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You'd Like What's On The Inside by Johann Peikert

4/21/2012

5 Comments

 
So, for new readers of the blog, what’s it like here? On the outside, we see small villages, narrow roads with holes and ruts and broken cobblestone. Tiny homes are made of the most meager materials, with stray dogs and cats that run uncontrolled. Constant cooking-fires burning in the homes make sooty buildings everywhere, and cover the smells of the flowers and the rest of the wild. Busy markets clamber for business, with hope and hopelessness ever present everywhere. Hard-working women and men toil with endless days and fatigued, aching bodies and minds. All this they have in and among a wide array of the most vivid colors of the rainbow in the midst of a gorgeous forest.

Oh, but you’d like what’s on the inside! Those rutted roads are lined with endless activity, noise and laughter, with beautiful children everywhere and faces eager to smile and say, “Buenos dias.” Their homes are filled with love and faith, enough to hold up any weaker exterior, with reverence and humility as a strong foundation. The endless fires indicate the hard work the women are doing to cook and care for the family, the smell a constant sign of their tireless work and love. The men beam with pride as you acknowledge simply their hardworking nature. Families are still number one here, a close-knit unit, with faith as bricks and love as mortar. We see thankful smiles and hear thoughtful blessings, as we see Jesus in their eyes. Poverty has not triumphed over everything.

We have a wonderful team of missionaries eager to demonstrate the Gospel, equipped with love and care, each one clearly bringing unique gifts that are a blessing to the team and the people alike. We laugh and some sing (beautifully, I might add, Carol) and we make sunshine even in the rain. No doubt this mission is every bit from God to us, as it is God to them.

With big smiles and hearty laughs, as we drive down the little, broken highway, in the mountains and valleys of the most beautiful forest, we celebrate to have found a new group of brothers and sisters among us—Gringos and Guatemalans alike. Wish you were here!

- Johann Peikert

5 Comments
Melissa Mickelson
4/21/2012 12:59:05 pm

Beautiful entry. It is if when I read your words and close my eyes I can imagine myself there. All the feelings come flooding back to me of my time in Guatemala. Wish I was there with you all. You have all been on my mind daily. So amazing how you are all coming together as 1. MDP is a family that you will have forever. May you all countine to take in the amazing experience, and remember you are touching so many people's life in the most wonderful ways. God's blessings to you!! Hugs..

Reply
Karen Peikert
4/21/2012 01:18:12 pm

Oh, that is lovely. My hubby has a way with words! Thanks for the beautiful word-picture of your trip. "Faith as bricks, love as mortar," words to remember.

We are praying for you and missing you. And yes, all of us at home are proud of the step of faith it takes to put yourself out on behalf of another. My you be blessed for showing mercy to others, and may they see the love of God through you.

And Jo, don't tease Jesus Antonio too much! Carol, keep him in line!

Love to you all....

Reply
Helen Peterson link
4/22/2012 12:31:10 am

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful medical mission work you are doing. The blogging has been great! Jo, this sharing is truly a beautiful, poetic reflection of your sensitive and caring heart. I relished each word and thought. P.S. If your team sends pictures as individual attachments I can post them. If they are part of a word document I can't share them on the web. Sorry.

Reply
Susan Peller
4/22/2012 11:35:14 pm

Jo- How beautifully written! Thanks for sharing and how true you really do love whats on the inside. Thank you to the entire team for the wonderful job you are doing. Praying for you all!
Susan

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5/12/2015 03:49:04 am

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    Team Members

    Cathy Davis, M.D.,   Co-leader & Intake
    Rich Peller, M.D., Co-leader
    Johann Peikert, M.D. & Interpreter
    John Benson, M.D.
    Leah Walters, R.N.
    Carol Diethelm, Interpreter
    Pamela Riquelme-Paredes, Interpreter
    Patricia Nienow, Pharmacy
    Richard Nienow, Pharmacy


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  • MDP Home
  • Volunteer Applications and Information
  • About
    • About Our Medical Mission Trips
    • Social Justice
    • Where We Serve
    • Who Can Volunteer?
    • A Tribute to Father Greg 1934-2012
    • MDP in the News
    • Photo Gallery
    • Special Thanks To...
    • 990 Tax Forms
    • Q&A
  • Our Trips
    • 2019 >
      • February 2019 Chiapas
      • April 2019 Guatemala
    • 2018 >
      • November 2018 Guatemala
      • Martín Goes Home
      • February 2018 Chiapas
      • April 2018 Guatemala
    • 2017 >
      • March 2017 Guatemala Trip >
        • Volunteer Story - Barb Traxler
      • October 2017 Guatemala
      • November 2017 Chiapas Trip
    • 2016 >
      • March 2016 Mexico Trip
      • October-Nov. 2016 Mexico
    • 2015 >
      • February 2015 Mexico Trip
      • April 2015 Guatemala Trip
      • November 2015 Guatemala Trip
    • 2014 >
      • February 2014 Mexico Trip
      • April 2014 Guatemala Trip
      • October 2014 Mexico Trip
    • 2013 >
      • February 2013 Mexico Trip
      • April 2013 Guatemala Trip
      • November 2013 Guatemala Trip
    • 2012 >
      • January 2012 Mexico Trip
      • April 2012 Guatemala Trip
      • November 2012 Guatemala Trip
    • 2011 >
      • January 2011 Mexico Trip
      • February 2011 Guatemala Trip
      • November 2011 Guatemala Trip
    • 2010 >
      • January 2010 Mexico Trip
      • Helping in Haiti
      • March 2010 Guatemala Trip
      • November 2010 Guatemala Trip
    • 2009 >
      • November 2009 Guatemala Trip
  • Donate
  • Contact