More Clinics

Another weekend, another awesome visit with the Ficker family. We had dinner with Jacob, Minchi, and Jacobito on Friday night, then had a short night of sleep and a trip to Canillá for morning clinic with Leslie and Katie. Heidi got to do a minor procedure on a man (probably a first for her - at least the first in quite a while!)... You can ask her where it was, but she probably won't tell!

This morning (Sunday), we went to clinic again in San Andrés where Heidi got to look at a few more male problems. Where's Francisco Orejuela when she needs him!?!?! We got Leslie and Katie out of there before 1pm (the goal was noon) so the Fickers could head out on a well deserved two-day break in Antigua. Of course, you know they'll work the whole time, but at least they're not at home!

Tomorrow is our first "solo" clinic. We'll be in Nueva Santa Catarina. It's a small village at about 10,000 ft. altitude just outside Quetzaltenango (a.k.a. Xela - pronounced "Shay-la"). The church there seats about 12 people. They have been waiting for a clinic for quite some time and we are excited about our first one without any "across the room consults" from more experienced medical missionaries like Leslie or Dra. Karin or Jim and Kathleen. Pray for us to have patients we know how to help!!!

After clinic, we'll get to go to our first "real" grocery store in about three weeks. We're getting a little tired of Jamón Americano, which is one of the few items we've found here in the local shop... (Jamón is ham. And we like ham sandwiches, but only so much!) Xela is a pretty modern city. It has an Hiper Piez (think, Walmart) and a shopping mall. We have a list. Imagine that!

Anyway, this afternoon we're just packing stuff for clinic tomorrow (hoping we bring the stuff we'll need!), washing about 3" of dust off the truck, weeding in the garden, and resting up for tomorrow. If you count Saturday and Sunday (which you should), tomorrow will be Day 3 in a 9-day-stretch of clinics. A week from tonight, we're coming home and unplugging the phone for a day!

That's it for now. Keep us and our patients in your prayers. Our first week solo. Cross your fingers!!!