Guatemala Toothfairy: Coban/Teleman Remote Site Clinic

July 27, 2012 - Coban/Teleman Remote Site clinic

Don't know how this happened (pictures are out of order) and refuse to correct the error because it takes too much time.

This event took place in Coban - after the Semuc Champey Pools.

Rabin Ajau Pageant - Daughter of the King - Sister Call and I wanted to attend the pageant so Dr. Call and Brother Standage consented to take us. 90 communities compete. This is the single most impressive festival of indigenous tradition in Guatemala. There are twenty-three ethnic languages spoken in Guatemala. Contestants wear their colorful native finest, colorful huipil (top/blouse), headdress and jewelry unique to their village. The women represented were outstanding in their accomplishments of education, number of languages they speak, service to their community - not a beauty pageant. Speeches are given by these young women in both Spanish and the contestants' local language. The festival focuses on intelligence, spiritual values, cultural knowledge and dedication to upholding the traditional values of the Mayan people. The young girls do not wear makeup and go bare foot - celebrating the natural beauty of the individual. Impressive qualifications.

This young girl seated below in the current Daughter of the King.

Both sides of the stage were filled with young women. It started at 7:30 p.m. and goes into the wee hours in the morning. We left around 10:00 p.m. and they were just finishing up with the introductions.

When looking for a Church in TacTic, Elder J found an auction taking place so we had to stop and watch - made him homesick. He felt at home watching these men.

Church in TacTic - small branch

Dang these new fangled vehicles - very temperamental - 'Men at work'

Do you understand why we take 4 wheel drive vehicles - you never know what you'll find in your travels. Road to Teleman...

Our home for the next 5 days - Hotel Posada

Our room is the one on the left - yes we had water, a bed, air conditioning, clean, a few bugs, T.V., no closet, no hangers, mattress way too hard but it was ok. It could have been worse...

Teleman Church - just completed setting up our equipment after church.

We took time to see a young girl on Sunday. At one point all those people were peering over our shoulder to see what was taking place.

Sunday dinner at the local Pollo Express. Elder & Sister Spradlin are amazing, they coordinated all our needs for the next 3 days. Sister Spradlin is in pink sitting down, E Spradlin next to her.

Each day you felt like we were the best show in town for the 3 days. Children/adults peered in every day.

A 60 year old women had 22 teeth removed by Dr. J.

I wanted to bring this little one home with me. We extracted her mother's front tooth- we felt badly we didn't have time to do a root canal to save her tooth. She wanted it removed.

Members beat us to the Church each morning and lined up outside every morning waiting for their turn with the dentist.

They are preparing our meals on the side of the Church. We always commission a Comedor when we do our remote site visits. The food we've had has been superb.

Some of our patients... children love the cars - Thank You 3rd Ward High Priests...

During our remote site, we saw 174 patients, 504 procedures completed. Busy, long days but we feel so blessed to have the skills to help these in need.

On Wednesday evening we enjoyed the choir from SLC. The choir has been touring areas in Guatemala. It was organized by a former Elder who served in the Polochic Valley where they speak Quiche. Elder Peck also translated the Hymn book into Quiche. The purpose of their trip was to present the translated hymn book to the people/churches. Choir consisted of former missionaries, 4 Tabernacle choir members and others who took on the challenge to learn Quiche - which is not an easy language to tackle. Beautiful evening filled with Mayan's enjoying the hymns in their language.

This is the beginning - just as few miles out of Guatemala and our first stop. Dental equipment was slipping - 'Men at work'.

People come out of know where when there is construction and they know traffic will have a delay. They run as fast as their legs will travel to sell you water, pop, nuts, chairs, candy, etc.

Hillside after hillside you can see black mesh covering plants and we're always wondering what they are growing. It is the coolest sight to see.

Our residence while staying in Coban - Park Hotel - very nice rooms.

Elder Bear always loves traveling. This is the front of our room.

Coban center square - always a Parish - started construction in 1534 completed in 1687 and renovated in 1998.

Ever wonder how they clean the floors in a Parish - well, here is what I found. They tip the benches on their side.

Unusual skylight in the chapel...

Fun shopping on the Central Square - the locals were selling their unique crafts, honey, pine needle trivets, and many other wares.

Heavy negotiations taking place over buying a trivet.

Sister Johnson, Wilcox, Call and Standage

A beautiful 3 1/2 hour ride through lush vegetation, hillsides growing coffee beans, corn, cardamon seed, and other veggies. A picture does not describe the beauty we see in our travels.

First Quorum of Dentistry - Dr. Call (seated), Dr. Johnson & Dr. Wilcox

The last hour stretch to reach our destination - Semuc Chempey - road conditions were not the best - graveled road, lots of twists/turns, up and down, and rough riding - somewhat like some of our 4 wheeling rides. Sister Standage was so relieved to get out of the van.

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey means sacred waters - located in the town of Languin. It consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge under which possess the Cahabon River. On top of the bridge is a series of turquoise pools, and a popular swimming attraction and very difficult to get here.

Hiking to the ponds.. hot humid day -

Enjoying the pools of water...

Rocks were so slippery with shoes or without. You could slide down the rocks from one waterfall to the other. Just before I jumped, I slipped breaking my sunglasses, bruising my pride, butt, and head but oh so fun. Don't like water up my nose especially dirty water.