Monday was our first full day at the Camanchaj preschool and construction site. We arrived around 9:00 am, there were already long lines for the clinic. Some
of the patients had been waiting since before daylight to receive treatment. The Dr. and Dentist had a busy day ahead of them. Many families were waiting and
were excited to see our bus pull into the compound.
of the patients had been waiting since before daylight to receive treatment. The Dr. and Dentist had a busy day ahead of them. Many families were waiting and
were excited to see our bus pull into the compound.
The supplies were unloaded. Thanks for all the donations we brought with us to Camanchaj. Those suitcases that were so heavy in the airport were quickly
unloaded. Barb was a master in organizing the boxes and making sure they were dispensed to the proper departments. The kids were playing outside with the
donated toys and having a ball. No matter what was donated, it was needed.
unloaded. Barb was a master in organizing the boxes and making sure they were dispensed to the proper departments. The kids were playing outside with the
donated toys and having a ball. No matter what was donated, it was needed.
The pastor from the Methodist Church greeted us and we joined hands for prayer. It was a wonderful way to start the day. We sang a few hymns in Spanish
and enjoyed the fellowship with people who are here all the time.
and enjoyed the fellowship with people who are here all the time.
Teams were dispensed to work in different areas. Most of the men went outside with the construction leaders to begin work on the second floor. Sand had to
be sifted, blocks carried to the top and rebar tied in place. The women helped in the kitchen, nurses went to work with the doctors, Katy and Cassie started
counting pills. We helped wherever there was a need. Marti, our nurse practicioner, started seeing patients. By lunch almost all of the patients had been seen
and treated. Janet took digital pictures and printed them for the families as they waited for the Doctor. They were thrilled to see their portraits.
be sifted, blocks carried to the top and rebar tied in place. The women helped in the kitchen, nurses went to work with the doctors, Katy and Cassie started
counting pills. We helped wherever there was a need. Marti, our nurse practicioner, started seeing patients. By lunch almost all of the patients had been seen
and treated. Janet took digital pictures and printed them for the families as they waited for the Doctor. They were thrilled to see their portraits.
In the preschool classroom, Evelyn was busy starting to paint a mural on the wall. The children appeared at the door and wanted to participate in the art
project. They were furnished crayons and paper and began to produce their drawings. The classroom stayed busy all day with kids running in and out drawing
and singing with Evelyn. Evelyn speaks Spanish and is learning K'iche (the native Mayan dialect for this community). She is our resident artist for this week.
She has painted a beautiful mural on the wall depicting a school scene; mountains in the background, the school and children playing in a circle . Dr. Phil has
asked for a bright and colorful classroom. His dream is build a model preschool for the community.
project. They were furnished crayons and paper and began to produce their drawings. The classroom stayed busy all day with kids running in and out drawing
and singing with Evelyn. Evelyn speaks Spanish and is learning K'iche (the native Mayan dialect for this community). She is our resident artist for this week.
She has painted a beautiful mural on the wall depicting a school scene; mountains in the background, the school and children playing in a circle . Dr. Phil has
asked for a bright and colorful classroom. His dream is build a model preschool for the community.
As the day came to an end, we were all tired and ready to return to the hotel for a hot shower and dinner. What a fantastic tired it was! After dinner we met
for the evening devotions and a recap of the day and what it meant to each of us. We agreed it was very rewarding.
for the evening devotions and a recap of the day and what it meant to each of us. We agreed it was very rewarding.
May God bless and keep each of you and keep us in your prayers as we work to assist the people of Camanchaj.
| Anita and Chris sifting sand. |
| Steve lifting yet another brick. |
MONDAY, JULY 7, 2008