Sunrise over the building across the way was a little hazy. Multiple fires around the outskirts of the city didn't help the environment; the government closed all the schools because of the poor air quality. But, it cleared OK for today's TRAINING DAY! A bus took us to the "hospital" where we will be treating the children and adults. LIFE SHOCK #1: the marked amounts of traffic and the horrible roads. LIFE SHOCK #2: the conditions at a "hospital" in a third world nation ( made Stark Animal Hospital look better than the Cleveland Clinic!). But several hours of training in a non A/C building followed by a good bit more in an open sided pavilion where we will work, and we are ready for patients tomorrow. Several times through the morning, I listened to the sound of an unusual bird singing near the pavilion. It occurred to me that that bird song could be the first sounds ever heard by a young child tomorrow. LIFE SHOCK #3: the numbers of armed guards always near us! In fact, the numbers of armed guards visible throughout the city. I probably saw 10 men carrying shotguns just on our trip back. Open carry is not an issue here. And, I would love to have the concertina wire and razor wire concession here. Early retirement! It makes it easy to understand why our government lists, " consider an alternative travel destination" as advise about Guatemala.

Monday night was to be a "dinner" for the volunteers. And, I suppose it was. But really, the "guests of honor" were the 20 or so "patients" whose hearing aids were refitted and adjusted beforehand. They were chosen, I believe, because they were all "old patients" who have been treated since they were children. It was interesting to watch Dr. Figliano move from one to the other making sure everything was done "just right". I got tired just watching her. After all the patients were done, there were some nice testimonials and a short live concert. Finally, the patients thanked all the volunteers with a sunflower-like flower. As nice as that gesture was, it paled next to the smiles, the hugs, and the "high fives" from these patients at the end of their treatment. They showed that sentiment that seems to be rarer all the time, true gratitude! Something that they lacked in life, the gift of hearing, was provided to them by someone as "just" a gesture of love and kindness.

This is my new amigo, Luis. Luis is blind.....he teaches English at the School for the Deaf and Blind here. He took the day off to assist with the Hearing Mission. Despite his problem ( Luis cannot end a sentence without a laugh), he does pretty well! I told him my Spanish joke and he told me his English joke. We laughed about my attempts to communicate in Spanish and he corrected most of my feeble attempts. And we talked. I gave him a deck of UNO cards in Braille. Funny how you can make a friend in 4 or 5 hours.

 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every volunteer whose unwavering dedication and tireless efforts made today's success possible. Together, we're not just restoring hearing, but also spreading hope and joy to the people of Guatemala

I have given a lot of thought to the last 8 days in Guatemala. In some ways, it was what I expected; but, in others, not what I expected at all. All in all, though, I am so glad the Mission occurred and so, so glad I was able to be a part of it.

There is no shortage of good causes in our world. Many choose to support a cause with a check; and it is gracious and appreciated. But, now and again, you find someone who supports a cause with passion! What I saw last week was a group with a passion. The examples would be too difficult to enumerate or explain, but it was obvious to see. A couple of dozen people who used their vacation time or took off work, paid for their flight to Guatemala, paid for their lodging and meals, and spent the days working to bring hearing to people in Guatemala. People who otherwise had no hope. I pray that people of passion will always be amongst us.

The two pictures? The one is a little girl with hope. She came to the clinic deaf and left with the ability to hear. Now, she has to learn to communicate. The other is a little girl skipping as she left the clinic. Not to music or lyrics; she has never heard either. She also didn’t hear that there was nothing that could be done to help her. The picture doesn’t show the tears running down the cheeks of her mother. Or the cheeks of the volunteers who watched them leave. The attempt was there but God had other plans. I pray that people of passion will always be amongst us!

Only 200 tickets sold! - All proceeds benefit Bridge Point

Online registration closes April 12th, but walk-ins the day of are always welcome. ($5 Walk-In Fee).

A group of Louisville Rotarians volunteered at Refuge of Hope to help serve meals and sort donated clothing. It was an honor to present a $500 donation to help further their cause

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrated the dedication of the Rotary Clock at the Oldman/Oak Hill Roundabout.