Santa Cruz Naranjo

From 2006, while in partnership with Drs. Mario & Shenny, we set up clinics in a small church in Teocinte, an aldea near the small town of Santa Cruz Naranjo, which is about halfway between Amberes and Barberena.

The town was named after the Guatemala Coral Tree (also called Llama de Bosque/Flame of the Forest) covering the hillsides; an Erythrina variant native to Guatemala and esp. Sante Rosa state SE of Guatemala City. When in full bloom it was a spectacular picture of God’s creation.

Coral Tree – the image was taken near Barberena  

During each trip, the team set up clinics in a different church every day, requiring hauling all our equipment and meds, setting up the pharmacy, and then breaking down everything at the end of the day. 

Brother Rudy’s truck

Nurse Heather running the pharmacy

Kari would entertain the children, after they had been examined, with Bible story coloring pages so the moms would not be distracted while talking to me, Dr. Mario or Dr. Shenny

And helped the children make Gospel bracelets

One year, we saw a young Anglo women talking with children near the church. She was a Jehovah Witness from England on mission in the area! We observed that if a Jehovah Witness from England could travel to the-middle-of-nowhere Guatemala, to share what the Bible affirms to be false gospel, we certainly should be there sharing the truth of God’s Word where ever He called us to go.

Another year in Teocinte, I was running the pharmacy. As one can imagine, in a small church building filled with adults and children, with a metal roof, concrete brick walls and tile floor, with fans blowing, it was quite loud. And the job of dispensing meds, double checking to confirm the meds are correct, trying to explain the dosing of the meds (esp. liquid antibiotics for children), answering questions, while trying to keep the waiting line in order and clinic running required focus and concentration.

In the middle of the chaos, I unmistakable and clearly heard “Drew”. None of the team members were nearby and I did not recognize the voice. I tried to convince myself I was mistaken, then heard “Drew” again, though softer and slightly muffled.

I felt in my spirit that this voice was real, said a quick prayer, and kept working.

As we were driving from Teocinte through Santa Cruz Naranjo back to Amberes, we slowed down for tumulos (speed bumps) and I looking out of the van window and saw a man, wearing no shirt, sitting on the steps of a house facing the street, holding a baby. It seemed very odd and as we made eye contact, he hatefully stared at me as if to communicate “that was us.” I’d had previous demonic encounters in Guatemala; each time with that “chill up my spine” sensation, and had it again. My sense was that he was a brujo (witch) and was waiting for us to drive by.

On a previous trip I had asked Dr. Mario “¿Hay brujos por aquí?”, “Are there witches around here?” He gave me that “you silly gringo” look and said “They’re  everywhere.”