Transforming Health

ACHC-Guatemala
(Association of Christian Hospitals
and Clinics of Guatemala)

 

November 10, 2009

ACHC-Guatemala update.

Inauguration of Salvatore Clinic

It is a great pleasure for me to share with you all the blessings that God has poured out over us. On September 6th, after a great deal of labor and construction, we have seen the culmination of our efforts being carried out through the official inauguration of the clinic. Working and preparing the clinic has been an exciting, emotional journey and we have been delighted to see how our visitors have shared in this joy.

We thank God for Frank Ebetino’s visit from the Presbyterian Church of Venice, Florida accompanied by his brother Chuck Ebetino, the Pastor of Ruffin Stepp Missions and Dr. Richard Hill, and on behalf of the Wasson Foundation, Monica Hun and family. We are also grateful for the presence of our friends from the Associación Guatemalteca Aérea para Edificación (AGAPE), its director, Ludin Reyes, and our brother Walter Machado. On behalf of the Christian Hospitals and Clinics of Guatemala Association (ACHC) we had with us Treasurer, Edwin López. Also present with us was Pastor Danilo de León and his family. The community of Cortijo also welcomed Professor Hilda, school director, the members of COCODE, the pastors from local evangelical churches, and the community in general. And finally, it is worth mentioning the wonderful personal assistance of nurses Bárbara Tohom, Roseli Palacios, and Marisol Cardona that have worked with us through ACHC.

Activities officially began around 3 in the afternoon with an attendance of around 400 people. After an opening prayer, we continued with a brief historical overview, and celebrated the opening with a symbolic cutting of the ribbon labeled with the clinic’s name, “Salvatore.” Later we entered the clinic to show the visitors the different spaces and the work accomplished on the first phase, now ready to care for the patients of the Cortijo community and surrounding villages.

After touring the facilities, we had a devotional time in which Keila Estrada led praise and worship to our God followed by testimonies given by Frank Ebetino, Monica Hun, Moisés Ariano and Miguel Revolorio. Then Pastor Ruffin Stepp shared a passage of the word of God and gave a dedication prayer that Ludin Reyes helped translate. Pastor Danilo de León closed with a final word of prayer.

Many times, we have the tendency to think that when something turns out well it is because of what we did. However, this is far from reality. We would be unable to accomplish a single thing without the approval and help of God. During the construction period of the clinic, many things occurred. There were times of difficulty, weakness, worry, happiness, emotion, and enthusiasm. But by the grace and mercy of God our goals were accomplished. Throughout this project, we have learned that God is landlord and host and we are simply administrators of what HE has given us.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Dr. Erick Mauricio Estrada Barrientos, Executive Director