More “Things I’ve noticed along the way:”
- Here in San Pablo, the first decision was to use the toilet in the mayor’s home (directly across the street from the clinic. But when you entered the toilet, it was so dark that you couldn’t see (the toilet paper or the basket where you placed the used paper). And you had to leave the toilet to scoop the water from the cistern so that you could flush the toilet. Now, we use the new toilet by the church. Newly constructed, lots of daylight, and easy to use. Still, after using the toilet, I still look for the handle to flush the toilet. The tank is empty of water and the handle is non-existent. It’s still a matter of scooping the water from a blue plastic barrel and dumping it in the basin.
- I am thoroughly impressed with the patience of the people. The first wait in line outside, and then when there is room inside, there is a waiting room with benches. Next they move to the registration room where there is a long cement bench. Once registered, each person is weighed in and the 1 children’s height is measured. The next station is temperature and blood pressure and a urine sample, if needed. Then it is to one of the doctors or nurse practitioner. The final step is to go to the pharmacy to get a prescription filled along with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Most of the people who come to the clinic seem to know each other so it’s a bit like old home week. Some have walked from one of the nearby villages. I suppose that I was most surprised by the very casual way that mothers nurse their children. Whether they are in the waiting room or in the registration line, nursing on demand seems to be the rule.
- The preferred means of transportation in San Pablo is either a motorcycle or a horse/donkey. There are some bicycles, but they don’t seem to be well suited to the rough roadways. Other vehicles like pickups or mini-vans seem to occasionally come to town, but they are business vehicles like the scrap metal buyer or the big coke truck. There may be only a few vehicles in this small village.
- Children are the same the world over. Inquisitive, light hearted, pesky, and energetic, and they all love to see their picture. So kids will stand in line to have me take their picture; in groups, individually, or in terribly funny poses. Of course, they always want to see the pictures that take, and so they crowd around wanting to see. Opportunities arise to joke about language, no hair or fuzzy beard. Sometimes, the kids settle down enough to ask questions, play cards, or share the sounds of different animals. You would obviously expect me to take good pictures when kids simply hover around.
- What an idea! At VBS this afternoon, the story was “Jesus is the Greatest.” He who is the greatest calls us to be sisters and brothers with Him, even small children. Jesus welcomes little children – He gave His live for them also. So, we took thick paper and made crowns – each person with his/her own design. How exciting to see all the special designs representing each one’s gifts and abilities.
- It must be hard to stay clean here in San Pablo. Most streets are dirt/rock. There is no grass. The soccer field and basketball court are blacktop (with lots of dust and rocks). The rec center is quite dusty/dirty. But, children and adults are always in clean clothes (that is, until the children roll in the dirt) and appear neat and clean. Water is a scarce commodity. While the water from a neighboring reservoir is turned on every morning for one hour, it fills tanks from which water can later be can be used. They also do have a system to bring water to each home, but I don’t know if it is working.
- Greetings are shared freely. Walking down the street at any time will bring greetings of “Good morning” and “Good afternoon.” Smiles are frequent with both adults and children.
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| He's probably on his way to work. Seems to me that a lot of the younger boys work in the woods or the field (no child labor laws). Young girls are regularly seen doing childcare or cleaning house. |
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| Karla and Pastor Gerardo have been important links in the mission. Carla has been effectively telling the stories and leading songs during VBS. Pastor Gerardo Vasquez has been sharing The Divine Plan as the people sat in the waiting room. |
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| Karla Pena translates some plumbing verbiage for Dale Voss who has worked with the building of the new house. |
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| Dr. Carol Rave with translator Kathleen on left listen to the concerns of a grandma and her granddaughter. |
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| Dino and Dale Voss stand by the hugest tree we've seen down here. Ask Dale how we got to be on this long, long walk. |
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| On the long walk, we spent part time following a stream. This woman had just finished washing her clothes. |
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| Here's another woman who is still in the middle of her laundry day, both washing and drying. |
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| One of the games at VBS |
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| Discussing the Christmas cards given by St. Paul, Point, kids. |
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| Have you ever seen Elmo with glasses? The children really enjoyed making the king hats! |
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| Traveling the Guatemala way. |
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| On the way home we met this pickup. Maybe it was a "taxi" from Zacapa to San Pablo. |
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