Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Colombia November 15-20

Today was another great day in Colombia!  This morning our team continued the medical clinic in Villeta.  The medical team was able to provide medical advice and medicine to 64 people. There was even a bus load of people from a barrio called San Francisco  that were able to be seen by the doctors!  The local church and volunteers were very organized again today and kept things running smoothly. Many of the people also received spiritual counseling and there were more than 10 salvations in Villeta this morning!

In the afternoon we headed up a mountain range to a small town called Mave.  We were greeted by the local pastor and community members. The medical team was able to minister to more 70 people in the afternoon ... what a blessing!  There were several more decisions for Christ and many of the children received stickers and t-shirts and the adults received tinto (coffee).

It was a fantastic day and we are looking forward to another great day of medical missions in Colombia.  Stay tuned for more updates!



















Monday, November 17, 2014

Guatemala, November 15-20, 2014

Today we rose early to the sun peeking out from the tops of the buildings. Our objective of the morning was to pack our things and return to our former hotel. We all met in the lobby and returned our keys. Everyone then hopped to the bus. At the hotel, we met in the dining room and had wow time, a time to share your favorite parts of a certain day. Breakfast was ready after that. After a hearty breakfast, the bus was waiting for us again. We hopped on it and excitedly waited for the moment we would arrive at the Malnutrition Center for our second day. 
At the center, the children we played with recognized us and instantly went to our arms. The bond between the team and the children had already formed. We played with the children who would come to us, and we would also read books the children who wanted us to do so. Some of the books are in English at the center, so we could get funny looks from the children for reading in, what is to them, an unfamiliar language. If any of us looked around, we would see children jumping on to unexpected team members or relaxing in the lap of one. 
Snack time came around, and spoons could be heard pounding on the table. The nannies handed out the food. Every once in a while, one of us would have to prompt a distracted child to keep eating because they need their nourishment more than anybody. After snack time, we led the children to the bathroom to wash their hands and brush their teeth. Struggling children made it difficult, but through patience did the job get done. 
The older spent an hour and a half outside. They drew with chalk on the cement and listened to a bible story. Some of the kids could be seen playing jumprope. As a project, we helped the children trace their hands on paper and write their names on it. We cut them out and hung them on a line. It was eventually time to go inside. While inside, more playtime continued for a bit. 
Lunch was served by the nannies. They passed out food while the children banged their spoons on the table. The routine of helping kids eat could be seen along the center. Bathroom time came afterward for brushing teeth and washing hands. It was nap time after that. The hyper ones would give us a hard time while the tired ones calmly laid on their beds. They waved good bye as we left. It was our turn to eat lunch. 
After lunch, there was a tour of the center's grounds. We saw a chicken coop with a great quantity of chickens and eggs in bins. We saw two gardens, one with shrubs and one with vegetables. Our afternoon tasks were dutifully carried out after our tour.