Day 5

Greetings
 We left Guatemala City for Solola this morning.  It was a 3.5 hour trip along some hills and winding roads.  We took a break a little over half way and then arrived at the Eagles Nest (The name of the Orphanage) at Solola for lunch.  The view was spectacular, as we could enjoy looking down on the lake that was over 3,000 feet below.  We learned about the ministry to the Orphans and then had lunch.  After lunch, we spent time holding and playing with the orphans.

We left from the orphanage after spending a couple of hours with them and checked into our hotel in Panajachel.  We went down and started shopping and practicing our negotiating skills.  After doing some shopping, we had a nice supper at the restaurant at the hotel.  We had a nice time of sharing and then reviewed our plan for tomorrow.

 Everyone is looking forward in getting a good nights rest and spending some well deserved time relaxing.  I know that God has worked in the hearts of all the team members and they will not forget this mission trip, as it will leave a lasting impression their lives.

 Thanks to all that has been praying for us while we have been serving and sharing God's blessing's with the people of Guatemala.

 Dios Bendiaga,
Terry

Day 4

Greetings from Guatemala,

Today, we had a pretty good day at the HIV Orphanage and at the worksite building the home.

 We needed to stop and pick up some pill bags for the medical clinic before dropping the team off at the Orphanage.  We stopped in Sumpango at a local pharmacy store.  As we were leaving and started our U turn on the cobblestone road, the back tire went flat.  We just happened to have a flat tire in front of the tire changing shop, so we paid about $7 US dollars to get our tire changed with the spare.  The spare tire was replaced with a new tire later in the morning.

 The medical clinic had about 60 people needing care today.  The team saw some children from the orphanage, their parents, the nuns and people from the community.  The morning was slow, but in the afternoon is when the bulk of the patients walked in for care.  Danielle entertained the children with bubbles and making some balloon animals.

 The service team was able to finish putting the roof on the new detached kitchen.  The main 2 room home will probably be finished by Friday.  The roof material was from the old house, in which we needed to remove from that house today.  The detached kitchen was completed enough with doors and windows to place 2 bunk beds in this afternoon and dedicate the home.  The pastor from their church led the dedication, prayed over the home and the family.  The family was very excited to receive this miracle, as it was described by the pastor.  They were so grateful to God for sending the team down to Guatemala and having all the financial support to change families living condition.  It was a heartfelt dedication and it was truly a blessing for this widow and her children.  They had been sleeping in a small metal room in 2 beds, now all the family members get their own beds.  The little boy, Louis, who wa about 10, claimed a top bunk and started making his bed as soon as he could.  After the dedication, the sun shown through the clouds and it seemed to be a glimpse of God smiling down on us.

The evening meal was to be a surprise for the HIV Orphans.  They were served their favorite meal, in which they get once a year, the meal was from Pollo Comparo.  The children were electric and couldn't wait to get their food served to them.  Afterwards many of the children got hugs and pictures with the team.

 Tomorrow we leave for R&R, but before we check in to our hotel, we'll visit one more orphanage at Solola.

 Thanks for your continued prayers.

 Dios Bendiga!
 Terry

Day 3

Good Evening,

 We went to Sumpango today to work with the HIV Orphans and to work on the home for the widow and her children.  The drive was about 45 minutes and was pretty scenic.  The Orphanage is nicely maintained with flowers and the buildings are made from colorful floor tiles.  The inside is equally maintained nicely and is very clean.  The medical team was ready to see many orphans today, but overnight, the town was mourning a loss of a 1 month old baby.  Many of the students at the school were unable to spend much time at school, as the community tried to support this family.  Tomorrow, the medical clinic will be back at the orphanage.  However, the team was able to meet with very young children today.

 The service team went to the home and carried many buckets of dirt up the hill to dump around the foundation as backfill.  Some of the team sifted sand for cement work in the afternoon.  The afternoon was short, as we could only spend a couple of hours there to paint doors, before we had to get back to the hostel.  Tonight was church, so we needed to get back early and get some needed showers and get ready for evening service.

 Lunch was spent at Betty's home in Sumpango, where they served some excellent spaghetti and frozen fruit dipped in chocolate.  Watermelon, cantelop, banana's and pineapple.


 The church service was a new experience for many members on the team, as their worship service is different than Wooddale's services.  I was asked to give a sermon tonight and Hal gave his testimony. 

 Dios Bendiga,

 Terry

 

Day 2

Greetings,
 Today we went to the school and the service team and the medical team stayed really busy.
 The medical clinic cared for 140 patients today.  70% of the patients were the children from the school and the remaining patients were from the mothers and teachers of the students.  The medical professionals (Jackie and Colleen) had interpreters working with them to help make sure the patients could clearly communicate the care that they needed. Many of the students were in need of shoes and socks.  The shoes that many of the children were wearing without socks were worn out and too small.  This was leading to some health concerns with some of the students.  Shoes were donated from a couple of Jr. High students from Wooddale that collected many pairs of shoes for this ministry.  The children were so happy to get new shoes.  

The service team was asked to fix the cistern, as it needed a float replaced.  As the team worked on the plumbing, it was discovered that there were other needs with how the pipes were run and valve was not working.   In addition to working on the plumbing on the cistern, the toilets also needed repair, so the team went to the hardware and picked up the tank kit for one of the restrooms and repaired a crank in the tank in the other.  The team also replaced some broken windows with chicken wire to prevent a pesky cat from getting into the classrooms at night.  The chicken wire over the open windows also provides good air ventalation in the room, so it doesn't get so warm and uncomfortable in the classrooms in the afternoon.

 After the workday, we met Victor who was a man that had a leg amputated after a bus accident from 5 years ago.  He has been using crutches to get around since that time.  We were able to provide Victor a cart/wheelchair, which enables him to be able to use the hand crank pedals to give him better mobility.  The cart was delivered to him and his family met him and shared their greatfulness with us that their Dad could have better mobility.

 The day was capped off with a birthday celebration with firecrackers in the street and a birthday cake for the team to enjoy.  Many thanks to the Guatemala hosts for the celebration.

 Dios Bendiga,
Terry