The last time I wrote I was about to head out for a visit to Lagos de Atitlan – the rains held off and we were blessed with warming, inspiring, and enlightening sunshine (something which is exceptionally hard to come by seeing as though the rainy season has started). The time was spent with two girls who were volunteering here at the orphanage Keena and Connie (my last Lake partner has now moved on to an orphanage in Ethiopia). It was a wonderful weekend, followed by a national holiday that Monday: Mother’s Day! All the “mothers,” and well I am officially one of the four mother’s for these 18 kids, were honored with a night of games, a dinner served by the men of the orphanage, and a private movie screening: I think I started to understand the point of what I used to just call a Hallmark holiday – how wonderful it is to be honored!
Unfortunately, the day after commenced my almost month long battle with what the doctor believes to have been a parasite: Giardia. I wouldn’t suggest looking up the symptoms, they are nowhere near enjoyable, and drained a good amount of my energy over the past couple of weeks. However, as I just finished the taking the pills (which I was able to buy sin pescription), I am hopeful that I will be rid of this before coming home!
As May came to an end, the world seemed to be creeping toward the end as well as we had our share of natural disasters. Below are some pics of the volcanic rocks we had as a result of the volcanic eruption from Volcan de Pacaya – which is about 25km from here. Thankfully we were all safe and sound. The only downside was that tropical storm Agatha then came through the day after and deluged us with torrential rains, which cut out the power for a good 24 hours. Let me tell you, staying inside with 18 kids (due to the rain) and being without power (aka lights, tv, whatever …), is not an enjoyable time. But we survived! And, of course, we were all so thankful that we didn’t have to deal with any of the sinkholes that suddenly sunk in the city …
June quickly began, I realized how much I still needed to be completed in the clinic. As I have mentioned before, I am still trying to finish up with the health histories with all the children here. However, it seems that every week there is more and more I need to accomplish in order to have a full understanding and record of the children’s health. During this project I’m still keeping a record of all that we do for the kids, including typing up “Informe Medico”s after Dr’s visits, and also updating/documenting the ongoing care that we provide for some of the kids with slightly more extensive histories. Our prego girl is thankfully doing well. However, my thoughts are at this time preoccupied with how to best take care of her and the baby – which means ensuring that we are dong everything in our human power to make sure the health of both is recorded and secure. We are still trying to formulate the best plan for the delivery and the after care for the baby (and by we, I mean me, the other nurse who is here, social work, and the directors – I’m learning that to effectively take care of these kids, we really need a health care team!). We know that there will be a c-section scheduled for 7-8 months, meaning that the gravest issue facing us is the after care for this premature and underweight baby. We are all unanimous that the baby will not stay in the hospital – this will most likely impose more damage on the health of the baby then if the child were to come straight back to Casa Bernabe. As a result, we are praying and looking for someone who is willing to give kangaroo care (wrapping the almost naked baby against a bare chest and carrying the child around almost 24/7 for a month or so) for this child. Something that will not only allow for constant supervision, but also give the child an opportunity to bond with someone – something very much needed for the survival and growth of the baby.
Amongst this planning, finishing up with projects, and realizing more and more how vital a permanent nurse is for these children’s: I’ve also been trying to enjoy and be present in the remaining portion of my time here. However, I must admit, I’m starting to run out of energy. This was so obvious to me 2 weeks ago as I was trying to finish up a project for youth group on Friday. I had been out all day at the Dr’s, it was already the end of the week – meaning I was ready for the weekend, and I just couldn’t’ seem to find time to finish a simple poster. I just about started crying. #1, I know I’m such a girl, but #2, it’s just one example of how even a fun and simple activity can become stressful under lack of time, energy, and willpower.
And this is what I’m battling at the moment: the constant desire to just be gone, to have my own time, and to pick back up where I left my life. However, I daily need God’s reminder that God has me living here, this is my life right now, even if it is just for another 3 weeks. And for these last 3 weeks, I need to still be present and willing to serve.
Thankfully, as I was pleading for this willpower the other day, I had the overwhelming realization that I have nothing but thankfulness and praise for my time here. God has truly blessed me throughout my house and nursing duties, and I would not trade the last 6 months of servitude for anything – not even unlimited free time, a night without being woken up 5 different times by the screaming or vomiting kids, or just the opportunity to organize MY day the way I want.
That being said, it’s not all work here. One of things I value the most so far are the amazing relationships that I have gained throughout the time here. It took some time, but now I stay up late talking to my roommate Anna Louisa: about anything from the funny word I said the other day, to the importance of these kid’s hearts and souls. Daily, I receive encouragement from both my Guatemalan and American counterparts – something which is invaluable. The joven’s (or youth) have become closer to my heart as well, and I am looking forward to going on a retreat with the girls, ages 15 and up, and sharing some health information about their bodies, as well as a bit of my life and heart with them. God has blessed me with friendships of those my age as well – and this was obvious last weekend as I went out for a day with Miriam (she lives near Casa B and often comes with her sister to volunteer) and Keena (whom has been volunteering/living here for the last 2 months). Not only was it a beautiful day, but it was also something straight out my life at home, which I am sincerely craving at this point. We started the day at a gorgeous spa for a haircut (which cost all of $30 for an amazing head message, great cut, and 45 min worth of blow drying and straightening), then we explored the city a bit (as Miriam is a native and lives/works in the city everyday), enjoyed sometime at the mall, and then proceeded to explore coffee shops, restaurants, and some of the “hot” spots in town. It was amazing – just what I needed.
Well, I think that brings you all up to speed on how life has been going here. Needless to say, I am looking forward to the end. This next week will be the last week of real work as I try and finish stuff up in the clinic and prepare it for whoever will come next in my place. Then comes a weekend off, which I may extended a couple of days so that I can visit Tikal and some other cool places. The retreat for the jovenes will either be at the end of that week or the beginning of the next. After that I’ll spend a day or two just soaking up the friendships and family I have encountered in my life here, and then, make my way home to the states! And well, leaving my home here!
Miss you all! As I will be home within the last week of June, hope to see you soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment