational and more.

We all took shifts during the clinics in different roles - pharmacy, counseling, children's ministry, prayer walker. We saw close to 300 people.  They received free doctor visit, medications, and gave us the opportunity to meet with them and discuss spirituality. Lots of medicine, vitamins, toothbrushes, bibles and lollipops were distributed.

There are TONS of great pictures to post to help paint the picture of this time.  A mere few are below.  Our group is so blessed to have met these beautiful people in Guatemala, work with the medical mission group, and be inspired by the words of Herman.  Another clinic tomorrow!

Stephanie y Juanito (Day 2 Clinic)

Counseling Station (Day 1)

Pharmacy (Day 1)

Stacy with Melanie, Stephanie y Francisco (Day 2)

Flip flops are a huge hit! (Day 3)

Some of the boys from the children's ministry on Day 3 of clinics

Days 3 - 5

Hey! 

Just wanted to post a quick note.

We have been out in the mountains of Guatemala for the last 3 days.  Awesome time at the 3 clinics!  We are back at the mission house unloading and cleaning up before dinner.  Pictures and details to come.

En route to clinic #2

We are on our way to clinic #2 in Zacualpa, El Quiche, which is about a 2 hour, 4-wheel drive (meaning super bumpy!) from where we stayed last night. 

This clinic location is a church plant from the church in San Martin Jilotepeque where we will have our clinic tomorrow. 

The road we are traveling and a few locals

A little road maintenance after last night's rain showers....

And a little bit more!

Dia 2: Antigua (Church, Brunch, Orphanage)

After waking up bright and early in our bunk beds at the mission house, we loaded up in the van to head to church in Antigua.  A similar style service to North Point - we were able to follow the sermon on money and its affects in our lives through translation radios.  Next we headed to a delicious brunch in a beautiful parque for brunch: cafe con leche, omelettes, plantains, hash browns and more - but more importantly - it was fuel for a full day at our next stop - the orphanage Casa Aleluya.  At first a few kids were standing around playing frisbees and a few curious eyes turned our way, but as our tour began, the kids starting coming out of the homes and were thrilled to have our attention.  They loved the gifts we brought - hair bows, play-dough, chalk, bubbles, cards - were very popular with the kids. But picking them up, drawing with them, talking with them, being silly with them seemed to bring the genuine giggles and smiles out.  The situations that brought many of the children to Casa Aleluya seem unrealistic and it's interesting to see how situated and comfortable the kids seem in this new environment.  Who knows what's really going on in each of their hearts but walking inside the walls covered in Bible verses and surrounded with flags from past and current volunteers from around the world - you at least can be filled with hope that those innocent kids are in a place with a chance for a new beginning or a glimmer of a different life.

Tomorrow we begin the medical clinics.  We are packing our bags for two nights in the fields and were graced with an inspirational message of encouragement, strengthening, and comforting from Herman tonight.  More pics of the orphanage and group to come...

Day 1: ATL > GUA

An easy check-in and boarding in Atlanta - the team has made it safely over to Guatemala.  With a new stamp in the Passport books, we headed straight over to the Mission house - which is huge and super accommodating.  But - the group got busy fast.  A few folks headed off to grocery shop for 30+ folks (our group plus the translators and med group) and at the house we unpacked supplies, sorted hundreds of flip flops, blew up soccer balls - and found some time to check out the roof top deck, play cards (Wyatt won), basketball, and chat.  Dinner was delicious - the guacamole was amazing! After dinner, prepped some pharmacy work, clean up, and a group check-in with gracious testimonies from Alex and Doraly.  Everyone's pretty ready to hit the hay with a 2 hour time difference and a 7am departure tomorrow for church and the orphanage.  Buenos Noches!

At the mission house!

We made it safely.  Airport and customs was a breeze.  Everyone has had lunch.  Time for a few tasks.  Feeling blessed!

Thank you All!