|
Joining God Where He is Already at Work
Through Medical Clinics in Guatemala
Submitted by Patti Filus, Medical Volunteer
Submitted by Sherry Wick, Medical Volunteer
Submitted by Patti Filus, Medical Volunteer
"The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them…." Matthew 11:15
 I would venture to say that most every member who has joined our medical mission team has in some way, shape, or form believed that this scripture would typify the experience of bringing healthcare and our faith to Guatemala. I would further venture a guess that no one has left Guatemala believing this scripture was fulfilled. There have been no miracle healings; no sight restored (although there are many happy people with new glasses!). The ‘poor’ that we served have not only heard the ‘Good News,’ but they live out their faith daily far more than many of us. The fact is the medical needs far out way the resources or abilities of our teams.
Instead, the scripture that I believe more accurately characterizes our medical mission is found in Philippians 2:2-4: "Being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose…in humility, consider others better than yourselves…look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Our trips have been a coming together of community; American and Guatemalan, wealthy and poor, educated and illiterate, Christian and non-Christian, with many varied backgrounds, who set aside their own lives and agendas for two weeks, because they share a passion to bring medical care to those people who have none.
Born from the encouragement of a Canadian physician who lived in Jacaltenango and befriended Habitat volunteers from Bay Presbyterian fifteen years ago, the first medical team traveled to Guatemala in 2001. This year marked the 6th mission trip, and includes doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists, allied health professionals, Peace Corp workers, volunteer interpreters, and unpaid helpers from the communities who somehow transcend the language barrier and perform little miracles that have blessed each person who has been privileged to serve.
What are some of those little miracles? Consider the following:
- The medical team arrives at the clinic with no interpreters. As we struggle through the language, an American Peace Corp couple arrives at the clinic, unaware that we were coming, but sensing that they needed to be there. They not only interpreted for the day, but accompanied us for the next several days as we traveled to other clinics.
- At the end of a long clinic day, as the team heads back to the hotel, a little Guatemalan girl runs up and hugs the volunteer who had held her hand through the tearful and difficult tooth extraction that morning, and happily declares “No le duele” (“It doesn’t hurt”) as she points to her mouth.
- A young, distraught, Mayan woman presents to the clinic for healing from the curse of a local witch doctor, which had plagued her for two years. A team of three laid their hands on her head, her heart, and her hand and prayed over her. She arose with a newfound peace and joy, departing the clinic with smiles and thanksgiving.
- A middle-aged woman, with daughters and nieces in tow, traveled five hours by bus and foot to arrive at the clinic by 8 a.m. She waits in lines all day to see the doctor, the dentist, and the optometrist. Never once did she stop smiling. She facilitated getting her own family through the clinic, and then stayed to help others. At 4 p.m. she gave hugs and blessings to each clinic worker, and began her five hour journey back home.
- The end of the clinic day, and the eyeglasses are nearly depleted, except for one pair of glasses with an unusual refraction that few people could use. An older man comes in for an eye exam, and happens to have eyesight that is perfectly matched to those same glasses.
- A young resident from Fairview Hospital accompanies the medical team, and observes the grossly lacking emergency fire and rescue services. Being a volunteer firefighter, he collects firefighting uniforms and equipment from his unit and returns the next year to disperse the supplies and train the local firefighters.
Each person on the team can share such a story.
God has been present and amazing in the small, seemingly insignificant moments of each trip. He has brought the right mix of people, to the right place and time, with the right set of gifts and experiences over and over again. All we have to do is to show-up and watch Him work miracles.
There is frustration. There is often the sense that we are trying to place a bandaid onto a hemorrhage. But with each trip, we get a little more organized, we see greater support from the community, and the medical infrastructure by the Guatemalan government is developing. Praise God!
What about the future? Education is a key focus. We are trying to develop better ways of teaching good health habits and basic hygiene, along with better nutrition. We are exploring organizations that can come alongside the team to offer medicine, supplies, and educational resources. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation alone contributed over $15,000 of medicines to our team this year. Our association with The Living Waters is bringing clean, potable, drinking water to San Marcos, one of the villages in which we serve.
Our hope and prayers are that God will continue to bring those individuals He has gifted and chosen to walk alongside us as we continue His work in Guatemala. Praise God that he continues to work in our midst….among us, through us, and even in spite of us!
Submitted by Sherry Wick, Medical Volunteer
In February 2007, I traveled with the mission trip to Guatemala and was fortunate to, not only miss the memorable Cleveland snow storm, but to experience the warm Guatemalan temperatures and people. We arrived after a long, no frills bus ride…….I’m sure, planned to get us ready for hard work instead of any perceived plans of a tropical vacation. Early the next morning, the troops divided (Habitat/Medical) and the medical team went off to our first medical clinic. We arrived at our destination after a beautiful tour through the country side, traveling the narrow mountainous roads, to find our patients already collecting in the waiting areas.
As the pediatric nurse practitioner, I was the lucky one to have all of the infants and children assigned to me to care for. Giving medical care to children in a different country begins with trying to understand not only their medical needs, but cultural needs and this can be quite a challenge. The language barrier, despite having incredibly wonderful individuals to help with interpretation, was an ongoing mental exercise.
Throughout the week I learned a tremendous amount about the medical care in Guatemala. I learned that the primary medical illnesses of the Guatemalan children were as listed below:
-
Respiratory diseases are the primary causes of morbidity and mortality. Children are exposed chronically to smoke because of the use of wood burning stoves in and around homes. These are used for cooking and heating. This is a large contributing factor to the high incidence of asthma and wheezing in this age group.
-
Gastrointestinal diseases - vomiting, diarrhea, parasites, and malnutrition are most likely related to contaminated water supplies and limited resources
-
Pour dentition
-
Skin Infections
In the clinics I was able to see approximately 40 pediatrics patients daily, ranging in ages from two weeks to 12 years old. The parents were very much like those I see in my office here, in so much that they love their children and want what is best for them. Parents in Guatemala struggle with saying no to junk foods and setting limits (Sound Familiar) because they want their children to be happy. The Guatemalan families had limited resources and little access to health care, but the mothers and children consistently showed gratitude and patience throughout the days we were there. There is a gentleness and closeness the parents show to their children. Infants and toddlers are kept in a carrier called a Mayan wrap close to their mother, these children must grow up feeling loved and securely connected to their parent and family. I leave the country with a feeling that the children are a valued part of the community. When this is true you are left with the belief that children will be cared for despite the limited resources of the country.
Bay Presbyterian Church is special to offer the opportunity for its members to go to Guatemala to serve. The experience makes us all aware of the work we can do. We understand our mission is to be sent into the world to help others. Sometimes we want to help, but we just need someone to lead the way and open our eyes. Our hearts our already opened and centered on what Christ would have us do. I am already looking forward to next year’s trip to Guatemala to care for the children.
|
