Keepin' On

Orquids love the rainy cloudy weather!

Rainy season is in full force around here. In general we love this time of year for its cool, cloudy days and rainy nights. It's a real blessing knowing folks up North are suffering 100+ degree days and fires.  However, things are getting pretty soggy around here lately.  Thankfully in our area we haven't had any serious issues, but the two main highway systems from the Capital city to the Highlands and to the Coastal areas are plagued with mudslides and a huge sink hole. That makes travel to the Capital a real headache. Be praying for the government to have wisdom and resources to adequately address this. 

Arial view of the mudslide on the highlands highway. They have it back open now and under observation. (Photo Prensa Libre Carlos H. Ovalle)

Major sink hole in the Coastal highway. Still not passable. (Photo Prensa Libre Roberto Lopez)

Clinics are going well and people are grateful as always for the care they receive from our staff. I had a patient come in with diabetes symptoms ("Doctora, my urine is like pure honey!") accurately diagnosed by his wife for about a year, but he wasn't having any of that! We gently but firmly pointed out his high blood sugar result, 30 lb weight loss, and all of his symptoms and started his diabetic education. Hopefully he will accept the diagnosis and medication and begin some lifestyle changes. His wife who has been a diabetic for 15 years was well controlled and very thankful for her medications and asked about nurse Sheri. 

Mobile clinic in Rio Bravo

Covid cases are picking up again, but so far no hospital overflow like last year, which is reassuring. Schools are still in a hybrid state as they are waiting to get kids vaccinated before going full time. Not sure when that will come to pass, so we just wait and pray for families to figure it out the best they can. A study came out this week showing that 70% of Guatemalan students failed to reach minimum academic standards during the last 2 years. We have a long way to go. 

Moms and kids from Las Trampas.

Our hospital licensure is still an issue at Clinica Ezell, preventing us from hosting surgery teams. But we are on the right path and jumping through the hoops necessary to get government approval of our site. Our local health department is starting to be more reassuring about our future approval. We talked to a dentist friend who said lots of private clinics are struggling with the same issues regarding their environmental and sanitation licensing and large fines for practicing without proper permits in hand. So, we are trying to be diligent and patient and praying for progress. Please continue to pray for us to advance in this area. 

One of the ongoing requirements to maintain the environmental license is planting native species plants and trees on the property. Our staff reached out to the government agriculture agency and we were able to score some free saplings (including mahogany) and education on how to start our own nursery. The program provides the trees, and we invite people from the community to come help work, and the government pays the people with food packages per day of labor. 

One of the ladies (Dolores) helping prep seedling bags.

Our onsite tree nursery.

Thankfully we are still able to host mobile medical/dental clinics this year. We've enjoyed spring break teams and wheelchair clinics, and in May we hosted a team from Oklahoma Christian University to wrap up our well-child check-ups for the ABC sponsorship kids. They are a great group and always come prepared.

Dr. Neil Roberts showing off his pediatric skills

 

Diane and AnaLuna running the library area.

Everyone is growing well thankfully!

This year we were even treated to a smoked turkey Thanksgiving meal for the whole staff and team, courtesy of Eric Phelps! He brought down his own smoker and left it for us to use now and for next year!

Eric Phelps the champion turkey smoker, sharing his know how with our team.

 

This was a great group. Thanks, OCC!