Eighteen members of the medical/construction mission team left Little Rock June 2 with the scripture “ We love him who first loved us” and our destination Guatemala 2007 on our T-shirts. Along with people from Pulaski Heights, we had team members from other areas in the state, one from Oklahoma City and one from Dallas. The team returned June 10, tired but very blessed.

The medical team cared for more than 500 patients during five days in the clinics. Patients were examined, medications dispensed, clothes distributed, shoes and toys given out in a remote village high up the mountains at 11,000 feet, which was reached after an hour’s drive over rough unpaved rural roads. These distant sites were not established medical clinics but either homes or churches. At the home sites, we were welcomed by firecrackers and eager volunteers willing to help us unload our bus. We were constantly busy from the time of arrival until departure in the late afternoon: however , we were not without rewards… the many smiling faces and “gracias.” While the medical team was at the rural clinics, three to five members of our team worked on plastering, painting and hanging doors for two patient interview rooms at the main clinic site in Quetzaltenango. Two of the construction team had been with us before and were delighted to visit with the neighborhood children and families.

“I got a real sense of community in the places we held medical clinics in Guatemala.” Emily Erkel said. “And, I felt joy and excitement despite living conditions. Plus, no one seemed to mind a half-day wait to see the doctor or get medicine.”

“The Guatemalan people all seemed so very happy in contrast to the people in the USA,” said David Walton. “This was especially surprising to me since they have so little and experienced such a difficult life. I’m so struck with this that I’m trying to put more joy and happiness into my life.”

Most every day we had worship moments together. We worshiped at a Methodist Church in Quetzaltenango where our bus driver/interpreter, Adolpho, was a music leader - no big organ – just a couple of guitars; but the music was inspiring and very spiritual. It was impressive that the women took an active speaking part in the service. The PHUMC Team has gone to this church each year, bringing refreshment for everyone, toys and church school materials for the children. We carried pictures made by our Phaith Friends.

The mission team is thankful to Cindy Burns and Gwen Efird for organizing and managing the mission. We are also thankful for all the gifts of clothing, toys, sun glasses, health kits, money and love that we carried with us to Guatemala.

If you would like to get closer to God and feel that you have truly made a difference in people’s lives, plan on joining us on the Guatemala 2008 mission.

-Lyndal York, Ph.D.