Just a quick note about how Elizabeth and I served today. Because our team is unusually large and we are a bit overstaffed in the pharmacy I asked Katie who is the volunteer coordinator for the mission projects if there was a place where they could use a couple of extra workers. She said they are in the process of adding on to the Clinic/Hospital and really would appreciate more help in that area since they are trying to get the majority of work done before the rainy season. Elizabeth and I
agreed to do our duty on this work project. We helped twist pieces of wire which were about 20 inches long and bent in half. By grasping the one end with a wire cutters and the other with our bare hands we gave it about twenty twists until it was totally twisted. We clipped the ends and then made sure the end where it had been bent was flattened. It was heavy wire and our hands became pretty tired all the way up to our shoulders. We could produce one completed piece in about one minute of solid effort. We did this for about 2 and a half hours. Next we helped attach re-bar pieces together. There were 7 pieces going each way in a grid. We learned a criss-cross method and finally once again twisted about 20 times as we tightened it. This re-bar is being put into one of several holes which will be poured with cement. After our efforts we look forward to seeing the completed project when we return. There are men with wheel barrows, shovels, hoes, sledge hammers and so forth working away. Although our efforts might have felt a little labor intense and slow. we got a very good lesson in the dignity of the way much work is done in Guatemala - one step at a time. We also enjoyed working with some very nice folks from Cornell. All in all, we missed being part of the team and our role in the medical mission aspect of MDP but we do feel it is important to make sure all team members help serve the mission to the best of our potential according to their needs. Oh, and one more thing... Elizabeth is a very hard worker. She does not complain, is smart and so very capable and good! It was a pleasure to work along side of her today! - Helen
3 Comments
Sarah Peller
4/4/2014 12:58:04 pm
I love reading all about the trip. It sounds like you all are doing some great work down in San Lucas! Keep us here at home updated! Note for Elizabeth: hahaha even when I'm almost a continent away, you still get called Sarah!!
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Susan Peller
4/5/2014 11:21:29 am
How awesome you got to work on the hospital! Thanks for the wonderful pictures. They warm my heart! I am glad you and Elizabeth had a day together Helen. She could not have been with a better soul! God Bless and keep up the great work.
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4/6/2014 02:06:02 am
Oh how cool! You may not be side by side with the team you traveled with, but look how many people you worked with side by side to help build that area of the hospital!!! (you are still doing medical mission work!) Beautiful pictures!! I just had a chance to catch up on your blog- As I read the blog, I feel my self right there beside all of you! God Bless all your work. Know you are all in my thoughts and prayers!! Enjoy your time there.Safe travels!
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Team Members
Catherine Davis, M.D., Team Co-leader and Medical Provider Archives
May 2014
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