Burst of reality...
I just got this email from Bethie about her time in Guatemala and I am completely numb. Hearing about such horrible things brings back the whole experience and sick feeling in my stomach.
~ ~ ~ ~
the murals we painted are stil intact, and everyone in the zacapa hospital seems to be enjoying the work we did.
we worked at the hospital also, this time in the maternity wing and the hall for labor and delivery. i heard first cries of several babys as i painted outside the doors - even saw a few of the newborns moments later and this was one of the most beautiful miracles i have ever witnessed. the screams from mothers during birth was not as enjoyuable, but we definitely made the area more peaceful for those working and giving birth.
gabby is still workiung closely with HIM...she is working at the Rehab center (next to the hospital in zacapa) with the ROMP team (range of motion project). I spent a day with her and luis, learning how to make prosthetic limbs...yet another act of God witnessed during this trip.
my time spent was not all work...i stayed later than the group of 80 volunteers who spent 10 days together and hung out with sister gloria at the nutrition center [it was a great day, especially considering the little girl who we took in the weekend before - she was a bony three year old with a belly full of worms, but the sisters were able to get her to start eating and she was becoming more comfortable, showing some affection and response].
on another day, we took the trooper into the mountains and hiked to three waterfalls in the mountains above teculetan - it was a wonderful retreat from the heat down below and a great view.
the new house in gualan is coming together and mateo has a new dog named stein who acts as somewhat of a guard dog - him and harley are getting along very well.
we also repainted maria's house and have added a shelter area for more shade for the daycare kids.
there is a 15 year old girl living down the street from maria with her younger brother, jose. He works at the slaughter house each day for one pound of meat which she cooks to feed both of them. their parents are both dead and so they take care of each other. one night while attending a church service in maria's village, the girl talked with matt about getting a few blocks to support the foundation of her house - when we looked at her house, it was two rooms, dirt walls (which were crumbling and cracking) and a metal roof 'on loan' from a neighbor down the road. i had to look admirably at the two, who make do with the few resources they can attain, but feel that they deserve so much more for the effort they put forth, in order to merely survive. please pray for them.
this is probably enough story telling for one email, so let me know when you're ready for more...
hope everyone is doing well - lets plan a party soon...
peace.
bethie <3
~ ~ ~ ~
the murals we painted are stil intact, and everyone in the zacapa hospital seems to be enjoying the work we did.
we worked at the hospital also, this time in the maternity wing and the hall for labor and delivery. i heard first cries of several babys as i painted outside the doors - even saw a few of the newborns moments later and this was one of the most beautiful miracles i have ever witnessed. the screams from mothers during birth was not as enjoyuable, but we definitely made the area more peaceful for those working and giving birth.
gabby is still workiung closely with HIM...she is working at the Rehab center (next to the hospital in zacapa) with the ROMP team (range of motion project). I spent a day with her and luis, learning how to make prosthetic limbs...yet another act of God witnessed during this trip.
my time spent was not all work...i stayed later than the group of 80 volunteers who spent 10 days together and hung out with sister gloria at the nutrition center [it was a great day, especially considering the little girl who we took in the weekend before - she was a bony three year old with a belly full of worms, but the sisters were able to get her to start eating and she was becoming more comfortable, showing some affection and response].
on another day, we took the trooper into the mountains and hiked to three waterfalls in the mountains above teculetan - it was a wonderful retreat from the heat down below and a great view.
the new house in gualan is coming together and mateo has a new dog named stein who acts as somewhat of a guard dog - him and harley are getting along very well.
we also repainted maria's house and have added a shelter area for more shade for the daycare kids.
there is a 15 year old girl living down the street from maria with her younger brother, jose. He works at the slaughter house each day for one pound of meat which she cooks to feed both of them. their parents are both dead and so they take care of each other. one night while attending a church service in maria's village, the girl talked with matt about getting a few blocks to support the foundation of her house - when we looked at her house, it was two rooms, dirt walls (which were crumbling and cracking) and a metal roof 'on loan' from a neighbor down the road. i had to look admirably at the two, who make do with the few resources they can attain, but feel that they deserve so much more for the effort they put forth, in order to merely survive. please pray for them.
this is probably enough story telling for one email, so let me know when you're ready for more...
hope everyone is doing well - lets plan a party soon...
peace.
bethie <3