The Beginning of the End

It's hard to try and sum-up the feelings and experiences I've had this past week. It was the fourth time that I had traveled to the area of Izabal, but it was the first time doing clinics in the towns we were in. In addition, the team of 15 SPU students made set this trip apart and made it special from past trips to this place. For the first two days, we were in the town that was farthest away, Creek Maya, and it took us about two hours just to get there. The hills were definately more difficult to navigate, but thanks to the Lord, it barely rained while we were there and we were able to get there and back every day. Along with having less rain, there was also more humidity and heat. It only took a few minutes before our scrubs changed a darker shade from the sweat, even so, the faces of those working were rarely without joy. It was the first time that a team from La Mision had come to help in this area and it was clear that it was needed. We were struck by how much education was needed in this area concerning sanitation and proper nutrition. The majority of patients were infected with a certain skin parasite, called Scabies, and it was only within a few hours before we ran out of medicine to treat it. This made me feel pretty angry, with myself especially, because I know we had a whole bottle full of this medicine back at the office, in the city. We decided not to bring more because we weren't expecting Scabies to be so prevalent. However, it was important to remember that in our weakness or in our lacking, God is strong and it is then when He usually chooses to do miracles. God did not make it possible to reach these areas to just bring people medicine. He made the journey possible, so that He could reveal Himself to His people, whether that be to the people of these villages or us. During the first two days of clinics, we saw around 150 people in medical and about 50-60 people in dental. The people that came to the clinics in Creek Maya seemed much more hesitant to receive healthcare, but it was a great foundation for future clinics. On the third day of clinics, we were in the village of San Carlos. La Mision had been in this area one time previously, but had experienced disorganization in the past with the patients. This time it was better organized and we were able to see over 100 patients in medical and at least 30 in dental. The people in this town seemed extremely grateful to see us there and were more receptive to accepting help as well. The indigenous language spoken in this area of Guatemala is Qu'eqchi and there numerous times were I wish I could speak this language. One word I did learn, after giving albendazol (a chewable anti-parasite) to basically every kid, sounded like, "Osh." This meant to chew or eat. During these clinics, the Lord blessed me with energy. Most mornings I felt tired upon arriving, especially after riding in the back of the truck requiring a strong grip to stay on. It was amazing how the Lord provided in little ways renewing our strength and enabling us to continue working.

Aside from working in the clinics, I was given yet another opportunity to get to know a great team of people with beautiful hearts. At the start of this last week, I was actually not very excited about meeting this group. I have been blessed greatly by meeting people from teams all over the U.S., but it always pains me to have to say goodbye after making such great friends. When it came time to meeting this group, I honestly felt drained of relationships. Thankfully, the Lord filled me yet again with a desire to get to know the people of this team and I was yet again blessed greatly by it. Even though the students from SPU were younger than most teams, they came with honest motives and open arms to serve the Lord. Overall, this last week was an excellent way to conclude working here.

As for doing medical missions in the future, it is always in the Lord's hands, but I would not mind doing this kind of work for a more extended period of time. Working with the people at La Mision have given me different view of how I imagined doing medical missions and a respect for those who work here. As for now, I head back to California the coming Wednesday to hunt down a nursing job and start paying back those dreaded college loans. Although this seems like the end of a chapter, I anticipate another one starting with more unknowns than any before. I am truly thankful that God is in control and not myself. Thank you for your prayers and please continue praying for La Mision and the beautiful people of Guatemala.

Here is a verse that was spoken of this week by one of the staff members, Maco, at La Mision that kind of summed-up the week...

"No eye has seen ,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love Him."

-1 Corinthians 2:9 also Isaiah 64:4

Another one that I stumbled upon, reading this morning, that serves as a great reminder...

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him."

