Working in Rural Medical Clinic in Tactic

We were given the opportunity to work in the new medical clinic built by Impact Ministries-just finished this year.  Interesting technology and much nicer than I expected.  Technology such as a computerized finger print register linked to a online medical file...because a large part of the population is illiterate, not knowing even the letters to spell their name.  However, the resources were basic and minimal.  Limited prescriptions to give and no lab testing or xray or further testing, just use your knowledge, skills, hands, and strength of the Lord.  This is the only medical clinic available in a large rural area, next closest is an hour away by vehicle (which majority of people don't have).  We found we were treating people with a hardworking ethic and high threshold of pain.  People endure in this society.  Perseverance in all things, because you have to-there isn't another option.  I definitely was able to put my physical therapy skills to use.  Treating and evaluating through an interpreter for all patients was new and challenging.  Strange that three exchanges between patient and interpreter with many words results in a three word answer back to me!   Also educating these people, relating to them, showing compassion for them and their situation, recognizing their pain-that it is real, and praying with some of them to emphasize that God is greater than any physical problem- He is greater and He is the Healer.  I realized after my four days in the clinic that God wants me to use my physical therapy skills to be more glorifying to Him.  I don't have a true picture of what that looks like, but I know that God has grown my heart to pray for my patients, and I imagine that I need to be bolder in my prayers and have no fear of man, and God will show me the way.

A Picture of Suffering

Jeesh- It doesn't seem like four days since I last posted on our blog, but it has.  The adjustment back to American lifestyle is a challenge, from the struggle of trying to share  your story in words that best portray the mission experience, to materialism at its worst- our poor children!  How could they know any better than to want want want when our society is constantly saying take more, take more, take more!  Anyway, I obviously haven't fully adjusted, but this is good, I don't want to accept everything as it is- being acultural is the path that God is leading me on...deny self, deny wants, address needs, help those in need.  I know I need to continue to seek God and his wisdom to be able to live not of this culture, denying all the desires of this world. 

Over the weekend, Matt and I renewed our vows as our tenth anniversary celebration!  David and Paula Olson were our biblical counselors  last year, and now are our good friends and role models of a godly marriage.  They were gracious enough to spend time with us, remind us of the new place we are in with having a marriage led by God, and David led us in a vow renewal.  I got to wear my new wipil ( traditional Guatemala blouse) and Matt, in his soccer jersey (and his soccer achilles tendonitis from playing against a group of intense Guatemalans!)  It was a memorable event and wonderful to have Jay and Sydney be a part of it.

So, after trying to fudge an excuse for why I haven't been blogging, I went back to look at my journal, and had to write about  activities of Sunday October 16, 2011.  I journaled about how impacted I have been by this rural culture of Guatemala.  We went on a hike up the mountain, every person greets you and smiles.  They want to relate to you.  I want to know their language and learn their culture.  I want to know every child and love on them.  I want to worship uninhibited like them.  I want to jump up and down in praise of God despite significant suffering they have endured.  I have endured suffering, but not like the suffering of these people.  And I don't know the extent of it- some first hand and some second hand stories that bring tears to my eyes... of children getting only one meal a day-the one provided by the Impact ministries school, of a boy who spent many days defending his mother from beatings by his dad, only to get beat himself, or to be stoned by his dad for asking for shoes, or children raising children, a boy living off of one or two tortillas per day--that's it--his mom wanted to kill their only chicken to feed it to him because his body was suffering-but he said no-save the chicken for my birthday so we can invite my school teachers over to eat chicken with him.  Tears.  I know suffering occurs in every country, but it is prevalent here.  Even the poor in the United States are much better off than many of these Guatemalans.

And we consume more and more without regret.  Wasteful of our money, food, resources. 

We read Haggai 1:6 this day:  You have sown much, and harvested little.  You eat but you never have enough; you drink but you never have your fill.  You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm.  And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Why do we live the way we do? Taking, consuming, wasting.  While these people are suffering.  They are malnourished, they are cold sleeping on concrete floors in the mountains.  Most don't have electricity, but if they do, they can't afford to buy the lightbulb--it costs $5- the typical day's wages.  Yes, a whole days work of hard labor for $5.  No way out of poverty.  They need the Lord our God to grow in his love and salvation.  We can contribute to that, we can invest ourselves in this to bring glory to God. So I ask, what is the role you are asking me to take in that, God?  We definitely did invest our time and energy to bring God the Glory while we were there, but I know that God desires so much more than that- more than just 11 days immersed in this culture.  Maybe I should be afraid to know what that is!  But I am not(right now anyway!), I have a great desire to serve God in whatever way grows His kingdom.

