We began our second Telehealth Clinic today with an incredible team of local medical professionals. This is such a humbling experience to be a part of as we get to witness kindness and service in action. Our team here and in Guatemala have given so much of their time and talents in order to care for the communities of Membrillal and Santo Tomas and we have so much gratitude for their service. God has graciously provided both the people and resources to make this happen! Please continue to pray for the clinic this week and that all of us would be able to see God’s hand at a work in a very difficult season. Thank you for partnering with us in this journey. Enjoy our first post from the week!
Well today was my first time doing a telehealth clinic and it honestly gave me many different emotions. I have been a part of this clinic in Guatemala on 3 previous medical missions and have a great love for these people. I was excited to begin the day, and it was a slow start. However, the first day is when we get the clinic up and going and work out the kinks, which is what we did. A little frustration with technology cutting in and out but also so grateful for this same technology that is allowing us to make this clinic happen today from over 2500 miles away. Grateful for the many many hours of work put in to organize this and get this up and running. We saw 117 patients today and it happened because we had amazing providers, organizers, translators, registration, and many other people in Guatemala working in pharmacy and doing all the other things to make this clinic run. I am so grateful to be a part of this. I will say the highlight of my day was to see the patients and families! Because of technical difficulties we didn’t have video for part of the day. I was sad and a little frustrated I couldn’t see the patients. I hate to say I found myself wondering for a brief moment if what I was doing was even making a difference and helping in any way? But at the end of the day as I was giving instructions with my translator to a family, I thought I recognized the name of the patient. I asked my translator to turn the phone so I could see the family, I almost cried when I saw that it was one of my very favorite patients and his mom! I met him at 3 months old on my first trip to Guatemala he is now almost 4. I have pictures with him from every trip. I can’t even tell you how happy it made me. It made my whole day! I very easily could have missed them, but I think God knew I needed to see this little boy and his mom today. I then saw other friends I have made at the clinic and it made my heart so happy. God is aware of each of us and each one of these people coming to our clinic. And he loves us, ALL of us. I know by serving these sweet people I am serving God and that brings me peace and Joy. These are my many emotions from this first day. I am so grateful for everyone involved and their efforts and grateful to be a part of this clinic. Even though clinic is different this time around , knowing we are still able to care for these people and get them what they need, makes this all worth it. First day down 3 more to go. It’s going to be a great week!
Post written by Melinda