Greetings again!
Yes, again. My journey to Guatemala all started less than two years ago. If you know me, that is hard to believe. Less than two years! This year I am kicking off the blog from my warm bed in Cincinnati at 4:00 a.m. Our amazing team is about to embark on a new journey. Abie, the medical team, and I have all been to Patanatic before, but this journey will be new.
I am so blessed to be returning to this small and welcoming community in the western highlands of Guatemala. Our Mayan friends have graciously allowed me to return for a third time. This trip is special to me because my role is entirely new. On my first trip as a participant on this very important medical mission, I discovered hope amid a world in poverty. On my second trip, I became part of a Guatemalan family and learned, though my family lives in poverty, they do live...and beautifully! And now, I have the honor of helping organize the very trip that stole my heart just two years ago.
While I have no sweeping beautiful remarks about the breathtaking view in Patanatic or a startling realization from the abject poverty, I can promise you that the words you read from the participants will represent love pouring from their hearts. Breathe in their words and let the students open your eyes. For we must “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Peace,
Katie
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Dec. 28, 2012 - A World of Need
On Nov 7, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near Guatemala's border with Mexico. It was the strongest to hit Guatemala since a 1976 quake that killed 23,000. Damage was reported in all but one of Guatemala's 22 states and shaking felt as far away as Mexico City, 600 miles to the northwest. At least 52 are dead and dozens missing. President Otto Perez Molina said the quake affected as many as 1.2 million people. There were 70 aftershocks in the first 24 hours after the quake, some as strong as magnitude 4.9. Guatemalans huddled in the streets of the mountain town of San Marcos, the most affected area, where at least 40 of the deaths occurred. San Marcos is a poor, mainly indigenous mountain area of subsistence farms, where more than 30 homes were damaged and many of the colorful adobe buildings in its center were either cracked or reduced to rubble, including the police station and the courthouse. A large gash runs down one of the streets. Hundreds of frightened people refused to go back inside after more than five strong aftershocks. Hundreds crammed into the hallways of San Marcos' small hospital, the only building with electricity, seeking help for the injured. Some complained they were not getting care quickly enough, but there is just not enough staff. Perez said more than 2,000 soldiers were deployed to help and a plane made trips to carry relief teams to the area.
The Xavier Interfaith Medical Mission Team has been asked to spend Friday in San Marcos with its medical team, and help with their medical needs. Since they will be there just short of the two-month anniversary, they will not see the major trauma of the first days, but the community is still in ruin. They will bring their medical supplies and expertise to San Marcos, and have also purchased basic sanitary needs (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.), and rice, beans, sugar, and cooking oil for distribution to the families.
“This is a huge request and a privilege for us to be helpful to that community at this time of severe need,” said Rabbi Abie Ingber, executive director of the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement at Xavier University, and the organizer of the trip. “It will not be easy – a three-hour drive each way to see 50 adult patients and 30 children. Everything we learn during the week will make our time in San Marcos even more productive. Each student participant was selected because they could be counted on to lead – and now they must.”
The Xavier Interfaith Medical Mission Team has been asked to spend Friday in San Marcos with its medical team, and help with their medical needs. Since they will be there just short of the two-month anniversary, they will not see the major trauma of the first days, but the community is still in ruin. They will bring their medical supplies and expertise to San Marcos, and have also purchased basic sanitary needs (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.), and rice, beans, sugar, and cooking oil for distribution to the families.
“This is a huge request and a privilege for us to be helpful to that community at this time of severe need,” said Rabbi Abie Ingber, executive director of the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement at Xavier University, and the organizer of the trip. “It will not be easy – a three-hour drive each way to see 50 adult patients and 30 children. Everything we learn during the week will make our time in San Marcos even more productive. Each student participant was selected because they could be counted on to lead – and now they must.”
Dec 27, 2012 Background and Introductions
From Dec. 29, 2012 – Jan. 6, 2013, thirteen Xavier students and a staffer from the Center for Interfaith Community Engagement will give up a week of winter break and New Year’s Eve celebrations to serve the village of Patanatik in the Solola Lake mountain region.. A doctor/nurse couple from Los Angeles and a Cincinnati pediatrician will join them on the 2013 Interfaith Medical Mission to Guatemala.
This will be the fourth such trip for Xavier students. In January of 2010, the first mission trip sent a similar group to Jamaica. In 4.5 days, they saw 511 patients among old slave huts in remote regions of Steer Town, Jamaica. Most had never received any medical care and six were evacuated to a hospital for immediate attention. In the last two years, they have found similar need in Guatemala. They saw almost 500 people in the clinic and made 75-100 home visits each year.
These are the students you will hear from on this blog:
Kiersten Mossburg from Fayetteville, GA is a junior chemical science major with minors in biochemistry and English.
Tess Petrozzi from Powell, OH is a sophomore nursing major.
Ashley Luffred from Avon, OH is a junior liberal arts major, with a minor in psychology.
Grace Lambert from North Royalton, OH is a sophomore natural sciences major, with a minor in theology.
Adrian Center from Mason, OH is a first-year biology major.
Malia Smolenski from Loveland, OH is a junior applied physics major, with minors in Spanish and international studies.
Stephanie Jantzen from Cincinnati is a senior biology major.
Ian Bentley from Cincinnati is a senior biology major, with minors in chemistry and theology.
Sara Fieger from Cincinnati is a sophomore natural sciences major.
Tom Gerbus from Cincinnati is a junior biology major, with minors in chemistry and theology.
C.J. Oleksy from Martinsville, IN is a sophomore business major, with a minor in natural sciences.
Julia Miles from Indianapolis is a junior biology major.
Katie Scheidler from Muncie, IN is the program assistant and trip coordinator. She is a senior biology major, with minors in chemistry and peace studies.
The care is free, but the trip is not. The group needs $50,000 to fly, feed and house the team for the trip. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Xavier University, Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, 3800 Victory Parkway ML 2120, Cincinnati, OH 45207. Please make checks payable to Xavier University - IFCE.
This will be the fourth such trip for Xavier students. In January of 2010, the first mission trip sent a similar group to Jamaica. In 4.5 days, they saw 511 patients among old slave huts in remote regions of Steer Town, Jamaica. Most had never received any medical care and six were evacuated to a hospital for immediate attention. In the last two years, they have found similar need in Guatemala. They saw almost 500 people in the clinic and made 75-100 home visits each year.
These are the students you will hear from on this blog:
Kiersten Mossburg from Fayetteville, GA is a junior chemical science major with minors in biochemistry and English.
Tess Petrozzi from Powell, OH is a sophomore nursing major.
Ashley Luffred from Avon, OH is a junior liberal arts major, with a minor in psychology.
Grace Lambert from North Royalton, OH is a sophomore natural sciences major, with a minor in theology.
Adrian Center from Mason, OH is a first-year biology major.
Malia Smolenski from Loveland, OH is a junior applied physics major, with minors in Spanish and international studies.
Stephanie Jantzen from Cincinnati is a senior biology major.
Ian Bentley from Cincinnati is a senior biology major, with minors in chemistry and theology.
Sara Fieger from Cincinnati is a sophomore natural sciences major.
Tom Gerbus from Cincinnati is a junior biology major, with minors in chemistry and theology.
C.J. Oleksy from Martinsville, IN is a sophomore business major, with a minor in natural sciences.
Julia Miles from Indianapolis is a junior biology major.
Katie Scheidler from Muncie, IN is the program assistant and trip coordinator. She is a senior biology major, with minors in chemistry and peace studies.
