Tuesday, December 19, 2017

A Strange Request

Update from Don -

We have had some interesting conversations during our time here in Guatemala.  From people at our gate selling 'ancient Mayan gold' to various 'marriage options' based on appetites for beans and tortillas, we are never quite sure what is next.  But on our way back from Chiminisjuan clinic a week or so ago, I had a strange request.  The road crew flagged me down and asked to borrow my truck battery. I proceeded to tell them that I wasn't sure if I had jumper cables.  They then further explained that they needed the actual battery. 

Their steam roller's battery was bad and in order to start it, they needed to borrow a battery.  So, when they stop for lunch, they need to flag someone down to start it back up again for the afternoon's work.  Good plan, if we weren't in the middle of nowhere.  I am not sure how long they have been doing it this way but it certainly was not the first. 

Removing the battery.


And here they are hooking it up to their roller...


A quick view of the typical traffic on this particular stretch of road.  A mother and son carrying long grass for their animals.  Unfortunately, they don't need a battery for that.


The machine started right up and apparently the alternator worked because it stayed running when they took our battery back out. 

Replacing the battery in our red truck and we were on our way.  Just another 'ordinary' day here in Guatemala!


Yesterday, we had our annual Christmas party for the widows in Chiminisjuan.  We look forward to this every year. It was a day filled with joy, laughter, the Christmas story and food!


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Saturday, December 2, 2017

Thankfulness and Baptisms

We celebrated Thanksgiving as a community last week.  Our crowd was a bit smaller than previous years at only 30 but, of course, we had food for 50!  We didn't have room for pie and had plans for a couple baptisms so we decided to get started on our hike to the river.

Once we arrived, the baptizers and baptizees (is that a word?) had to continue their trek into the cold water.  A friend of ours, Taylor, leaves for the States soon and asked if she could be baptized before she leaves.  Samuel had also never been baptized and decided it was time.



Peanut gallery not brave enough for the cold water!!


 Taylor was first!


Such a blessing to watch our son declare his faith in Jesus!


 An honor for Don to be included in the process.


Duane trying to get Leslie wet afterward!!


Now the trek back up and home for pie!


Cute family!!


Stopped periodically for a 'photo op' 
... not because we were tired and full of turkey!

He's wet!!


Finished the day with pie and 'telephone pictionary'!


We have so much to be thankful for.  Spending the day with our family here was such a blessing and joy!  The Lord's blessings continue to overflow in so many ways.  We pray that you also had an amazing Thanksgiving with the Lord at the center!  

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
Colossians 3:15







Sunday, November 5, 2017

Roof Project

Roof update from Don

Last Monday began with a clamor of activity overhead as the replacement of the roof of the ministry building where we live commenced.  The building also houses a community storage area and living quarters for another family.  Removal went quickly but made quite a mess both inside and outside.

Demolition uncovered a family of opossums living in the roof.  They had quite a stash of mangoes accumulated.  The work also uncovered termite damage that needed to be treated before the new roof could be installed. So not only was the debris falling through the cracks in the ceiling, the linseed oil used to treat the wood was running down the walls. 

The work started with our front courtyard area.

They used the loader to haul the old roofing materials away.

Ryan is carefully removing the old roofing sheets.  The roof was so rotten that the sheets crumbled in many places.  There were also a couple accidents, one involving stitches.  Luckily we live next to a hospital

This is a view of the same area with the new roofing.  You can see the difference between the old and new.  As of right now we do not have the materials to complete the front half of the structure. 

We have raised $2000 of the $5000 needed to complete the project.  Follow the links if you would like to donate through the ministry's new and improved Facebook page or directly to paypal. Please include a note designating the funds for the roof project.  Thank you.



Thursday, October 26, 2017

Tooth and nail (and scalpel)

A quick update from a Don and a 'medical perspective'!!

Dr. Matt Hannan and his family have been coming down every six months to serve the dental needs of our patients.  This trip he brought a group of three hygienist/assistants with him.


With the extra help, Dr Hannan's was able to have three stations set up 
and see many more patients than previous trips. 


On Tuesday, we all made the trip to Chiminisjuan for normal clinic
and to provide some dental care for the patients there.

It had been raining for several days straight prior to our trek up the mountain.
Joe's jeep made it through the mud just fine. Lets just say I was a little late for work that day.

Thanks Dr Jack and Joseph for helping to dig me out!


 The patients at this remote clinic do not have access to dental care.
They were very appreciative for Dr. Hannan's work.

With the mud we were not able to have quite all the equipment we have would liked, including the chairs.


 Dr. Jack was able to utilize his dentistry skills as well.


 Last week, we ran to Guatemala city to pick up Caleb and Bethany coming back from ihopkc.  And to celebrate Hannah's Birthday!

