Our first clinic of the week was in Amatitlán, a town just south of Guatemala City. It was relatively close to Guatemala City, and it was hot!
The team was outstanding. Everyone jumped into their roles enthusiastically, worked hard, and were eager to love and pray for patients.
Throughout the week we’re going to give students a chance to share stories on the blog. Today’s story comes from Copeland.
This is my first experience on a medical mission trip. I expected us to show up to a jungle village, but we did not. It was nicer than what I imagined. We set up groups chairs and split into teams of 4. Each team had an interpreter. Our interpreter was Mariella. She was really nice. I’d like to share about our first patient experience.
Her name was Jacoba. She had a hard time walking. She noticed this pain 2 weeks ago. We asked her many questions about herself. One of the questions that we asked was if there was anything that happened 2 weeks ago? She said “no.” When we asked if there was an accident, she said “no.” We asked if she had a family. She said she had a daughter and two sons, but they did not live with her because of some personal stuff. Then Aaliyah asked if she had another daughter. Jacoba became very sad. She told us that she had a daughter who died at 1 years old. Aaliyah then asked if she had a birthday or the anniversary of her death was recent. She told us that the anniversary of her death was 2 weeks ago, the same time her pain started. Aaliyah was so bold to say that the pain she is feeling in her body is from the pain and sadness of her deceased daughter. I thought that was a great insight.
We talked to her about the love of God and how God wants her to hand over her sadness and replace it with peace and love. She was clearly going through a struggle. I gave an analogy about a butterfly. I said, after a caterpillar creates a cocoon, it has to struggle to emerge into something beautiful . We were able to encourage her and say even though she feels alone, God is with her. We told her that no matter what you have done or what you will do, nothing can separate you from God’s love. We finished by praying with her. All in all, it was a good experience. I’m excited to see what day 2 has in store!
Thank you for your prayers and your encouraging comments! Please continue to pray for us we prepare for another clinic tomorrow.
Fellowship Student Missions 
Thanks for the update. Continuing to pray for all of you! Lew
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Wow, it sounds like it was an amazing first day! Praying for you all and that you continue to be the hands and feet of God this week. (JD – we loved seeing the pictures of you from today, hoping your time with the dentist will help you remember to brush and floss your own teeth.)
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Copeland is my number one (and first grandchild out of nine). He is an encourager. This gift from God will be very important on this trip. His memory is also amazing. He will put the many memories in his heart and be able to bring them back to mind to share God’s goodness. Every one of you have various gifts that make up the body of Christ. Pray for each other. The enemy can place fear in your heart. Ask someone to pray for you and do so immediately. You are going to be amazed as God answers every single prayer. Wake up singing about God’s goodness! Well done and nite nite!
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This is such a beautiful example of God at work. Love how y’all loved on Jacoba! Praising God for day 1 going so well. Praying for y’all.
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Joan
Sent from my iPhone
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We’re so thankful for a great first clinic day! We’re continuing to pray for the whole team!
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Wow Copeland, what a testimony for you and Aaliyah! I’m filled with heartfelt emotions with what you shared. Praising God for speaking through the Holy Spirit to Aaliyah. That’s so true that emotional pain can manifest itself through physical pain. If you young ones understand that, you will probably be light years ahead of your parents! I love seeing all the pictures and that you all are jumping right in to minister and help!😀
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So excited to see how God is using you to share Him with the people on day one.
Thank you for sharing pictures so that we can see what it is like where you are ministering. Praying for you all.
Good to see you working hard Peyton!!
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I am so proud of you, Copeland, for being bold enough to go on this trip and allow God to use you to help this lady who is missing her daughter. So proud!!!
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Peyton, I am in sheer delight to see how you are performing true missionary work that provides aid and support to people who are in need. I love reading the blog you assisted in writing amongst the others ones . Your experience has shown that you are resilient, strong, and capable of changing lives of many people. I am so proud of you. Keep up the great work!
I love you. Ga-ranny!
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