Sunday, June 6, 2010
Home
We are all home safely now in the states. Becky V. left on Friday, the first group member to fly out. The rest of us were able to get flights out to Houston on Saturday morning at 6:30 am. The morning started at 4:00 am when we left the hotel and did the process of customs, security, and baggage checks. Once in Houston, four members left on the 2:00 pm flight. Unfortunately, three of us had a 5 hour layover and nearly lost our spots on the overbooked flight to Pittsburgh. But everything turned out okay. It was 9:00 pm by the time the last team member arrived home.
What an amazing, surprising, stretching, enjoyable trip. It was great to be able to return home, despite the trifecta weather anomalies, but sad to be leaving as well. So many relationships were made during our time there and we hope our medical outreach made a difference for every person we met. Each of us is very grateful for the experience – every minute of it! Future trips are in the making….
The 3 Hour Tour
Like Gilligan's Island, our three hour tour began as a 10 day adventure and turned into 15. Apparently, God didn't feel our work was finished last Monday. We spent the extra week in Guatemala City at hotel Barcelo. By the end of our time there, we knew every nook and cranny. To escape the hotel limits, we continued to embrace the Guatemalan culture by exploring the city on foot during the daytime hours when it was mostly safe to travel. The team took turns making trips to the local laundry mat where we supported local business. McCafe became the hot spot for mid-afternoon chats and down time. The sights and sounds of the bright culture where slightly muffled due to the volcanic ash blanketing the city - the business owners were in the process of cleaning up during our stay. Little mountains of ash were on every street corner, making the air hazy and somewhat unhealthy. However, we continued to venture out and became well versed in pedestrian ways. The chicken buses we saw in Chichi are all over the city, with drivers just as deadly. A friend we met in the hotel described them to be "killers with a license." Just picture a renovated school bus, painted with bright red fangs and creative patterns along its entire length barreling towards you at a cross walk...that about captures the essence of their reputation.
You would be surprised who you meet in foreign country hotel lobbies. Amy spent some of the extra days there reconnecting with her childhood friends from the surrounding area. We were so lucky to meet them and to hear about their life stories. The U.S. military sent support upon the request of the Guatemalan gov't and we often ran into them in passing. One Air Force member nicknamed "Bubba" shared some of his story with us throughout the week. He is a Louisiana native and definitely stands out among the locals, partly because of his southern drawl. One night we also connected with a leader from a group of traveling doctors who provide clinics to Guatemala every year. We enjoyed the company of our fellow American friend from Florida who helped to lighten the mood with his interesting stories about random business endeavors in several Central American countries.
Our extra days were interesting. We passed the hours creatively - sometimes we met after breakfast in the mornings for devotions and prayer. Other days we would split off and do separate things and then reconnect for dinner in the evenings. Bill assisted in giving us inexpensive restaurant options that were within walking distance of the hotel. You would not believe the status of their places like Pizza Hut. It was the nicest one we've ever seen with its glass-walled balcony, two story play area for kids, shiny floors, and attentive professional staff. People dress up to eat there.
All week mom continued to refine her "expert" Spanish communication skills. We encouraged her to use one phrase in particular because she knows it so well:
?Cuantos anos tienes? It made everyone laugh each time she did, including the Spanish-speaking recipients of the question..hahaha.
You would be surprised who you meet in foreign country hotel lobbies. Amy spent some of the extra days there reconnecting with her childhood friends from the surrounding area. We were so lucky to meet them and to hear about their life stories. The U.S. military sent support upon the request of the Guatemalan gov't and we often ran into them in passing. One Air Force member nicknamed "Bubba" shared some of his story with us throughout the week. He is a Louisiana native and definitely stands out among the locals, partly because of his southern drawl. One night we also connected with a leader from a group of traveling doctors who provide clinics to Guatemala every year. We enjoyed the company of our fellow American friend from Florida who helped to lighten the mood with his interesting stories about random business endeavors in several Central American countries.
