We returned from the Eye/Ortho surgery clinic at Montellano on Friday. What a week! It ended with a gentleman who had suffered electrocution about a month ago and required amputation of his L hand fingers. God works in miraculous ways, as this man presented in a mobile medical clinic where the orthopaedic surgeon had gone to spend the day. Within a couple of hours, surgery was in progress, and the necrotic fingers were removed. He was recovering nicely when we left, thanks be to the surgical team and our Lord and Savior!!
Lisa and Kemmel Dunham, and Sheri came from Chichi yesterday to go to church with us. There were about 50+ people in attendance, including two couples who stayed following the surgical clinic to go to language school this week. We met a physician who holds a clinic each Tuesday at the church. He invited us to visit and volunteer. It sounds like a good way to help here and to practice our Spanish, too.
Spanish school starts this afternoon. We will attend from 2p-6p each day. Glenn and I are anxious to be able to communicate and likewise, understand what others are saying. Please keep us in your prayers as we start this important part of our work.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Another Day in Paradise
We arrived safely, the flights were good with very short connecting times. Our luggage arrived with us and everything was intact.- thank GOD. Alex and Danny with HTI arrived at the airport iapproximately 30 minutes later and we on our way.
The drive to Antigua was beautiful, warm and relaxing. We learned our first lesson with house numbers. Our apartment house has the same number as one around the corner. Mary Johnson was their to help us adjust. Over the next several days we walked around Antigua and learned our sense of direction, there are 2 volcanoes in close proximity. Neva has been setting up our small apartment very nice, we had a bed, chair, desk and a clothing closet. Small bathroom and cool water showers. Our kitchen area is separate from the apartment and is very nice with a propane stove and refrigerator.
Saturday evening we had dinner with Lisa & Hemmel Dunhum and Julie and it was really great to see and talk about with them. Sunday AM we went to Guatemala City to connect with a surgical team ( ophthalmology and orthopedics ). After waiting for all team members on different flights we were off to Monteanno with approximately 50 members. Many of the membera of the group are Pharmacy and PA students.
The members are working well together and this is a low key trip compared to others and gives us a chance to adjust to being in country and role expectations. This is the first operational trip for ortho and will take a few years (trips) to establish. We were blessed to be able to remove a femoral nail (rod) from a 13 yo girl this morning. The rod had been in place for several years and was starting to migrate out, causing pain.
Many of the students are working the with local school doing physical assessments and the dental team is also doing evaluations for future follow up when the parents are presents and can give permission and participate in their care.
Reasons to rejoice: We are meeting and making new friendships. Carl Agee is well and gone back to work. Carlos and Sylvia with HTI are to be married possibly this summer. The supply container that has been in a Guatemala port since November has been released and should arrive this week. The container has needed equipment and supplies.
God has blessed us to be able to serve these people.
The drive to Antigua was beautiful, warm and relaxing. We learned our first lesson with house numbers. Our apartment house has the same number as one around the corner. Mary Johnson was their to help us adjust. Over the next several days we walked around Antigua and learned our sense of direction, there are 2 volcanoes in close proximity. Neva has been setting up our small apartment very nice, we had a bed, chair, desk and a clothing closet. Small bathroom and cool water showers. Our kitchen area is separate from the apartment and is very nice with a propane stove and refrigerator.
Saturday evening we had dinner with Lisa & Hemmel Dunhum and Julie and it was really great to see and talk about with them. Sunday AM we went to Guatemala City to connect with a surgical team ( ophthalmology and orthopedics ). After waiting for all team members on different flights we were off to Monteanno with approximately 50 members. Many of the membera of the group are Pharmacy and PA students.
The members are working well together and this is a low key trip compared to others and gives us a chance to adjust to being in country and role expectations. This is the first operational trip for ortho and will take a few years (trips) to establish. We were blessed to be able to remove a femoral nail (rod) from a 13 yo girl this morning. The rod had been in place for several years and was starting to migrate out, causing pain.
Many of the students are working the with local school doing physical assessments and the dental team is also doing evaluations for future follow up when the parents are presents and can give permission and participate in their care.
Reasons to rejoice: We are meeting and making new friendships. Carl Agee is well and gone back to work. Carlos and Sylvia with HTI are to be married possibly this summer. The supply container that has been in a Guatemala port since November has been released and should arrive this week. The container has needed equipment and supplies.
God has blessed us to be able to serve these people.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Headed to Guatemala!
It's after 8pm in Kansas City, and we are at an airport hotel, ready for a few hours of sleep before we get up at 0330 to make our 0600 flight to Guatemala City. (for those of you who were on the first trip with me in 1999.....yes, the alarm clock is on). It is hard to believe that our dream is finally becoming a reality. Yesterday, we said goodbye to friends and family, which was made much easier by the overwhelming support and prayers offered on our behalf. We are looking forward to seeing the many special people we have come to know during our years of short term missions. Yes, there are a few butterflies as we anticipate tomorrow. (Glenn says this is because I am trying to move our entire house to Guatemala and don't know if Continental will help us....)
We just pray that you will keep us in your prayers as we attend a surgical clinic next week in Montellano and the following week begin language school in Antigua.
In Christ's Love,
Neva and Glenn
We just pray that you will keep us in your prayers as we attend a surgical clinic next week in Montellano and the following week begin language school in Antigua.
In Christ's Love,
Neva and Glenn
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