We are all safe in Antigua. Panajachel was a blast. Barb and Luke left today safely. We are having our final meal together tonight and then tomorrow we fly home.
See you soon,
Conor
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Back in Antigua
Hello everyone,
We are all back safely in Antigua, and consequently back to internet access. Most of the group is off at the markets, I decided to stay behind and rest at the hotel for a while. I see that my mom and britt have keep you informed but we had limited time to share with them information to put up on the blog. Since we have internet now and since I have the time I thought I'd let you guys know how the trip went in a little more detail.
On Friday we drove to the school in temagas (near rio dulce) where we stayed until tonight. We got there in the afternoon and just got ourselves situated and meet some of the people who live, work, and study at the school.
Friday night while we were asleep Danny Suprenaut was sleep walking. He left through a back door near the bathroom and sleep walked around the building where we were sleeping. He then began to yell in Spanish "HHOOOLLLAA" and then began to bang on the front door. At this point my father feared the worst, that a drunken Guatemala had stumbled down to our building and was trying to get in. He quickly ran down to the bunk where Nate Meyer and Josh Bakke were sleeping in and told them to get up (both nate and josh a big strong boys). The two boys leaped to there feet without so much as a word, both with flashlights immediately illuminated and in hand (it is rumored that at this point one of them even said "its go time"). When they arrived at the door and swung it open my father was relieved to see that the intruder was just danny, who was at this point awake. I think that nate and josh may have been a little disapointed.
From that point on we put a padlock on that back door.
Saturday we had a half day clinic in the morning for the students and there families. This clinic was at the school. The first patient we saw was a young boy with a very severe disease called Hydrocephalus and we told the family that the boy needed neural surgery soon to drain the fluid build up in his head if he was to have a normal life. Thanks to Fr Javier's connections the boy will be able to have the surgery done in the capital. After this first unusual case Dr Hartmann jokingly teased my dad for telling him that the cases we would see in clinic would be very straight forward. Also in the morning a group lead by Roger Meyer began work on the classroom dividers. In the afternoon we worked more on the dividers and later went swimming in the river down the road.
Sunday we went to mass in the nearby town of temagas (a 15 minute walk). After mass we continued to work on the divider project and prepared for the next day's clinic.
Monday we held a full day clinic at the school for people from neighboring villages. Most of the people were needed to keep the clinic running but others were free to work on the divider project.
Tuesday we held a clinic in a near by town called Arenales. It was about an hours drive from the school. The drive was breathtaking, and I would not do it justice by trying to describe it in words. We saw the entire village in clinic. After clinic we travel to a river near this town where we had ate and swam in the river. The River was spring fed and we were located near and could see the water gushing out of the ground. This was a nice break for everyone after our last clinic.
Wednesday we worked on various projects. Primarily we worked on the well project that we started last year. We moved gravel that ws dumped by the street to the well to fill in along side the well which will force more water into the well and also allow for access to the well (as it was there was a wide hole with a smaller well in it). This was hard manual labor. In the afternoon the students came and helped us with the well. Around 4:30 we finished work. Most of our group and many of the students loaded into the back of two pickup trucks and drove 5 minutes to a different spot on the river that we did not know about (the same river that we swam in on Saturday). This part of the river had a very sharp drop off immediately where the land hit the water. There were two trees the extended at an angle over the river. The students showed us how to climb the trees and jump into the river. The drop from the tree to the river was about 18 ft. Molly Pearcy was able to conquer her fear of heights and jump from the tree. Chad Fritz and Danny Suprenaut took it a step further and were able to complete front flips from the tree. Emboldened by there success, I decided to give it a try. I Immediately regretted it. I did one half flip and landed square on my back. The wind was knocked out of me and my back was red and slightly raised. It is still a little sore but I guess I feel better knowing atleast I gave it a try. Needless to say, no other team members attempted back flips after that.
That night we had a meal with the students and teachers at the school. The ladies at the school prepared chickens that were raised at the school. We prepared salad and rice and bought a cake in rio dulce.
Today we traveled back to Antigua. Most people went out to the market and we will be having dinner at the hotel tonight at 7.