When we got back, Dr Heidi flew up to Canilla and I traded places with her, working at Hospital Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan) in Chichicastenango for a few days.


 The airplane doesn't quite go all the way to Chichi, so I had to hop a micro-bus for the last half hour of the trip.  It was very cultural but not all that comfortable.


 In Chichi, I acted as first assist for Dr. Tom Hoak.  Dr. Hoak has been working at Buen Samaritano for many years.  He is the surgeon who performed the surgeries in Canilla this last summer.


 I love being in the OR.  You can't tell but I am smiling under the mask!


*****  CONTENT ADVISORY *****

We fixed a lot of hernias and removed several gallbladder as well as some other fun stuff.  All the families, every single one, wanted to see what was removed from their family members.

Here is a gallbladder full of little green stones that was taken out after surgery to show the family. 


 I was exhausted after just a couple of days in the OR.  It was surprising how physically draining it was.  I was so appreciative to be able to worship Saturday night when I got home. 


"In the shadow of Your tent, there I am blessed.
In the cover of your wings, there I will rest."

Worshiping that night, I was really struck by how faithful God is.  In the midst of our busyness, in the midst of all the need around us, He is faithful.  I was filled with thankfulness for the opportunity to serve here in Guatemala in all these different ways.  I was filled with thankfulness for the Lord's blessing, for His protection as we serve, for His rest.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Goings and Comings

**NOTE:  Thank you to all of you who have responded to our 'roof project'!  If you don't know what I am referring to and would like to, 
please subscribe to our monthly newsletter here!**


Hard to go anywhere without a bridge but we had to get to widows!!

The bridge is almost completed but until then here is where we cross the river. 


Last Tuesday the medical people had to wait for a truck stuck in the river to get pulled out.  Some of you may recognize the tractor and the people on it!  


David took him back the way that he came.


The pedestrian walkway is still under construction in this picture but currently they are letting people walk across.



After crossing the river and driving as far as we could, we had to walk to widows again this month.  We were a little bit late but they always wait for us!


We finished the story of Elijah and the widow with the miracle of how the Lord healed the widow's son.  Most were pretty interested and listening intently . . .


A couple took advantage of sitting to 'rest their eyes'! They walk much further to widows then we do.  I don't blame them for wanting to catch a couple Z's!!


We have a dentist arriving in early October so Mica was asking who needed to see him.  Pretty much everyone!  The cutest was the little lady who only has about 3 teeth!  


Mica and Manuela have made a board to organize the different communities that we are inviting to come see the dentist.  We are talking of 'busing' people in from the more remote villages around us.  We will go to one of these villages tomorrow to officially talk with the community leaders and invite the people.  We are praying for open doors to these communities that have been very closed in the past.  In the future, we would like to add a remote clinic to some of these places to give them access to medical care and to share Jesus with them.  Please pray with us for softening of hearts.


We celebrated Flor's last day of helping in clinic until after her baby is born.  The girls threw her a baby shower complete with games, presents and food!


I had to play the part of "Mis Pañales"(diapers) for the 'beauty pageant'! 
Here I am taking my bow after they crowned me 'Mis Baby Shower'. Only for these sweet girls will I do this EVERY time there is a baby shower!! ;)  Not a lot more fun than making them laugh!


Thanks for reading! We so appreciate your encouragement, support and prayers!

Friday, August 25, 2017

Surgical Jornada!

A day of firsts!  Our OR was in use for the entire day last Saturday!  This day was many weeks in the planning.  Leslie, our Guatemala nurses as well as many others had been preparing, training, stocking, practicing, cleaning, sterilizing and discussing for a LONG time prior to the big day!  

A couple of our nurses traveled to Chichicastenango for a week to train in the OR with Dr. Heidi Bell at the end of July.  

Although all of that preparation had gone into the day, most of us were still nervous and anxious that morning!  So the best plan was to start in prayer!


We gathered in the Prayer Room at 7 am.  Our circle of people filled the room and included our 'regular' hospital personnel as well as several volunteer medical professionals who came just for the big day.  Also in the room, were our family and several of our musicians!  We had decided to complement the surgeries with a full day of prayer and worship sets.  As soon as the prayer ended, our first set began and our medical providers went to prepare their patients.

Here are some of the action shots!





Micaela and Everaldo, our 'Chichi-trained' nurses, preparing for the next case.


Flor, Manuela and Everaldo looking snappy in their OR garb!


Micaela and Flor getting their table ready for the next one!


Mayra in the recovery room with our 2nd patient.


Micaela comforting our youngest patient.


The last case finished as our final worship set came to a close. 


The day was good!  And peace-filled!  The Lord was present and His hand was on all who were participating in the many pieces that made the day a success!  
We are so blessed!