Tikal/Melchor de Mencos Remote Site

November 30, 2012 - 

The best part about doing remote site visits, we take a couple of days and enjoy the tourist attractions near our remote site area.   Tikal was our destination; it is listed in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die Book.  This trip includes three extra dentists & wife: Paul & Joanne Fillmore, Gary & Ann Brown, Lee & Peggy Olsen plus the Call's, Johnson's and Wilcox's.   After a 10 hour ride we reached our destination, Tikal.

Tikal National Park, the oldest and best known of Guatemala's parks, was created in 1956. It encompasses 222 sq. miles of tropical forest; the remains of one of the Mayan civilizations greatest cities are within this forest.  Tikal was settled somewhere between 900 and 700 B.C.  Tikal was an important religious, commercial, and cultural center.

We stayed at the Jungle Hotel located in the park - temp not too hot, very humid & surrounded by beautiful lush vegetation. It was so humid that the sheets, towels, pillows were slightly damp.    Wonderful place to stay for a couple of nights.

Saturday, 1 December 2012 - tour of the Tikal Ruins.  Overcast, not to hot, less bugs because of the temperature - great time to visit the park.

Backside of Temple I - dominates the city's Great Plaza.

City Plaza

Temple I

Shaman Mayan Priestess in prayer prior to her performing her scared ceremony..

Mayan Priestess lighting the Scared Alter in the Tikal City Plaza

Great Plaza area - Group photo - Call's, Johnson's, Wilcox's, Fillmore's, Brown's, & Olsen's

Temple IV - tallest of Tikal's temples at 212 feet.  It was completed in A.D. 741.  Perfect view of the Peten Forest.

Elder J. enjoying what he likes to do best - give away cars.

Artifacts removed from the ruins -

Goodbye to Jungle Posada De La Selva Hotel.

Melchor de Mencos remote site located on the border of Belize - Elder & Sister Kirk, Elder J. 

Small working space for six docs but we made it work..

Elder & Sister J. had their own room for the surgeries -  we loved it - quieter & less hectic.

Gary & Ann Brown from Provo - 

Paul & Joanne Fillmore - Arizona - previous Dental Director in Guate.. 

Elder & Sister Wilcox - 

Lee & Peggy Olsen - Tremonton - friends of Brown's, Fillmore's & Call's

Elder Bear mingling with the future missionaries from Belize.

Nester cutting foam  for our uncomfortable chairs -  keep the docs happy.

Future missionaries anxiously waiting their turn...

Elder Kirk, former FBI agent, our hilarious dental education person - they loved him!

Sister Kirk assisting in dental education...

So patient waiting for their turn... they watch a movie, receive dental instructions & then brush before being treated.

We love our patients... 

Elder J. at work - cooperative three year old.. so adorable.

Supernumerary incisor (extra tooth) - highly unusual   

Sterilization helpers for the past three days.  One spoke English the other not...

Nester & President Garcia - assisted us all week long.  Faithful members.

Goodbye to Melchor - fabulous dental group. Three busy days of non-stop working from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  We treated close to 200 patients.  There's always frustration with suction problems on trips but this trip especially frustrating because of so many docs, not enough amps, not enough compressors to keep the pressure up and difficult cases.  Another successful remote site treating future missionaries & members.

One of the many beautiful sunsets we see on all our trips.  

How do you get across - load your vehicle on the platform & pray..  

Washing day for the locals - typical site anytime & in any area..

Coban stop  -  always an amazing photo opportunity...

CCM screening day with the group.

Said our goodbyes to our new friends as they left Guate the following day.  We've met so many individuals who center their life around serving others.  The couples that traveled with us having been coming to Guatemala & other areas for years giving their time & talents to serving others.