Amazing Grace in Guatemala

"I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see".

I think I speak for a number of St. Andrew Team members who have journeyed to Guatemala for a medical mission trip with Impacto Ministries: we never know quite what to expect. Many of us have made the trip before, while other members are new to the Guatemala experience. This is the first St. Andrew trip that is solely dedicated to medical clinics in underserved areas.

In the first few days of our trip we have experienced a few hurdles. Our fearless leader's passport didn't arrive in time to travel with the rest of us. We have had technology issues. A thunderstorm over Lake Atitlan left our home, The Promised Land, without power for upwards of 12 hours. There are Central American bugs who love the taste of Gringo flesh, leaving welts and red spots as reminders. A few stomachs have had difficulty adapting to the high carbohydrate diet and lack of pure water. There have been bumpy busses and even bumpier roads as we travel to remote villages in the mountains. Dramamine has been our friend. There aren't the best places to run and walk due to safety concerns, causing us to alter daily routines. The showers are, at most, lukewarm. The best laid plans, haven't always been the best, but we are here. We are a team on a mission. Our challenges during this brief time pale in comparison to what our Guatemalan brothers and sisters face on a daily basis.

"Being in the present moment" and "facing the crisis" have been themes of evening devotionals at the Promised Land. Pastor Luis stressed the importance of using what we learn during personal crisis to serve and lift others. As we are present with the children and families we meet each day the notion of crisis becomes relative. Real crisis is waking up each day and not knowing if you will be able to feed your children. It's having to say good-bye to two infant children, not really understanding why God took them way too early. Crisis is when your three children who are two, three and seven have never seen a doctor and it may be too late to correct some of their physical ailments caused by poor nutrition, non-existent sanitation, toxic water and lack of medical or dental care. In three days we have seen over 300 infants, children, men, women, moms, dads and grandparents. The team turned classrooms, churches and "Hungry Tummies" facilities in to makeshift exam rooms and pharmacies. For hours each day we took blood pressures and temperatures. Through interpreters we compiled lists of symptoms for each "patient". Our team physicians looked in ears and throats, listened to hearts and looked at rashes and sore feet. Our pharmacy dispensed antibiotics, creams, Tylenol and vitamins. Our brave Guatemalan friends swallowed some terrible tasting hookworm medicine and had their teeth painted with fluoride.

Outside of the clinics our youth (and a few dads named Mike and Tim), kids with soccer, Frisbees, violins, ukuleles, basketball and soccer. Whether young or old, our Guatemalan friends showed up. They were present in the moment, regardless of whether the moments were anxiety producing or a bit painful. They paid us with smiles, hugs, prayers, songs and shared meals.
Regardless of their crisis, their faith keeps them hopeful. By God's grace we have been blessed to, perhaps if even for a day, make that crisis a little more tolerable. I pray that our team has been touched through this mission and that whatever may have caused "blindness" now enables us to see. There is so very much to see!