The care is free, but the trip is not. The group needs $50,000 to fly, feed and house the team for the trip. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Xavier University, Center for Interfaith Community Engagement, 3800 Victory Parkway ML 2120, Cincinnati, OH 45207. Please make checks payable to Xavier University - IFCE.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Mouhamed Ndoye – They’ll never know
Mouhamed is a sophomore at Xavier, majoring in Management Information Systems and minoring in Spanish.
It’s been 3 weeks since I've been in the lovely land of Guatemala. I was going to write this (blog) on the ninth floor of Schott Hall, but realized that I wouldn't be able to reenact the high altitudes of Guatemala. Unfortunately, the great city of Cincinnati is a mere 600 feet above sea level while the Solola region of Guatemala is a whopping 5,200 feet above sea level. Putting my altitude frustrations to rest, I reminisce about the memories that I share with Team Guatemala and the Guatemalan people. I reminisce about the time the students of Team Guatemala and I sat on the roof of our hotel to take in the majestic view of Antigua. I remember times I spoke Spanish with the vendors of Antigua and one of them convinced me to buy a decorated flute with Mayan patterns. A few minutes after I bought the flute, it became a decorated stick for me because I learned that I couldn't play it. I remember the time we (Team Guatemala) spent New Year's Eve on the main street of Antigua with thousands of people from around the world. I never completed and began a year the way I did in 2011 / 2012. The countdown to 2012 was epic! Words cannot describe. I remember our journey to Panajachel where we would stay. It was interesting to see the farms on the hill en route to our hotel site. I remember the time that we set up the clinic in Patanatic. There was so much medicine and I became anxious to meet, greet, and treat the patients the next day. I remember the way I felt when I interacted with the youngsters that visited the clinic. I remember the time that a patient was fitted for eyeglasses and they instantly changed her life. I remember the time when we had our Shabbat dinner and I felt no different than going to the mosque on a Friday afternoon. I've written an infinitesimal amount on what I experienced during my eight days in Guatemala. Sadly enough, I realize that those who didn't come along to Guatemala will never know. No matter how many pictures, videos, or souvenirs I present, they'll never know. Dr. Richard said this, but I was too confident that I'd be able to express my feelings regarding Guatemala. I can explain, but they'll never know. They'll never know.
It’s been 3 weeks since I've been in the lovely land of Guatemala. I was going to write this (blog) on the ninth floor of Schott Hall, but realized that I wouldn't be able to reenact the high altitudes of Guatemala. Unfortunately, the great city of Cincinnati is a mere 600 feet above sea level while the Solola region of Guatemala is a whopping 5,200 feet above sea level. Putting my altitude frustrations to rest, I reminisce about the memories that I share with Team Guatemala and the Guatemalan people. I reminisce about the time the students of Team Guatemala and I sat on the roof of our hotel to take in the majestic view of Antigua. I remember times I spoke Spanish with the vendors of Antigua and one of them convinced me to buy a decorated flute with Mayan patterns. A few minutes after I bought the flute, it became a decorated stick for me because I learned that I couldn't play it. I remember the time we (Team Guatemala) spent New Year's Eve on the main street of Antigua with thousands of people from around the world. I never completed and began a year the way I did in 2011 / 2012. The countdown to 2012 was epic! Words cannot describe. I remember our journey to Panajachel where we would stay. It was interesting to see the farms on the hill en route to our hotel site. I remember the time that we set up the clinic in Patanatic. There was so much medicine and I became anxious to meet, greet, and treat the patients the next day. I remember the way I felt when I interacted with the youngsters that visited the clinic. I remember the time that a patient was fitted for eyeglasses and they instantly changed her life. I remember the time when we had our Shabbat dinner and I felt no different than going to the mosque on a Friday afternoon. I've written an infinitesimal amount on what I experienced during my eight days in Guatemala. Sadly enough, I realize that those who didn't come along to Guatemala will never know. No matter how many pictures, videos, or souvenirs I present, they'll never know. Dr. Richard said this, but I was too confident that I'd be able to express my feelings regarding Guatemala. I can explain, but they'll never know. They'll never know.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Richard Walter - Sunset Cafe...Reflections
Richard is a physician in Los Angeles.
As Lauri and Abie and I wandered down the narrow streets of our town, we seemed almost desperate to find a place to eat. It was getting later and later and everything seemed closed. Were we that hungry? We had eaten dinner only a few hours earlier, so I think not. But we were so very determined. Looking back, I am certain it was not about food, but rather our little quest to capture a few more moments of quiet thoughts together. There it was, at the very end of a dark and winding road...we found it - The Sunset Café. We were seated just outside the restaurant on a little balcony overlooking the lake. We could see the volcanic mountains in the distance, and noticed the twinkling lights from the little village we had just visited earlier in the day. The night sky was filled with stars and a beautiful moon that looked down on our little piece of heaven. We drank and ate and talked. Talked of our wonderful week's journey, the gracious people of Guatemala, their strength, their never-ending faith, and of course their smiles. We also talked of our incredible Xavier team, amazing people, so caring, so respectful, and even wise. Our very special new friends, our family. It was getting late, time to return to our hotel. I closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
I awoke the next morning with the excitement of our final day in clinic. It was a perfect day, filled with laughs, and of course, some tears. These were our last moments to touch and be touched by the wonderful people of our village - a little bittersweet to be sure. In the blink of an eye, our week's special journey was coming to an end.
Back at the hotel, I cleaned up, put on some shorts and flip flops, and got ready to shop in the town. I walked out of the hotel, and for some reason turned right instead of left, and in a few moments found myself at the lake. It was truly beautiful. I sat and watched a few families with their children, playing and smiling. It was such a peaceful moment for me, a happy moment, but then, it all changed. A young girl, maybe 8 or 9 years of age, stood in front of me and asked if I wanted to buy a bracelet that she was selling. Her little voice was really only a whisper. In a polite way I tried to explain that I didn't really want to buy the bracelet. She then sat down next to me and asked once again. But then, before I could even answer, she placed her arm with the bracelet on my lap. She did not ask again. She just looked in my eyes and waited. I noticed how very tired she looked, such sad eyes, none that I had seen in awhile, maybe never. There were no smiles in this little girl. I am not certain what happened next. I found myself a few feet away, confused, not sure what I could do for this little girl. Buy her bracelet? Give her whatever money I had? Maybe try to find her parents? Did she even have a mommy and daddy? My heart sank further. I gazed across the lake. The noises around me were silent; time seemed to stand still. Looking up at the sky I noticed a bird, alone, gliding in the wind, high above the earth, back and forth, circling back as if to tell me something, but then disappearing in the distance. I wondered what the bird could see that I was missing, and then, at that moment, I realized the little girl was gone as well. I tried to find her, but didn't really know what I would do if I did - she was gone.
That night, the final night, our medical team went back to the Sunset Café. The evening was a little cool. I went out to the balcony to look out over the lake again. Then, it suddenly hit me. This beautiful little spot was only a few feet above the wall that I sat on by the lake with the little girl. I felt paralyzed. The lights were still twinkling across the lake. The stars were still shining and the moon was still beautiful, but now I wondered, was this really a piece of heaven? Did my little friend ever notice the lake, the stars, the moon? How does a little child notice those things when hungry or cold or lonely? I do not know. I do not know.
Home. I feel blessed to have made such a journey. I feel blessed for my family, my wonderful new friends, for the beauty of nature, and God. I know I will return to Guatemala. I think of the little girl every day. I wish I knew her name. I am certain it must be a pretty name. I think about what I will do when I see her again. How I might somehow help her. Still, I am not sure. I pray that I might be able to make her smile, to somehow make her feel a little better. Maybe just a little hug. I know that would help me.