Our extra days were interesting. We passed the hours creatively - sometimes we met after breakfast in the mornings for devotions and prayer. Other days we would split off and do separate things and then reconnect for dinner in the evenings. Bill assisted in giving us inexpensive restaurant options that were within walking distance of the hotel. You would not believe the status of their places like Pizza Hut. It was the nicest one we've ever seen with its glass-walled balcony, two story play area for kids, shiny floors, and attentive professional staff. People dress up to eat there.
All week mom continued to refine her "expert" Spanish communication skills. We encouraged her to use one phrase in particular because she knows it so well:
?Cuantos anos tienes? It made everyone laugh each time she did, including the Spanish-speaking recipients of the question..hahaha.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Waiting
We made it back to Guatemala City! Last night news reports told us that crews had labored through the night to clear the Pan American Highway well enough for slow passage. So we spent our last day in Chichi (Sunday) together as a group, with the cyclone passing and the recovery efforts in progress. We did offer our services at the private hospital in town, but it was sufficiently staffed. Everyone seemed grateful for the reprieve in terrible weather - the rain stopped and gave rescue teams the opportunity needed to save more homes from being destroyed by the dangerous, unpredictable mudslides.
After some bitter sweet goodbyes with the staff and loved ones at Casa Del Rey, our van left at about 9:00 am this morning. It took us nearly 6 hours to reach Hotel Barcelo here in the city..a trip which lasted barely 4 hours originally. Our Marimba music helped to pass the time. Because of the obvious affects from the weather and volcano, it was slow moving. Dangerous pieces of roadway had collapsed along the way, revealing how devastated some areas must be. Rushing water continues to drain from the mountains. At times, incoming and outgoing traffic took turns (with the guidance of traffic police) to maneuver around huge amounts of land which covered entire sides of the highway. It was crazy to see chunks of the mountain lining the road, especially when it meant driving even closer to the already encroaching road ledges.
Our drivers let us stop at the airport (which is still closed) to update our flight information before coming to the hotel. Thanks to Amy and Rachel, we did reserve enough seats to get home. Unfortunately, our flights are postponed until Saturday and Sunday (worst-case scenario we think) this week because ash is continuing to be cleared from the runways, etc. We were originally supposed to leave today. Hopefully we can snatch earlier flights out if at all possible; we are doing everything we can to made that happen! Once arriving to the hotel, we said goodbye to our amazing Guatemalan drivers who took great care of us throughout the entire trip.
SOooooo, here we are again at Barcelo making due with seriously limited supplies! We are being resourceful with just about everything, including supplying our own water bottles form local stores haha. We all brought suitcases full of supplies for our clinics and barely anything to wear for more than the 10 planned days. It's pretty interesting what outfits we're coming up with.
Thank you for your continued concern! Good continues to provide and has kept us mostly cheerful...with some stress here and there. Our team is for sure growing through the hardships - we keep remembering those who continue to suffer and are grateful for every single safe part of the journey. Even a staff member here lost family members in the disaster, so the hurt is everywhere.
We just keep hoping to hear some good news from Continental and are checking every hour on flights and whatnot. Dealing with the travel insurance is always fun, too ... especially when it might run out before we can leave!
When in doubt, we remember that we have the Rotary Letter in our possession. Haahaha.
After some bitter sweet goodbyes with the staff and loved ones at Casa Del Rey, our van left at about 9:00 am this morning. It took us nearly 6 hours to reach Hotel Barcelo here in the city..a trip which lasted barely 4 hours originally. Our Marimba music helped to pass the time. Because of the obvious affects from the weather and volcano, it was slow moving. Dangerous pieces of roadway had collapsed along the way, revealing how devastated some areas must be. Rushing water continues to drain from the mountains. At times, incoming and outgoing traffic took turns (with the guidance of traffic police) to maneuver around huge amounts of land which covered entire sides of the highway. It was crazy to see chunks of the mountain lining the road, especially when it meant driving even closer to the already encroaching road ledges.
Our drivers let us stop at the airport (which is still closed) to update our flight information before coming to the hotel. Thanks to Amy and Rachel, we did reserve enough seats to get home. Unfortunately, our flights are postponed until Saturday and Sunday (worst-case scenario we think) this week because ash is continuing to be cleared from the runways, etc. We were originally supposed to leave today. Hopefully we can snatch earlier flights out if at all possible; we are doing everything we can to made that happen! Once arriving to the hotel, we said goodbye to our amazing Guatemalan drivers who took great care of us throughout the entire trip.
