The JUNGLE

¡Hola!

So this week I got to go to the jungle. Now when I say go to the jungle I mean hang on for dear life in the back of a little mountain truck for about 2 hours as we go up and down roads ( that are more like trails) that are as close to vertical as you can get. I was so excited for this there are just trees and flowers everywhere, and the people that live in the jungle are so far from modern day events. They do not have running water or any possessions. They also do not even speak Spanish, but instead the ancient Mayan language. Working in the clinics was kind of sad because so many of the little kids have rotten teeth and scabies. I worked in the clinic the first day, but then the second day I helped out with the kids. This was fun, but I really had to put my fear of getting sick aside because majority of the kids are sick. Many of the younger ones have huge bellies, but it is because they are malnourished. I did enjoy making bracelets with the kids though and telling them Jesus te alma - Jesus loves you. Today I worked in dental for a little bit. Mom - you know how you said that you could not handle the smells, well turns out I can;t either so I went back to the pharmacy. I asked Dr. Tito today if I could shadow him when he is with the patients and what an experience that was. One of the families that Tito sees has quite a story. There are six kids and the father is an alcoholic. When Tito first started seeing them the kids were starving to death beause the father spent everything on alcohol. The mom looks like she has been abused and I saw fear, resentment, and pain in her eyes. It was really sad to see this, but at the same time I felt like it opened my eyes to a lot of things. Tito taught me how to check for ear infections, and liquid in peoples lungs today. I guess that one of the little boys had had pneumounia really bad when he was little. Tito brings food to this family and almost acts like a father figure for the kids when he can. Working in the jungle is a lot of hard work we drive 4 - 6 hours each day and have to haul everything in then see around 100 patients a day. I;m pretty exhausted by the end of it. It is also very humid here so I have been sweating bullets, and my legs are basically one big mosquito bite. One of my favorite people here is Makko. He is my Guatemala dad. He takes such good care of me and is very protective of me I have learned so much from him with his kind heart. He has total faith in God and gives up EVERYTHING to help other people. I am very thankful for him, and he is letting me drive tomorrow. This is a very big deal not just anyone gets to drive through the Guatemalan jungle so I am excited, but also nervous. Tomorrow is our last day in the jungle and then we are going to Tequal where we will get to see the ancient mayan ruins. 

Thank you everyone for keeping in touch I can;t wait to show pictures.

Love,

Kasey