The Trip to Chichi!

 beautiful panoramic view from an iphone on top of the hospital Beun Samaritano!

Front entrance to Buen Samaritano

Our family just returned from a Guatemala road trip that took us to Chichicastenango (yes I know that's a mouthful you can just say Chichi for short). It was a beautiful trip across the interior of Guatemala, over beautiful mountain ranges, through rural villages, on a winding, dirt, mountain road. I always feel that I have truly been in a country when I've gotten to explore by way of a road trip. This road trip was no different and gave us an excellent taste of what Guatemala feels like away from the friendly confines of Canilla.

The reason for our trip was to spend some time at another mission hospital by the name of Buen Samaritano(or Good Samaritan). We wanted to see how a hospital functions in a similar region. The most important aspect of this visit was spending time with Dr Tom Hoak and his wife Jana. Dr Hoak is a surgeon who has spent many years working in Guatemala and brings with him a wealth of knowledge about not only medicine and surgery but also local politics, business, and most importantly how he shares his faith in Jesus Christ.

A great picture of the current OR pixis system for all of you medically inclined

The trip was fruitful for many reasons, and Shea and I were able to glean many pearls of wisdom that will be helpful in our future endeavors. Although, as is usual, the inspiration I receive from individual missionaries sacrifice is usually more impactful then all the other information combined. Dr Hoak's story was no different.

Dr Hoak and his family chose to come to Guatemala after 9 years of a successful general surgery practice in the United States. Things were going well with his practice, but he and Jana knew that God was calling them to push past there comfort zones, step out in faith and trust the Lord on a journey that would take them to work amongst some of the poorest of Guatemala people.

I had throw in a picture of Beau on his 6th birthday..Great time!

As is often the case, when we step out in faith things didn't go quite as planned for Tom and his family. He expected to ride into Chichi on a "white horse" and be the heroic surgeon that saves hundreds. Unfortunately, a short time after his arrival a Guatemalan law changed requiring all full time physicians to have a Guatemalan license. This seemed easy enough, but to get this license Tom had to go back to the bottom and fulfill an internship in Guatemala City.

Now to some this might not sound terrible, but a North American doing an internship in Guatemala is treated more like a slave then an actual practitioner of medicine. For Tom, a board certified American trained general surgeon, this meant he had to give up all the freedom and respect he had accumulated. He had to humble himself to people who were many years younger in both age and in experience. For him this meant being stuck with some of the hospitals most menial tasks(ie. cleaning supplies, toilets, trash detail etc.) rather then using his gift of performing life giving surgeries.

He recalled countless stories of watching patients suffer needlessly while receiving sub-standard care. There were several instances where he took it upon himself to provide a necessary and life saving treatment when his superiors weren't around. Unfortunately, much of the time his hands were tied, and his suggestions were not only ignored but met with stern opposition. The year dragged by at a snails pace, but Tom remained faithful knowing this is where God called him.

Tom got through this very difficult year. He admits he didn't always know why God had him go through such a trying time, but realizes that his faith in God is stronger for having persevered. Now, when I walked into his office his walls are fairly bare except for one Guatemalan license hanging proudly on the wall. He says "all the other diplomas are collecting dust somewhere, but that one I had to earn."

I felt honored to have the opportunity to spend time with and operate with Tom. His story of faith and perseverance through such a difficult trial is incredibly inspiring for Shea and I.

Trying to make sense out of trials and sufferings is such a difficult topic for most of us to deal with. We all expect that if we truly served a loving God, then He should make everything easy for us. Fortunately, most of us who are parents know that we just can't give our kids gum drops and ice cream all day and expect them to turn into the men and women of integrity. We realize that our children need discipline and trials to develop in them the character to help them to thrive in this world. As parents, we also know how hard it is to watch our kids go through difficult times. We so much want to shield them from any pain.  I can only imagine this is how God feels as we are in the midst of trials or suffering. We beg and pray for Him to remove us from the situation. Only our prayers go seemingly unanswered. He knows the benefits of our short term suffering. He knows that our perseverance and faith are developed by allowing it to continue. Its just so hard to understand the idea of suffering while we are in the midst of pain.

In scripture there are many verses that address this idea of trials sharpening our faith. My favorites include: Hebrews 12:3-17, James 1:1-8, Romans 5:3-5, and 1 Peter 1:6-7. In Hebrews 12:11 it says: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" James also says it well in James 1:2-4 says: Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.

In the midst of trials keep your head up toward heaven and know that our Lord is always with you!




Early start to the Chichi market

A lady hand weaving her blankets to sell.

Even at the  Chichi  market Shea finds a great pair of shoes!

Enjoying lake Atitlan with Reid



Two beautiful girls  on the  boat  at the lake!

A little to happy about sprite!

He's mad because he finished his way to fast.

The boys came home with Guatemalan knives, much to their mothers chagrin!