Here's a daily diary of the medical mission trip to Jalapa that ended today:
Day 1 (Saturday, April 28)
Today went exactly as planned. We arrived in Guatemala City just past noon. The medical team ate at Burger King and then headed to Jalapa. The construction crew remained in Guatemala City to shop for furniture and supplies for the clinic. The first group arrived in Jalapa at 6:00 pm and ate supper. It was the first meal not cooked by Elsa, Gustavo's mother, who died recently, but it was very good - baked chicken, rice, and vegetables. At 11:15 pm the construction crew arrived with $10,000 worth of supplies and unloaded them at the new clinic in Los Pinos.
We talked with the pastor of the church tonight. He said the members here are still coping with the recent tragedy but have remained faithful. As would be expected, the youth have been impacted the most by the shootings.
Tomorrow we will have worship services at the downtown church in the morning and evening and will do preparatory work at both clinics in the afternoon.
Day 2 (Sunday, April 29)
The morning worship service had less people than ever before. One lady told us the reason: they were still fearful. Amazingly, Patricia, the mother of one of the boys who died, was there, and the service was an opportunity to embrace her and the rest of the church. Despite the low attendance, it was one of the best worship experiences here.
After lunch at Pollo Campero (Guatamala's KFC), we spent the afternoon at the two clinics, preparing for the week ahead.
The evening service, in contrast, had one of the largest crowds we could remember. So many children! The kids from El Terero and Los Laureles sang, followed by the youth. One of the youth played an accordion during a congregational chorus.
Tomorrow the medical team will go to Los Laureles and see patients while the construction crew finishes and furnishes the new clinic in Los Pinos. We are all filled with expectation and enthusiasm.
At the evening service today, we saw the young boy who was our first patient at Los Laureles in August 2015. He had a horrible case of tonsillitis that day. It's amazing that over 20,000 patient visits have followed that first visit... and more to come!
Day 3 (Monday, April 30)
We treated 205 patients today at the clinic at Los Laureles. It could have been more, because we had to tell several to come back tomorrow. The illnesses, as usual, ranged from minor to life-ending. Regarding the latter, there was the 23 year-old man with end stage liver disease, most likely from alcohol-induced cirrhosis. He no longer drinks and would be a perfect candidate for a liver transplant in the U.S. Unfortunately, that is not possible here.
Finishing work at the new clinic seems to be ahead of schedule. The construction crew is paying close attention to every detail as if it were their own house. Tomorrow will be their final day of preparation before the clinic opens Wednesday morning.
We all visited the dump at Los Laureles after lunch today, handing out drinks, cookies, and candy to the people who live there. As in October, there was trash in every direction and flies everywhere. So many flies! It is always a humbling experience for us and a time to count our blessings.
Day 4 (Tuesday, May 1)
It's sunny and pleasant here. No rain this week, for it's still the dry season. Every hillside is some shade of brown. In October, at the end of the rainy season, it will all be green.
The day was busy and productive. At Los Pinos, final preparations were made at the new clinic. Several on the medical team were given a tour of it in the evening and were very impressed with the work that had been done. We are excited that the people of that community have a medical clinic they can call their own. The construction crew also has repaired two basketball goals at the local playground. They will conduct a basketball clinic for teenagers on Wednesday afternoon.
At Los Laureles, we treated 226 patients, taught 13 women at a Bible study, and had Bible lessons and games for over a hundred kids. It always amazes us how desperate the Guatemalans are for medical care. One mother traveled ninety minutes one-way by bus with her two children to receive vitamins, parasite medicine, and ibuprofen. A 95 year-old lady with crippling arthritis sent her daughter-in-law to the clinic, asking us to make a house call. We went to her house, gave her some medicine, and said a prayer for her. She cried as we prayed and thanked us over and over. Like her, the people here are so grateful and appreciative.
Ten babies from the dump received diaper care and baths as part of Operation Amalia, a weekly infant ministry of Four Friends International. The mothers have been faithfully bringing their babies to the clinic each week to be rechecked and resupplied.
Tomorrow will be very special. We'll use the Los Pinos clinic for the first time and hold a dedication service after lunch. We are excited.
Day 5 (Wednesday, May 2)
If there was ever any doubt that a clinic is needed in Los Pinos, it was dispelled today. We treated 312 patients, the most ever in a single day in Jalapa, and had to ask others to come back on Thursday to be seen. Los Pinos is rural, about a five minute drive from the city, so it is harder to seek medical care here than in Los Laureles, which is attached to the city. In Los Pinos, both poverty and distance are barriers to health.
