| Guatemala MissionsNext Trip: TBA for Fall 2009 If ever there is a place for showing kindness, it is in the difficult setting of caring for those who, because of age or circumstance, have lost their independence and require assistance for the basic daily functions we all take for granted. In addition to the countless opportunities for showing kindness within our families and community, Trinity has made a commitment to taking that same kindness beyond the walls of our church and immediate community.
Guatemala is the poorest country in Latin America and the one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The poverty and lack of medical resources brings suffering to a warm and hard-working people.
During a Mexico Mission trip, a conversation led to the prospect of Trinity forming a mission partnership in Guatemala, and a small group going on an exploratory trip to Guatemala.
On that trip we were based out of the Catholic mission in San Lucas and visited many of the other Mayan villages that surround the shores of volcanic Lake Atitlan. Our objective was to explore the existing medical services that were currently available to the communities and pin-point the place where Trinity could assist.
 Our exploration brought us to the villages of Panabaj and Santiago where in 2005 Hurricane Stan struck the region and caused a mudslide which buried a large portion of the village of Panabaj. The path of destruction also destroyed the only hospital that provided health care for the 40,000 people living in the surrounding area. The medical services moved to a temporary structure to continue providing medical service while plans for the construction of a new hospital could be developed.
Our timing was good in that they had preliminary architectural drawings and were preparing a site for the new hospital. We asked where Trinity could help and were told that assistance was needed for both the construction project itself, and for the medical services that would be provided from the new hospital. We were enthused at the prospect of getting in on the ground floor of such a wonderful project and remained in touch with the hospital administrator regarding the construction project.
 A new hospital is in the process of being built. The footings have been dug, steel framework cut and tied, and concrete will be poured soon. The beginning ground work is being done for water and electrical services. As the process continues, we will make a decision when the best time is to schedule our next mission trip for the fall of 2009. Contact Tom Thiets via email for more information.
Fill out an electronic application for the Fall 2009 trip.
|
