(edited from a reflection by Fr. Bede Classick, O.S.B., Director of Oblates
at St. Paul’s Abbey, Newton, New Jersey)

(paraphrased by Phil Plunk, changing oblate to volunteer.)

Volunteers are [God’s] gift to the world. I hope that through this statement all Volunteers will come to appreciate who they are. The Volunteers are indeed a gift and have much to give to the world, a world which is seeking and searching for its ultimate salvation. The Volunteer stands between monasticism and the world as a mediator, linking the two, drawing them together, bringing to the world the values which monasticism holds up as important for the Christian way of life.

Monasticism has done much throughout history to shape life in the world; but monasticism has not influenced the world simply on its own. It has been able to shape Christian life in the world in its day-to-day activities only because those who live in the world have sought to carry out its program of spiritual growth and commitment to Christ.

Volunteers especially have understood the close relationship between monastic life as envisioned by St. Benedict and the ordinary Christian life in the world. Affiliating themselves with monastery and convent, they provide a vital link with the world as they reach out to bring hope and inspiration to those struggling to find Christ in the midst of a sinful world.

It is through the Volunteers that monasticism opens its heart to the world; and the gift that monasticism offers through Volunteers is hospitality, a “cosmic hospitality,” a reaching out to embrace the whole universe. It is only in this way that the brokenness of our human lives and of our world can be healed. Volunteers will reach out into all areas of life to bring forgiveness and healing, peace and consolation, springing from their affiliation with [God]. As Volunteers listen to those in need in order to help them, they will realize that peace and justice are not just causes for which we wave banners, but forms of Gospel proclamation. Such is the work of redemption. Hospitality finds its meaning in the Cross. In stretching out His arms on the Cross, Christ opened Himself to the world. He excluded no one, but forgave even His enemies. He embraced all so as to redeem all.

The Volunteer of today must be ready to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ. The Volunteer must be ready to embrace the world in order to forgive and heal and reconcile. Such a welcoming gesture will give others the courage to turn to Christ. Through the hospitality of the Volunteer, the monastic values of prayer, humility, obedience, peace, patience, charity, and reverence will be brought to bear on the world and guide it in the way of salvation

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What a blessing it is to share this story with you.   Pastor Sebastian presented us with information about a young lady named Bartola. Bartola’s parents asked us for help finding her a wheelchair. Bartola  was born 1 day before me during the worst years of the civil war here.

For environmental and genetic reasons she was born with a very short stature, unable to walk or talk. She is the eldest of 5 children. Until January 27th, her siblings and parents have had to carry her everywhere she needed to go, She is also unable to crawl or pull herself a standing position. This day she received her first wheelchair from Hope Haven Guatemala, an organization with roots in Iowa.

Hope Haven able to fit her chair specifically to her. One of the best quality chairs I’ve seen. To make this happen, we received donations from Salud y Paz, Hope Haven Guatemala, and Coronado United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. It was so beautiful to me to see everyone pull together to make this possible.

Bartola’s way of saying thank-you to us was through her never ending smile and a tug on my nose! I turned to see her mother’s face overwhelmed with appreciation. Bartola you are a gift to God!

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I am writing with great joy to share with you the latest news in the growth of Salud y Paz. Starting in the month of February we will staff the clinic in Cunen for 2 days every other week. What a blessing and answer to prayers! Before I can go on with any other details, please know that we could not have arrived at this point without your support. The clinic in Cunen is the result of months and even years of patient planning. I not only want to thank those people who were involved in the construction of the physical site but those that traveled to Cunen before me with medical teams, and those that have built a relationship with members of the community there. Lastly, thank-you for all of your prayers concerning this project.

I couldn’t use the first paragraph for anything else but to announce the exciting news. I recognize that some of you, however, still have yet to meet me. My name is Heather Nielsen. I’m originally from Rochester, MN. I’m the latest addition of long-term volunteers to join the Salud y Paz team.

As a nurse, I was introduced to Guatemala when I took part in a short-term medical missions team in January of 2009. It was that experience when I was compelled and called to serve in a bigger way. During the months thereafter, God opened doors for me. I returned to Guatemala on August 15th to start what I hope to be 2 years of service. My time thus far has been spent in language school and consulting with patients at the clinics of Camanchaj and Urbina. I am sure that 2010 will bring about new challenges and joys in service. I am very excited for the opportunity to work in Cunen and maybe even San Antonio towards the end of the year.