Praying and worshiping with the local Guatemalans was awesome--- Uninhibited, God-Glorifying Praise...Latin American style.  Loved it.  Kids and Adults with both hands raised to the Lord.  Overwhelming joy to praise God with this people group that we can barely interact verbally with, but can worship God together.  My heart pours out for them-their suffering, their love of the Lord, and others who need him greatly.  I asked why I was so tearful to see these people praising the Lord.  I found it was out of joy to share in a salvation with the same, one and only God.  Joyful for them that they have broken free from bondage.  How Glorious that must be in this society.  Living only to find food and stay healthy, but now you have eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ.  To have a creator you can trust in to never abandon you.  We sat in the 2.5 hour service (first hour is praise and prayer,because if you don't get there until 4:59, you are still on time for the 4 PM service!)  next to a family including an 8 year old girl Alli and 5 year old boy Alberto.  They just drew my heart in, Alberto reminding me greatly of Jay.  I used the little bit of Spanish I know to converse and get to know them a bit.  The relationships you gain are invaluable and unforgettable.

Travelling to Tactic- not quite what we expected!

Roads in Guatemala right now are in miserable condition.  So much rain has caused mudslides and rockslides which have taken out sections of road in numerous places, or just have rocks and mud projecting out onto the road.  Driving in this country is also a task I would not desire to perform.  I was as close as I have ever come to being in a head on collision--riding in a van passing 4 trucks and meeting a semi in the passing lane(oncoming traffic) with no way to get back in our lane.  A head on collision was imminent.  A cliff on one side and bumper to bumper vehicles on the other.  I panicked and lost all faith and thought " I am going to die on this mission trip."  I truly thought that.  God is faithful, even when I lose faith.  He provided a miraculous way out that seemed impossible.  God knew my faith is lacking.  God is so faithful that he provided despite my weakness.  God has all strength and power and I am so weak before Him- I must depend on Him, look to him for answers, guidance, love, and protection.  Prayer is powerful.  We have prayed for God's protection daily for at least a month and many others are praying also--(Thank You!) Power in Prayer-trusting and knowing God hears us and fulfills His will.  I still don't know how we survived it-I thought our vehicle would be sheered between two others as we drifted back to our lane--God obviously was holding us in his Hand!

This first day we also learned some history of Guatemala and learned about the Catholic church in Guatemala.  Guatemala finished a 36 year civil war in 1996.  The longest civil war in history.   Two specific stories of tragedy gave me great compassion for these people.  In one situation, the people were asked to leave a fertile ravine-they said no, we have always lived here.  So the governmen told all men to register with the city one day.  While the men were gone they killed all women and children, except 4 boys who escaped.  All men were imprisoned.  The government wanted to do things that made the government money.  In another village, the government took all men and all boys over ten and killed them all and buried them.  So currently, in this village, there are no men over age about 30 because they were executed.  To endure the exposure to these tragedies is heart wrenching.  I am sure many other parts of the world can tell us stories of tragedy also.  But this really reached me, knowing how much suffering was presentt now, in my generation.  my eyes were full of tears knowing the tragedy they endure.My heart hurt deep inside to think of being a child witnessing this and feelings of loss, abandonment, suffering, anger-so alone and no where to turn-because they didn't know the one Almighty God who reigns over all and comforts us in need, has a desire to see  us come to him, wants to share His love with us.  I pray that God uses us and Impact Ministries to bring these people to Him, grow them in His ways, and open their eyes to the way, the truth, and the life that only Jesus can offer.

Bittersweet

Hi friends!  We made it home Monday night at 10 PM--a long day after starting out at 4 AM.  We all arrived safely with all of our bags.  Some members of the group have experienced sickness while travelling, fortunately, Matt and I stayed healthy.  It was wonderful to see Sydney and Jay and my mom again, who all survived our time away very well.  The kids only cried the morning we left and did well the rest of the time.  We had made a recordable book called Bedtime Prayers and Promises that they really enjoyed while we were gone, listening to it over and over again.  I was very proud of them that they did so well while we were gone.  My mom attributes it to us preparing them well, which I agree we did.  But I also know that we had a great concern for our kids when we first had thoughts of going on an anniversary trip, wondering how our kids would do.  I remember thinking that we should only be gone for 5 days because our kids had never been away from us more than 1, very worried of how they would do.  But, when we decided to go on this mission trip, God gave us an extreme sense of peace for our children, my insecurity of leaving them had gone away once we discarded the idea of going on a trip for ourselves, feeling confirmed that it was God's plan for us to serve Him and he would provide the rest.  My mom did a wonderful job of caring for our kids and the kids had lots of fun keeping Grandma busy!  We prayed for peace and safety for them everyday, and God provided.  Jay said it best when I asked him,"Could I have stayed another two weeks and you would have been fine?"  He said, "Yes, you could, but I am really glad you are home." 