As Lauri and Abie and I wandered down the narrow streets of our town, we seemed almost desperate to find a place to eat. It was getting later and later and everything seemed closed. Were we that hungry? We had eaten dinner only a few hours earlier, so I think not. But we were so very determined. Looking back, I am certain it was not about food, but rather our little quest to capture a few more moments of quiet thoughts together. There it was, at the very end of a dark and winding road...we found it - The Sunset Café. We were seated just outside the restaurant on a little balcony overlooking the lake. We could see the volcanic mountains in the distance, and noticed the twinkling lights from the little village we had just visited earlier in the day. The night sky was filled with stars and a beautiful moon that looked down on our little piece of heaven. We drank and ate and talked. Talked of our wonderful week's journey, the gracious people of Guatemala, their strength, their never-ending faith, and of course their smiles. We also talked of our incredible Xavier team, amazing people, so caring, so respectful, and even wise. Our very special new friends, our family. It was getting late, time to return to our hotel. I closed my eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
I awoke the next morning with the excitement of our final day in clinic. It was a perfect day, filled with laughs, and of course, some tears. These were our last moments to touch and be touched by the wonderful people of our village - a little bittersweet to be sure. In the blink of an eye, our week's special journey was coming to an end.
Back at the hotel, I cleaned up, put on some shorts and flip flops, and got ready to shop in the town. I walked out of the hotel, and for some reason turned right instead of left, and in a few moments found myself at the lake. It was truly beautiful. I sat and watched a few families with their children, playing and smiling. It was such a peaceful moment for me, a happy moment, but then, it all changed. A young girl, maybe 8 or 9 years of age, stood in front of me and asked if I wanted to buy a bracelet that she was selling. Her little voice was really only a whisper. In a polite way I tried to explain that I didn't really want to buy the bracelet. She then sat down next to me and asked once again. But then, before I could even answer, she placed her arm with the bracelet on my lap. She did not ask again. She just looked in my eyes and waited. I noticed how very tired she looked, such sad eyes, none that I had seen in awhile, maybe never. There were no smiles in this little girl. I am not certain what happened next. I found myself a few feet away, confused, not sure what I could do for this little girl. Buy her bracelet? Give her whatever money I had? Maybe try to find her parents? Did she even have a mommy and daddy? My heart sank further. I gazed across the lake. The noises around me were silent; time seemed to stand still. Looking up at the sky I noticed a bird, alone, gliding in the wind, high above the earth, back and forth, circling back as if to tell me something, but then disappearing in the distance. I wondered what the bird could see that I was missing, and then, at that moment, I realized the little girl was gone as well. I tried to find her, but didn't really know what I would do if I did - she was gone.
That night, the final night, our medical team went back to the Sunset Café. The evening was a little cool. I went out to the balcony to look out over the lake again. Then, it suddenly hit me. This beautiful little spot was only a few feet above the wall that I sat on by the lake with the little girl. I felt paralyzed. The lights were still twinkling across the lake. The stars were still shining and the moon was still beautiful, but now I wondered, was this really a piece of heaven? Did my little friend ever notice the lake, the stars, the moon? How does a little child notice those things when hungry or cold or lonely? I do not know. I do not know.
Home. I feel blessed to have made such a journey. I feel blessed for my family, my wonderful new friends, for the beauty of nature, and God. I know I will return to Guatemala. I think of the little girl every day. I wish I knew her name. I am certain it must be a pretty name. I think about what I will do when I see her again. How I might somehow help her. Still, I am not sure. I pray that I might be able to make her smile, to somehow make her feel a little better. Maybe just a little hug. I know that would help me.
Cathy Walter – Giving and receiving
Cathy is a nurse in Los Angeles.
I had the wonderful privilege of joining the students from Xavier University in the village of Patanatic, and what amazing students the 12 of them are. We all reflected on a nightly basis about the day’s events and gained an understanding of how wonderful and grateful the people of this village are. Although it seemed by their living conditions that they had "nothing," they do not seem to see it that way. This experience allowed all of us to look deep into ourselves, and examine just what is important to us. The villagers seemed to have simple lives without the technology that we have, and yet they seemed content with what they did have. One of the aspects of their culture that I actually envy is that families all live very close to each other, and seem to be one large happy family. The children run playfully, without any shoes, in what seems to be a very safe environment. Although the wonderful people we met were very thankful to us for our help, they have no idea that we came away with so mch more than we ever gave them.
I had the wonderful privilege of joining the students from Xavier University in the village of Patanatic, and what amazing students the 12 of them are. We all reflected on a nightly basis about the day’s events and gained an understanding of how wonderful and grateful the people of this village are. Although it seemed by their living conditions that they had "nothing," they do not seem to see it that way. This experience allowed all of us to look deep into ourselves, and examine just what is important to us. The villagers seemed to have simple lives without the technology that we have, and yet they seemed content with what they did have. One of the aspects of their culture that I actually envy is that families all live very close to each other, and seem to be one large happy family. The children run playfully, without any shoes, in what seems to be a very safe environment. Although the wonderful people we met were very thankful to us for our help, they have no idea that we came away with so mch more than we ever gave them.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Annie - A diagnosis with no easy answer
One of the hardest days for me at the clinic came while working with Dr. Lauri during the Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. Since I am interested in pediatric nursing, I was overjoyed at the opportunity to work with Dr. Lauri in the pediatric room. The day started off exciting, working with some of the most endearing children and common diagnoses of ear infections, lice, and eczema. A mother came in with a 1-year-old complaining that the child was not able to swallow solid food without aspirating, had sporadic movements, and that her growth and development was very different compared with her other children at home. I knew it was going to be a difficult diagnosis. Dr. Lauri took us students aside and explained that she thought it might be cerebral palsy and that this was not going to be easy. As she continued with the assessment and teaching on diaper rash, I felt a lump in my throat thinking about the news this mother might hear about her child. I worked with cerebral palsy children this past summer and know what a joy they are, but know what a tough diagnosis CP is for a family, especially here in Patanatic. I was incredibly frustrated that we could not offer this mother any of the wonderful services and opportunities available in the States. There is no physical therapy, occupational therapy, or specialized devices to help this child walk and grow. Dr. Lauri and our translator, Deanna, sat with the mother and told her the tough things that our diaper rash ointment would not cure. Her child will most likely never walk, will not be able to eat solid food because her muscles are not strong enough, and she will probably not live a long life. It was tough. There is no easy fix for this mother, yet she sat quietly and took it all in.Afterwards, the mother asked if Megan and I would sit and pray with her, so we sat with her in our room designated for oracion [prayer]. I have never seen someone so intent and devoted in prayer. I sat with her and prayed for strength for the mother and hope for a better future for the child. After her prayer, the mother muttered “gracias.” [thank you] I don’t know specifically what she was thankful for. Was it her beautiful child smiling up at her? The Patanatic health clinic we were all a part of? The opportunity to finally have a reason for the differences she saw in her child? Or was the grateful for the immense faith she has to keep her strong throughout? I know I am thankful. Gracias for the opportunity to experience something so unique and difficult. Gracias for the network of support we created that day at the clinic with each other? Gracias for Dr. Lauri, who taught me how to handle the tough days in Pediatrics with compassion, respect, and grace. And, Gracias for giving that child the opportunity to grow up with a loving mother in a beautiful community.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jen - Reflection on Shabbat and Mayan Culture Experience
I was raised in a Catholic home, have gone to private schools my whole life and was never exposed to any other religion or culture. I had never talked with or met anyone of a different religion until I was eighteen. As I have made my way through Xavier, I have spoken with people from all different walks of life. I have learned to accept other religions and cultures and have grown in my faith and spirituality through learning about others’ beliefs. Though I am still a practicing Catholic, I have found much more fulfillment in my life through the spiritual aspects of life in addition to traditional Catholic practices. I have formed my own unique faith by taking what I find true in the Church combined with beliefs I have learned from different religions and beliefs I have developed through deep conversations with people I am closest to.
