Day 4 - Health Care Site

Written by Heather:

Buenos noches friends and family!

Today is day number four in our Guatemala adventure.

Yesterday, I was able to take part in what goes on in the health clinic in our town of Magdalena. The clinic is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and is in much demand by the people. The clinic is compromised of three rooms; the waiting room which holds a small wooden table and a few plastic chairs, the back room in which the patients walk through to go see the doctor, followed by the exam room. What I've come to understand here is that everything is on a much smaller and more humble basis.

My morning started off with a prayer amongst myself, the SI nurse, two SI volunteers, the doctor, and the receptionist/nurse. I am not in a place at this point in which I can pray in Spanish, but it is something to aspire to. Next we went into the exam room and took a seat. I would say that we had approximately ten patients from nine until about noon. The majority of these patients are women with the main diagnosis related to a gastrointestinal issue and the other of UTIs. What I have been able to do is take patients blood pressure, blood sugar, test urine samples, and distribute medication into bags for the patients.

One thing that I have really had to remind myself is that God calls us to be faithful. We are here in Guatemala to give to those who we are serving, instead of looking to take what we can for ourselves.

Today, being Thursday, we went to work at the clinic in a small village 20-30 mins outside outside of Magdalena called El Gorrion. In comparison to Magdalena, El Gorrion is much more rustic I guess you could say. SI rents out a building in both Magdalena and El Gorrion to have as a clinic, and it is run by Dr. Racquel.

I found today to be quite a bit more challenging as I did not have someone to interpret what the doctor and patient were saying to each other. I was however able to pick out a few distinguishing words that kinda-sorta helped.. I was blessed today to be able to meet quite a few of the children that live in El Gorrion as they or their mothers were being examined. It is incredible to me how simple it can be to interact and become friends with a child :)

After each patient finished with the doctor, we asked if they would like to be prayed for. In partnership with the Social Work team, we joined together to learn more about these patients and their needs for prayer. It was incredible to learn about these patients and their needs. The majority of the patients that agreed to stay for prayer were very open with us about their lives and appreciated being prayed for. I am beginning to see how God is working and moving amongst the people in our location in Guatemala. I am excited to see what tomorrow brings.

Much love :)