The Night the Lights Went Out in Guatemala!

Today was a totally different day than we had been experiencing over the past week.  We actually had some downtime aside from Dr. Elry and Chris providing care to some of his patients that come during his normal business hours as today is a normal day for him.  Ernie and Joyce had seen a handful of kids as they all had come during the week during our clinics.  It was definitely a quieter day which we were able to enjoy because the sun was out and breeze was warm!  Today was also the day when 8 of our teammates head back to the states as their mission time was up.  We want to thank them for all of the passion, care, expertise, and teamwork that they had demonstrated while they were here with us.  We will absolutely miss them!!!

After we had lunch, we took a short trip to the "waterpark" to go for a boat ride on the lake.  When we entered this park, it was absolutely astonishing that something this beautiful could be surrounded by so much poverty.  The grass was green and the palm trees were blowing in the breeze, and the peacock was calling.  You could hear the laughter of the children that were swimming in one of two pools that they might not get to go to often as it costs 20 Quetzals to enter.  This park is owned by the government but is maintained by funding from several companies in the area.  As we walked through the park, it made us feel like we were in the states again. 

We arrived to the dock to take out boat ride around the lake and waited in line for this experience.  There weren't many people waiting so we were able to get on right away.  Upon boarding the boat, we didn't know what to expect but could see that the it was a little choppy.  We departed from the dock and didn't think that it was so bad.  We made our way to the other side of the lake where we saw a monastery, a castle, and a painting on the cliff side dedicated to 'baby Jesus".  We then began to round about and see some of the "lake homes" that are around.  Some of these homes appeared to be in good shape but then would be next to a home that is run down and looks dilapidated.  Such inconsistencies! We began to head back to the dock but as the driver began to pick up speed, we were being "showered" with lake water.  As we were being drenched with water, we began laughing as this was not to be expected.  We arrived back at the dock and continued laughing as we were drenched.  What an amazing time this boat ride was and appreciate the time that Elry, Liz, and Samuel took to give us this opportunity.

We returned to the clinic just in time for the weekly "kid's club" where Elry and his brother play music, sing songs, and dance.  The kids love it and at the end of the session, the kids got a snack, and were able to make puzzles brought by Joy.  After this, we were having fun time with them by jumping rope and swinging them around in circles, as well as limbo.  What a great afternoon it was to be able to just have fun with many of the kids that we had been seeing all week in clinic. 

As the sun went down, we sat around the porch and had some time to just talk and be together.  But shortly after sundown, we had realized that "the lights went out in Guatemala".  According to Dr.Elry, this happens on occasion and then they comeback on.  We had received some information that part of Guatemala City also has no power and we are unsure as to when they will come back on.  Liz and Norma found some candles so that we were able to eat dinner.  Dinner by candlelight was a wonderful way to finish out the stay at Holy Cross Clinic in El Salitre.  We had just finished dinner and no more than 2 minutes later, the lights finally came back on.  Once this happened, you could hear the hooting and hollering from all around the neighborhood. 

Again, it is time to hit the hay as we have to get up early for breakfast as we have to head to Guatemala City to pick up Kayci, Phil, and John (pharmacy students) to come to Zacapa with us for our next three days of clinic.  We are ready to go, all meds are packed, and hope that we have enough on hand to care for the patients of Zacapa.  We will do the best that we can with what we have and as always, appreciate the support from all of our family and friends.

Good Night to All and Sleep Tight!