Guatever

Hello everyone!!!! So glad that we finally get to send an update home. I am not sad that we have been so disconnected becuase it is kind of relaxing not having internet, but I know that you all are anxious to hear how it has been going. So without writing five pages I will try to catch you up with what we have experienced so far.
     We only ran into a little panic in our travels. We left Seward at the early hour of 3:00AM, (a special thanks to Pastor Matthias for driving us there) and all met up at the airport where we checked in our 17 bags! Our flight was late leaving Omaha and the slight panic hit when we had to briskly walk (run) through the airport to be the last ones boarding our plane to Guatemala. When we arrived everyone made it through customs.......except Sarah who had most of the bags. They did not want to let her through, but finally did when Pastor Eduardo Bonilla, who had come to pick us up, went and talked with them.
     We were taken to the most beautiful hotel, which was formerly a Baptist Seminary. Our first day in Guatemala and we were all Guatemalan wedding crashers; there was a ceremony happening in the gardens right when you walk in. Most of us girls watched from the balcony as the bride walked down the aisle, and then took a little nap during the music and the sermon. After we all caught up a little bit on some sleep it was time for church. Castillo Fuerte (Mighty Fortress) was the church that we attended. That is where Pastor Eduardo Bonilla preaches and Dr. Elry attends. Worshiping in an entire Spanish service was an amazing experience. Most of us were familiar enough with the tune of the hymns that we could stumble our way through the words, and the litergy was pretty much the same so we could guess at what they were saying. Pastor Abdiel Orozco gave a beautiful message on the Transfiguration first in Spanish and then in English. Dr. Elry's wife Liz made us a delicious meal after church which wrapped up our hectic day.


     Sunday morning we woke up, ate breakfast, and packed all of the bags in a van again that was headed to the medical clinic where we are staying for the next few days. Our group was going to the old city of Antigua for some sight seeing and shopping. The first place we went was Cerro de la Cruz  (Hill of the Cross). It was simply breathtaking- Aaron gave his devotion on Psalm 8 while we all sat there admiring God's creation. Our driver took us into the city through the old streets and to a marketplace where we recieved just a small taste of local culture.
      That afternoon we were on our way to Amatitlan and the Holy Cross Clinic. We ate, settled in and visited some families around the clinic. I cannot speak for eveyone, but I know that it was definitely an eyeopening experience for me. It was so powerful and humbling to see just how differently families live. We are so blessed in the United States; and I know you probably hear this all of the time, but we take so much for granted. These families have adjusted to their situations as well as they can. One of the most innovative things we saw was a woman scalding her tomatoes in one of the hot springs from the lake fed by the volcanic water. I am pretty sure none of us had seen anything like that before. The rest of the evening was full of organizing supplies, eating, and debriefing. It was a long day, and ended by the majority of the group....including Dr. Elry doing the Insanity workout in the living room :)
       Clinics began this morning; The patients start arriving around 7:45, so we woke up for breakfast at 7 and ready to get to work at 8. There are so many different jobs that need to be done, so some of us are rotating around to experience everything. Heidi and Dr. Matthias are seeing patients, Grace is helping Dr. Matthias translate, Dr. J was working in the pharmacy with Lauren and Dr. Elry's son, Aaron and Zach were entertaining and sharing Jesus with the kids, Carol and Adam were checking patients in and taking blood pressure, temperature, and weight, Megan,Tim, Andre (our translator) and myself were at the hygiene kit/education station. The three of us got a nice crash course in Spanish and were actually explaining the kits to the patients by ourselves with a little bit of Andre's help. (we were reading it, but it is still hard). One of the neatest parts was that we had the opportunity to pray with all of the patients; as they were leaving we asked if they would allow usto pray for their family, we then read the Spanish prayer Dr. Elry wrote out for us, gave them their hygiene kit, and said adios!
     The day is only halfway over and so much has already happened. We can really see God working in this place. He has such loving and caring servants in Guatemala that he has allowed us the opportunity to work with. I can see the exhaustion setting in as I look over to the couch right now and 5 team members are sitting on the couch sleeping, yawning, and contemplating. It is almost time for lunch so I will wrap up for now, and will hopefully have connection tomorrow so we can update everyone sooner.
     Thank you for the continued prayers. In Jesus Name (En el nombre de Jesus)