SOooooo, here we are again at Barcelo making due with seriously limited supplies! We are being resourceful with just about everything, including supplying our own water bottles form local stores haha. We all brought suitcases full of supplies for our clinics and barely anything to wear for more than the 10 planned days. It's pretty interesting what outfits we're coming up with.
Thank you for your continued concern! Good continues to provide and has kept us mostly cheerful...with some stress here and there. Our team is for sure growing through the hardships - we keep remembering those who continue to suffer and are grateful for every single safe part of the journey. Even a staff member here lost family members in the disaster, so the hurt is everywhere.
We just keep hoping to hear some good news from Continental and are checking every hour on flights and whatnot. Dealing with the travel insurance is always fun, too ... especially when it might run out before we can leave!
When in doubt, we remember that we have the Rotary Letter in our possession. Haahaha.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
And the Challenges Arise...
Thursday we journeyed into Joyoabj, Amy's old home town with our expert driver Armando guiding us safely through the windy dirt mountain roads. We were greeted with warm hospitality from the people of the village welcoming Amy and her family, especially her childhood friend, Daisy. We also got to tour her father's school which is attended by the village children who are sponsored by generous donors by way of scholarships. That night is when the rains began and triggered the first of many mudslides to follow. It was an eventful evening on our way home because Bill took us on the "shortcut" home. By this he meant a ridiculously scary, dark, muddy, cliffy, nailbiting trip. We did enjoy some good laughs along the way out of fear.
Friday was another great community outreach day for the team: Becky G. filled in as a substitute art teacher for the missionary kids here at Casa Del Rey, Kimmy visited her World Vision child and family, Becky B. and Lynn had a sick day due to Montezuma's (repetitive) revenge, and the rest of us traveled out into the country for a special OB/Gyne clinic with Dr. Lisa. She and her husband, Kemmel, work rotations in this wonderful clinic through International Medical Talents who provide treatment with a regular dentist, physician, and nurses. That evening Senora Rosa treated us to a special dinner of tamales in her cozy, typical Guatemala home in Chichi - she is an amazing cook and hostess, making the most of their extremely limited living space. We found out later they had spent week's grocery money welcoming us into their home.
Everything began Saturday. The rains continued...what we thought was just a normal amount for the rainy season was rapidly turning into a record-breaking amount. Our team ventured out on our only vacation day to Lake Atitlan. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see the lake or much of anything for that matter. We spent a few hours in the lake-side town, but it didn't take us long to realize the weather was deteriorating and it was time to leave. This was one of the most dangerous rides home yet, because the roads were quickly being covered by mud, rushing water, and rocks from the falling hillsides. Armando, again, got us safely home. It was by no coincidence that we left when we did because the only road going in and out of that area quickly became impassable. We almost got stuck at the bottom of this dangerous valley where thousands of people were killed instantly by mudslides in a previous year.
We got home just in time to hear the volcano had erupted again, further covering Guatemala city in ash, and serious mudslides were wiping out nearby villages to which we had just provided clinics. The power was out all over Chichi, including where we are staying. Sadly, we learned a family's home from our Wednesday clinic was overtaken by the devastation...a young boy was rescued from his home and brought to the tiny Chichi hospital here. The leftover supplies we brought with us were donated to this hospital. We visited him that night to hear he lost his mom and sister; Don Guiermo and the pastor prayed with him at his bedside.
We spent the dark night gathered around the fire also praying for the people affected by the multiple natural disasters...the predictions for the tropical storm were only getting worse. While it was a long shot, we prayed for sunshine in the morning. None of us knew how fast the winds would descend upon us or how much longer the rain would fall. However, we decided to leave the next morning in a chicken bus better equipped for the long journey to Guatemala City where we would wait for the airport to reopen. There was great concern that the only bridge leading out of Chichi would collapse under the pressure from the excessive water, potentially leaving us stranded for months, no exaggeration. It was a sleepless night.
