COVID Impact on our Mission

Posted on by drvarner

When your primary work is with folks who are struggling to start with, throwing in an infectious virus that shuts down the entire world, that is just devastating. Then add on top of that your ability to be there on the mission field to help those hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually, is blocked by travel bans, it adds another level of frustration and pain. Praise God I have an incredible team in Guatemala that I am in touch with on a daily basis, and I miss dearly. We continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus with our limited resources.

Our team continues to move our clinic forward little by little with the small resources we have. This is our clinics waiting room and main entrance. Little is much when God is in it!

To this point we have been getting by with major cuts to our programs just to survive. But I can no longer sit on the sidelines and not make these needs public. We really need folks to pray and give financially. With the loss of financial support across the board, we are struggling. We have not been able to host any mission trips this year, which are a key part of providing funds for our ministry outreaches. I have spoken with other missionaries and ministries in Guatemala and this is a common thread. We all are feeling the pain financially, and we are heartbroken because our hands are tied financially and we can not help as we want and need to.

Black water full of sewage and bacteria, smells incredibly bad, right next to current clinic.

As you will see in the video below, first hand testimony from just 2 families that we work with. There is no work, and there is no Government help. We have many malnourished children and many more close to malnutrition, that Marcia our Nurse Practitioner is treating. The folks do not have work because of the very restrictive travel ban that does not allow them to travel between towns. Public and private transportation is shut down, and you are forbidden to pick anyone up and transport them. It is tough.

Turn on CC for translation

As I watched this video for the first time this morning, in my nice air conditioned office here in Virginia, I wept bitterly, because I know and love these folks. I am not physically able to be there to help, and we do not currently have the resources to help them physically. They only thing I can do is cry out to GOD, and plead for mercy, and ask HIM to provide. As in times past, God has met our needs, and I have no doubt that HE will again. Philippians 4:19

Marcia checks the height and weight of this precious little girl, who would go without medical care if not for our temporary clinic, and dedicated people like Marcia.

We have to finish our clinic. It has become a safety issue. Marcia describes in the video how she was already robbed once at the current location. The building is not secure. And the smell from the black water that runs through the village is especially bad at that location. Yet, she also has a deep passion to help the hurting and risks her own well being, putting up with the sickening smell day after day, knowing that her environment is not safe.

This building is made from pallets and wood lap. It is designed to be a multi-purpose building/church. It is not designed to be used as a medical clinic.

The above pictured building has been a great blessing to us. It has been used for many different events, and will continue to be used. Just look through our web site and you will see many stories related to the different uses this building has served. But it just is not suited to be used as a medical clinic long term.

Future medical and dental clinic, classroom, and feeding center on second level.

As you can see the significant difference in the construction between the two buildings. The new medical and dental clinic has a large waiting room that will be air conditioned, and have video monitors that will constantly be playing various health and nutritional educational videos. The medical clinic themselves are very secure with steel doors and bars over the windows. There will be video surveillance as well as a panic alarm to alert those around of an emergency situation. The building is engineered and fortified to go up 3 levels.

This is the private medical exam room waiting to be completed.
This is the dental clinic waiting to be finished.

Above you can see where we are as of today. We need to finish the painting, plumbing, and electrical. Install the air conditioning units that will also filter and clean the air, and then install the floor tile. Then we need to buy furniture, medical and dental equipment in order to open the clinic. The Lord knows how much more we need to open and begin operations. This is for HIS glory! Will you help pray for us and our needs? Will you help give financially a one time or monthly gift? I can promise you that your gift and investment will make a difference and not be squandered! Just read the incredible stories of what God has already done through us on our web site over these last 15 years! Days when I am saddened like today, with the inability to help, I go back and see what God has already done and move forward in faith!

We are HIS hands, to do HIS work, to bring HIM the glory!

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