Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Agua Dulce
We finished our first day in Agua Dulce and it was a success. The morning started off normal with breakfast and going into the market and the mall. But then the adventure started. We loaded our stuff and ourselves on to a sweet, brand new Suzuki truck. The back/bed was equipped with seats and storage bins, but there was also room to stand up during the ride. So, most of is stood the whole trip. If was great to stand in the back of the truck and see the beauty of Guatemala. The trip was about 3 hours long and it was absolutely gorgeous. Standing there, gripping the bars tightly with the wind blowing in our hair!
Once we arrived in Agua Dulce we unpacked and unloaded and had lunch. Lunch was a true Guatemalan meal: tortillas with cheese and black beans with crema! Delicious. Following lunch we opened our first medical clinic. It was definitely something new for all of us, but everyone did so well. We ended up seeing 48 patients in the three hours we were open. Some had very minor issues like coughs or fevers, while others had enlarged hearts and heart murmurs. It was not easy for our health professionals or our students to send people off with the minimal amount of care we could provide. But yet, a lot of good was done during the clinic. The language barrier was also tough, but a few people really stepped up. In particular, Hannah was on fire - helping to translate with anyone who needed it. She said she spoke more Spanish in that 3 hours than she had her entire life. In general everyone did their part and did it with smiles on their faces, showing God's love to all who entered.
Rob Bradford
Once we arrived in Agua Dulce we unpacked and unloaded and had lunch. Lunch was a true Guatemalan meal: tortillas with cheese and black beans with crema! Delicious. Following lunch we opened our first medical clinic. It was definitely something new for all of us, but everyone did so well. We ended up seeing 48 patients in the three hours we were open. Some had very minor issues like coughs or fevers, while others had enlarged hearts and heart murmurs. It was not easy for our health professionals or our students to send people off with the minimal amount of care we could provide. But yet, a lot of good was done during the clinic. The language barrier was also tough, but a few people really stepped up. In particular, Hannah was on fire - helping to translate with anyone who needed it. She said she spoke more Spanish in that 3 hours than she had her entire life. In general everyone did their part and did it with smiles on their faces, showing God's love to all who entered.
Rob Bradford
Monday, June 23, 2014
Cultural Day
Today was eventful and loads of fun. It started bright and early for a few of is who went on a 3-4 mile run at 7:45 this morning. The participants were Hannah, Peyton, Rob, and Jesse(the intern). It was a tough run in this altitude and with all of the hills, but it was also exhilarating.
Breakfast and clean up followed the run. Soon after that was many of us went on various excursions. Some people went to the market, others went to exchange money and lastly a couple of people went to a paper store. The goal was to walk around town and take it all in. This is essential in a cultural immersion trip like this one.
Next we went to a blanket factory where many of us bought blankets of various shapes, sizes, and colors. They were gorgeous.
Our next stop was at the Mayan Ruins here in HueHuetenango. This is always fun as we can climb all over the ruins and really explore. The only downside today was the torrential downpour that started when we arrived. Many ran for shelter while others braved the storm and walked all over the ruins.
Our last stop of the day was at the biblico instituto de Berea where Sharon have a health talk on pregnancy (post, pre, and during) with some Of the local women. Sharon was joined by Pat, grace, Laura, and Sally. The rest of us were there as well, but we worked in a different room cleaning and organizing medical supplies. Katrina took charge and got us all in line. The cleaning and organizing went well and we did a great job. Now, we are chilling and relaxing back at the guest house as we wait for dinner.
Tomorrow morning we will be leaving for the plantation at Agua Dulce. There is absolutely no wifi and I will do my best to write every day, but I will not be able to post them until we return to HueHue.
Breakfast and clean up followed the run. Soon after that was many of us went on various excursions. Some people went to the market, others went to exchange money and lastly a couple of people went to a paper store. The goal was to walk around town and take it all in. This is essential in a cultural immersion trip like this one.
Next we went to a blanket factory where many of us bought blankets of various shapes, sizes, and colors. They were gorgeous.
Our next stop was at the Mayan Ruins here in HueHuetenango. This is always fun as we can climb all over the ruins and really explore. The only downside today was the torrential downpour that started when we arrived. Many ran for shelter while others braved the storm and walked all over the ruins.
Our last stop of the day was at the biblico instituto de Berea where Sharon have a health talk on pregnancy (post, pre, and during) with some Of the local women. Sharon was joined by Pat, grace, Laura, and Sally. The rest of us were there as well, but we worked in a different room cleaning and organizing medical supplies. Katrina took charge and got us all in line. The cleaning and organizing went well and we did a great job. Now, we are chilling and relaxing back at the guest house as we wait for dinner.
Tomorrow morning we will be leaving for the plantation at Agua Dulce. There is absolutely no wifi and I will do my best to write every day, but I will not be able to post them until we return to HueHue.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
HueHuetenango
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Guatemala City
The American airline people are safely in HueHuetenango!
The Delta Airline people are safely in Guatemala City!!
We arrived shortly after 7pm local time and had a small snafu at baggage claim...we are missing two pieces of luggage. One is full of medical supplies and the other is all of Taye and Jadyn's clothes plus Sharon's cosmetics and toiletries. We hope to get both bags soon. Following that, going through customs was a breeze. They didn't stop any of us. We just walked through! Edwin and Hilde were there waiting for us and we quickly boarded the van and were on our way! Our first stop was at Edwin's parents house where we had a wonderful spaghetti dinner. Now, we are at our sleeping quarters. It is a guest house in a safe neighborhood with at least one other missionary group here. The accommodations are wonderful and everyone is settling in. My hope is that they fall asleep quickly because we are leaving at 5am to head out to HueHue!
It is good to be able to lay our heads down and get a good nights sleep before our 5-6 hour drive tomorrow.
Rob Bradford
The Delta Airline people are safely in Guatemala City!!
We arrived shortly after 7pm local time and had a small snafu at baggage claim...we are missing two pieces of luggage. One is full of medical supplies and the other is all of Taye and Jadyn's clothes plus Sharon's cosmetics and toiletries. We hope to get both bags soon. Following that, going through customs was a breeze. They didn't stop any of us. We just walked through! Edwin and Hilde were there waiting for us and we quickly boarded the van and were on our way! Our first stop was at Edwin's parents house where we had a wonderful spaghetti dinner. Now, we are at our sleeping quarters. It is a guest house in a safe neighborhood with at least one other missionary group here. The accommodations are wonderful and everyone is settling in. My hope is that they fall asleep quickly because we are leaving at 5am to head out to HueHue!
It is good to be able to lay our heads down and get a good nights sleep before our 5-6 hour drive tomorrow.
Rob Bradford
Barely
Well, we barely made our flight after a delay in Detroit. We had to run, but we are here and boarding now! So excited. Next stop - Guatemala City!!!
Rob Bradford
Rob Bradford
Friday, June 20, 2014
Guatemala 2014
Well, in just over 24 hours we will all be in Guatemala. Tonight is our packing party and sure it will be a blast. We are going to load all of our luggage with medicine, soccer balls, crafts, and little toys. I'm really excited about this opportunity and the group we are taking to Guatemala this year. We are going to work really hard and have a lot of fun. The perfect combination!!
Rob Bradford
Rob Bradford
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