Spring Break!

Does that phrase bring back memories of laying out on the beach/poolside or even skiing down the powdery slopes? In Texas it was always a little too chilly for sunbathing at spring break, be we gave it the old college try!

This week is the first of three weeks with university teams working with us. Last night we welcomed the team from Pepperdine University from Malibu, California. We thank them for giving up their time at the beach or with family during their time off to come here and work. Our week is packed with good lineup of clinics in the surrounding communities and activities with their kids.

We'll post some pictures later this week.

Getting Some Work Done

While I love working mobile clinic, there is something very soothing and refreshing in having Admin Day. Today I was able to organize some of my thoughts for our education days for our volunteers and regular staff. It is so easy to let yourself get behind in lesson planning and reviewing materials--before you know it, there is a class looming ahead. So, today I buckled down and did the deed. Now I have some direction for the coming months' classes.

Yesterday we had a class on preventive health with good participation from everyone. We learned about which diseases can be prevented and how, and ways to prevent complications once someone has contracted an illness. We also had one of the ABC communities in for their dental check-up. Here's some good pictures. And Sheri got some more on her site http://www.sheriinguate.blogspot.com/.

"Brush your teeth.....round and round..."

"....circle small.....gums and all......"

Ready for their seatwork.

Sheri's not too sure about some of those answers!

Hmmmm..... "Secondary Prevention".......Hmmmmmm.......

The great thing about bringing all of our volunteers together is how they get to share ideas and news. We have some special discipling books we have to give to newly baptized christians and were asking if anyone needed any. From the 10 churches represented yesterday (only half of our communities) there was a need for 27 books for new christians. And that is jus for 2010! We chatted with one of the brothers from Mactzul Sexto who said last year they only had 14 added to the church, but this year they gave themselves a goal of 25. So far they have 5. They have two personal evangelism teams who are dedicated to sharing the gospel in home studies. Sounds like a good start.


This weekend we welcome the first of three Spring Break Teams (Pepperdine, Harding and Abilene Christian Universities) to come work with us in the clinics. It will be fast and furious, but also uplifting to be around energetic young Christians interested in foreign missions.

Happy Birthday Valentine!

Kemmel doesn't like having his picture taken, but every now and then I sneak one in. As you can see, Everybody Loves Kemmel! Happy Birthday and Valentine's Day to my favorite person!

Salute!

I just want to take a few lines to recognize my nephew Zach who has started basic training this week in the Army. We are so proud of him for making such a commitment to serve our country. Please pray for his safety, for our family as we miss him, and that God will guide him and use him in His kingdom wherever he serves.

While most of the U.S.A. was being pounded by winter storms, we endured hot steamy weather down at Clinica Ezell, only relieved at night when the rain came pouring down. We went down to visit with some friends on the visiting surgical team and pick up supplies for our clinic. Sheri went down with a van full of babies and their families who were scheduled for cleft lip or palate surgery; she has some great pictures of the week. www.sheriinguate.blogspot.com

We got up early Wednesday and headed back to Chichi for clinic. We were sure glad to get back to the dry "heat" of the mountains--a balmy 75 degrees. Today was busy but good. I saw a 4 year old with previously-undiagnosed congenital heart disease who is beginning to get symptomatic. Thankfully the parents seemed concerned and agreed to take him to the capital.

Tomorrow we hit the trails again for clinic in Choacaman. Should be a good day!

Looks like our brief stint of winter-like weather is over. We are enjoying cool but not cold nights and very warm dry days. The night skies are brilliantly clear with so many stars. Very nice!

Work is going well, with clinics picking up. School is back in session and it seems like the number of students has increased this year. The kids getting scholarships through Health Talents are all excited and ready to start the year. One of our co-workers is starting her acounting degree at the University in nearby Santa Cruz through their weekend program. One of our other coworkers is also attending weekend adult education classes to finish her junior high and then high school diploma. We are so proud of them and pray that God guides them in their studies.

As a team we enjoyed a day of education on Monday from Mikal Frasier and Linda Henry who presented counseling approaches with people who have suffered various forms of abuse and relationship failures. We have so many encounters with patients every day and recognize a lot of these problems in our patients. So we were all greatful to receive such good advice.

Tomorrow is pap smear day--good times! Then we get ready to go down to Clinica Ezell to enjoy visiting with the surgical team. Be praying for all of our patients but especially our babies going down for cleft lip and palate surgery.