Coming Back Home

The longer this time of lockdown takes, the more hope and endurance tends to weaken. This month, we have a real story of a villager that is coming back home with a beautiful story to tell, full of hope, happiness, and new plans of service to her people.

Here it is. Be blessed. Dr. Luz Elena

Hello everyone, my name is Jullissa Navichoc Batz, born and raised in San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá. At the age of 5, I began my school life studying at Bethel School where I completed my Middle School.                                          

While in 1st grade, I had the privilege and the blessing from God to meet my sponsor Joe LoMonaco, who with his love, example and kindness inspired me to fight for my dreams throughout these years. Currently, I am finishing medical school at the San Carlos University of Guatemala waiting for my graduation date. I give Glory to God for that. During my High School and university years, I lived in the city of Quetzaltenango, far from my home, to be able to continue with my studies and thus achieve one of my dreams of becoming a DOCTOR. I can say that living away from home while studying was not easy at all … I remember crying many times because of how frustrated I felt while trying to reach the goal, however, I clung to God and found strength and comfort in Him.

I came back home after finishing my practicum to finish my thesis during this time of the pandemic. Since then, I have had the opportunity to visit and pray for patients with physical illness and spiritual needs, most of them in serious condition needing hospital treatment but who fear getting infected with COVID-19 so they prefer to stay home. A case like these occurred with my future father-in-law, whom I diagnosed with chronic renal failure and severe anemia.  His condition was so delicate that it was urgent to take him to the hospital for dialysis and blood transfusions, however he refused to be taken.  Since his condition was getting worse and worse, I tried to look for alternatives that could help him, but in the absence of the necessary equipment and resources, we found ourselves unable to be able to do anything. Personally, it was a very difficult experience to handle seeing my father-in-law slowly dying and not having what was necessary to save his life… too hard of a experience for a brand new doctor.

A similar situation occurred with my grandmother who has heart problems. I explained to my uncles the seriousness of her situation and the need to provide hospital treatment, however my family decided to leave her at home due to the current situation of COVID-19.  Personally, I did not want to see another of my loved ones die, so I contacted a cardiologist who had been my professor. I explained the condition and with his help, and the support of Dr. Luz Elena, we managed to stabilize my grandmother who is now much better. These stories have been some of the first stories that have challenged me to continue with my training to be better every day and to be a blessing to the most needy people who prefer to stay in bed for lack of  money or for fear of going to a hospital.

As with every human being, life is full of joy and sadness. At the beginning of this year, my boyfriend and I decided to get married in November.  However, seeing the situation with my father-in-law, we decided to move the date to August 29, believing that we would still have his presence.  God’s plans were different. We must understand that life continues and that our plans must continue despite the great emptiness that he has left in the family. I will be getting married soon and I know that it will be a moment full of joy and blessings for the family throughout these difficult times.

I am grateful to God for what He has done, for what He does and what He will do in my life.  I am also grateful to those who have been part of this process, THANK YOU so much.

 May God bless you all,

Jullissa

With my sponsor, Joe LoMonaco