GUATEMALA - JAN 9

A warm day, but the clinic people and the VBS people found great success. Follow some of the video and some of the posts. I'll try to fill in what's in the middle.

Last night some of the team noticed that little gnats were biting us and they seem to affect us Anglos adversely. Well, we're fighting back:  longer pants, long sleeves, and bug spray. We hope that it will work out better for us.

 WATCH TORTILLAS BEING MADE

Fernanda brought one of her baby chicks. Obviously, it had been handled a lot so it was tame.

The team has lunch in the church proper. The caterer comes out from Zacapa to deliver our lunch. Left to right:  Scott Reetz (pharmacist), Todd Rave (doctor), Tabitha Reetz.

Neko is a master cement man. While all the other workers carried the cement in from the outside, Neko smoothed the cement, and then later added a slick coat to make it really smooth.

 WATCH CEMENT MADE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY

The first layer of cement is poured and troweled (3-4 inches thick) and when that is fairly dry, a top coat of cement slurry is added to make the whole floor smooth "as a baby's bottom."

The team provided the funds for this new altar for the San Pablo church. It will be varnished and completed by tomorrow afternoon and then taken to the church. The carpenter had been an elementary teacher for 40 years and now in retirement does wood projects and operates a mini corn grinder that prepares the white corn for making tortillas. Of note is that there are three other churches in San Pablo, Roman Catholic, non-demonational, and Methodist. I asked today and discovered that there were 1,800 people in San Pablo.

Our cook shares leftovers with some of the children who are playing outside of the chapel.

This machine accepts the soft white corn in the hopper, grinds it and then drops it as a moist flour in the orange basket below. The owner of the food collects it with her hands and places it in her bowl.

For all of you architects and construction personnel, this is the manner in which the beams to this 100 year old house are held up. The walls were made out of mud and straw.

Dino is one of the workers at the house. He carried lots of cement today and tonight will be the watchman at the clinic (all of the drugs are kept there).

Carla did a wonderful job of telling the story. She is really a PASSIONATE teacher.

Listening for direction for the VBS projects.

WATCH ONE OF THE VBS GAMES

Myra Swiston says, "They don't make them like this in the States!"

GUATEMALA - JAN 8 PM

What and exciting day, our first full day of clinic. Tomorrow starts VBS. Construction daily.

VIDEO OF DAY BEGINS IN PRAYER

At the registration desk. People wait patiently to sign in and then take temps and blood pressures. The most anxious people are the kids who never seem to sit still.

Jean Boettcher checks heart and pulse of a little girl who wasn't feeling well.

Diane Reetz, nurse practitioner, chats with a mother and child through Nills, one of our translator.

Myra Swiston gives occipital relief to one of the village women. Often necks and shoulders are
"out of wack" because of carrying goods on their heads.

 In answer to the question, "HOW’S IT GOING?" these responses were given:

It’s hot up here in San Pedro, but you would never guess it from the attitude of the people. The morning has been busy with a line of people already here when we arrived about 8:30. The waiting room has been full the whole time, but now (at noon time) it’s empty. They have worked with some kind of numbering system, and the people with numbers will return.

I’ve been taking pictures. Twice I shared the Gospel using the Divine Plan and/or colored bracelets. The people are very attentive, and, of course, the bracelets are REALLY popular with the kids. Additionally, I’ve been shoveling dirt to fill the cavity of the house we are building. The foundation has been poured, the block walls are now up, and the roof was put on this morning. When the inside floor is filled and tamped tight, the cement will be poured (it may be that we will do that tomorrow). The house has three rooms and a bathroom with shower and stool. The largest room is a kitchen, eating area, living space, and two of the rooms are “large” bedrooms.

