It is a quiet Sunday. Many visitors have passed through; we hosted the Rotary Club representatives of Libby, Montana, Campus Ministry students of the University of Great Falls, and the Opthalmologist team of Montana and California for eye surgeries in the Clinica Maxeña. Also came Representatives from Swedish organization, AGNI. This organization goes back to the seventies for providing monetary donation to the Clinica Maxeña.
Missionary interest for long terms is a vocation of the past. Young folk are interested in volunteering for a few months, maybe a year. Language and culture take time to learn and appreciate. Investment to learn a foriegn language, provide a stipend, insurance and air fare, for short terms is beyond the Mission budget. We are reaching our 50 years of Mission. We know we must also look in to local talent and commitment for Mission positions. All of this is in discussion phase.
Life in the Missions however is still a reality of poverty for the majority of Mayan Indigenous. We have made progress in education, and understanding disease and its causes. Medicine however, world wide, is BIG BUSINESS. The wealthy have a better chance of surviving disease and living a longer life. Although there is a socialized system with National Hospitals and Government Clinics, attention is sub standard, with little medicine available and decreased staff. Patients will sell their land, for an operation, that is not available in the National Hospital. Cancer is not treated in the National system, although there are dedicated Doctors, who continue to fight for this HUMAN RIGHT in Health Care.
Our recent Eye Sugeries in Clinica Maxeña benefitted over 200 patients. Many had cataract surgery free of charge, where others paid 100. dollars. We are thankful for this service which takes place, twice a year, in the Clinic, for the last 16 years. We are thankful to the DOCTORS AND NURSES, who use their own resources to come here, plus supplies of medicines and equipment.
As a long term Missionary, I still believe we have a place here, to share our talent and treasure, with the POOR. In 2014 we will celebrate 50 YEARS of MISSION for the Diocese of Helena, Montana.
PRAY FOR OUR MISSION OF SERVICE IN GUATEMALA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND INTEREST.