Tomorrrow we will going to lake Atitlan for the day.
I will try to post tomorrow night.
Conor
We are all back safely in Antigua, and consequently back to internet access. Most of the group is off at the markets, I decided to stay behind and rest at the hotel for a while. I see that my mom and britt have keep you informed but we had limited time to share with them information to put up on the blog. Since we have internet now and since I have the time I thought I'd let you guys know how the trip went in a little more detail.
On Friday we drove to the school in temagas (near rio dulce) where we stayed until tonight. We got there in the afternoon and just got ourselves situated and meet some of the people who live, work, and study at the school.
Friday night while we were asleep Danny Suprenaut was sleep walking. He left through a back door near the bathroom and sleep walked around the building where we were sleeping. He then began to yell in Spanish "HHOOOLLLAA" and then began to bang on the front door. At this point my father feared the worst, that a drunken Guatemala had stumbled down to our building and was trying to get in. He quickly ran down to the bunk where Nate Meyer and Josh Bakke were sleeping in and told them to get up (both nate and josh a big strong boys). The two boys leaped to there feet without so much as a word, both with flashlights immediately illuminated and in hand (it is rumored that at this point one of them even said "its go time"). When they arrived at the door and swung it open my father was relieved to see that the intruder was just danny, who was at this point awake. I think that nate and josh may have been a little disapointed.
From that point on we put a padlock on that back door.
Saturday we had a half day clinic in the morning for the students and there families. This clinic was at the school. The first patient we saw was a young boy with a very severe disease called Hydrocephalus and we told the family that the boy needed neural surgery soon to drain the fluid build up in his head if he was to have a normal life. Thanks to Fr Javier's connections the boy will be able to have the surgery done in the capital. After this first unusual case Dr Hartmann jokingly teased my dad for telling him that the cases we would see in clinic would be very straight forward. Also in the morning a group lead by Roger Meyer began work on the classroom dividers. In the afternoon we worked more on the dividers and later went swimming in the river down the road.
Sunday we went to mass in the nearby town of temagas (a 15 minute walk). After mass we continued to work on the divider project and prepared for the next day's clinic.
Monday we held a full day clinic at the school for people from neighboring villages. Most of the people were needed to keep the clinic running but others were free to work on the divider project.
Tuesday we held a clinic in a near by town called Arenales. It was about an hours drive from the school. The drive was breathtaking, and I would not do it justice by trying to describe it in words. We saw the entire village in clinic. After clinic we travel to a river near this town where we had ate and swam in the river. The River was spring fed and we were located near and could see the water gushing out of the ground. This was a nice break for everyone after our last clinic.
Wednesday we worked on various projects. Primarily we worked on the well project that we started last year. We moved gravel that ws dumped by the street to the well to fill in along side the well which will force more water into the well and also allow for access to the well (as it was there was a wide hole with a smaller well in it). This was hard manual labor. In the afternoon the students came and helped us with the well. Around 4:30 we finished work. Most of our group and many of the students loaded into the back of two pickup trucks and drove 5 minutes to a different spot on the river that we did not know about (the same river that we swam in on Saturday). This part of the river had a very sharp drop off immediately where the land hit the water. There were two trees the extended at an angle over the river. The students showed us how to climb the trees and jump into the river. The drop from the tree to the river was about 18 ft. Molly Pearcy was able to conquer her fear of heights and jump from the tree. Chad Fritz and Danny Suprenaut took it a step further and were able to complete front flips from the tree. Emboldened by there success, I decided to give it a try. I Immediately regretted it. I did one half flip and landed square on my back. The wind was knocked out of me and my back was red and slightly raised. It is still a little sore but I guess I feel better knowing atleast I gave it a try. Needless to say, no other team members attempted back flips after that.
That night we had a meal with the students and teachers at the school. The ladies at the school prepared chickens that were raised at the school. We prepared salad and rice and bought a cake in rio dulce.
Today we traveled back to Antigua. Most people went out to the market and we will be having dinner at the hotel tonight at 7.
