Hi everyone!
Here\'s a recap of our week!
Saturday, we flew out to Guatemala City early in the morning, and enjoyed an awesome lunch and dinner at our compound after landing. The lead doctor, Dr. Herman Alb, led us in an amazing first devotional about Evangelism and the guiding steps that would help us out later on in the week. This day, we saw how great God is first-hand, as one of our families missed their morning flight, as they had to rush to the ER for a kidney stone. A kidney stone usually takes one to four weeks to pass, but our team prayed and prayed for our team member to pass the kidney stone, and miraculously, she passed it the night of. They joined us later in Guatemala on Tuesday night.
Sunday, we got up early and drove into Antigua for service at a local church. The service was in all Spanish, so we listened to a translated version through headphone sets! We then headed to a nearby restaurant located right next to a volcano where we got to try local Guatemalan foods :)
Monday was our first day of clinic! After our daily morning devotional by Dr. Alb, we headed to Iglesia Lluvias de Gracia (Rains of Grace Church) in the village of Aldea Los esclaos. That day, I worked at the sharing station where I got to know four different patients that came to the clinic. After they were seen by one of the organization\'s doctors, I had the privilege to hear their stories and share God\'s great story of the Gospel. I had the opportunity to pray over them for physical healing, spiritual healing, and for protection over their fears and anxieties. We were so lucky to have then been fed with a home-cooked Guatemalan dish by the local village. After all the patients were seen, we headed back home to the ministry center :)
Tuesday, we headed to our second day of clinic at Iglesia Monte Hermon (Mount Hermon Church) in San Juan Panorama. The church we were operating out of was a bit hard to find as it was high in the mountains with narrow roads, and we were so thankful for our drivers getting us there safely. I was sharing station once again, and saw six patients this time! When asked for specific prayer requests, many of the patients wanted me to pray for them to see their families more often, for their relatives to be free from alcoholism and addiction, for God to provide food on the table, and lastly, for their illnesses. Through my translator Wendy, I was able to communicate with the patients and just see God move in not only the lives of the people I saw, but in mine as well.
Wednesday, we headed to Paxorotot, a village surrounded by tons of farm land. On our way there, we got to see fresh vegetables being grown, such as broccoli and other leafy greens. That day, I was positioned in the pharmacy, where I worked alongside a fellow team member, as well as a pharmacist from the organization (MMM) to fulfill hundreds of prescriptions. Most of the ones I filled out were for adults & childrens vitamins, acetiminofen (tylenol), and pantroprazol for the stomach. Although I wasn\'t necessarily able to get to know patients one-on-one, I got to experience a new perspective as I witnessed Jesus\' love for His people. Every once and a while, when I got a break, I would look around the room and just see God\'s people just covered in prayer. Many patients were crying as they felt Christ\'s prescence, and just really the Lord\'s unconditional love as our team spread the good news of God. One couple, as they were walking out after receiving medication, came up to the pharmacy and just said, \"thank you.\"
Thursday was our last day of clinic. We drove up to San Pedro Yepocapa, and I worked in the pharmacy again. This time, I trained one of out team members, and we had a blast working! One patient had thirteen prescriptions, and we were kept busy. This day, I also got to play with some of the kids that came to the clinic after all the prescriptions were filled. To the church, we brought some bubbles, sidewalk chalk, stickers, and balloons that my fellow team members made balloon animals out of. When given these simple things, the kids just became so joyful and received them with huge smiles on their faces.
Friday, we became tourists for the day. We got up early, and hiked up an active volcano! We had two amazing tour guides that led us two miles up, and two miles down. When we got to the top of the volcano, the view was breathtaking. Our tour guide took us to a specific spot on the volcano where he roasted marshmallows for us with steam from some hot volanic ash! We got to experience McDonalds in Guatemala for lunch and then headed to the local market where we got some cool handmade trinkets to bring home!
Saturday, we headed home and arrived home safely after an incredible week.
I thank the Lord for His creation, His people, and His sacrifice. He has taught me so much from this trip: about His endless grace, wonderful mercies, unconditional love, everlasting faithfulness, and amazing ability to always provide.
Thank you so much for reading and for your support on this journey!
Sophie
