Coming together

We had a conversation with Mario, a local, who is organizing the first dental mission from a University in Mexico City. Acting as the coordinator of these volunteers, Mario is arranging for their transportation, home-made meals, and overnight stay at “The Cabanas” (a rustic hotel in E.B., which is run by 12 local families). Next weekend, they will be using the 2 dental chairs that were donated by Eduardo & Alma, and compressor that was donated by a church in Oregon! It warms my heart to see people from E.B. doing their part to unite with outsiders & make it easier for them to donate their time and services. At the same time, it amazes me to see how God orchestrated so many people from so many different areas to make it all happen! I believe that new doors are opening.

That evening, we were blessed with home-made tortillas and garlic shrimp, by Luther & Mariam. Luther is from Mexico City while Miriam, his wife, is from Switzerland. About four years ago, they decided to build a palapa adorned with bamboo. They gave several villagers jobs in their bamboo factory. Not only did it help these families financially, but they discovered that they were created with artistic abilities! Over “hot cocoa de olla”, I found out that Luther would like to help other people in the village to discover their hidden talents! His vision is to see the primitive lifestyle of E.B. preserved, while helping to create an opportunity for families to offer their own handicraft or food products out of their palapas. This way, tourists will get a taste of living the simple life as they walk through the entire town, visiting & shopping! What a great way to help the people increase their economy while building them up on a personal level. I would like to encourage anyone who has a creative bone in their body to come and share your skills with the village.

In need of a doctor

I met Lalo on Thanksgiving Day at the Griggs’ casa. I had asked him to make “café de olla” (coffee prepared in a clay pot with cinnamon sticks and molasses - MMM!). Little did he know, he’d be asked to haul a dental chair to the village 5 weeks later. Lalo has a heart to lend a helping hand. He is the Coordinator of Volunteers at Angel Notion (A medical clinic, which is a non- profit organization in PDC).

Our first stop was to visit Alfredo, a 3 year old boy who is in need of medical attention. I wanted Lalo to meet the family to find out if a doctor at Angel Notion can help him. Lalo’s suggestion is for a General Doctor to come out to E.B. to see Alfredo, as well as others who are in need of a Doctor.

We arrived at casa #7 at dusk. Is there a doctor in the house?? I managed to walk into a clothesline, which happened to be a barbwire…OUCH! Actually, I didn’t feel much; but the blood dripping down my face called for some gauze and hydrogen peroxide. Thank God, I had recently brought some to casa #7! While Lalo gently cleaned the wound, I prayed for His peace. Everything that I experience in E.B. gives me a deeper understanding of the intensity of their needs. The closest doctor is 20 minutes away and costs $45 just for a consultation. If I had needed stitches, this would be do-able for me; but not as much for my Mayan friends. Although I already knew this, now I know how it feels to be in the situation. It’s a bit scary. Yes, perfect love casts out all fear… and, also, I was fortunate to be surrounded by 3 caring & comforting friends (Lalo, Lupe & Angel).

Let’s pray for a doctor to be willing to move out to E.B. or at least to make a monthly medical visit!