Tuesday Class in Lemoa

Today was another educational day for the promoters. We had a smaller class than usual and who knows why.................

Lisa prepared a great CHE lesson on worry and how it affects the body. We have many, many patients that come to clinics and complain of their nerves. They are unable to sleep, unable to rest, have problems with headaches and stomach problems and worry about everything possible.

Lisa divided the class into 4 groups and gave each group a few scriptures to read and explain. This is one reason why I like the CHE program........it is class participatory and you can relate the physical classes to spiritual matters.

This is two of the groups discussing their scriptures.

This group is in heavy discussion while preparing their material.

Manuel had the pleasure of explaining his groups thoughts.

One scripture referenced was...........
Philippians 4:8

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable----if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-------think about such things.

Lisa gave everyone homework. She told everyone to go home and make a list of the things above in their life. For example, you can think of your children, the good health they have, for the crops that have grown.................the list goes on. We have so much to be thankful for and yet at times we choose to think on the negative and amplify those matters in our lives.

Josefina and Juan Rafael follow along in their Bibles. Juan Rafael is a high school student from La Estancia. He has been observing Josefina for a few weeks for credit in his classes.

After the class, the guys got to play. Juan mows grass for the very first time in his life!!

Tomas tries out the weed eater.

It was a great day............................we discussed physical matters, explored spiritual thoughts and played in the grass.........hopefully, the guys took something home to help them teach their communities and bring glory to God.

Sunday in Chichi

Glenn, Neva and I drove to Santo Tomas for worship. We arrived in time to grab a cup of coffee and then we began.

This is Adam during his last minutes before we began. His message was very good and something we probably all need. His thoughts were on rest and even thought we do not remember the Sabbath Day as it was remembered during the Old Testament, God still wants us to rest.

Adam pointed out that even though we do enjoy our work and we find pleasure in it, there are times we need to say, "enough." Medical people enjoy what they do but after the day is done, it is time to go home to the family. People who work in offices need to clean the desk, close the door and "call it a day."

Robert gave the group a few instructions about the day in the market.

Julie distributed HTI pins and explained the meaning of the cross, the world and the man in the center. The cross represents Christ and He is bigger than the world. The man's legs and arms are extended which represents that HTI reaches out to man spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially. Health Talents is holistic in care.

Small groups went in different directions in the market streets. I hung out with Jo Lee as she looked for Christmas gifts.

Several of us met at Casa San Juan and we had a good lunch. Most of us had the nachos and they were great............but the limonadas con soda were really good!!!

This is Dave and his son, Robert, in the market. Rosa, one of the street vendors saw me and asked, "Are your friends real tall?" Yes, Rosa, they are very tall :)

Jo Lee dealing with a seller and then helping another lady.

Jo Lee had seen these shirts hanging in the street and liked them. I wanted one too so we bought them and wore them together as the group left. It did not take long before we changed back into different clothing.

The group headed to Guatemala City where they will have dinner and spend the night. They have an early flight in the morning back to The States. We pray for their safe flight.

Clinic in Chuchipaca

The group met for breakfast and again went in different directions. Lisa took one group to Mactzul I and we headed to Chuchipca. There was not a crowd that there usually is when we have a jornada. There are a couple of different factors..............I heard later that there was a wedding in the area and people know that the new floor is being placed in the church building.

We ended up with 28 medical patients, 46 dental patients and 2 dental cleanings.

These people are waiting outside as we were gathering names. We prayed with everyone and then the clinic began!

Glenn and Gaymarie reviewing the medicines that are available.

Two patients waiting outside.

For those of you who are able to follow the blog, you may remember one patient, Sebastian. He has a hard time walking and when Sarah was down here, she suggested Naproxen and he loves it! After Dee visited, she sent me cane to try and see if a patient liked it. Today, I gave the cane to Sebastian to try. I told him, if it was good or bad it was ok to tell me. I wanted to know what he thinks of it.

I gave the cane to him and we got a photo. This is not a good photo of either of us but at least it is a photo with him and his new cane. We will see what he says.

That completed the clinics for the jornada. The clinics have gone quickly and we pray that the patients will feel better but more important, that they have seen the love of Christ and they will have a close relationship with Him.