Please join me in a prayer of thanks for the ability to serve in this capacity and a prayer of preparation for the details that will continue to be organized. Thank-you for your support of Salud y Paz!

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Amid the noise of 70 children settling into the classroom for a day of Vacation Bible School, Nery sat silently at the tiny orange table. He was intent, focused on the paper in front of him, purple crayon in hand. Slowly, deliberately, he spelled out his name in wobbly, crooked letters: N–E–R–Y.

Nery struck me as a quiet boy, with a serious face and mop of black hair. He also had big brown eyes—one of which seemed to wander and cross as he tried to write and color. As a volunteer for just one week, I couldn’t tell if his eyes were causing a significant problem. But Nery’s teachers at the preschool in Camanchaj, who saw him every day, observed that he wasn’t able to properly read or write because of his eyes.

So when Nery and his mom, Esther, learned that a volunteer medical team from San Antonio, Texas, might be able to correct his problem, they decided to put their trust—and Nery’s eyes—in the visiting surgeons’ hands.

Nery was one of five children who received eye surgery from the University UMC team in February 2010. In all, a team of 24 including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses performed 50 successful operations over 5 days. Vision surgeries in particular are in demand in Guatemala, explained Salud y Paz volunteer coordinator Jay Cooper. “Older men have worked out in the fields most of their lives without proper eye protection,” he said, “ and older women have been in the kitchen without a chimney on their open-flame stoves.” In 2009 alone, Salud y Paz visiting teams examined 700 vision patients and performed 45 cataract surgeries.

‘God, give me good eyes’

Nery’s mom said he was so excited on the day of surgery that he woke up at 1 a.m. and prayed, “Please god, give me good eyes, and please help the surgeons operate on me.” Esther, on the other hand, was nervous as they arrived at the clinic in Camanchaj on the big day.

The team went to work on Nery, shortening the muscle in his eye to keep it from “wandering” to the other side. In just one hour, both eyes were fixed.

“He came in the next day with a huge smile, and his mom, with tears in her eyes, thanked the surgeons,” said Cooper. “A huge thanks to University UMC for all the great work they did in Guatemala.”

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Another exciting day for the preschool children was when they all received a new pair of socks and a new pair of shoes.

Many of the children had shoes that were literally coming apart at the seams.  Through the generosity of preschool supporters, each child was able to receive a new pair of socks and a new pair of shoes.
The smiles on their faces show how happy and proud they were to receive their new shoes!

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Guatemala Independence Day is September 15, and all of the students in the Susanna Wesley Preschool at Camanchaj had a special treat on Independence Day!  They got to march in the Camanchaj Independence Day Parade.

Dressed as clowns, the children lined up early in the morning to proudly march the approximate 3 mile parade route.

“After weeks of preparation the children had an exciting day of celebration and national pride. It was fun for everyone,” said preschool director Carey Cooper.

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Wayne and Janet Wiley

We would like to introduce to you Wayne and Janet Wiley from Battlecreek, Michigan.  Wayne and Janet have been in Guatemala for about three weeks taking language lessons and visiting the clinic and preschool at Camanchaj.  Sometime next summer, Wayne and Janet will begin to work at Salud y Paz as long term volunteers in mission.  Wayne will help coordinate teams that visit the project and Janet will help direct the Susanna Wesley Preschool.

When the Guatemalan staff was informed about Wayne and Janet coming next summer, they broke out with a big round of applause.

Welcome Wayne and Janet to the Salud y Paz family!

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Installing the new septic system at Camanchaj.

What do you get when you combine an 8 foot deep hole, 20 Texas teenagers, and an “earthy” smell?  A new septic system for our clinic in Camanchaj, of course. Up until last week, our old “septic system” consisted of about 6 very deep holes scattered around the clinic. Well, we finally ran out of space in those holes one short week after the Susanna Wesley preschool opened on clinic grounds last January. However, with lots of hard work from the Hurst United Methodist Youth Group and generous donations from churches in the States, we’ve now installed a brand-new Water/Waste Treatment System!

In addition to working on the new septic system, the Hurst UMYF spent the week giving our clinic a much-needed face-life, inside and out.  Thanks to the sweat, creativeness and great attitude of this team of youth and their adult leaders, the clinic looks better than it has in years.  We’re so thankful for the work you did.  It is a tremendous blessing to our patients and the community of Camanchaj, Guatemala! 