On Friday night, we celebrated a Shabbat dinner. It was my first exposure to Judaism and I must say I loved it. For those of you who don’t know, Hebrew is read right to left, so the booklets we used to follow the prayers were reversed. I spent some time trying to figure out why all the pages were messed up, concluding they were simply printed wrong. Rabbi reminded us that Hebrew and Arabic are read right to left. As Rabbi recited the prayers in Hebrew, a sense of peace and happiness filled the room. Though I did not understand the language it was still very moving knowing that these exact words have been used for centuries throughout all of the world and in all walks of life. He blessed each of us as his daughters (or sons) and that in and of itself was a beautiful experience. We then gathered around the challah (bread). We broke bread by each placing a hand on it and pulling it apart. Coming from a Catholic home the host has always been very sacred, so pulling the bread apart was a bit of a surprise to me. Rabbi explained we do not use a knife because that is a symbol of violence. The pulling apart of the challah created a united family within the team because we all ate from the same source. It was a time of pure happiness, a time in which we shared and experienced the same exact thing at the same exact time (not to mention challah is delicious!). The breaking of the challah is just one of those things - it is so simple yet everyone gets excited for it. The candles were lit, prayers had been said, the challah was shared and memories were made. Our Jewish Shabbat dinner was celebrated in the heart of ancient Mayan culture and though Judaism and Mayan Spiritualism they became intertwined that weekend.
Last year, the two sisters that translate for us, Deanna and Michelle, were at the Shabbat dinner with their father, Miguel. Rabbi shared with us that he taught their father how to bless his daughters in the Jewish tradition and the father shared with Rabbi how to bless his [Rabbi’s] daughters in the Mayan tradition. He told us that it was something that he would never forget because here was a Jewish Rabbi and a Mayan spiritualist connecting at the source of the purest love there is, the love for their children.
On Saturday, we were able to experience Mayan culture. Miguel, Deanna and Michelle joined us at dinner and taught us about marimbas. Marimba is an instrument that has been used in Mayan tradition for centuries. Miguel taught us how they were made and the girls played beautiful songs unlike any music I had ever heard. He spoke about the Mayan calendar and this year in which it is supposed to end. He said that his grandfather spoke about 2012 many years ago when he was just a child. There are two parallel universes. We live in our own universe in which we create our own happiness; everything is based on our own lives. The second universe is the universe of reality. According to the Mayans, on the 21st of December 2012, our own individual universe will be judged. If we have lived a compassionate, selfless, respectful life, we will have help on the twelve steps to heaven. If we have lived selfish, disrespectful lives we will be sent to the core of the Earth (equivalent of hell in Christian belief) and will have no help in escaping. Without help is impossible to get out. To be honest, this scares me because I have a lot left in life I want to accomplish and twelve months is certainly not enough time to complete my goals. I am not going to listen to the media; whatever will come will come and nothing I do will change it. Therefore, I will continue leading a life full of compassion, respect, faith, hope, love and selflessness. Isn’t that how we should be living anyway, regardless of a fear of the end of the world (which in my belief is really a new beginning)? My New Year’s resolution is to turn any fear into pure love for all of humanity.
On Friday night, we celebrated a Shabbat dinner. It was my first exposure to Judaism and I must say I loved it. For those of you who don’t know, Hebrew is read right to left, so the booklets we used to follow the prayers were reversed. I spent some time trying to figure out why all the pages were messed up, concluding they were simply printed wrong. Rabbi reminded us that Hebrew and Arabic are read right to left. As Rabbi recited the prayers in Hebrew, a sense of peace and happiness filled the room. Though I did not understand the language it was still very moving knowing that these exact words have been used for centuries throughout all of the world and in all walks of life. He blessed each of us as his daughters (or sons) and that in and of itself was a beautiful experience. We then gathered around the challah (bread). We broke bread by each placing a hand on it and pulling it apart. Coming from a Catholic home the host has always been very sacred, so pulling the bread apart was a bit of a surprise to me. Rabbi explained we do not use a knife because that is a symbol of violence. The pulling apart of the challah created a united family within the team because we all ate from the same source. It was a time of pure happiness, a time in which we shared and experienced the same exact thing at the same exact time (not to mention challah is delicious!). The breaking of the challah is just one of those things - it is so simple yet everyone gets excited for it. The candles were lit, prayers had been said, the challah was shared and memories were made. Our Jewish Shabbat dinner was celebrated in the heart of ancient Mayan culture and though Judaism and Mayan Spiritualism they became intertwined that weekend.
Last year, the two sisters that translate for us, Deanna and Michelle, were at the Shabbat dinner with their father, Miguel. Rabbi shared with us that he taught their father how to bless his daughters in the Jewish tradition and the father shared with Rabbi how to bless his [Rabbi’s] daughters in the Mayan tradition. He told us that it was something that he would never forget because here was a Jewish Rabbi and a Mayan spiritualist connecting at the source of the purest love there is, the love for their children.
On Saturday, we were able to experience Mayan culture. Miguel, Deanna and Michelle joined us at dinner and taught us about marimbas. Marimba is an instrument that has been used in Mayan tradition for centuries. Miguel taught us how they were made and the girls played beautiful songs unlike any music I had ever heard. He spoke about the Mayan calendar and this year in which it is supposed to end. He said that his grandfather spoke about 2012 many years ago when he was just a child. There are two parallel universes. We live in our own universe in which we create our own happiness; everything is based on our own lives. The second universe is the universe of reality. According to the Mayans, on the 21st of December 2012, our own individual universe will be judged. If we have lived a compassionate, selfless, respectful life, we will have help on the twelve steps to heaven. If we have lived selfish, disrespectful lives we will be sent to the core of the Earth (equivalent of hell in Christian belief) and will have no help in escaping. Without help is impossible to get out. To be honest, this scares me because I have a lot left in life I want to accomplish and twelve months is certainly not enough time to complete my goals. I am not going to listen to the media; whatever will come will come and nothing I do will change it. Therefore, I will continue leading a life full of compassion, respect, faith, hope, love and selflessness. Isn’t that how we should be living anyway, regardless of a fear of the end of the world (which in my belief is really a new beginning)? My New Year’s resolution is to turn any fear into pure love for all of humanity.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Team Guatemala 2012
Front row: Christian, Micayla, Jenn, Dr. Richard, David
Middle: Mouhamed, Carmen, JD, Annie, Mary, Megan, Michael
Back: Nurse Cathy, Rabbi Abie, Nurse Bonnie, Dr. Lauri, Anna, Lia
Carmen Deloach – Decisions lead to opportunities
Carmen is the Program Assistant for Interfaith Community Engagement. She graduated from Xavier in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education.
