Muchísimas Gracias Guatemala

Be thankful not for what we have but for what they are. These wise words along with many others came from our incredible Jose Roland, the one who knows the people of Guatemala better than anyone. On Sunday we looked over a massive trash dump a few yards from a cemetery in Guatemala City and saw some of the most extreme poverty of the country. The scene looked like something from a sci-fi movie - dozens of vultures circling around in the air, smoke drifting upwards and an abyss of trash that extended deep into the valley. People were scavenging for hours under the intense sun through the depths of garbage hoping to find some treasures that they could eventually sell and earn some money from. This was their means of income. I had never seen anything like it and my instant reaction- like many others was to feel pity for them and be thankful for what I had- that I would never have to search through a dump in order to put food on the table. But Jose made me think differently.

He called me to appreciate and find the beauty in these hardworking and hopeful people who were doing what it took to support themselves. They had dignity and they had strength. Throughout my time in Guatemala I’ve looked for the beauty in what others may find ugly. Though the roads here may not be as well kept as in the United States and people live more simply- there is so much beauty in the spirit of the people of Guatemala. I have been blown away time and time again by the way they live their lives- with positivity, patience and generosity. During our days in the clinic I had the incredible opportunity to get a sense of the community that lives in the mountains of San Lucas. Each and every person I encountered, no matter how sick they were, greeted me with a warm hello and a smile. Their love of life was infectious beyond compare. Some patients would wait in the clinic all day to be seen by the doctor if it was busy. I’d lead them to the waiting area and even if they were there for hours, they would be so calm and content with waiting for their turn- they never complained and they never got upset with us. They were happy just to be there and it didn’t matter how long it took. Some would even hangout after they had been seen because the clinic like a watering hole for the community. Finally, the amount of generosity was overwhelming. It was so powerful to see people who have little give so much; they gave small gifts but beyond that they gave their time and their prayers. They were gracious and excited to help in anyway they could.

Our patients may have learned from our medical team; but they taught me so much more about the type of person I want to be. I hope upon returning to the US I am able to emanate this unparalleled, beautiful spirit of the people of Guatemala. Muchísimas gracias Guatemala, ojalá que nos veamos pronto.

Prasun Shah