Friday in Paxot II

We met at the hotel for breakfast and then went in two different directions.......Xepocol and Paxot II. Our group went to Paxot and we had a good day.

I drove the Suk, which I love. Josefina, Neva and I rode in it to clinic. We had a good time as we drove through the mud and hoped for the best! We sang songs that we knew in English and Spanish...................we were preparing for clinic :)

This is Adam, who is serving as our chaplain this week. He also brought me some Diet Dr. Pepper......thank you, Adam!!

These were two of our young patients.

Jala is demonstrating her skills as a nurse. This is her second time down.........................I think she will return!

We had a very good lunch of fried chicken, rice, beans and tamalitos.

This is Adam, Josefina, Mike and Jana. Mike is Jana's dad.

This is Kristina, checking out a baby. I translated for a few patients with Kristina and then I went to work in the pharmacy.

We saw 21 medical patients, had 75 dental patients and 7 dental cleanings.

When most of the patients were done, Donna and Robert wanted to visit their ABC Child that lives near by. We jumped into the Suk and drove to their house. They were home and very excited to see Donna and Robert.

They gave a piece of material to Donna. The mother folded it and placed on Donna's left shoulder.

Robert proceeded to show the gifts they brought. They really liked the plastic truck that can run on the cement. They also liked the pencils and stickers.

When all of the patients were seen, we loaded the trucks and headed home. We were told we would have problems passing on parts of the road......but someone else told us we would have not problems so we went for it. There was a lot of mud but all of us stayed on the road and we are always thankful for that.

Thursday in Panajit

Everyone enjoyed breakfast this morning and then went in three different directions for clinics. One group went with Lisa to Clinica Carris. One group went with Josefina to Xatinab I and our group went to Panaxit.

We had a busy day and that was good. We started with one dentist and then were joined my two more. These are my friends Jim, Barbara and Sandy. Jim and Barbara have been helping out in Guatemala for many years and they also bring me Diet Dr. Pepper each night to dinner! Thank you very much!!

For lunch, we all hopped in the trucks and rode to Enrique's house. I had warned people that we would be doing some real 4-wheeling.........we rode through the field, around the lake, separating the cows to the left and right and then finally we arrived at the house. We had a great lunch of chicken, rice and quisquil.

This is Ashley, who I met in 2006 for the first time. This is her dad, Allan. They have been down many, many times and we hope for many more!

We finished the clinic with 21 medical patients and 50 dental patients.

Everyone gathered for dinner tonight and then a devotional. Right before the devotional, someone gave Lisa some pumpkin. I know that Lisa has been searching for pumpkin in several places and has not been able to find it until now!! OK, Lisa........when will the pie or bread be ready??

We had a good devotional and people shared what was interesting through their day. We are thankful that everyone did well through the day, all of our travels were safe and hope to have a good night of rest.

Preparing for the Jornada

On Tuesday we all met at Clinica Caris for a busy day but a good day.

We started out with a class on how flies carry illnesses and how to prevent so many flies in your house. I also reviewed hand washing and other things we had talked about in previous classes.

We have a group of about 30 people coming tomorrow for 3 days of clinics so today we prepared for them. Josefina is preparing bags of supplies for the visiting physicians.

Tomas is doing an inventory of our medicines.

Neva counted and bagged medicine.

Maury is preparing more medicine.

Juan is working on more inventory.

Gaspar and Manuel prepare our boxes of medicine.

I counted medicine for dental and went to buy water. I think we are ready for three busy days of clinics!! I will keep you posted!!

Returning to Chichi

Last night I died after the walk to the lake. ha ha ha. I was up at 0700 and was ready to return to Chichi. Finally, I was able to get a photo of Elubia and I. She is the neatest lady and we got along real well. This home stay was great, offering a wonderful opportunity to live with a Guatemalan family.

Before I left, Elubia gave me some fiambre that she had made for her family. I think was disappointed they did not stay longer last night. During the week, she told me her special recipe for it. She uses more vegetable than meat and less vinegar than most people. I guarded it well during the drive home.

I arrived home safely............................and the fiambre was wonderful! I called Elubia to thank her again and to tell her how much I was enjoying her fiambre.

If you are interested in studying Spanish in Guatemala, please consider CBA in Xela. If you have any questions, you can email me at fscubarn@aol.com. I feel sure you would have a positive experience.