The sunshine prevailed this morning and it was reported 11.6 inches of rain had fallen in a matter of only 30 hours. We were packed up and ready to leave promptly at 8:00 am but road conditions prevented us from leaving, again. A kilometer of mud covers the Pan American highway - closing access to travel. Sirens and ambulances have been constant throughout the day as people continue to dig out what remains of their homes and families. We have been absolutely blessed with protection here but are grieving for those less fortunate.
To make the best of our circumstances, we attended the missionary church service. It was a powerful message from Genesis appropriate to every person in a different way. Late this afternoon the power was restored and we finally got to charge our cells. The news reports here are showing sink holes the size of city blocks in Guatemala City and Armando is keeping us updated on road conditions which don't look promising. We hope to leave tomorrow, God willing. We've been told the earliest flights out are Tuesday or Wednesday if we can even get seats.
Friday was another great community outreach day for the team: Becky G. filled in as a substitute art teacher for the missionary kids here at Casa Del Rey, Kimmy visited her World Vision child and family, Becky B. and Lynn had a sick day due to Montezuma's (repetitive) revenge, and the rest of us traveled out into the country for a special OB/Gyne clinic with Dr. Lisa. She and her husband, Kemmel, work rotations in this wonderful clinic through International Medical Talents who provide treatment with a regular dentist, physician, and nurses. That evening Senora Rosa treated us to a special dinner of tamales in her cozy, typical Guatemala home in Chichi - she is an amazing cook and hostess, making the most of their extremely limited living space. We found out later they had spent week's grocery money welcoming us into their home.
Everything began Saturday. The rains continued...what we thought was just a normal amount for the rainy season was rapidly turning into a record-breaking amount. Our team ventured out on our only vacation day to Lake Atitlan. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see the lake or much of anything for that matter. We spent a few hours in the lake-side town, but it didn't take us long to realize the weather was deteriorating and it was time to leave. This was one of the most dangerous rides home yet, because the roads were quickly being covered by mud, rushing water, and rocks from the falling hillsides. Armando, again, got us safely home. It was by no coincidence that we left when we did because the only road going in and out of that area quickly became impassable. We almost got stuck at the bottom of this dangerous valley where thousands of people were killed instantly by mudslides in a previous year.
We got home just in time to hear the volcano had erupted again, further covering Guatemala city in ash, and serious mudslides were wiping out nearby villages to which we had just provided clinics. The power was out all over Chichi, including where we are staying. Sadly, we learned a family's home from our Wednesday clinic was overtaken by the devastation...a young boy was rescued from his home and brought to the tiny Chichi hospital here. The leftover supplies we brought with us were donated to this hospital. We visited him that night to hear he lost his mom and sister; Don Guiermo and the pastor prayed with him at his bedside.
We spent the dark night gathered around the fire also praying for the people affected by the multiple natural disasters...the predictions for the tropical storm were only getting worse. While it was a long shot, we prayed for sunshine in the morning. None of us knew how fast the winds would descend upon us or how much longer the rain would fall. However, we decided to leave the next morning in a chicken bus better equipped for the long journey to Guatemala City where we would wait for the airport to reopen. There was great concern that the only bridge leading out of Chichi would collapse under the pressure from the excessive water, potentially leaving us stranded for months, no exaggeration. It was a sleepless night.
The sunshine prevailed this morning and it was reported 11.6 inches of rain had fallen in a matter of only 30 hours. We were packed up and ready to leave promptly at 8:00 am but road conditions prevented us from leaving, again. A kilometer of mud covers the Pan American highway - closing access to travel. Sirens and ambulances have been constant throughout the day as people continue to dig out what remains of their homes and families. We have been absolutely blessed with protection here but are grieving for those less fortunate.
