Friends and family,
On December 10th, the Clinica Maxeña came together as family to celebrate Christmas with the traditional tamale, our band playing and Singing christmas carols in their native Quiche language, christmas baskets, laughter and christmas HUGS. Most of our clinic workers are on minimal salary, although some have worked more than ten years.
They are all Mayan Indigenous and committed to serve the poor with Joy. They all helped decorate our meeting hall, some bringing branches for the tree, others making decorations from craft paper; the hall with be used by many parish groups for Christmas. Our maintenance crew constructed a beautiful star from pieces of iron, with a DOVE and the words PEACE; it was place on top of the laboratory and can be seen from afar at nite when lit up!
On December 21, our town and also our Parish, will celebrate the Patron Saint, St Thomas Apostle. There will be music, traditional food, booths, fireworks to light up the sky. The huge statue of St Thomas will be dressed in satin attire and carried by forty men through the streets, again with traditional drums and music. The Clinica Maxeña gives the workers two days off to celebrate with family and friends.
I share some photos of our Christmas party! Thank You too for sharing your generosity with our clinic and those we serve.
You can send a donation for our work to www.diocesehelena.org
Note that it is for the Clinica Maxeña!
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS
Sheila
