SUNDAY BLOG
What a glorious Sunday morning in Antigua, Guatemala. My name is Becky Cade, I am the team photographer and the blogger. I am one of the many first-time volunteers on Estes Team 849. I admit to both a bit of nerves and excitement as we begin this day.
Nothing calms the nerves like a visit with our awesome God. Members were led by a beautiful mother and daughter who are interpreter volunteers from Houston. They led us in singing praises to our Lord in both Spanish and English! Followed by prayer thanking him for this day and the opportunity to serve him in Guatemala.
Guatemalan staff reviewed our day’s schedule and then we shared a wonderful breakfast of fresh fruits, eggs, refried beans, cheese and plantains. Following breakfast, we packed up and headed to our location to set up Estes Medical Clinic in Mazatenango, Guatemala. The clinic location is closer to the ocean and the west side of Guatemala, thus, a good bit warmer.
The clinic is set up in a municipal community center. We were met at the center by some thirty-five (36) Guatemalan volunteers and additional Faith in Practice Guatemalan staff that are extremely welcomed and important to our mission. These volunteers help with recruiting local patients, unloading the supply truck and setting up the clinic. All of us helped unload a huge truck full of supplies including but not limited to tables, medicine, fans, screens, boxes of wheelchairs, pulling electrical wires to provide electricity to the rooms, etc. Each specialty was given a room(s) to set up their part of the clinic. Chairs were set up in the courtyard in front of each office where patients waiting to be seen will sit. By lunch an open courtyard and adjoining empty rooms were set up and ready for patients.
During lunch we were provided with an incredible treat by a local school playing marimba music. The children appeared to vary greatly in age and were led by their teacher.
Once completed we loaded back up on the buses and headed to our home away from home for the next five nights, a huge resort with amazing trees, flowers, building architecture, landscaping, pools, and places for children to play. Following time to settle into our rooms we were provided a video of services and how the patient flow will go tomorrow and training on the new online program that will track the patient care.
Dinner is next and then bed! Well deserved I might add! Stay tuned for more!
Becky Cade
Team 849 Estes Medical Clinic Blogger