It’s amazing how one decision can open a door for an opportunity. When I decided to leave my job in Louisiana this past spring, I had no idea where God was placing me. Returning to my second hometown of Cincinnati made me anxious but I was confident it was the right decision. Somehow Rabbi and I crossed paths and given the chance to become a team. Everything that has been thrown at us over the past couple of months was in preparation for this trip. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, the laughs and cries….they were necessary. This trip to Guatemala was my first out-of-country experience. I consider it the ultimate blessing to have spent it with such wonderful people. Now I can’t imagine traveling any other way. Repeat experiences every time I hope!
Guatemala was…I can’t even place words on my experience…maybe one…AMAZING!
After all the fundraising and meetings, I was able to see the hard work come to fruition. I still had no idea what I was getting into. My role in the trip was a “behind the scenes” type of function. Planning, collecting paperwork, and executing certain aspects of the trip were all my responsibility. Under the guidance of Rabbi, who is the most organized person I know, I still felt a little overwhelmed and stressed that I was in over my head. Before our trip, Rabbi warned me that although I was hands-on with the students preceding the trip, things would change during the trip. The students’ true “rock stars” would become the doctors. Poor team “Rabcar” (failed attempt at combining Rabbi+Carmen) would be kicked to the curb.
Truthfully, no one was abandoned in any kind of way. Our team was very family-oriented. Compliments and praises were given every day, help was provided at every station in the clinic, and we rarely went out to eat or shopping without taking a large group.
I learned so much from every member on the trip and I am grateful for that. Our students showed wisdom beyond their years, the doctors brought compassion to their practice of medicine, the nurses brought such humor and grace to what they did, and Rabbi was a wonderful teacher as always. Each day was a learning and growing opportunity for me. Being in charge of directing the clinic and keeping track of patients and rotation of students became easier as the days passed because my team continually encouraged me. Although I did not have an opportunity to shadow the doctors, I now realize that I did not have to be part of an examination on a patient to see change. The joy I was able to experience when patients gave out hugs and kisses for the medical care they received still remains in my heart. It was quite overwhelming to see patients with aliments that, although not life-threatening, were taxing because they did not have the money to take care of them. For some, a simple prescription of Tums, Tylenol, athlete’s foot medication helped alleviate discomfort. Can you imagine running to hug and kiss someone because you received those meds? I can’t, or couldn’t before I went on this trip. It’s because I took for granted the easy access I have to many things in the USA.
We brought medical care to the Mayan community, but they brought us so much more. I am grateful for my experiences and for my family Team Guatemala.
It’s amazing how one decision can open a door for an opportunity. When I decided to leave my job in Louisiana this past spring, I had no idea where God was placing me. Returning to my second hometown of Cincinnati made me anxious but I was confident it was the right decision. Somehow Rabbi and I crossed paths and given the chance to become a team. Everything that has been thrown at us over the past couple of months was in preparation for this trip. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, the laughs and cries….they were necessary. This trip to Guatemala was my first out-of-country experience. I consider it the ultimate blessing to have spent it with such wonderful people. Now I can’t imagine traveling any other way. Repeat experiences every time I hope!
Guatemala was…I can’t even place words on my experience…maybe one…AMAZING!
After all the fundraising and meetings, I was able to see the hard work come to fruition. I still had no idea what I was getting into. My role in the trip was a “behind the scenes” type of function. Planning, collecting paperwork, and executing certain aspects of the trip were all my responsibility. Under the guidance of Rabbi, who is the most organized person I know, I still felt a little overwhelmed and stressed that I was in over my head. Before our trip, Rabbi warned me that although I was hands-on with the students preceding the trip, things would change during the trip. The students’ true “rock stars” would become the doctors. Poor team “Rabcar” (failed attempt at combining Rabbi+Carmen) would be kicked to the curb.
Truthfully, no one was abandoned in any kind of way. Our team was very family-oriented. Compliments and praises were given every day, help was provided at every station in the clinic, and we rarely went out to eat or shopping without taking a large group.
I learned so much from every member on the trip and I am grateful for that. Our students showed wisdom beyond their years, the doctors brought compassion to their practice of medicine, the nurses brought such humor and grace to what they did, and Rabbi was a wonderful teacher as always. Each day was a learning and growing opportunity for me. Being in charge of directing the clinic and keeping track of patients and rotation of students became easier as the days passed because my team continually encouraged me. Although I did not have an opportunity to shadow the doctors, I now realize that I did not have to be part of an examination on a patient to see change. The joy I was able to experience when patients gave out hugs and kisses for the medical care they received still remains in my heart. It was quite overwhelming to see patients with aliments that, although not life-threatening, were taxing because they did not have the money to take care of them. For some, a simple prescription of Tums, Tylenol, athlete’s foot medication helped alleviate discomfort. Can you imagine running to hug and kiss someone because you received those meds? I can’t, or couldn’t before I went on this trip. It’s because I took for granted the easy access I have to many things in the USA.
We brought medical care to the Mayan community, but they brought us so much more. I am grateful for my experiences and for my family Team Guatemala.
Micayla McGinn – Finding Myself
Micayla is a senior majoring in Occupational Therapy with a minor in gender and diversity studies. She is from Plattsburgh, NY
Wow, this is hard to put it into words, but what an amazing day! I was exhausted, but felt so alive! I started my day with a gorgeous run down by the Lake Atitlan and up along the river toward Patanatic. The views were incredible. The people were friendly and greeted me with “buenos dias” or “hola” and a smile. I was surprised by how accepting the people were of us, they welcomed us into their community and their homes without reservation. I even had a warm shower. What a treat!
Friday, we headed across the lake to San Pedro to conduct more home visits. The sun was bright and the lake was calm. I felt like I was at home on Lake Champlain. It’s a tragedy that such a beautiful place has been polluted. We spent our day visiting homes to check water filters and provide medical care. Nurse Cathy and team 3 are fantastic, but so is our entire Team Xavier. I don’t think there could be a more passionate, patient, understanding, or fun group than ours. It was exciting and fulfilling to show up in individuals’ homes and help alleviate their pain. Everyone was extremely appreciative. We met a young man who, by the look on his face, was in agony with extreme leg pain, a woman with shoulder pain, and an elderly woman almost in tears with sciatic nerve pain. The pain, tiredness, and bodies aged beyond their years reflect the physically demanding life. We met a woman with an upper respiratory infection that had been going on for months. Sadly, this is reality for most within this community. A cold or pain that we in the United States would tolerate for only days, or hours, before turning to a pain killer or the doctor, often goes untreated and lingers for months or years here. Hopefully this will begin to change as the clinic continues to grow and establish itself within the community.
The children were adorable with their energy and smiles. We made eye contact and with the innocent, curious spark in their eyes they grabbed my heart. They have so little materially, yet are surrounded with so much love. The children were amazed by our cameras and soaked up our attention and touch. It was as if the language barrier dissolved as we played. They followed us from house to house and were welcomed in their neighbors’ homes as if they were their own children.
At times it was overwhelming and I felt like we were only skimming the surface, but I remind myself that if only for a moment, a day, or a month, we have been a positive influence in these individuals’ lives, and they have forever changed mine. The people have incredible resilience. I will always remember their smiles and “Gracias.” The people have broadened my perspective, reminded me that love, empathy, and respect are what are truly important, and have shown me that the giving of my time and talents can be powerful both in helping others and in finding myself.
We went to nine houses in record time and were disappointed when we were told that we had finished our list. We were on a roll and found it hard to accept since there are so many families which could have benefitted from our care that remained unseen. However, upon our return, the school became a makeshift clinic as the community teachers who had led us through their villages brought in their own families to be seen by Dr. Lauri and Dr. Richard.
We ended our day with shopping and a wonderful Shabbat dinner. Another amazing day in Guatemala!