Immediately after lunch we held a dedication service for the clinic. After remarks by Gustavo and Randy, two dedicatory prayers were offered. Jeff Fowler said a prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of the Americans. The pastor of the Los Pinos church did the same for the Guatemalans. The service was short, fifteen minutes total, but was very moving for all. The culmination of seven years of prayers and dreams came to fruition today. There are now two medical clinics in the outskirts of Jalapa, each adjacent to a church.
As we prayed today, we thanked God for the hundreds of people who have given their resources to make this happen. Whether you donated money, volunteered for a mission trip, packed pills, prayed, or gave encouragement, you were there with us today. Through your generosity, the hope of building two clinics has become a reality.
Today also featured an afternoon basketball clinic at the local playground. The construction crew repaired the two basketball goals and purchased a dozen basketballs. About 75 Los Pinos youth came and received a lesson in basketball fundamentals and some refreshments. More importantly, they also received the gospel message. The women's Bible study had eight participants, and the children's activities were also well attended.
So many patients today... many tomorrow... but it's just the beginning. We praise our God in Christ Jesus for His love that compels us and His strength that enables us.
Day 6 (Thursday, May 3)
At the morning clinic at Los Pinos, 104 patients received care. 56 were treated in the afternoon session, which had to end early to reserve time to prepare for an evening event. The women's Bible study, youth basketball clinic, and children's activities were held in the afternoon as well.
A time of fun and worship followed in the evening. Over 200 Guatemalans attended the event at the downtown church. A Bible trivia contest was held, pitting Guatemalan teams against American teams. The Guatemalans won both matches! Music from children and youth was next, then three Bible lessons were taught to men, women, and children. The night was topped off with refreshments for all. These Thursday night events have become a tradition on our medical trips and serve as a time to enjoy fellowship with the people and to say our goodbyes to them.
In all, 900 patients received medical care this week at Los Laureles and Los Pinos. At Laureles, care will continue each week after we leave tomorrow. Preparations will ensue at the Los Pinos clinic in anticipation of the beginning of daily care in October. In the coming weeks a staff will be hired and trained, and the required government licenses will be obtained.
Our next medical mission trip will be October 6-12. In the meantime pray for the people in Jalapa and its surrounds.
Next month... the trip in pictures!
GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE
After two rainouts, the event will be rescheduled for a Saturday in July. Details will be included in June's fourth-of-the-month update.
Day 1 (Saturday, April 28)
Today went exactly as planned. We arrived in Guatemala City just past noon. The medical team ate at Burger King and then headed to Jalapa. The construction crew remained in Guatemala City to shop for furniture and supplies for the clinic. The first group arrived in Jalapa at 6:00 pm and ate supper. It was the first meal not cooked by Elsa, Gustavo's mother, who died recently, but it was very good - baked chicken, rice, and vegetables. At 11:15 pm the construction crew arrived with $10,000 worth of supplies and unloaded them at the new clinic in Los Pinos.
We talked with the pastor of the church tonight. He said the members here are still coping with the recent tragedy but have remained faithful. As would be expected, the youth have been impacted the most by the shootings.
Tomorrow we will have worship services at the downtown church in the morning and evening and will do preparatory work at both clinics in the afternoon.
Day 2 (Sunday, April 29)
The morning worship service had less people than ever before. One lady told us the reason: they were still fearful. Amazingly, Patricia, the mother of one of the boys who died, was there, and the service was an opportunity to embrace her and the rest of the church. Despite the low attendance, it was one of the best worship experiences here.
After lunch at Pollo Campero (Guatamala's KFC), we spent the afternoon at the two clinics, preparing for the week ahead.
The evening service, in contrast, had one of the largest crowds we could remember. So many children! The kids from El Terero and Los Laureles sang, followed by the youth. One of the youth played an accordion during a congregational chorus.
Tomorrow the medical team will go to Los Laureles and see patients while the construction crew finishes and furnishes the new clinic in Los Pinos. We are all filled with expectation and enthusiasm.
At the evening service today, we saw the young boy who was our first patient at Los Laureles in August 2015. He had a horrible case of tonsillitis that day. It's amazing that over 20,000 patient visits have followed that first visit... and more to come!
Day 3 (Monday, April 30)
We treated 205 patients today at the clinic at Los Laureles. It could have been more, because we had to tell several to come back tomorrow. The illnesses, as usual, ranged from minor to life-ending. Regarding the latter, there was the 23 year-old man with end stage liver disease, most likely from alcohol-induced cirrhosis. He no longer drinks and would be a perfect candidate for a liver transplant in the U.S. Unfortunately, that is not possible here.
