YAY!!!! Estamos aqui!!!
Mary and I have safely arrived in Guatemala. We are currently in the middle of our 5th full day and are taking a break from seeing patients to connect with the outside world at the internet cafe. So far things are wonderful....very different, but pretty amazing. Our families are so wonderful, it's humbling.
We have been out to see patients twice so far. The first time was actually in our own village - Xepocol - and yesterday we went to a town that I cannot pronounce. Xepocol was nice, because it was a slow day and good for transitioning. Yesterday though, we saw 60 patients!! There are 2 doctors we work with, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Josefina. Lisa is from the states (which is nice, because she speaks fluent english!) and Josefina is actually from Guatemala. Around here it is a HUGE accomplishment for someone to go to college - especially a woman - and even bigger to complete medical school. Needless to say, I have a lot of respect for Dr. Josefina. Mary and I get to trade doctors each day so that we are able to see how they work with the patients. So far our patients have been very nice. Most people bring their entire families when they hear that the clinic will be in their town!
Life in Guatemala is very different. I have my own room, which is actually its own building, with a cot and a floor covered in pine needles. The rest of my family ( 8 people in all) sleep in another room together. There is also a kitchen-room. These three rooms-buildings make up 3 of the four walls of my house. The fourth is made of bamboo. In the middle there is an open space which my Guatemalan mother has decorated with many flowers. Behind my rooom is where my family keeps their chicken coup.....so I am woken up every morning at about 3 by a rooster. I have a new found hatred of roosters. HA!
Well, we are in an internet cafe and my hour is almost up. Mary says "ditto" to everything I have written so far and we plan on writing more on Saturday!
Hasta Luego!
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2 comments:
Great to know you arrived safely and how your days are going. Keep the diary notes and pictures coming. Keeping you in our prayers for safety and a great adventure! mmurphy
Yes, the roosters!
I remember every trip that I know I am in Guatemala when I hear the roosters. I think about Peter. How many times do the roosters crow? Reading the Bible I always thought it was one time, but in Guatemala I learned they crow and crow and crow. How Peter must have suffered his failure every time he heard the roosters crow and I am sure it was all night long.
So glad you were able to make the trip to Guatemala as I know your life has been blessed. You will be in my prayers for God's guidance in the decisions of your life for the future.
And you have blessed HTI and the Mayan people in Guatemala because of your heart for the Lord.
Love and prayers,
Vicki Ratts, RN
Former HTI Board Member
Denver, CO
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