There is no way to describe the immeasurable blessings from God.  In a culture where people have learned how to trust God in the midst of their sufferings and lack of basic needs, there is also the recognition that God works in such miraculous ways that they would never imagine.

Their hearts are full of gratitude not only because their prayers have been answered but because in their eyes, they have received much more than what they had expected.

During the monthly visit to the mountains, there is always a case or two (occasionally many more) that need further evaluation and treatment. Cases that without any way to make a clear diagnosis, are obviously severe, and need a referral.

This was the case of Pastor Pascual Quiche last year when he needed 2 surgeries to save his kidneys.  Now, he is enjoying good health and his heart and the hearts of his family members are praising God for the many blessings received through this process.

During last year’s medical team visit to Chuajij, a remote village by the coast, Dr. Rosalyn Singleton, of Anchorage, Alaska, had the opportunity to meet Lester Toj Och, an 18 month old baby with a nasal glyoma, a birth defect.

Lester is the 4th son of Rigoberto Toj and Catarina Och, members of Bethel church in Chuajij, one of the planted churches from the Bethel Mission in San Pedro, under the direction of Pastor Emilio. Pastor Ismael Sac, from Chuajij has been the contact in the whole process and thanks to his intervention, the communication with the family was possible. Rigoberto works in the coffee fields and Catarina is at home taking care of Kimberly 9, Neri 7, Zenaida 3 as well.  Today, Lester is playing, talking and breathing like a normal kid.  He goes to the city to follow up with Dr Enrique Azmitia, a neurosurgeon that organizes the mission trip from the states each year to do this kind of surgery.  Lester is progressing very well.

Guatemala is a blessed nation.  For more than 20 years, numerous NGOs have been established to help one of the poorest countries in the world. We can testify how the natives, back then,  did not accept any health intervention like vaccines, nor did they want any visits from health workers.  Today, some go by themselves and request the vaccines and go to prenatal care and get assistance for deliveries. Huge changes that took over two decades to occur, are now evident. But the untrained midwives, bone-setters and shamans are still in their daily lives as their healers.

There is still so much to do.  Health education is one of the main needs; basic hygiene and prevention is not in their priorities and they are not aware of the help they can get through different organizations.  Language barriers, distance and lack of resources determine their decisions about getting help when they need it. Their faith is their strength and the blessings come one way or the other.

God has been faithful  and while they learn about the riches of knowing Christ, they see His hand blessing them as they belong to the family of God, and what a beautiful family we have!

Ephesians 2:18-19. “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.  Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens of the saints and members of God’s household.”

Luz Elena Falla