The team has been working well together, cooperating with each other as the clinic was set up and then, as the clinic was held. We have about 3 local young people who are serving as translators. They are really helpful for us.  (Carl)

I’ve been talking to patients and checking them into the clinic.  Helping out when I am needed and working.  I talked to a family and heard a sad story about a mother and her baby.  And an older woman  Tina came in today who greatly resembled my own grandmother.  I feel like I am helping out a lot here and I’m happy to help.  (Angelica)

This morning we started clinic.  Things are a little slow in physical therapy but even with that I think we (me and Kathy my translator) saw 7 people, most with neck or back pain, or arthritis of the joints.  Normal life here is so demanding physically that it’s easy to see why there is much pain.  I hope that these exercise and stretches will help a little.  I gave my ergonomics talk once – no one laughed at me! (Myra)

We started the medical clinic this am. We did get the pharmacy set up yesterday which helped, but still a slow start (the first day is the slowest). I get to see the  neck and back pain which is within my comfort zone, which makes me happyJ And my watch broke, so no watch/time gazing for me. (Todd)

 Began working on the house this morning. My job was to dig, and transport fill dirt for the interior floor. As soon as I started working, two boys approximately 9 or 10 years old came to watch.  Their names  were Pedro and Reetz. They started loading the wheel barrow for me while I hauled away. I had to make them take a break. They helped me most of the morning and by noon with Pastor Carl’s help, we pretty much got the subfloor ready to pour the concrete tomorrow. It’s been a great day so far. (Dale)  

Other than being bitten up by fleas or gnats or some other nasty bug, it’s going great. The medical clinic started this morning.  Entire families show up – babies through grandmas -   They have to wait a long time but don’t complain.  I weigh and measure patients after Tina and Angie and Myrna check them in.  Next stop is nurse Jean Boettcher, then off to see Dr. Carol, Dr. Todd, nurse practitioner Diane or physical therapist Myra then finally to Scott in the pharmacy. The local and our own translators are excellent. The lines are endless.  It’s an incredible experience.    I’ll think I’ll keep my day job. (Mary) 

Three buddies who have a great time interacting with each other.

Enjoy the following pictures of the kids that we all fell in love with.

Romero is the CALMS coordinator in Guatemala. He has been very helpful in "making it happen."

In the neighborhood:  Making tortillas on an outside stove. I think that it's all done in this manner.

A couple of little boys lead their donkeys around the little village.

A common way to carry all kinds of goods...by the women.

 VIDEO OF KIDS PLAYING CARDS AT THE END OF THE DAY

 PRAYER:  Tomorrow we continue the clinic, pour cement, and begin our afternoon VBS.

GUATEMALA - JAN 8 AM

This shot gives you a bit of the beauty of the land.

Lots of watermelon fields near Zacapa (and roadside salesmen).

When I saw these chunks of wood, I immediately thought "How can I get one of these back to the States so that I can make bowls from it."

Left to right:  Dr. Carol Rave, Mierna (we're constructing her house), Jeanne Boettcher, and Sabina (one of our American student translators).

GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP - JAN 7

We begin with a morning quote from Carol Rave after we had successfully walked through customs without one bag being opened or any questions asked. “I had asked people especially to pray that we would be able to get our many suitcases through customs without a hitch. What a wonderful blessing that God opened the door so wide that not even one suitcase was searched. All the work of listing the drugs, their dosage and expiration dates was well worth it. Thanks be to God for this huge blessing

WATCH THIS VIDEO OF US IN ACTION

The video shows us at the Crowne Plaza loading our suitcases on to the bus that we would be taking to San Pablo (via Zacapa)

Our team at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. After our 6 am arrival and a smooth sail through customs, we met Josie and Sabrina (translators) and also had breakfast at the Crowne. The picture was taken by Ann (a former professional photographer from Columbia, Missouri)

 

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?

• I’m anxious to eat some Guatemalan food. My memory tells me that it is pretty good.  Carl
• I’m looking forward to seeing how the  clinic and VBS will run . Myra
• Meeting the people there and learning about the culture. Angelica
• Seeing the places we have been talking about for the last few months. Tina
• Right now making it through the trip and getting the clinic organized tomorrow – then sleeping! Jeanne
• Maybe meeting people we met last time we went…. Scott
• Working for the people in Guatemala and learning more about the people. Tabitha
• Reconnecting with people that I have met and making new relationships. Diane
• Meeting people and picking up a few useful phrases in Spanish. Mary
• Seeing the friends  from last time and learning more about San Pablo and its people Carol
• Seeing the country and meeting the people we will be helping. Dale
• Learning more about the people of San Pablo and helping them with their health issues.  Todd

I think that we were in a daze for most of the day. Leaving O'Hare in Chicago at 2 am got us here in time for breakfast, but the sleep on the plane was kind of pitiful.