Wow, this is hard to put it into words, but what an amazing day! I was exhausted, but felt so alive! I started my day with a gorgeous run down by the Lake Atitlan and up along the river toward Patanatic. The views were incredible. The people were friendly and greeted me with “buenos dias” or “hola” and a smile. I was surprised by how accepting the people were of us, they welcomed us into their community and their homes without reservation. I even had a warm shower. What a treat!
Friday, we headed across the lake to San Pedro to conduct more home visits. The sun was bright and the lake was calm. I felt like I was at home on Lake Champlain. It’s a tragedy that such a beautiful place has been polluted. We spent our day visiting homes to check water filters and provide medical care. Nurse Cathy and team 3 are fantastic, but so is our entire Team Xavier. I don’t think there could be a more passionate, patient, understanding, or fun group than ours. It was exciting and fulfilling to show up in individuals’ homes and help alleviate their pain. Everyone was extremely appreciative. We met a young man who, by the look on his face, was in agony with extreme leg pain, a woman with shoulder pain, and an elderly woman almost in tears with sciatic nerve pain. The pain, tiredness, and bodies aged beyond their years reflect the physically demanding life. We met a woman with an upper respiratory infection that had been going on for months. Sadly, this is reality for most within this community. A cold or pain that we in the United States would tolerate for only days, or hours, before turning to a pain killer or the doctor, often goes untreated and lingers for months or years here. Hopefully this will begin to change as the clinic continues to grow and establish itself within the community.
The children were adorable with their energy and smiles. We made eye contact and with the innocent, curious spark in their eyes they grabbed my heart. They have so little materially, yet are surrounded with so much love. The children were amazed by our cameras and soaked up our attention and touch. It was as if the language barrier dissolved as we played. They followed us from house to house and were welcomed in their neighbors’ homes as if they were their own children.
At times it was overwhelming and I felt like we were only skimming the surface, but I remind myself that if only for a moment, a day, or a month, we have been a positive influence in these individuals’ lives, and they have forever changed mine. The people have incredible resilience. I will always remember their smiles and “Gracias.” The people have broadened my perspective, reminded me that love, empathy, and respect are what are truly important, and have shown me that the giving of my time and talents can be powerful both in helping others and in finding myself.
We went to nine houses in record time and were disappointed when we were told that we had finished our list. We were on a roll and found it hard to accept since there are so many families which could have benefitted from our care that remained unseen. However, upon our return, the school became a makeshift clinic as the community teachers who had led us through their villages brought in their own families to be seen by Dr. Lauri and Dr. Richard.
We ended our day with shopping and a wonderful Shabbat dinner. Another amazing day in Guatemala!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Nurse Bonnie - Feliz ano nuevo y Gracias a Dios
I began my first day back from Guatemala standing in front of my home with two very happy and eager doggies anxious to begin their much-missed walks. I looked out at my privileged neighborhood – my privileged life – and could not help but see the stark contrast with where I had just come from. I thought of the many homes we had visited near Panajachel – where families lived in darkness and the floors were dirt, where the wood-burning stoves gave off the smell of smoldering ashes, where multiple children slept together in tiny beds. These were the homes in which we asked the occupants about their illnesses and medical needs, and when we left them with much-needed medicines, received in return so many hugs and the warmest of smiles. Whatever little we could give them, they gave us the gift of their graciousness – their gratitude for just being there and caring. Over and over we heard: “Feliz año Nuevo – Happy New Year” and “Gracias a Diós – Thank God.”
I’ve been thinking so much about the twelve Xavier University students that I’ve just come to know over the past week – come to know and love. We entered 2012 together, as we worked side by side every day. We were strangers at first, but felt closer and closer with each passing day. They are some of the finest young people I have ever known – JD, Mouhamed, Michael, David, Christian, Jen, Megan, Micayla, Mary, Lia, Anna and Annie.
We shed tears together.
We laughed together.
We learned together.
Twelve exceptional and extraordinarily kind and genuine people, sharing the experience of a lifetime that we will never forget.
Our medical team – Lauri Pramuk, Richard and Cathy Walter – never ceased to amaze me with their compassion and caring, but also with their teaching expertise, and especially by their love which was felt by each and every one of the students.
Of course, none of what we experienced, and nothing of what we were able to give, would have been possible without the knowledge and leadership of Rabbi Abie Ingber and the inexhaustible conscientiousness of his assistant Carmen Deloach. Abie has the ability and know-how to put it all together, to make everything happen, and to make it all run smoothly.
One day back home, after one short week in Guatemala, enriched by her people and humbled by their spirit that shines despite their desperate poverty, my own spirit is uplifted by the Xavier students, knowing the world will be a better place because of them.
Grateful for the walk I’m about to take with my dogs…
and grateful for this new year, made more hopeful by an inspiring beginning –
Feliz Año Nuevo
Gracias a Diós
Gracias a Diós
Gracias a Diós
Guate
Guate
Guatemala…
Bonnie Herscher, RN
I’ve been thinking so much about the twelve Xavier University students that I’ve just come to know over the past week – come to know and love. We entered 2012 together, as we worked side by side every day. We were strangers at first, but felt closer and closer with each passing day. They are some of the finest young people I have ever known – JD, Mouhamed, Michael, David, Christian, Jen, Megan, Micayla, Mary, Lia, Anna and Annie.
We shed tears together.
We laughed together.
We learned together.
Twelve exceptional and extraordinarily kind and genuine people, sharing the experience of a lifetime that we will never forget.
Our medical team – Lauri Pramuk, Richard and Cathy Walter – never ceased to amaze me with their compassion and caring, but also with their teaching expertise, and especially by their love which was felt by each and every one of the students.
Of course, none of what we experienced, and nothing of what we were able to give, would have been possible without the knowledge and leadership of Rabbi Abie Ingber and the inexhaustible conscientiousness of his assistant Carmen Deloach. Abie has the ability and know-how to put it all together, to make everything happen, and to make it all run smoothly.
One day back home, after one short week in Guatemala, enriched by her people and humbled by their spirit that shines despite their desperate poverty, my own spirit is uplifted by the Xavier students, knowing the world will be a better place because of them.
Grateful for the walk I’m about to take with my dogs…
and grateful for this new year, made more hopeful by an inspiring beginning –
Feliz Año Nuevo
Gracias a Diós
Gracias a Diós
Gracias a Diós
Guate
Guate
Guatemala…
Bonnie Herscher, RN
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Christian Alegria – The forging of future implements of good
Christian is a sophomore natural sciences major from Chatfield, OH.
When a blacksmith shapes a piece of metal, he shapes it with a hammer one strike at a time until it becomes something beautiful, useful, and meaningful. I often think our lives are the same way. We encounter significant experiences in our lives, each which change us and contribute towards making our lives more meaningful.
I have taken so much from our time here in Guatemala and helping the people here has just been amazing. We have seen so many different patients in Patanatic and across the lake in another city called San Pedro and have had the opportunity to make a difference. We were able to help with issues of pain, poor eyesight, gastritis, and conjunctivitis, among others. To be able to alleviate these people's pain felt great and working with the awesome doctors and nurses has been one of our best learning experiences. The relationships we have built with the people of Patanatic and each other have been like no other and I will be forever changed by this trip. I am thankful for all the members on the team and sad to leave Guatemala, but happy to bring back the memories and experiences I had.
When a blacksmith shapes a piece of metal, he shapes it with a hammer one strike at a time until it becomes something beautiful, useful, and meaningful. I often think our lives are the same way. We encounter significant experiences in our lives, each which change us and contribute towards making our lives more meaningful.
