Mission to Guatemala
October 25-26, 2017
Clínica San Jose Aldea Llano Grande, Inmaculada Concepción Tutuapa San Marcos, Guatemala
This was my second time back at this place so far away from Guatemala City. It takes about 1 day to get there, very high in the mountains.
Mother Reyna Barahona, 3 more sisters and I together provided love and care to the communities nearby during my visit. The clinic is excellent, but it is a very cold place – and rainy…
​
I brought dental supplies, baby clothes, scarves, hats, raincoats, skin lotion, reading and sunglasses, and eye drops. The beanie babies as well (“peluches”), of course.
The children love to color while waiting for their dental care; others like to read. The sisters were very pleased to receive the baby items because at this clinic they see many babies with low weight and not very healthy.
Many pregnant mothers don’t take prenatal vitamins because they can’t afford them, and their nutrition at home is not very good.
Mother Reyna does the ultrasound tests to check the baby’s weight and health free of charge, because the mothers cannot pay.
At the St Joseph clinic the reading glasses were a great success. People also received eyedrops because they suffer too much from allergies. On sunny days they need sunglasses because the sun is so strong.
Seniors in particular benefit from the glasses. Mother Reyna helped provide the glasses.
Dr Elubina and I took care of the dental work. Dr Elubina speaks the Mayan dialect they call “Mam”, which is important since almost nobody at this location speaks fluent Spanish. During the day we taught a model of dental hygiene and care, and how important it is to brush and floss daily.
Thank you
to all donors, friends, companies, family and fellow HTJH board members for helping to make these missions a success. I cannot accomplish our goals without your continuing support. Together we have made a difference to many people in Guatemala.
Thank you also for your prayers.
Many blessings to all.
-Susana Scarlet Sandoval
Services
30
people received reading glasses and sunglasses.
65
people received dental care
The children received poncho raincoats, hats, toys, balls, etc.
GOALS FOR 2018
Our goals for the next visit (2018) to the St Joseph clinic are to purchase a folding dental chair and to continue providing dental supplies and general essential items such as: eye drops, prenatal vitamins, children’s vitamins, neosporin, diaper rash crème, skin lotion, raincoats, baby blankets, warm light socks, hats, scarves, reading and sunglasses, beanie babies and other toys.
Mission to Guatemala
October 22-23, 2017
Corpus Christi St. Francisco de Asis Orphanage, Centro Nutricional Patzun Chimaltenango, Guatemala​​
It is always a great pleasure to return to this home and see my children and my wonderful friends, the Franciscan sisters.
​
There was great joy and surprise when I arrived on Sunday, October 22! Lots of children were waiting to celebrate the “day of the Missionary”. They came from small villages and together we all celebrated holy mass and had a lovely time.
My niece Paula, my cousin Angelica and Dr. Victor Morales participated in this activity. I had the opportunity to talk to the children and share with them the experiences and challenges of being a missionary. My message to them was: “Never give up”, “follow your heart” and “do not be afraid”.
After the ceremony, I gave some sports balls to each of the villages so that the children can play and have a good time.
Every child at this mission received a book, a holy card, rosary, toothbrush and toothpaste. They were also given a new hat because it is cold at this time of the year and they need to keep their heads warm.
The home also received a Christmas ornament.
Also some of the sisters received a book because they will use it to read to the babies at bedtime.
Dr Morales and my family provided dental care to the children and the nuns. They were all very happy. “No cavities and good clean teeth!” they said with a big smile.
I’m very grateful to Mr Maurice Muñoz of the company Kuraray, who generously provided primer and bond to enable us to do effective restorations. On this mission I was also able to use a cordless Prophy Handle tool to polish teeth. It works wonderfully and is very convenient.
Thank you very much to Mr and Mrs Victor and Kathleen Utgoff for their donation to enable me to purchase this fantastic tool.
64 people received dental care on this mission.
My dear friend Thelma Gary, her husband and friends also donated items for babies, like blankets, diaper rash cream, baby clothes, balls, etc. I distributed these at both locations on this mission.
I was so touched to see single mothers and their children from outside come and be fed by the nuns. They were all eating together at the entrance of the house. One big happy family!