-Isaiah 40:13

En Christo,

Stephanie

A lesson in compassion

One of my favorite worship songs has a line in it that says, "Let my heart break for what breaks Yours." This past week God has blessed me with experiences that have done just this. A professor at Whitworth taught me that another meaning for the word compassion is a feeling that comes from the guts or the insides of your being. This is a great picture of how I felt when helping some of the family in the towns of Sarita and San Pedro la Cocona. In one instance in Sarita, I was explaining medicine instructions to a mother with 4 children. She had just delivered her youngest recently via C-section and appeared extremely exhausted and obviously was not recovered from the operation. Her newborn baby was probably one of the sickest I have seen since being here. He had just received a nebulizer breathing treatment for bronchial pneumonia. I remember vividly the mother's face and how tired her eyes looked. We saw more mothers that day with their children than I remember at other times. During this trip to the town of San Pedro la Cocona, Tito explained to us how one family had impacted him and helped him to better understand what was needed in addition to medical help. Tito first met this family after tending to one of their younger children who had been extremely sick from parasites and was extremely malnourished. After setting up the clinics for our last day, we stopped by the home of this family. The mother was home with her five children and the second youngest was very sick at the time. They lived in a two-room structure that no one in the U.S. would consider a house. It was not even able to give them proper shelter from the intense rains and possible intruders. Their roof was basically rusted away and it was obvious that the family was not eating well from the looks of what had to have been a kitchen. As we prayed for this family and gave the mother some medicine for her child, I felt the now more familiar wrenching in my heart. The following day we were blessed to serve this family with medicine, including the drug of choice for the trip (albendazol-an antiparasitic), and vitamins. We were also able to put a new roof on this family's house and bring food to them. It is amazing how important the father is in the families here. You can tell if a family has a good father if the children are being fed and they have sufficient shelter. Sadly, some of the fathers in this area have not been taught the importance of how to spend money. It pains me to see that most of the families we see do not have the father present with them. It is evident in the faces of the mothers how life is for them and their children at home. Not all of the families are without a father-figure present, but it seems more common than the contrary. It is also amazing how important clean water, shelter, and food is and how everyday I unknowingly take these things for granted. It is so easy to forget that there are people without access to these basic needs. Along with feeling helpless about providing all that these people need, I am reminded of how powerful the hope I have found in Christ is to share. Without hope, we really have nothing, regardless of the material possessions or necessities we are blessed with. What was different after leaving on the last day was a sense of hope instilled in the people. Prais God for moving in ways we can not. He doesn't need us to be a part of His great plan to bring His children back into His embrace. One of the things I have been learning here is to do every work using all of my ability taking every opportunity to love others no matter where they are from. The people who came from this last team taught me much about loving others whole-heartedly. Either from working diligently counting pills in the Pharmacy or for praying for those who receive them. These people would jump at the chance to sweat profusely outside while putting fluoride in the mouths of the children. Joy was definately a contagious feeling with these fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. There are many stories I could share about the people I have spent time with last week. It is so great how you can be blessed through the most unexpected conversations, especially when Jesus is included.
This week we have been working in the office. It has been great having the new addition to our intern team, Trevor, here to help organize medicine and play an occasional, roaring game of King's Corner after work. He is going on his last year of medical school and has been a great help to the doctors here. It's also great to have a new person here for the Guatemalan's to tease. This morning we met all of the SPU students who are joining us next week in the clinics. Half of the students are working in the medical part and the other half is working with the children. They have been helping at America Latina (a private Christian school in the city) with the teachers and also traveling to schools, giving fluoride to the students. Prayers for preparing the hearts of these students are gladly welcomed. These students have an obvious excitement to serve and my hopes are that we are all able to work together well. Prayers so that the staff at La Mision does not get over-exhausted from the expected stress with the upcoming week having so many young people to organize. Praises again for the time that has been extended for me here and for the unknown that is to come tomorrow. Praises for being blessed in the greatest and smallest ways. Thank you for your prayers and for reading. Here is one of my favorite prayers by A.W. Tozer:

O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it mean the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into The proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, 'Hosanna in the highest.'
Amen.