We ate lunch in Zacapa, about a three + hour ride from Guatemala City. This is the site of a Lutheran school that was founded about 60 years ago by LCMS missionaries.

We've dropped things off at the hotel in Zacapa, and have now arrived in San Pablo where we will be doing the clinic, building, and some teaching. The man in the white t-shirt on the left is Niko, the supervisor for our house building work. The woman in white with the long hair is Mierna, and active Christian person in this community and for whom we are constructing the home.

Jeanne Boettcher (left), Todd Rave, and Tina Weege are making packages of vitamins for use by the children. We had to bring large containers of medication and vitamins, but now need to downsize.

Alexander, 10 years old, was one of the first kids to come to investigate what was happening at the community building.  

You figure this one out!

 Basic,  common type homes. Many of the people live in homes that are much, much less than this one.

We're in a very beautiful, mountain area, but it is so very dry. One of the team members said that it resembles Utah, Colorado, California, or Arizona.

GUATEMALA MISSION TRIP - JAN 6

Approximately 15 people will travel to Guatemala from January 6 to January 15 for an opportunity to serve and learn, and also build relationships. The trip is sponsored through CALMS (Central American Lutheran Mission Society) and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Work will include a clinic, house construction, home visits, and a VBS.

The team has chosen this medium to tell their story, so all of the writing will not be my own, but a compilation (conglomeration) of thoughts, ideas, and reflections from any of the team members.

Even before the outset of the trip, we ran into challenges. Dennis, one of the team members who was to work in construction, became ill and had to cancel. That meant rearranging his two suitcases that were carrying medicines for the clinic. The van driver also woke up sick causing our leader, Carol Rave, to look for a substitute. God provides.

The team gathered at the 10:45 am service at St. Paul both for worship and for the commissioning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Myra Swiston shared a children's message that included the special soccer balls that the team was taking for the children. The St. Paul Sunday School had gathered an offering for the 25 soccer balls.

Pastor Tom Petersen called the team forward for a special commissioning.

The back of the shirt features a circle (God is eternal - no beginning or end) and arrows of love going out to the whole world (the symbol is a 'picture' of God taken from the original idea used by Crossways, Intl. of Minneapolis, MN). We go out as God's representatives to serve the world in the love that He gives. Our theme verse is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

The front of the shirt has this imprint. San Pablo (St. Paul) is near Zacapa. St. Paul is our church home back in Wisconsin.

Each person will be taking carry-on luggage plus two suitcases filled with vitamins and medicines, carefully packed and painstakenly labeled to avoid complications.

"ONLY IN WISCONSIN"

Last night, the temperature at our home dipped to -14 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, that is cold, but I think that once we get below zero, it's all much the same:  dress up warmly.

I didn't get up until 7:30 this morning. By then, the temperature had climbed to -12 degrees.

I had homemade soup and toasted cheese sandwiches at Andrew and Suzanne's home this noon. Kaitlyn is proud of her guinea pig. Rachel has one in the same cage.

On the way back home, I saw this sign at Corky's Bar in Shantytown. Even though it was only 12:45, I thought I needed to wait around for this annual event.

Only in Wisconsin would they wait in line in a temperature of 13 degrees to jump in ice cold water, swim five strokes, jump out, and then walk (run) back to the bar for additional "antifreeze."

 VIDEO OF WOMEN AND MEN WAITING TO "TAKE THE PLUNGE"

In case you are wondering why the videos are so shaky, remember that I am not dressed to stand outside in the breezy cold; I was only wearing a light jacket. As the video progresses, I begin to shake a bit.

JUST IN CASE YOU DIDN'T BELIEVE THE FIRST VIDEO, HERE'S FURTHER PROOF!

I couldn't believe all the young people who were going to take the plunge. Do you think that the two young women first in line were a bit apprehensive? I wouldn't doubt it!

 

This is probably not an "only in Wisconsin," but the farmer has in essence provided food for the flock of turkeys by spreading the manure that came from one of his barns. It's kind of the old philosophy, "Make sure that you leave enough for the next guy."