Home in Chicacao - Proof of Life!

After a day of relaxation and getting rained on, Morgan also took photos of everyone who went to their new homes in Chicacao.  One group from rural environment in Chichicastenango communities of Paxot 2 and Mactzul 5 to urban environment in Chicacao and one group from Chicacao to Chichicastenango communities.

Back Together!

It is hard to believe, but it's already the half-way mark for our time with the MET interns. We made a trip to Lake Atitlan to debrief and spend some time together sharing experiences and tips for living. After a night at the lake we were ready to do the student exchange and get back to work.  We got everyone tucked into their new host families after a long but fun day.  This round was fueled by three different coffee and bread sessions!  The students kept saying, "I hope we aren't still eating dinner later..." Silly rookies!

Rendezvous in the parking garage. 

Good times at the lake house.

Riding in the boat and listening to stories.

We couldn't find a good view of the lake to go take a group pic, so we stopped on the side of the road before heading our separate ways.

Brittne all smiles on moving day.

Miranda "fitting in" her cozy room.

Jonathan and Jonathan. 

Ethan after the long hike up to his house!

Jessica all settled in after her not-so-long hike to her house.

Mackenzie in her new apartment.  

 

And, She's Off...

This month with Kemmel's mom visiting has flown by.  We were pampered with her cooking and sewing all month and enjoyed just getting to spend time together.  Even our kitty warmed up to her, jumping on her lap in the evenings for a siesta.  We got to spend a few days in Antigua and Guatemala City doing tourist stuff and visiting with friends. We said our see-you-laters at the airport early yesterday.

Roberta checking out the beautiful Birds of Paradise at Hotel Antigua

Voila!  New curtains.  Thanks, Roberta!

The alliums are in bloom all over and we found a beautiful patch for a lovely backdrop.

Mother and baby at El Tenedor restaurant.  

Life on the Field

We have been staying pretty busy in clinics and church activities around here. I think we have worn the students out on some days.  Sounds like some are getting to bed by 8-9:00 every night.  Here are some good pictures of Sheri giving a women's health class and clinic with Morgan and Kaitlin and Teresa in Xepol.  Thanks for the pics, Morgan!

Star Women's Health team, Morgan, Kaitlin, Teresa and Sheri.

Sheri teaching about cervical cancer detection and prevention.

Kaitlin getting vital signs while Teresa and Cesar get pharmacy ready.

Kaitlin and Morgan ready for the day.

Gringo Day

Well, it's that time of year again, folks.  Gringo Day is a longstanding tradition among MET students here in Guatemala.  We start off the day with the students running up to town to get our last minute groceries, giving them a chance to enjoy a tuctuc ride up to the plaza.  The funny part today, is I forgot to tell them the name of our colonia so they could get a ride back.  So after the taxi driver took them around trying to find the right neighborhood, they decided to just walk back.  They made it!  After that, they settled in for coffee and tea and card games and movies.  We enjoyed a yummy brisket and potato salad and coleslaw lunch, with bottled soft drinks, courtesy of Sheri.  Thanks, Sheri! We sat around and told stories about family life here in Quiche country. After cookies and another movie (Emperor's New Groove and Gladiator today) we wrapped up another successful Gringo Day. Back to real life now!  We will be in clinics again tomorrow.

Getting ready for some serious cards.

"look natural"

Surrogate grandmother/granddaughter Kimmi and Roberta making potato salad

Al fresco dining

Enjoying Some Hospitality

One of Roberta's wishes while visiting here has been to meet the ABC child that she sponsors.  They got to meet each other in church last week and his mom invited us to come eat lunch with them a few days later.  We really enjoyed getting to know Pedro and Natalia and their kids Jhony (Roberta's ABC child) and Estrella.  They were more that hospitable providing soft drinks as we waited for the kids to get home from school, and then a delicious and bountiful chicken soup. We were treated like royalty and family at the same time.

Roberta and Jhony

Jhony and Estrella practicing penalty kicks in the kitchen after lunch.

Pedro, Jhony, Estrella and Roberta.

With us thrown in the mix.

Life in Guatemala

Our star team after a long day at clinic.

Life with our students is always entertaining.  They offer a fresh take on life here in our little neck of the woods.  For instance, they are thrilled when patients help them with their Kiche words or actually understand their Spanish.  They are surprised to find that there is no internet cafe in Paxot III with wifi available, after a hopeful two mile walk uphill. They took part in an birthday party/worship service for a one-year old that should have ended at lunch but went "all day".
They are enjoying being the new kid on the block in their towns, for now.  Kimmi says every evening she gets home and all the kids on her road yell out, "Kimmiiiiiii!" Morgan has become an expert in locating all the local restrooms...hope that gets better soon! Preston says the to distance to his home's bathroom is farther than going across the street to use the one at the church--just sayin'.  Justin is learning how to weave women's skirts in his spare time.
Blake is becoming a professional urine dipstick technician.  Kaitlin gave a shot to a patient who said she could barely feel it--after nervously watching me explain to Kaitlin how to place the needle. They are good sports and have been helpful in clinic and willing to tough out our long days.  Good job, guys--you are getting a real taste of missionary life! Tomorrow is "gringo day" here at our house where we will relax and talk gringo and eat the food of El Norte.

Jesus and Justin at Paxot II Iglesia de Cristo

Kimmi holding a newborn while mom gets her c-section wound checked.

Maybe no wifi, but Preston and Kaitlin did find a good view.

Blake, Preston and Justin scoping out women's skirts for the ladies back home.