July/August 2018

July / August

July began with a Health Talents Eye and General surgery week and ended with a Plastics and General team coming to Guatemala this week.   The team was able to perform over 150 surgeries for the Guatemalan people but more importantly,  we were able to share the Gospel with all the patients and family that came to the clinic.

One of the little ones waiting for his time in the operating room.

Rita with one of the dear patients during our week.

         In addition to two clinica weeks we were able to help others in and around our community.   With the help of Health Talents and their donation of a Tiva water filter we were able to help Brijida and her family with clean drinking water.   Brijida and her family were devastated by the eruption of volcano Fuego in June.  Her husband (shown on the left) was one of the first burn victims found, unfortunately he passed away a few days after this photo of his burns from the pyroclastic gases.  We were able to help in the building of 4 houses for Brijida and her extended family who lost everything and were not able to move back to their village.

Brijida 

Brijida's husband 3 days before he passed away

A demonstration to Brijida and some of her extended family of the Tiva filter operation

The month of July was very busy for us and we were very blessed to have Trace Laffoon and Preston Spencer each stay with us a week and come along side us helping in anyway they could.  They built houses, kitchens, served at the feeding center, and so much more.   At the end of the month we had an extra blessing with our family from Fellowship Bible Church, a total of 21 on this trip, come down and serve along beside us also building houses, kitchens, distributing water filters and food baskets as well as serving the children at the feeding center.  But the biggest blessing was the sharing of the Gospel to all they served.   It truly was a great month.

View from the building of Diana Barrutia's house and kitchen

Just getting started on one of the kitchens for Diana

Trace and his tireless effort helping us in all we did that week

A kitchen for Diana where she can now cook out of the rain and then eat with her family in the dry of a new house

The completed house and kitchen for Diana as viewed from our path down to her property

Preston with two of the little ones after a house build in Santa Maria de Jesus

Three precious sisters at one of our house builds

Preston helping us deliver food bags to the volcano victims in El Rodeo.

Some of our church family with the house they built for Olga's family

One of the little one's from Anna's home which Fellowship Bible Church has funded to be built in September

Two of the boys in Brijida's extended family kind of helping us build her house

A new home for Ruth and family.  We were also able to secure a pair of reading glasses for her mother, given to us by Health Talents

We write this blog as we are preparing to come back to the States for 3 weeks in which we will have two eye surgeries, visit many family and friends, but the real reason for the trip.  Two grandbabies being born.  One was born July 3rd (Luke) which we have not seen yet and one to be born around the 20th of August.   We are so excited for the visit but most of all for the work God has placed before us both in the States as well as here in Guatemala.   We give Him all the praise and glory for the work He is doing through us and our many helpers here in a country needing so much help.

Blessings to all,   Cary and Rita