Unexpected Surprise

God definately has a funny with carrying out His plans for us. This last week I was given the opportunity to stay in Guatemala for two more weeks. This change happened very quickly and seemed to be exactly the direction God wanted me to go. After talking lightly about the possibility of staying longer with Dr. Tito and mentioning this conversation to my aunt, it was only a few days later that the new team from Spokane offered to give me more money to stay the extra time. God had provided extra money for them this year and they jumped at the chance to give it to me. I did not ask anyone to stay for more time here or for money, but through the generous hearts of others, God works and provides.
This week has also been a week where I have felt extremely loved by the people here and at home. Even though my parents were a little upset after hearing about my opportunity to stay here longer, they have made me feel loved through allowing me to stay despite their desires to have me home. The families here also make me feel like I am one of their daughters. Until yesterday, I was staying with a beautiful family of one of the car drivers for La Mision. Jaja, is the great grandmother, cook, and nanny for this family. She speaks only Spanish and most of the time it is hard to understand her clearly, leaving much room for misunderstanding. You would never believe she is 92 years old by the way she never lets you help her in the kitchen or with household chores. She's also pretty quick to pull out the wooden spoon when the children, Lucy or JuanPa, are acting up. Anyways, before leaving this house, I had to first explain this move to Jaja who was not exactly happy at first. The morning that I left she greeted me with kind words, most of which I could only understand because of her tone of voice and expression. It is amazing how love is almost more clearly expressed without words. Today, I find myself staying with the Palacios family and can't help but feel cared for here. After a long week at the office and doing clinics in Palencia, it was nice to have today to rest and help Brenda, the lovely wife of Tito, with cooking. It was also fun to help their oldest son Alejandro with his English for school. With the help of the team from Spokane who brought molasses along with them, I was able to bake Gingerbread cookies with the kids here too. God continues to bless me with the time spent with the families here at whichever house I am placed.
As for the upcoming week, we travel to Punta de Palma to work in the more rural areas of Guatemala again. This time we will be working in the small villages of Sarita and San Pedro de Cocona (most likely spelled wrong). We leave early tomorrow and set out for the 5-6 hour drive to El Faro where we have stayed during past times. I am excited to see how God works in us and through us this week and although the place is more familiar to me than the first time, I have learned to expect surprises no matter where I am in Guatemala.
If you would keep this team in your prayers, especially for one of the women from Spokane who has had to cut her trip short due to problems back home. Also, continue your prayers for the staff of La Mision and the interns here. Thank you for your prayers and support. May God bless you in your pursuit of Him.

En Christo~
Stephanie

Well, another week has passed with new experiences and many blessings through out each day. The group and I traveled to the beautiful town of San Pedro, which is located at the base of one of three volcanoes in the area and is only a short walk from Lake Atitlan. Although the water looks clean, we were not advised to go swimming during the rainy season due to sanitation reasons. The people in this area wear older, more colorful dress and most of the older population speaks one of the many indigenous languages of the area.  Most of the streets in this small town are made of stone and are usually full of street-side fruit stands and small car-like vehicles called “Tuk-tuks”.  Each morning we would walk to the church were we would hold the same clinics as we have in the other places and the church group would put on a VBS for the kids in the afternoon. The team would also help continue the construction of the buildings surrounding the church. This has been a three-year project and it has been interesting to hear how things have progressed since the first year. At night the team prepared a series of talks for young couples in the area about the importance of having a Godly relationship. The first night was beautiful in multiple ways, from watching the impact the speakers had on the young men and women to talking with some of the youngest kids there about Jesus. I really became quite attached to some of these younger kids, who probably just came because there was nothing better to do until dinner. However, I was amazed how one of these young boys, probably about ten years old, took such good care of his younger brothers. We would see these boys through out the week at the VBS and it would both break my heart and warm it to see the malnourished faces of these children and yet how strong they were despite their state. I brought a Spanish Bible on this trip to give to someone here and ended up giving it to one of these boys, Pedro. It was so amazing to see how grateful he and his friends were to receive it and how eager they were to listen to some of our favorite verses. Of course this blessing came unexpectedly as most do and my eyes were open to the reality of how some are forced to live. Though they had little, these boys showed joy just by being with us. There was nothing I could do to remove them from pain or sickness, but I could share with them the love of Jesus. I will never forget these beautiful children and I pray that God does an amazing work in them.

On the medical side of things, I worked in the Pharmacy and lab area again, teaching those from the church group where to find the Albendazol and confirming with the doctor′s exactly how much Pepcid they wanted to prescribe. It was rare when I wasn′t counting pills, reading a urinalysis, or trying to explain in Spanish how a patient needs to take their prescription. Since some of the people in this town only speak the indigenous language, it was important to find someone who could translate these instructions to the patient. During the afternoon, I was able to assist in the dental part of the clinics. This week we were blessed to have three dentists/dental students here to help, Victor, Carlos A., and Carlos P. All of whom are fun to work with and also great to practice spanish with. 

