We saw a smaller number of patients today - less than 20 - which was nice because we got to spend more time with each one. We have a couple of prayer requests. The first is Arimatea Valux (her last name is pronounced Va-loosh). She came in complaining that she has no appetite and that she feels "susto". This translates to "badness, awfulness". After several attempts to find out what's going on in her life, she explained that her husband works in a nearby town and lives there. She is living with her in-laws and is being abused. She had a few minor health complaints, which we addressed, but really needed someone to pray with her. Luckily, the translator is the pastor and he spent several minutes praying with her in K'iche (her language).
Another prayer request is for Manuel Tamloriz Cuj. He's a 13 year old boy with some eye problems. We aren't really qualified to address those, but we referred him to the Guatemalan eye team that's here every two weeks. It's very possible that he'll end up being referred to one of the eye teams coming here from the US in October. Please pray for his mom to follow up on him and get him evaluated so he can possibly be treated. He is awfully young to have problems with his vision.
Our third prayer request is for Juan Ixquiactop Guarchaj. He's a very, very nice young man (24 years old) who came in for treatment of "attacks". When we asked what happens when he has these "attacks", he basically said that he doesn't know. He blanks out and doesn't remember anything. His dad tells him that he doesn't convulse or flop around, but just basically goes blank. Heidi is going to read up a bit on Absence Seizures and see what we can do for him medically, but Matilde jumped right in and told this man that what he needs is Jesus. You could really tell that he was down in the dumps. He's been out of school for two years due to these attacks, but he told us what he really likes to do is read and study. Please pray that God uses this opportunity to open some doors in Juan's heart.
We have a good news story from two weeks ago. Maria Guaschaj is a prenatal patient who we diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. We were quite worried about her and even called Matilde a few times to check on her. Matilde took her to the hospital in Xela along with another local woman who needed some medical attention but they didn't really do anything for her. The local church has been praying for her every day, as have we. Today, her blood pressure was completely normal! We know because we checked it four times.... Good job, God! Please keep Maria in your prayers, too.
Ah yes, pictures. In the second picture, you'll see the pastor, who's name is Matilde, standing behind one of our patients and his mother. He was in for a rash or something. The point of the picture is just to show Matilde, the inside of the church, and one of the typical local families.
The third picture was the first child who let Heidi hold her all day long. For some reason, Heidi was especially scary to kids today! Her name is Kenya and she was in for a fungal infection on her leg that actually looked pretty scary (at least to the musician who was helping the doctor). She was very, very cute, though, and we think we can help her!
Anyway, we got back to Quiche from clinic about 3:30pm and decided we had time to run into town and buy some bikes before two patients were scheduled to show up at our house at 5pm (long story - don't ask). The 4th picture is of our new bikes!!!! We'll use them for in-town transportation and exercise. They're much easier to park than a pickup truck.
Dinner tonight was with Dr. Hoak and his wife. They are Americans who live in Chichicastenango and work at a local hospital there. The hospital is not free, but rather is quite expensive by local standards, but Dr. Hoak (who is a general surgeon) has started a mission that helps people to afford the surgeries they need by only charging what they can afford to pay and then covering the rest. Some patients may only be able to pay the equivalent of $6 or $7, some as much as $100. His mission covers the rest. We are really looking forward to working with (and learning from) him and his wife. God has certainly helped us to cross paths with some very special and talented people here. We will have NO excuses if we can't help people!!!
Well, that's enough for today. Except that we'll probably also post a link to a very funny movie we shot today on the road..... Only in Guatemala!!!
1 comment:
Sharp looking bikes. All you need now is to add some baskets. Then you'll look like your parents! Enjoy! Sounds like a practical idea for local transportation.
Love, Mom
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