Recent Happenings

Medical and Dental 

Our clinical work here in Guatemala is still limited to outpatient consults this year. The restrictions locally due to Covid infection rates, hospital saturation and the government requirements for our facility licensing are putting a damper on our surgical groups. Though we are not hosting U.S. teams yet,  we are still offering primary care services daily at our central clinics and are starting to be invited out into the communities for mobile medical clinics. Our mobile work is restricted to sites that have enough space for patients to wait well-distanced and outside. And dental care is limited to our central clinics. We are hoping the vaccine availability here will improve and that we can start getting high risk patients vaccinated soon. 

 Our fans in the communities haven't forgotten us!

Darling and I working at Nahualate. Yes, it's hot with all this gear on!

Recently we were invited to work with the local health department at a nearby health post that doesn't have the staffing to prescribe medications. We are allowed to set up next door in the community center and charge for our consults and prescribe any of their meds from the health post or anything else we might have. The community leaders are very supportive and have been sending a representative to hang out with us. One of our nurses, Darling Ayerdis (licensed in Nicaragua) set up the arrangement as part of her social service year to get her full Guatemalan nursing license. So far things have gone well, and we hope to cultivate this relationship with the local health authorities while sharing Jesus with this town.

ABC Families

ABC kids from Chijtinimit--they are all grown up!

Kids are still restricted to "homeschooling" with homework assignments sent via text message or video chats. Families are frustrated for their older kids who are paying tuition for this kind of learning and hoping they are getting their money's worth. Sadly, we are hearing about more young people packing up and taking off to the States to find work, "because the recent changes have opened up opportunities." It is hard to to be supportive of these decisions and we pray that God will keep them safe and bring them home soon. 

Church Life

Baptisms and new church plant in Xatinap!

Despite the mandates on masking and distancing and room capacities, the churches are allowed to meet and most have started meeting regularly again, which is important spiritually and emotionally for people. We understand the public health concern of having large groups gather in tight spaces, but also see the need for fellowship and community. So many patients that are coming to us are struggling with loss of work, indebtedness, anxiety, illnesses needing specialized attention, worrying about family members who have headed to the States. Our evangelists and church partners are making efforts to be present during times of need and offering prayer, visiting and sharing the message of  Christ's regenerating Spirit. 

New life, new start!

Future Plans

We are busy readying our surgical facility at Clinica Ezell with updates and upgrades as we wait out the red tape of licensure renewal.  Please keep praying for progress, especially as Kemmel works with engineers and lawyers and other consultants guiding us through the process. We are grateful to all of our supporters for the generosity and continued interest in this ministry. Every week we meet patients who comment on the exceptional care they have received and their recognition of God's presence here.  We pray that  we will soon be working full steam and able to incorporate our U.S. team members in this mission work. If you would like to continue supporting the ministry, you are invited to join our Cross Walk Campaign.