Report from Guatemala
Bethesda Clinic
By Adriana Tapias Calderon, Administrator
August 2007
Our clinic was founded approximately 16 years ago to help provide medical services to our community and those around it. We have reached people from surrounding villages, towns and even other department of Guatemala through the recommendation of the patients themselves.
A short while back, a patient came and said to me, “This has been my clinic and that of my family, for the last 13 years.” Another person expressed, “…that’s why God blesses this place, because there is a fear of God, and the sick can come and get healed.” On another occasion a lady came that had visited many doctors who had told her that she needed surgery, and it was going to cost her Q12,000 quetzales. (About $1,500). She came to our clinic and after her examination, since our clinic is a day clinic and not a hospital, she was referred by our physician to a national hospital where her operation only cost her Q2,000 quetzales. (About $300). She was very grateful for the attention and referral she had received.
Recently a man came to us who had also been to many doctors who could not find what was wrong with him but only gave him pain killers. Our doctor asked for an ultrasound and other tests. When the results were analyzed he realized that the man had lymphomas and possibly cancer. Again, because we do not possess the necessary equipment, he was referred to a national hospital.
As people continued to come to the clinic, our counselor on duty would share the Gospel with them. People began to open their hearts and receive Jesus as their Savior. As a result, a congregation began, which today, is attended by approximately 70 people on Sundays.
At the clinic we attend to an average of 80 patients per week, Monday thru Friday mornings. The majority are women and children with low resources. We also attend to mal-nutritional children.
We share the gospel to those who come, we do counseling when needed. Our vision is to amplify our services to areas of specialty, but for now we give general medical attention, dental care, basic laboratory testing, and the sale of basic medicines at low cost.
Our purpose in sending this report is to recruit first of all your prayers because we know that that is what moves the hand of God. And if it is within your means to help financially, or to donate equipment that is in very good condition, we know God will recompense you for it. What we need now is:
Dopler
Otorrinolaringoscopio
Goose-neck lamp
Electrocautero
Glucometer Bayer o Roche
Small surgical equipment
Sutures 12, 03, 04, y 05
Estethescope #2
Esfigmo manometer #2
Ultrasound
X Ray
Tomografia
Equipo para oftamologia
Electrocardiogram
In God we shall do great things. Thank you for supporting us in our ministry as He has shown us to do. You may notify us of your donation, or send your monetary gift to: Christians in Action P.O. Box 728, Woodlake CA 93286 and clearly mark for Clinica Bethesda, Guatemala. Tax deductible receipts sent.