Two separate teams of health science students are in Guatemala over Spring Break this year.  One team consists of nursing and pharmacy students.  The other includes OT and PT students.  Both  team are writing about their experiences.

Team Nursing/Pharmacy
from Maddy Clarke Williams & Alexis Rhea-Anne Pendley

Language may be regional, but love is universal.

Today, we had no expectations of where we were going or what we would be doing. Upon arriving, we came to realize we were at a school that was tangible proof of how one man’s work can establish a strong community for roughly 150 students in Antigua, Guatemala. Some twenty years ago, a man’s heart was touched by God’s radiating beauty that he experienced through the children he met on a mission trip. He was inspired to give back to the children who touched him. With the little money he had, he was able to purchase a Big Mac and split it twenty ways, so every child to which he was ministering was able to have some. The man went on to create a school for these orphans that has developed through the years and now provides a safe and empowering environment. We soon realized our purpose at the school differed from our previous experiences at the coffee plantation.

To begin our day, we taught the children the importance of nutrition and basic hygiene, such as washing hands and brushing teeth. To assist in our teachings, we taught the students a simple, yet catchy, song about washing their hands. After practicing this song with them several times, they requested more songs. With humble hearts and shaky voices, our group managed to quiet the area by singing Amazing Grace. Many of us later remarked on the power of the moment; though the students may not have understood the words we sang, they definitely appeared to share the same content feelings. Afterwards, the children were eager to share with us a few of the songs they had learned at school.

Dr. Indira Xicay, a local doctor in Antigua, Guatemala, attended the school with us. While she was not asked to help with any immediate cases at the school, she stayed and talked with us about her history and passions. She followed up with our group extending an offer for our help at her personal clinic and also confirmed she would follow up with our patients from the coffee plantation. Dr. Xicay is one example of the numerous passionate people we have come into contact with while on our journey.

We spent the rest of our afternoon instructing the teachers on CPR and playing with the children on the playground. We also had the opportunity to visit the Jackson Program, a program designed to help malnourished children – ages 0 to 5 – and their mothers. The Jackson Program is held in a building on the school’s campus. In the end, we drove home dusty, tired, and smiling. After pondering the day, we acknowledged our accomplishments were different from the previous days, however, they were no less important. We shared and received God’s love through hugs, smiles, and monkey bars.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-13