We were unable to blog while we were gone, as we were on a "media fast".  Also included for me were a blowdryer fast and a makeup fast.  No cell phones or emails to interrupt our days or thoughts, focusing only on the people of Guatemala and the work the Lord wants to do.  We instead did a group blog where we each blogged once during the trip, some of you have already seen this, others I know have not.  It is at http://harvestoutreach.tumblr.com/ Take a look at it to get different viewpoints from all of the group.  It is so amazing that we can experience things as a group and God can teach us all something different.  I do plan to update our blog with events of the 10 days based on the journaling I did each day, but am still trying to just get back into life here at home.  So that will take time.  One day at a time.

There is so much to describe and no way to describe it all with words.  The Guatemalan people hold a big place in my heart and I feel like I left part of it there.  The suffering and poverty make you want to commit your life to helping them.  The need for trusting in the one and only Savior, Jesus Christ, is great.  These people have a great need.  These people live a simple life that seems refreshing to me- a life uncluttered by stuff...things and objects,things to do.  A life not driven by the worldly ways of the United States--money, desire for more things, desire to look good to your neighbor, having the things that symbolize wealth, prosperity, climbing the ladder of success.....this is all clutter to me.  God has definitely placed it on my heart and given me a visual of what it means to be in this world, but not of this world.  The challenges are great to live in this world, denying ourselves of the worldly desires we see around us.  It is so much more fulfilling to look beyond what we see, and live for creating relationships, loving one another, showing compassion, and being used to grow each other in Christ.  In Guatemala, it is about relationships.  I desire to live for Christ.  I have a better picture of how God wants me to live on only what I need, truly need, and to give away the rest.  One of the verses that speaks to me on this is:

Haggai 1:6  You have sown much, and harvested little.  You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill.  You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm.  And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Thanks for everyones support and prayers.  Impact Ministries in Guatemala is investing in the lives of the people of Guatemala.  It is a great blessing for us to be a part of it, and to bring blessings to these people of Guatemala.     Acts 20:35 says: In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Preparing for the greatest trip of our life

Well, we've packed everything we can think to need, we've gotten all the shots, and we've kissed the kiddos feliz noche and adios.  Definitely tears in the house of the Klemish's tonite-mostly in the girls' eyes of course.  We have prepared in every way we can- but God has really prepared us in a much bigger way. 

The book of Matthew has spoken many things to us in the last month-

It will not be so among you.  But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a the ransom for many.  Matthew 20:25-26

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me......Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me.  Matthew 25: 36-38, 40

We really are going to Guatemala to serve these people.  God has really shown us how much we are needed as servants in this world.  We aren't here to take more, buy more, and build wealth, but instead are here to give more, share more, and love more--even to these people we don't know, but God does. 

About 4 weeks ago, through a friend at Sydney's school, I met my friend Gladis. She is an exchange student at Scott Community College in Bettendorf.  She is here on a scholarship for 2 years.   She lives in La Tinta, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala- her home is one hour from Tactic, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (where we are going)!   God had a great plan in bringing us together!  She speaks the same Mayan dialect as the people group in rural Tactic where we are going.  We also met her two friends, Kathy and Fernando, who are also from Guatemala.  God has really grown our hearts for the people of Guatemala through them.  It has been fun to learn about their culture, learn Spanish from them, play soccer and volleyball, let them love on our kids, and make s'mores over a campfire-which they thought was very interesting, and yummy of course!  They all absolutely love our dog, Blue!  I'm sure God has made this connection between us for more than one reason.  They will be here until next July studying, so I know we will have plenty of opportunities to serve them also!   They are so very greatful for us going to their country to help the people of Guatemala.  They continue to express that gratitude repeatedly and whole-heartedly.

Dios te bendiga!  God bless you! 

We're Going to Guatemala?

God, do you really think WE are ready for a mission trip???  I asked that question over and over again when Matt and I first felt the probing from God to serve the people of Guatemala.  I am really not sure why we always question what God asks us to do-we need God to make things so obvious to us--and that is what I asked God to do for me.  I prayed  for him to make it obvious to me if it was His will that I go on this trip to Guatemala.  That night I woke up at least every hour, every time thinking Guatemala, Guatemala!  The next morning, a little weary eyed, I knew without a doubt that God had a plan for me to go on this mission trip!  I was super exhausted and super excited. Matt still had yet to make that decision-by the end of the week, we had decided to make the Guatemala Mission Trip 2011, our 10th anniversary trip!   How awesome is that! 

 In the last two years, God has completely changed our lives, set us on his straight path.  Matt and I had travelled far from where God would want us to be and our marriage had collapsed.  Biblical counseling at Harvest Bible Chapel and reading (and living) the Word of God brought us together as nothing else could.  The changes in us and the preservation of our marriage can only be credited to God, the truth of his Word, the Redeeming power of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit alive in us today.  What better way to Glorify God than to serve God on this mission trip for our 10th anniversary!  I consider our lasting marriage a miracle work of God's hands---and I can't wait to see more of his amazing work....in Guatemala!