I have taken so much from our time here in Guatemala and helping the people here has just been amazing. We have seen so many different patients in Patanatic and across the lake in another city called San Pedro and have had the opportunity to make a difference. We were able to help with issues of pain, poor eyesight, gastritis, and conjunctivitis, among others. To be able to alleviate these people's pain felt great and working with the awesome doctors and nurses has been one of our best learning experiences. The relationships we have built with the people of Patanatic and each other have been like no other and I will be forever changed by this trip. I am thankful for all the members on the team and sad to leave Guatemala, but happy to bring back the memories and experiences I had.
Lia Westhafer - A Seed of Hope
Lia is a junior Occupational Therapy major from Akron, Ohio with minors in Gender Diversity Studies and Violin Performance
Hola! How blessed I am to be a member of Team Guatemala. It has been an incredible journey the past eight days living with wonderful and passionate individuals and working in a medical clinic which changed the lives of the Patantic people. I fully believe community was the key ingredient in our success this week. We formed strong life-lasting relationships with fellow students and life coaches, medical doctors, and ER nurses. Memories and laughter were shared between cobble-stone walks in Antigua on New Year’s, nightly tear-filled reflections, crammed bus rides up and down narrow streets, bargain street shopping, corn tortilla-making, cold showers, water-splashing boat rides, home medical visits, family breakfasts and dinners, language barriers, medical shadowing, prescription writing, blood pressure screening, eye examinations, teeth brushing, and hugs shared across cultures. It is truly amazing the amount of medical care that was thoroughly provided to the Guatemalan people in only a few days.
How remarkable it was to be a part of a group of eighteen beautiful individuals who healed a piece of our world. It can easily be concluded that as a collective group of story-filled individuals, we planted a seed of hope in Patanatic, Guatemala and the beautiful fruit that will grow from this nourished seed is yet to be revealed. I cannot wait to hear of the wonderful healing the members of Team Guatemala will continue to spread onto the world in their lives to come. I love so much everyone as part of the Heart-To-Heart volunteer team and may God continue to dwell in their hearts.
Hola! How blessed I am to be a member of Team Guatemala. It has been an incredible journey the past eight days living with wonderful and passionate individuals and working in a medical clinic which changed the lives of the Patantic people. I fully believe community was the key ingredient in our success this week. We formed strong life-lasting relationships with fellow students and life coaches, medical doctors, and ER nurses. Memories and laughter were shared between cobble-stone walks in Antigua on New Year’s, nightly tear-filled reflections, crammed bus rides up and down narrow streets, bargain street shopping, corn tortilla-making, cold showers, water-splashing boat rides, home medical visits, family breakfasts and dinners, language barriers, medical shadowing, prescription writing, blood pressure screening, eye examinations, teeth brushing, and hugs shared across cultures. It is truly amazing the amount of medical care that was thoroughly provided to the Guatemalan people in only a few days.
How remarkable it was to be a part of a group of eighteen beautiful individuals who healed a piece of our world. It can easily be concluded that as a collective group of story-filled individuals, we planted a seed of hope in Patanatic, Guatemala and the beautiful fruit that will grow from this nourished seed is yet to be revealed. I cannot wait to hear of the wonderful healing the members of Team Guatemala will continue to spread onto the world in their lives to come. I love so much everyone as part of the Heart-To-Heart volunteer team and may God continue to dwell in their hearts.
Rabbi Abie - The last day
Today was our last day in the clinic. We arrived at our usual time and already an adult patient was in the waiting room. This would be a good day. The morning went very quickly. The students began to have some nervous energy about leaving - you could tell it in their louder laughter in small groups. It would not be easy to leave.
I spent the first two hours teaching David, a local young student from Patanatic, how to run our eyeglasses area. First I trained him in using the wall eye chart and recording the results. Then we covered the distinct circumstances of elderly patients with very limited vision, adults who were illiterate and children age 7 or older who still could not identify traditional letters and figures. David was a quick learner and as each Xavier student entered to do a patient eye exam he paid very close attention. By 10:45 he had done his first eye exam and by 11:15 he had "prescribed" glasses from the recycled glasses we had received from Sam's Club and Xavier donors in Cincinnati. Within twenty minutes David had offered a pair of glasses to a middle-aged mother and corrected her poor vision to 20/20.
We are taught that if you give a man a loaf of bread you feed him for a day; if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a life.
We had come to Guatemala to feed the health of the community for a week. But on our last day, we taught a community how to fish.
Next week David will teach Sonia and so it will go. The clinic in Patanatic will continue to screen for eye problems and will give its own villagers glasses from Cincinnati.
Job well done Team Xavier!
I spent the first two hours teaching David, a local young student from Patanatic, how to run our eyeglasses area. First I trained him in using the wall eye chart and recording the results. Then we covered the distinct circumstances of elderly patients with very limited vision, adults who were illiterate and children age 7 or older who still could not identify traditional letters and figures. David was a quick learner and as each Xavier student entered to do a patient eye exam he paid very close attention. By 10:45 he had done his first eye exam and by 11:15 he had "prescribed" glasses from the recycled glasses we had received from Sam's Club and Xavier donors in Cincinnati. Within twenty minutes David had offered a pair of glasses to a middle-aged mother and corrected her poor vision to 20/20.
We are taught that if you give a man a loaf of bread you feed him for a day; if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a life.
We had come to Guatemala to feed the health of the community for a week. But on our last day, we taught a community how to fish.
Next week David will teach Sonia and so it will go. The clinic in Patanatic will continue to screen for eye problems and will give its own villagers glasses from Cincinnati.
Job well done Team Xavier!
David Miller - San Pedro Homes
David is a junior double majoring in biology and chemistry from Zionsville, IN.Yesterday we crossed the lake and did some home visits across Lake Atitlan in the town of San Pedro. I think I speak for all of us when I say that home visits were our favorite things to do on the trip. The people openly welcomed us into their homes and were quick to open up about their medical issues. I have been lucky to be in Nurse Bonnie's group. If any of you reading this out there are looking for Spanglish lessons, contact her because she is an absolute pro. A cool part about the home visits is that each group is completely self-sufficient and has to use limited resources to help the people we see along the way. Our group, for example, ran out of Tylenol, which is a key drug around here. Almost all of the elderly here complain of pain due to decades of extremely hard work farming on the mountain sides. So, we had to restock and went to buy it from a local pharmacy, which is an interesting experience let me tell you! There is nothing is more rewarding than seeing the smile on a patient’s face after leaving them medicine that they can't afford to buy themselves, but which will truly help them feel better.
Dr. Lauri - Things half finished
We spent yesterday traveling across Lake Atitlan by boat to the village of San Pedro at the foot of glorious San Pedro volcano. Our purpose was to assess the status of the water filters that Heart to Heart International installed in homes in the villages a few years ago. But we also came to do brief medical assessments on anyone in the homes who needed help. Thankfully my internal medicine skills were only called upon once - by a 77- year-old woman with pneumonia and a large hernia. I couldn't do anything about the hernia, but started her on some antibiotics for her pneumonia. Thankfully she didn't have hypertension or diabetes, because honestly this week the Xavier students have spent with our Internet, Richard has left them in a better position to those kind of conditions than I could.These visits into people's homes are priceless. We see how they actually live, what they sleep on, cook with, what they use to occupy their time. In many places you see evidence of things half finished; a wall half built, piles of brick, rebar, hardened cement that did not get fully utilized for whatever reason - lack of money, coffee beans needing harvesting, so lack of time. Who knows exactly what stops these steps toward progress before they can be finished.One home we went to I was asked by the family to see their 8-year-old son who had a cleft lip repaired in infancy and a cleft lip partially repaired. We were able to treat him for a sinus infection. I asked mom when he was going to have his last surgery. She told me she was nervous for him to have another operation. She wasn't sure she was going to do it. After I finished his exam and gave her his medication, I noticed a big bin of all kinds of colorful threads. I asked her if she was a weaver. She lit up and asked if she could take us to the downstairs of her home to see her shop. As a seamstress myself, you can only imagine my own delight in seeing her beautiful, old sewing machine. She showed us some of her tapestries and let us photograph her. As we were leaving she asked through my interpreter if I thought the boy should have his last surgery. I said, "Yes, of course. No need to leave things half finished."