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The faces of the people of Guatemala are what we will remember the most. Open to the friendship and help offered, yet somewhat guarded at the same time. We saw faces early at the clinic in Camanchaj, waiting patiently for the staff to help them. A child peeking around mother or an older sibling , confused by the great big bus that pulls up and these giant people get out wearing gloves, goggles, knee pads and begin to spread out tools and uncoiling electrical cords. . . .

We spent five day at Camanchaj working on the pre-school building so it could open the doors next year. There were no slackers in our group of Metodistas from Coronado Community Church! Leader Janet kept the program rolling and organized. Nurse Pam demonstrated great style as a spirited superintendent, and at sand sifting; former sailor Brenda literally dug in the dirt with her bare hands for hours. Larry, Gene, Paul, and Bruce swung the pick ax, the hoe. A rotation system formed of mixers and shovel-ers and spreaders: Cheryl, Bonnie, Barbara, Charles, Paul, everyone working and keeping the encouraging remarks, jokes and songs going. Translator Jose tired of our one-line-wonder songs and brought out a CD player for local up beat music! We scraped down the boards used for scaffolding of accumulated cement. Barbara and Mara set a very high standard and rarely rested. Painting was supervised by Mel, whose jovial good nature and inability to hear complaints served him well.

The planning for our mission trip by Inge and Phil was welldone and allowed for very nice lodging in Chichicastenango at Hotel Santo Tomas (I had expected tents and latrines…). The assistance and good cheer of two translators, Jose’ and Raul, and the careful driving of Lyo added to our security and comfort. Meals were delicious. We ate lunch at Camanchaj when working. Maribel prepared lunch the two clinic days, and Inge, helped by Mara and Susan, the other days. Since returning home, I have found myself feeling sorry for anyone with the typical story of their travels. . . I realize that without serving side by side with the people, sharing meals and conversation and experiences throughout the day, their experience has been far less deeper and meaningful than ours was. We all departed with the deep fatigue of accomplishment.

We feel so very grateful to have been a part of the ongoing project of Salud y Paz in the beautiful and fascinating country of Guatemala.

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I first became acquainted with Salud y Paz when Phil Plunk came to speak at Coronado Community United Methodist Church at the invitation of Dr. Arlen Stauffer. Our congregation was very impressed with the mission work being done by Salud y Paz for the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the highland community. When Dr. Stauffer organized a medical mission to Camanchaj in June, 2006, I was willing and eager to go and I really gained a much better understanding of mission….what it can do for those served as well as those serving. This is a feeling and an understanding that I wish to share and it has been a joy to travel with others who are experiencing mission for the first time and to see how it changes lives. I am very fortunate, at this point in time, to have a position on the Traveling Missions Committee of CCUMC where I can encourage and promote this experience. Diversity, flexibility and a willingness to work very hard are key elements.

In a larger context, we are all children of a loving God and our purpose is to serve in ways big and small. God is for all people, all nations, all of life. When we serve, we serve God. Small acts done with great love are important as are large, magnanimous acts. Mother Theresa is a wonderful example in her work with the poorest of the poor. I don’t believe in being isolationist or having excessive national pride when the need for understanding, respect and compassion is so great.

I graduated from the University of Florida in 1971 and worked for a travel company which gave me an opportunity to travel to Guatemala for the first time. Since then, I have always had an interest in returning to Guatemala.

After my daughter (now 29 years old) was born, I decided to go to nursing school since health care has always been an interest. Upon completion, I worked for 20 years doing night shift, first at Miami Children’s Hospital, then in Orlando at Florida Hospital. Volunteering has always been important to me so I was very glad to have the opportunity to retire in 2000. I have become involved with mentoring local youth and with the Guardian ad Litem program which advocates for children in the court system. I keep my nursing license current with the intention of participating in at least one medical mission per year.

I am very excited to be included on the Board of Salud y Paz and to serve on the Preschool Committee, beginning in January, 2008. I believe we can help make this preschool a reality for the children in the Camanchaj area. Since the inspiration for the Guatemala preschool arose from a visit by Phil Plunk in 2006 to the preschool at CCUMC, we hope to be supportive and instrumental in developing curriculum that will be embraced by the local predominantly Mayan culture and provide readiness to enter the public school system.

Thanks to all who have supported me in this opportunity to serve.

Janet Bernhard

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