On Friday, we took a boat to the other side of Lake Atitlan to the town of Panachel. The team from Houston requested another day of shopping here, so we were able to practicing our bargaining skills for yet another time. It was during this time around with clinics that I realized how much time and patience is put into caring for the needs of the visiting group from America. The staff of La Mision really goes to great depths to provide for the wants and needs of these people and there is much of it that goes on unnoticed. This team of Guatemalans, not only serves the people of their country, but also serves each person who is in the short-term missions group from the U.S. This is a beautiful thing to observe and a great example for anyone to learn from. 

As for the upcoming week, tomorrow I get to celebrate the 3rd birthday of Lucy, the daughter of the family I am staying with, and get to hit yet another piñata. I have a new roommate now from SPU who came with a group that will be helping with a school here called America Latina. They will be joining La Mision in September to help out with the “Jornadas” (medical missions). The next church group that is coming is from Eastpoint Church in Spokane, WA. I have met a few of these people before and am excited to see them again. We will be setting up clinics in Palencia and traveling to Punta de Palma again the following week. I can not wait to see how God will choose to work next. Please continue praying for the people here, it is really so powerful. May there be still less of us and more of God. 

En Christo,

Stephanie

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” - Isaiah 64:4

“How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” -John 5:44

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under His care.” -Psalms 95:6-7

Blessings

Well, this week it almost felt like Christmas, except for instead of receiving presents wrapped in bows and colorful paper, we received about a mountain of sample medicines and over 4 truckloads full of dental equipment and other supplies. As a result, the office is packed with these generous gifts that will be used to help others. I have been constantly amazed this week while hearing stories of how some of these donations have come here. From getting through airport security with dental equipment that happened to pass the weighing test to having just enough money to pay the staff for last month. One great thing that I have learned from Dr. Tito has been that God will always provide for the things that we need, but that everything that we have in excess conflicts with our daily worship of the Lord. Tito has not only told us about trusting in the Lord like this, this is the way he lives and it is clear how God faithfully blesses him and La Mision.
Tomorrow should be another filled day, packed with surprises as usual. We have many things to do to prepare for the team that arrives on Saturday. It will be the second team from the church in Houston and we will be heading to the town of San Pedro. It is located near Lake Atitlan about 3 hours or so away from Guatemala City. We will take the team to Antigua on Sunday and then will head out for San Pedro on Monday. The team will be putting on a VBS again through out the week and we will have clinics in the mornings like last week. I can not wait to travel to this part of Guatemala. I have heard many things about this area and am excited to experience it myself.
I really can not express in words the joy that I have felt while being here. God has blessed me consistently with a heart of contentment and overflowing joy even during the most difficult of times. I cant wait to wake up tomorrow and experience a day full of surprises either through conversations with people or through situations I will find myself in. I have really grown to love the people here and their passion for serving the Lord. Even when I feel like I am lost in translation or like I am the only gringa to tease, I am loving every minute of being here. I do not know if I have ever felt this kind of contentment before in my life and I praise the Lord daily for it. I can tell He is up to something and it is good.

Thanks for reading and praying, it is obvious how powerful your prayers are and how great our Lord is in answering them. Please continue to pray for the staff at La Mision (Dr. Tito, Dr. Oswaldo, Rolando, Victor, Wendy, Makko, Koki, and others that work so hard here) for needed rest and readiness for the next team. Also, for the team coming, that they would be excited to work, play, and learn. Please also pray for the two new interns who have arrived this last Monday, that they would be healthy for this week to come (Michael and Brian). Michael has been up late coughing and has not been feeling well during the day-although he says differently. Also, praise God for quick recoveries from illness for me and medicine that really does work. Praise for what the Lord is doing, has done, and will do.

En Christo,
Steph

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.” - Psalms 86:11-13

Goodbyes

I really do not like saying goodbye to anyone, especially to those who I may not see again. These three weeks that I have spent here so far, I have been able to make some of the greatest and unexpected friends. It is so amazing how God can bless you in ways like this when you decide to step out of your comfort zone. When I chose to come to Guatemala, I did not expect that I would become so attached to the people that I met here. Yesterday was our last day of clinics at Palencia with the group from Houston. It was also the last day of clinics for the 5 other interns staying here. Each one of these interns have given me so much joy everyday. From laughing until it hurts to helping each other get adjusted to working here, these friends have blessed me greatly. These people are also great examples of servants of our Lord and each one of them have a beautiful heart for serving those in need. 