To make the best of our circumstances, we attended the missionary church service. It was a powerful message from Genesis appropriate to every person in a different way. Late this afternoon the power was restored and we finally got to charge our cells. The news reports here are showing sink holes the size of city blocks in Guatemala City and Armando is keeping us updated on road conditions which don't look promising. We hope to leave tomorrow, God willing. We've been told the earliest flights out are Tuesday or Wednesday if we can even get seats.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
More Clinics
These past three days have been unbelievable. Our team is working so well together, we’ve been busy and haven’t had time to blog much…sorry! As a summary of our clinics, we have set up in three different areas of Chichi. First, we went to the heart of Chichi and set up in the primitive Methodist church. They opened up their doors to us and spread the word to the local residents. Our second clinic was also set in a local church near the hotel. We brought 85 women and families through the first clinic, the second day we saw 90, and today we helped 126!
Today was especially unique because we were the first all-female American team to ever bring a clinic to the women of this rural village 30 minutes outside the city. Nestled in the greenery of the countryside, Canton Patzibal is an Assembly of God denomination. We saw and treated everything from dysentery to fungal infections and burns to wound debriedment. The women are such resilient, strong examples to their families as the home makers, child bearers, and even income contributors. However, they also have a tender side which sometimes is overlooked. Our team is doing everything possible to reach out to this less-cared for part of their lives through medical attention as well as fellowship and intentional teaching. We spent 12 hours at the clinic today alone.
Honestly, every evening we come back to the hotel exhausted…but the energy put forth by everyone is amazing. Just looking in the eyes of every person we treat is encouragement enough to continue working. We have encountered some interesting obstacles, including the first clinic day organization, communication barriers (naturally), and even the altitude affect on our bodies. To those on the team who speak Spanish, interpreting is difficult sometimes because of the Quiche dialect. Especially today, many of the elderly women spoke only Quiche so fluent interpreters are limited. Yet, the team is very resourceful and is doing wonderfully in communicating in Spanish.
Amy K. and Becky G. are adored by every child – basically they are swarmed by smiles and laughter with each new clinic. These two are so creative and use their Spanish fluently to help touch the families with love and some pretty cool games/sweets/toys/crafts. Rachel and Kimmy are the ultimate duo as official pharmacy reps and are doing an exceptional job on facilitating the means to promote health and wellness to the women and families. Becky V. and Becky B. are the resourceful treatment team – they have done some awesome work with endless cases, including wounds/infections/orthopedics/and unbelievable fungal foot treatments. My mom and I are the triage team, working with Bill to assess and document every individual presenting to the clinic…this includes taking almost 300 blood pressures.
We can’t stop talking about “the next time we come back.” We’ve been told by the resident missionaries here that our team has surpassed every past team in our amount of laughing and talking...what can we say, we’re just a good time!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Chichi
We are here and busy! Saturday our flight plans were all on schedule. Rachel did try to bring her giant 50oz hairspray bottle on the first flight - it set us back a few minutes ;). We arrived in Houston to connect with Becky V. on our three hour layover…we found her in the massive airport without too much confusion. To confess, we did lose her once on the tram but she got off at the right stop and all was well! Our flight arrived safely in Guatemala City by 9:00 pm. There is a two hour time difference here.
Unlike some, our group had each member’s luggage arrive with us in Guatemala – we are very thankful! Also, thanks to Amy K’s impressive conversing abilities in Espanol, passing through customs went smoothly.
We connected with our Guatemalan friends outside the airport and were taken to “Barcelo,” our hotel for the night in the city. Let’s just say our van was completely full and very stuffed with luggage…that might be an understatement.
The next morning we departed after a wonderful breakfast and got on the road for the four hour ride up into the mountains towards Chichicastenango. The winding hills provided for amazing scenery – it is breathtakingly beautiful. We passed several Guatemalan vendors hiking up the same hill we were driving, with their merchandise in tote, destined for the famous market day.
Our expert drivers maneuvered the windy, cliff side roads along the way. Upon arriving at the welcoming hotel Casa Del Rey, we spent the rest of the day preparing for the four clinic days ahead: market shopping, dinner/team meeting, medical supply organizing, and prayer time.
We are excited for today and leave at 7:45 for the first clinic. We will be helping the women and children who the local church has connected us with. God has blessed us every moment so far…it will be great to continue His work this week.
We are each using our individual gifts – that’s our motto for the week : )
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