Fourth (Wed) & Fifth (Thurs) Days of Surgery

The week is flying by.  Each day procedures are completed in both surgery and dentistry. 

Each day patients from the previous day surgery are discharged, and new patients are being admitted.  Parents and patients are so patient! 

The clowns came to the pre and post surgery ward several days to entertain the kids.  Also, Volunteer Robyn and other volunteers helped entertain the newly admitted patients and for those who had surgery - help divert their thoughts from their discomfort. 

Each day the Lady Rotarians (Damas Rotarias) would bring us lunches.  This group of Ladies is very special to us!

Each day daughters, granddaughters and sons of Rotarians came to help translate.  This has been a delightful group of young people. 

Mindy and Dee were able to give ‘comfort gifts’ to each of the children.  – a stuffed animal and a beanie baby. 

Ruben brought with him several bags of new clothing his classes at Columbus Community High School made for the children of Guatemala.  Mindy and Dee had the pleasure of seeing the smiles on the faces of the parents in appreciation.

Volunteers Jim Arthur, Reinhard and Krasi spent much of their time between the Recovery Room, observing surgery, and generally giving a ‘hand’ when it was needed.  They also had the unique experience of visiting a rural school where they gave the kids new toothbrushes with a tube of paste, all donated by J & J, along with a brushing demo. 

Each day those who had time and the inclination explored Xela – the markets, churches, and other shopping – a few ‘green backs were left in Xela!

Thursday we were able to finish procedures early, so with ‘all hands on deck’, we packed and inventoried the items we will store here in Xela for 2014, the items we donated to the hospital where we held our MOST clinic, and the items we will ship to Huehue for next years mission. 

Gaylords Packed for Storage

Thurs pm MOST was invited to the Xela Rotary Club meeting held at the Xela Tennis Club. Xela Rotary showed us their appreciation in many ways, but the great fellowship, celebration and dancing brought the mission to a fabulous close. 

On the Bus heading to the Tennis Club Gala with Xela Rotarians

Ben, Jody, Lucia and Mindy

David, Keith and Sandy

Steve, John, Gary and Bill

This (Friday) morning after breakfast the ‘strong’ guys returned to the hospital to help load the gaylords (shipping boxes), while the rest of us made final preparation to leave Xela. 

The Hotel Dining Area

Nancy Giving Gratuity to the Hotel Dining Staff

Today we will be taking a bus to Antigua for a day of R & R (sightseeing), before the group flies back to their various locations in the US. 

The drive through the Guatemalan country side is lovely.  It is winter here so in the higher elevations nothing is actually growing but you see the farmers working in their terraced fields upgrading them for the planning season.  None of this farm work is done by machine. The corn they grow is picked by hand.  In the spring the stalks are burned off the field before the land is prepared for the next crop.