It's a Wrap

Wow what a fantastic final day in San Pablo. Even though it was only a half day in the clinic, many patients showed up to see the doctors and dentist. At VBS we learned about Zacheius and made trees with traced hands. The most exciting part of today was the dedication for the new house. The house was built for Gabriella, Elder, and baby Sofia. During the dedication, Pastor Geraldo led us in a responsive reading and we sang songs in Spanish. Our mission team presented a Bible, a cross to hang on the wall, and a children's Bible for Sofia. It was a tear jerker when Elder, Gabriella, and other members of the village thanked us for everything we had done. They reminded us we are always welcome in San Pablo.

Mary plays wiffle ball with Gabrielle and friends

We gave T-shirts to our helpers and translators including Pastor Geraldo

Pastor Geraldo and Ramiro leading the house dedication

Gabriella cuts the ribbon so everyone can come inside

Baby Sofia already loves her new Bible

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I think I can speak for the whole group by saying that this trip has taught us not only about God's great plan, but about ourselves. It has made us thankful for things we take for granted: hot showers, water that is safe to drink, air conditioning, and modern plumbing. We shared some of our blessings such as medical and dental expertise and in return they shared their gratitude, humbleness, humor, and warmth. Though our lifestyles are quite different, our need for God's love  and forgiveness is the same. 

Nos vemos pronto,

Kara Weller

Familia en San Pablo

Day three in San Pablo is in the bag. At the clinic, we helped 70 patients. The biuilders finished the cement floor and will do electric work tomorrow. VBS was successful as well. Many children returned to learn about Ruth. Carmen taped up a paper cross on the wall of the church and each child wrote their name on a piece of paper and we posted it on the cross reminding the children that we are all part of God's family. The family unit is very important to the people of San Pablo. Children look out for their brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers take great care of their children. Many families live with grandparents or other non-immediate family members. I think that we, as a mission team, have become a family as well. Traveling to a foreign country forces us to work together as a team. For example, Carmen, Bob, Rhein, and I did not know each other well before the trip. However, we worked in the pharmacy together and within a day we had a smooth system worked out. And as Bob would say, we were "amigos." All of the photos from today show how the people of San Pablo have welcomed us into their community and family. 

 Bob and his helper working on a VBS project

Steve, Dennis, and Niko mixing cement

Kara painting nails 

Rhein playing  street soccer with the boys

A group shot after a tiring yet fullfilling day

Adios,

Kara Weller

Sights and Sound Of San Pablo

Our mission team was up bright and early ready for day two. We were busy again today in clinic. The house is coming along well and we also started VBS today with the help of one of our translators, Karla, who is a school teacher in Zacapa. About 70 children came to learn about Noah today. The question of the day is, "Thus far on our trip, what has struck your senses?"

Mary:
Sounds of San Pablo - "cock adoodle doooooo, ee-haw, ee-haw, grunt grunt grunt , waa waa waa, I don't want to see the dentist  he's going to hurt me"  (in Spanish of course!) Today's sounds of San Pablo reflect the rural village.

Carmen:
Sights of San Pablo-children lauging while working on Noah's Ark worksheets and decorating arks, singing songs in Spanish that have a familiar tune for those of us from America (motions to songs are the same in Guatemale as in America), and watching Karla-one of our CALMS interpreters read the story of Noah to the children as they listen. God is Good!

Rhein:  
Sounds of San Pablo- All the little children asking you to play soccer (which they call Futbol) which at first may be hard to understand a little, but then you catch on after a little while.

Diane:

The presence of God at work in the village. Our team is just a tool. The people have so much  patience. They stand in the sun waiting for us and then will sit hours waiting to  see the dentist or medical staff of the team.  I can only hope to have this patience when i return home. 

Steve: It was touching for me to see two little girls, perhaps 3 or 4 years old they came ready with their cups for the vbs snack, and after they had eaten a bit of their sandwich one of them stowed the remaining portion of the sandwich and their apple for each of them in her shirt while what I assume was her sister took back their cups and had them refilled for both, I appreciated their cleverness and sense of community.

M

Bob, Kara, and Carmen filling prescriptions in the pharmacy.

Carol and Luis

Dennis reading Bible stories with Biron and his friend.

Craftsman in San Pablo working on the house

Excellent work being done by the construction team 

School children in San Pablo

Holding more babies!

Working on art projects in VBS

Playing paito, paito, ganzo (duck, duck, goose)

Waiting for snack at VBS

Nurse Alice checking blood sugar 

Steve sharing a laugh and teaching some English phrases

Sergio (Niko) finishing the cement floor

Estamos bien. Hablare contigo tarde.

Kara Weller

Clinic and Construction Begins

What a successful day! When we arrived we were greeted by a line of at least 40 patients. We had the clinic up and running by 9 a.m. Some of today's patients, from surrounding villages, walked four hours to see the dentist and doctors. Our team saw a total of 90 patients. Many of these people touched our hearts because of their humbleness and gratitude. While the rest of us worked the clinic, Dennis and Steve worked with local craftsmen on constructing the house. Though chaotic, our mission team served many poeple with the help of some amazing translators through Central American Litheran Mission Society (CALMS). Here are a few pictures from today.

We're looking forward to another great day, 

Kara Weller

The Lord's Day

The mission is heating up here in Guatemala. We had a busy sunday filled with sun and fun. A few things we did today were...

Attended church at the Evangelica Lutheran church of Zacapa. The church was established in 1946 by German immigrants. It was  destroyed by an earthquake in 1976 and rebuilt in 1978.

Met Luis Mazariegos, one of the Lutheran church leaders, who gave the sermon.

Enjoyed a fabulous lunch including pork, beef, beans, potatoes, sausages,  vegetables, and tortillas. 

Saw the Lutheran boarding school in Zacapa. This school offers elementary and secondary education during the week and college level courses on the weekends. 

And we finally made it to the village of San Pablo! The tan building is where the clinic will be held.

We set up the clinic by completing tasks such as counting pills, 

...organizing the pharmacy, 

And of course holding babies!

Overall, today was busy and we are poised to launch into full operational mode. During devotions this evening we shared our first impressions of San Pablo and concluded that everything will work out according to God's plan.

Buenos noches,

Kara Weller

On a Mission

It was smooth sailing for the Guatemala Mission Team.Ten amigos from Wisconsin arrived safely today in Guatemala. We were met by Nils, our translator and cultural advisor, Dr. Julio, the dentist, and Rodolfo, our driver.  Travels included two plane rides, a stop in Atlanta, and a scenic, three-hour, bus ride from Guatemala City to Zacapa. We were struck by the beauty of the mountains and rugged terrain. We saw people along the roadside selling watermelons, papaya, and pineapples. Despite the rural area, the traffic was crazy but we buzzed right along.
Photos to come tomorrow.
Adios,
Kara Weller

24 Countdown, time to pack

All hands on deck for the packing party at St. Paul.

Pàstor Peterrson leads us in prayer.  

At the time of this post we have 25 1/2 hours and count.  Please pray for a smooth beginning, for the luggage to all make the flights and through customs and for Diane and Mary coming late on Friday that the roads are open and smooth.  Stay tuned for more highlights. Blessing on your day.