Nurse Rocío is the Director of our mobile medical ministry. Each month, she shares a recap from the field — the victories, the challenges, and the lives touched along the way. Here is her report, in her own words.
During Holy Week, I had the opportunity to travel to Jalapa to serve in mobile clinics. It was a special time — we strengthened our relationship with the local church and were deeply impacted by the community’s hospitality and commitment.
We also received a visit from Marty, a nurse practitioner from the United States who has been very important to our team. This month we learned that she is no longer able to keep visiting us. It was a meaningful moment for all of us, because of all the support and knowledge she has shared over the years. We are so grateful for her.
Facing the Measles Epidemic — Starting with Myself
Guatemala is currently in the midst of a measles epidemic, and this month our clinic took us to the village of Cantón Miramar. It turned out to be a day that tested us. My colleague came down with a stomach illness, so I attended about 35 patients on my own.
That same day, health monitors arrived at the church to promote the measles vaccine. I knew that many people hesitate to be vaccinated — so I offered myself as the example. I was the first to roll up my sleeve. My colleagues followed, including Irene and Christian.
Sometimes leadership in healthcare isn’t about what you say. It’s about going first.
A Challenge at El Rodeo — and a Life Possibly Saved
On April 11, we held our monthly clinic in the village of El Rodeo. We hit an unexpected obstacle that day: a data error in the shared system between our village clinics and Centro Médico Vida Plena had wiped out our medication records. It created serious problems for our prescriptions — but thanks to the team’s quick thinking and our engineer’s help, we corrected every prescription by hand. Not glamorous, but our patients got what they needed.
Then came Margarita.
Margarita, 44 years old, arrived with an allergic reaction covering her entire body that had been progressing for 10 days. The suggestive diagnosis was measles — the very disease driving Guatemala’s epidemic. Even more concerning, she had been self-medicating with potent steroids, putting her organs at serious risk.
Because I know the deputy director of the Escuintla health center, I was able to contact her directly and share Margarita’s information. Thanks to that coordination, health personnel located Margarita at her home and provided timely care — avoiding what could have become serious complications.
This is why relationships matter in this work. One phone call, built on years of trust, made the difference.
Grateful for Another Month
Every month in the mobile clinics brings something we didn’t plan for. But God continues to provide — the right people, the right connections, and the strength to keep going. Thank you for praying for us and standing with us. You are part of every patient we serve.
👉 Our mobile clinics reach villages where care like this simply doesn’t exist otherwise. Partner with us to keep Nurse Rocío and her team on the road.