Friday, January 6, 2012
Rabbi Abie – A beginning and an end
Two important touchstones of my life collided today. With one I bid farewell, with another I celebrated a new beginning.
Last night after two days of power outages I received news of the passing of a dear friend, Jerzy Kluger of Rome. Jerzy, as now many millions know, was the lifelong Jewish friend of Pope John Paul II. While I first met the Holy Father in 1999, I did not meet Jerzy until 2004. But my relationship with him over these last seven years had been so intense I had committed to his wife Irene that I would be an officiant at his funeral when the time came. I missed his passing and I missed his funeral. I was in a remote mountain village in Guatemala watching the birth of new lifelong relationships between our pre-med students and health care in the third world. I had tears in my eyes in the morning as we stood in the triage area when I shared snippets of how Jerzy and the Pope changed the world our students were born into. I had tears again in my eyes in the evening when our students shared some of their difficult moments in encountering where medicine could not fix everything. And I had tears again later in the night when we each shared the nexus of our experiences in Guatemala and our spiritual journeys. Each student and staffer spoke words from the heart that touched everyone.
Today I missed the funeral of a dear friend. That ship has come back safely into the harbor. It was a grand journey but it has come to an honored end. Today I watched as 12 youthful ships sailed out from the safe harbor into turbulent waters for their life voyages. I pray their journeys, too, will be grand and honored. Godspeed Jerzy. Godspeed David, Micayla, Christian, Lia, Jenn, Megan, Mouhamed, Mary, Anna, Mike, Annie and J.D.
Last night after two days of power outages I received news of the passing of a dear friend, Jerzy Kluger of Rome. Jerzy, as now many millions know, was the lifelong Jewish friend of Pope John Paul II. While I first met the Holy Father in 1999, I did not meet Jerzy until 2004. But my relationship with him over these last seven years had been so intense I had committed to his wife Irene that I would be an officiant at his funeral when the time came. I missed his passing and I missed his funeral. I was in a remote mountain village in Guatemala watching the birth of new lifelong relationships between our pre-med students and health care in the third world. I had tears in my eyes in the morning as we stood in the triage area when I shared snippets of how Jerzy and the Pope changed the world our students were born into. I had tears again in my eyes in the evening when our students shared some of their difficult moments in encountering where medicine could not fix everything. And I had tears again later in the night when we each shared the nexus of our experiences in Guatemala and our spiritual journeys. Each student and staffer spoke words from the heart that touched everyone.
Today I missed the funeral of a dear friend. That ship has come back safely into the harbor. It was a grand journey but it has come to an honored end. Today I watched as 12 youthful ships sailed out from the safe harbor into turbulent waters for their life voyages. I pray their journeys, too, will be grand and honored. Godspeed Jerzy. Godspeed David, Micayla, Christian, Lia, Jenn, Megan, Mouhamed, Mary, Anna, Mike, Annie and J.D.
Mary Erwin – The answer is faith.
Mary is a junior Nursing major from Westerville, Ohio.
This whole trip so far has been amazing. I have seen God in every patient I have encountered in Panajachel, Guatemala. Each patient and family greets our medical team with a smile and is so grateful for the care we provide. We have a special room for patients and families to give them an opportunity to offer prayers up to God if they choose. Almost 100% of the patients have chosen to pray after their visits with the doctor. Today, I took a mother and child into the prayer room and must have sat with them for at least five minutes while the mother said prayer after prayer. Although my Spanish is very poor, I could somewhat figure out what she was saying. I picked up the words "Ave Maria" and "Madre de Dio" which indicated she was praying The Hail Mary. She also said many prayers of thanks for blessings in her life including thanking the doctors, nurses, and students of medicine here at the Heart to Heart clinic. I was in awe of how reverent and gracious she was. Even her son stood with his hands together in a prayerful gesture and remained quiet and obedient. Another patient I want to mention was a male in his 20s on a tight schedule. When I took him into the prayer room, he said he was late and had to get going - instead of staying to pray, he apologized and asked if I would please, please pray for him. Of course I said I would and he was very grateful. Overall, working the prayer room was a moving experience for me. It was neat to watch these people pray aloud and to see how important their faith is for them. How could people in such a poor community who have so little be so incredibly content? The answer is Faith.
Another neat experience I had today was shadowing Dr. Richard. It was amazing to see how much he can multi-task. Somehow he managed to examine patient after patient, fill out paperwork, decide prescriptions, and teach me all at the same time while never taking a break even just to sit down. If I had questions at any time he would answer them. He engaged us in the examining process by allowing us to listen to heart sounds, lung sounds, bowel sounds, etc. He also explained risk factors of several medical conditions and how to prevent them. He also showed me the importance of taking a medical history because this can be the best way to discover the root of a problem. I really enjoyed listening to his past medical stories --many were interesting or funny, but some were really eye-opening and helped me learn important advice that I will take with me to utilize in the future.
This whole trip so far has been amazing. I have seen God in every patient I have encountered in Panajachel, Guatemala. Each patient and family greets our medical team with a smile and is so grateful for the care we provide. We have a special room for patients and families to give them an opportunity to offer prayers up to God if they choose. Almost 100% of the patients have chosen to pray after their visits with the doctor. Today, I took a mother and child into the prayer room and must have sat with them for at least five minutes while the mother said prayer after prayer. Although my Spanish is very poor, I could somewhat figure out what she was saying. I picked up the words "Ave Maria" and "Madre de Dio" which indicated she was praying The Hail Mary. She also said many prayers of thanks for blessings in her life including thanking the doctors, nurses, and students of medicine here at the Heart to Heart clinic. I was in awe of how reverent and gracious she was. Even her son stood with his hands together in a prayerful gesture and remained quiet and obedient. Another patient I want to mention was a male in his 20s on a tight schedule. When I took him into the prayer room, he said he was late and had to get going - instead of staying to pray, he apologized and asked if I would please, please pray for him. Of course I said I would and he was very grateful. Overall, working the prayer room was a moving experience for me. It was neat to watch these people pray aloud and to see how important their faith is for them. How could people in such a poor community who have so little be so incredibly content? The answer is Faith.
Another neat experience I had today was shadowing Dr. Richard. It was amazing to see how much he can multi-task. Somehow he managed to examine patient after patient, fill out paperwork, decide prescriptions, and teach me all at the same time while never taking a break even just to sit down. If I had questions at any time he would answer them. He engaged us in the examining process by allowing us to listen to heart sounds, lung sounds, bowel sounds, etc. He also explained risk factors of several medical conditions and how to prevent them. He also showed me the importance of taking a medical history because this can be the best way to discover the root of a problem. I really enjoyed listening to his past medical stories --many were interesting or funny, but some were really eye-opening and helped me learn important advice that I will take with me to utilize in the future.
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