Guatemala November 2009

Dr. Daniel Holt will be leading a trip a few days from now down to Guatemala. The trip is planned from Nov. 7-15 and we are praying that those going will be challenged and changed and that the Guatemalans will be blessed.

Guatemala February 2009

CHICHICASTENANGO-

On February 21st, 2009, Dr. Daniel Holt led an excited team of 6 to Chichicastenango, Guatemala for a medical mission trip. The team consisted of Dr. Daniel Holt, Lynne and Andrew Bogolin, Rafael "Macho" Lara, Bob Allen, and Ashley Provenzano. After a long, but fun day of travel, we arrived at Casa del Rey, our home for the next 9 days. On Sunday, we journeyed to a town called Joyabaj where we witnessed a bible dedication. It was a wonderful experience, as it was for a new translation being released to the people in their native tongue (Quiche-Joyabaj) after 40 years of preparation. It was exciting to see God's word working and speaking to the ends of the Earth!

On Monday, we shared our first clinic experience with the help of local missionaries, Leslie and Leah, whose language skills were very beneficial. We set up a clinic of three stations: Bob and Leah doing triage, Dan, Leslie and Ashley as providers, Macho and Lynne doing pharmacy, and Andrew was the offical entertainment for all the children. Clinic went really well, as we were able to look at, listen to, and love over 100 patients that day. It is amazing the connections and relationships we can form with other people through touch, smiles, and laughter, even when verbal communication is a barrier.

Tuesday's clinic was set up in another town, Chuabaj, and was also a memorable experience. On Wednesday, we traveled to a nursing home and we were able to spend time with delightful elderly folks. While Dr. Holt, Lynne, and Andrew examined and cared for patients, Macho, Leah, Bob, and Ashley were the prime entertainment. Macho played music and worship songs were sung, and latex exam gloves were inflated as balloons to keep the residents smiling.

Thursday was a powerful day. We headed to a prison to set up clinic and feed them lunch. A local Guatemalan pastor spoke about God's love to the prisoners and Macho sang a few worship songs in Spanish. We saw about 110 prisoners that day and handed out over 60 pairs of eyeglasses. It was touching to be able to look into the eyes and love these people who are just like us, in desparate need of the love and forgiveness that Christ offers. We had only brought enough food for 100 prisoners, but God is so awesome and after serving 110 prisoners, we still had food leftover! He is so worthy of our praise!

After four days of hard work, we spent the last leg of our trip exploring and enjoying the beauty of God's marvelous creation. On Friday, we traveled to Lake Atitlan, where we able to see volcanoes and monkeys! We walked and shopped in the busy marketplaces of Santiago and Panajachel, where we got a little taste and flavor of the exotic culture of Guatemala. On Saturday, we spent the day in Antigua, the original capital of Guatemala, and we saw an active volcano as well as a lot of historical buildings and ruins. Our last night was spent in Guatemala City where are flight home departed from.

What was amazing about this trip was not just the number of people we helped through medicine, but what these people brought to the six of us. During this trip, God touched our lives, through not only the smiles of the people, but also by connecting the six of us and giving us the opportunity to love and relate to one another. It was a trip that we will always remember and be thankful for.