Tomorrrow we will going to lake Atitlan for the day.
I will try to post tomorrow night.
Conor
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday Clinic went well
The team returned from their trek to the village of Arenales. They saw the entire population, 225 people, in clinic today. Sounds like they also had some fun swimming in a river with Father Javier. Kevin mentioned that a few team members were feeling sick but made the trip and were feeling better now. They have mass tomorrow morning in the school chapel.
Some people must have been sitting nearby when Kevin sent this:
Ryan Berns says "Mom I love you"
Barb & Luke say "Good luck Gabe in the play tomorrow"
That's all for now....
Hopefully when they get back to civilization they'll upload some photos for us all to see.
Huge clinic yesterday and remote location today
Conor texted me yesterday after I published that last post and said they estimated they saw between 450 and 500 people in clinic yesterday. Wow!
This morning they left at 6am to travel to a very remote village for another clinic. I am guessing this will be a very interesting day for everyone. I know the Guatemalans will appreciate the effort made because they don't usually get medical teams to those extremely isolated areas.
Pray for safe travels...the roads are challenging at best.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Lose your luggage-make new friends
I spoke briefly with Kevin today and he is so pleased with how the trip is going. Everyone seems to be getting along really well. I asked about Caitlin's luggage and they are hoping it is at the hotel they will be staying at this weekend in Antigua. She'll have a good story to tell. A mission trip in rural Guatemala can be challenging, without your suitcase is really roughing it. Apparently all the girls have rallied to her aid with clothing etc. A team bonding experience!
The clinics have worked really well with Mary and Jerry taking all the families that come through all together. Tim and Kevin attend to the adults waiting to be seen. He also mentioned that all the donated clothing and shoes are being distributed and the classroom room-dividing walls are being built.
Thank you for your prayers for the corn crop.
Denise
Sunday, July 18, 2010
All is well & a special request for prayer
The trip is going very well. Everyone is healthy and working hard. I spoke with Conor briefly and he seemed pleased with their progress. I didn't get many details but he did mention that Sinead, Laura and he were the translators for the clinic. I'm sure all the returning team members have stepped up as leaders.
Fr. Javier is worried about an infestation of worms that is seriously affecting the corn crop. He will praying a special rite tonight. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated. Corn is a mainstay of the rural Guatemalan's diet.
Denise
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Still safe
Hi Everyone,
I just talked to Conor on the phone for a quick update. He says everyone is safe and they've started their projects. This morning they held a medical clinic, and this afternoon they built a wall and some people went swimming in the river.
Britt
I just talked to Conor on the phone for a quick update. He says everyone is safe and they've started their projects. This morning they held a medical clinic, and this afternoon they built a wall and some people went swimming in the river.
Britt
Friday, July 16, 2010
Safe at the School
Hi Everyone-
I just read a text Conor sent at 9:29 stating:
'we r at the school. all safe. we have clinic tomorrow at 9.'
Seems like the trip has gone very smoothly so far.
I'll be posting any info/communication I receive from the Team.
Thanks for your continued prayer.
Denise
Safe in Antigua
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that we are all safe in Antigua. We had a little trouble getting through customs and as a result we had some antibiotics confiscated. However, all things considered the trip down went very smoothly. We are about to leave for Rio Dulce via 2 micro buses. We had a quiet night and a nice meal here at Hotel Casa de Los Fuentes last night. We are looking forward to getting to rio dulce and setting up camp.
Sorry I forgot to post last night.
Lots of love from everyone,
Conor
I just wanted to let you know that we are all safe in Antigua. We had a little trouble getting through customs and as a result we had some antibiotics confiscated. However, all things considered the trip down went very smoothly. We are about to leave for Rio Dulce via 2 micro buses. We had a quiet night and a nice meal here at Hotel Casa de Los Fuentes last night. We are looking forward to getting to rio dulce and setting up camp.
Sorry I forgot to post last night.
Lots of love from everyone,
Conor
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Welcome
welcome group of 2010
this is the site where we will let our loved ones know how we are doing
this is the site where we will let our loved ones know how we are doing
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