With that said, these people who I‛ve gotten to know and love have become my comfort during my time here so far. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing, I have been shown again how important it is to find our comfort in Christ alone. This is easier said than done, especially when it is so much faster to find your comfort in those who are around you at the time. Jesus makes things so simple when He says, ‟Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.″ (John 14:1) In this time of change, I need to remember to solely let my comfort be in my Lord. For I know that He will never leave me. 

As for the happenings of this past week, which is probably the reason why you are really interested in reading this blog...

God has done amazing things at the school in Palencia and in the hearts of the people receiving care and giving it. This last team put together a great VBS in the afternoon time where the kids sang songs about Jesus, heard stories about Jesus, and made relationships with the team members here. It was beautiful to see some of the children get more involved and become more trusting of the leaders as the week went on. During the mornings, aside from the medical and dental clinics, the team painted murals in and out of the classrooms and were helping at every opportunity given them. Although Friday was going to be set aside for a day to visit the beach, the team from Houston decided to stay another half-day (which turned into being the whole day) to finish painting. So, Friday we helped paint the bathrooms or at least get a start on them. It rained hard that day so our work was limited, but it was fun to get dirty. 

As for the upcoming week, I turn 22 tomorrow. I′m just hoping that I bypass the embarrassing chicken-dance that the other interns had to perform standing on their chairs at the restaurant we went to last week. But, one thing I′ve learned being here is that you just never know what to expect in Guatemala. On Monday, the last of the 5 interns leave and 2 new ones from Whitworth will be arriving. Prayers for safe travels for those coming and going are needed. Also, prayers for the next team coming from the States, that their hearts come prepared to grow and there hands come ready to serve.  All of the people who work for La Mision seem to be in a constant state of working and providing for others, whether it be their families or those from the U.S. who they meet for the first time. Rest and renewal for the staff at La Mision is always a needed prayer. Also, prayers that God would provide, as He has done so faithfully in the past, financially for La Mision. Thank you for your prayers and support for me. 

En Christo,

Stephanie

‟But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.″ -2 Timothy 4:5

“Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and now my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” -Psalms 139:23-24

‟Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, ‛You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.′″ -Psalms 16:1-2

A new group at a familiar place

This week we are at Palencia. Despite the pouring rain, the team from Houston arrived safe and sound on Saturday. I got to meet all 9 of them on Monday upon arriving at the school in Palencia. In the mornings we have been doing the medical and dental clinics and in the afternoons the group puts on a VBS for the kids. I have been helping in the Pharmacy and lab area. Yesterday I had another great opportunity to see an ultrasound of one woman who was worried that something had gone wrong with her pregnancy. We were able to show this woman her baby′s hands and feet and reassure her that her baby was alive and moving. This beautiful glimpse of life is one of my favorite parts about helping here. Most of the pregnant women that we see are about my age or younger. As much as I love children, I do not know what I would do if I had to raise 3 or 4 of them right now. The strength that these women have is truly amazing. 

It has been great to see the changes that have been made and are still being made in Palencia. The group that is with us this week is helping to paint more of the classrooms and outside walls and is doing a beautiful job. Toilets for the school were also purchased this week. What is so great about each group that comes is that they bring with them a different personality and desire to work hard. It has been great for me to experience the other side of working with the team. There is really so much behind the scenes work that the doctors and other leaders do to keep everything in order. These men are truly godly men who want nothing more than to serve Christ through serving others. They sacrifice time with their family, sleep, food, and comfort and are not working to glorify themselves in any way. These are men who are following closely behind Jesus and I am so thankful to be learning from their example.

Thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for the team here, especially daily strength for the doctors. That the people we are serving may experience Christ′s love in a new way through these people and that we do not take any opportunity for granted. 

Well, it is way past my bedtime, which is usually more like 9pm nowadays, so until the next post, ciao! 

En Christo,

Stephanie

‟Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eye not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.″ -2 Corinthians 4:16-18