Finishing work at the new clinic seems to be ahead of schedule. The construction crew is paying close attention to every detail as if it were their own house. Tomorrow will be their final day of preparation before the clinic opens Wednesday morning.
We all visited the dump at Los Laureles after lunch today, handing out drinks, cookies, and candy to the people who live there. As in October, there was trash in every direction and flies everywhere. So many flies! It is always a humbling experience for us and a time to count our blessings.
Day 4 (Tuesday, May 1)
It's sunny and pleasant here. No rain this week, for it's still the dry season. Every hillside is some shade of brown. In October, at the end of the rainy season, it will all be green.
The day was busy and productive. At Los Pinos, final preparations were made at the new clinic. Several on the medical team were given a tour of it in the evening and were very impressed with the work that had been done. We are excited that the people of that community have a medical clinic they can call their own. The construction crew also has repaired two basketball goals at the local playground. They will conduct a basketball clinic for teenagers on Wednesday afternoon.
At Los Laureles, we treated 226 patients, taught 13 women at a Bible study, and had Bible lessons and games for over a hundred kids. It always amazes us how desperate the Guatemalans are for medical care. One mother traveled ninety minutes one-way by bus with her two children to receive vitamins, parasite medicine, and ibuprofen. A 95 year-old lady with crippling arthritis sent her daughter-in-law to the clinic, asking us to make a house call. We went to her house, gave her some medicine, and said a prayer for her. She cried as we prayed and thanked us over and over. Like her, the people here are so grateful and appreciative.
Ten babies from the dump received diaper care and baths as part of Operation Amalia, a weekly infant ministry of Four Friends International. The mothers have been faithfully bringing their babies to the clinic each week to be rechecked and resupplied.
Tomorrow will be very special. We'll use the Los Pinos clinic for the first time and hold a dedication service after lunch. We are excited.
Day 5 (Wednesday, May 2)
If there was ever any doubt that a clinic is needed in Los Pinos, it was dispelled today. We treated 312 patients, the most ever in a single day in Jalapa, and had to ask others to come back on Thursday to be seen. Los Pinos is rural, about a five minute drive from the city, so it is harder to seek medical care here than in Los Laureles, which is attached to the city. In Los Pinos, both poverty and distance are barriers to health.
Immediately after lunch we held a dedication service for the clinic. After remarks by Gustavo and Randy, two dedicatory prayers were offered. Jeff Fowler said a prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of the Americans. The pastor of the Los Pinos church did the same for the Guatemalans. The service was short, fifteen minutes total, but was very moving for all. The culmination of seven years of prayers and dreams came to fruition today. There are now two medical clinics in the outskirts of Jalapa, each adjacent to a church.
As we prayed today, we thanked God for the hundreds of people who have given their resources to make this happen. Whether you donated money, volunteered for a mission trip, packed pills, prayed, or gave encouragement, you were there with us today. Through your generosity, the hope of building two clinics has become a reality.
Today also featured an afternoon basketball clinic at the local playground. The construction crew repaired the two basketball goals and purchased a dozen basketballs. About 75 Los Pinos youth came and received a lesson in basketball fundamentals and some refreshments. More importantly, they also received the gospel message. The women's Bible study had eight participants, and the children's activities were also well attended.
So many patients today... many tomorrow... but it's just the beginning. We praise our God in Christ Jesus for His love that compels us and His strength that enables us.
Day 6 (Thursday, May 3)
At the morning clinic at Los Pinos, 104 patients received care. 56 were treated in the afternoon session, which had to end early to reserve time to prepare for an evening event. The women's Bible study, youth basketball clinic, and children's activities were held in the afternoon as well.
A time of fun and worship followed in the evening. Over 200 Guatemalans attended the event at the downtown church. A Bible trivia contest was held, pitting Guatemalan teams against American teams. The Guatemalans won both matches! Music from children and youth was next, then three Bible lessons were taught to men, women, and children. The night was topped off with refreshments for all. These Thursday night events have become a tradition on our medical trips and serve as a time to enjoy fellowship with the people and to say our goodbyes to them.
In all, 900 patients received medical care this week at Los Laureles and Los Pinos. At Laureles, care will continue each week after we leave tomorrow. Preparations will ensue at the Los Pinos clinic in anticipation of the beginning of daily care in October. In the coming weeks a staff will be hired and trained, and the required government licenses will be obtained.
Our next medical mission trip will be October 6-12. In the meantime pray for the people in Jalapa and its surrounds.
Next month... the trip in pictures!
GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE
After two rainouts, the event will be rescheduled for a Saturday in July. Details will be included in June's fourth-of-the-month update.
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