Huehuetenango – pronounced “way-way-tuh-nay-n-go” is also known as Huehue or the Mayan Highlands. It is located in the Northwest Region of Guatemala and is approximately 168 miles from Guatemala City (or a 6 hour bus ride) off the Pan-American Highway. Huehue is the last major city before reaching the Mexican border. The population is well over 80,000 and is primarily made up of indigenous Mayan Indians.

Huehue has an incredible history and was long established before the Spanish settled. It was part of the Mam Kingdom during the Classic period (250-900 A.D.), which ruled most of the western highlands until 1525. Huehuetenango or “Xinabahul” in Mayan means place of the ancients or ancestors. There are still numerous archeological sites and colonial architecture in the area.

Huehuetenango has one of the highest concentrations of native Mayans and perhaps the richest in traditions. Inhabitants are mainly from the Mam ethnic group, although the territory is shared with Chuje, Kanjobal and Jacalteca Indians. It is politically divided into 31 municipal districts that differ especially in how people dress. People are generally farmers, shepherds or artisans who manufacture textiles, guitars, fireworks, pottery and baskets. Their main religions are a mixture between the ancient Mayan religion and different Christian elements.

Nestled along the ridges of the Sierra de Los Cuchamatanes (the highest non-volcanic mountain range in Central America) with altitudes that reach over 13,000 feet, the region has one of the most varied landscapes in all of Guatemala. There are numerous volcanoes in the area, scenic canyons, beautifully formed gullies and massive plateaus. Having such a diverse landscape is one of the reasons for so many different ethnic groups in such a relatively small territory.

Huehue also has a varying climate that ranges from deep cold to hot and humid. Several rivers originate in the area, the Selegua, Cuilco, Chixoy and Salinas. Agriculture is abundant here, roughly all the vegetables and grain for Guatemala is grown in Huehue. However, as we have seen, when there’s a drought in this area the whole country suffers. There is still tremendous poverty and the environment is harsh. From natural disasters to malnutrition and conflicts, this area sees its far share regularly. The need is real and ever present, just ask anyone who has been.

Thank you for taking on this incredible challenge

I will see you all at our next team meeting on August 21st at Sharp.

Please continue to pray for us and our team.

~ Sean

As many of you heard on May 29th, Tropical Storm “Agatha” hit Guatemala with devastating results. Agatha brought heavy rains that filled villages with several feet of mud, washed away bridges and triggered a giant sinkhole in Guatemala City. A week after the storm there were 170 people found dead, 101 unaccounted for, 231,048 affected and 92,936 living in shelters.

Our prayers go out to the people of Guatemala. I received a briefing after the storm, the damage created by “Agatha” has not jeopardized our trip or safety in traveling. In fact the community needs our assistance more than ever as one might suspect. Our partner in Guatemala, Helps International, is on top of the situation. Safety and logistics are always top priority. I received confirmation that all the roads and bridges we will be using were not affected. Helps International has been working with the Government and local community organizers in getting infrastructure in place (the basics…clean water, food & safe shelter.) We play a small part in the bigger effort; however, the small part we play is significant. We will be one team of about 70 medical volunteers helping a community of 80,000 indigenous Mayans. The task is tremendous. The patient demand is going to be more intense this year, if that’s even possible. Our focus will remain on “Quality First,” we will balance that with the heavy demand…knowing we can’t see everyone. However, we will do our best with the ones we can see. Becoming overwhelmed or discouraged from the incredible need is not an option. We shall rise to the occasion, giving our best effort. Please be praying for the people of Guatemala, our team and preparation for this mission – it’s going to be a challenging trip.

Blessings,
Sean

Can you believe it? In less than 5-months we will be returning to the Mayan Highlands and serve the community of Huehuetenango. I am so excited about our 2010 Helps San Diego Team. We experienced our share of challenges last year; however, we came together and found a way to overcome them. This has built confidence and given us a great deal of energy. On the heals of one of the most successful medical teams I’ve ever been a part of we are poised to make an even greater impact in 2010. Many of you are now veterans, we will rely on your experience. We also have a good mix of new medical missionaries which keeps the balance of freshness and enthusiasm. We all remember our first experience serving; it always seems more dramatic and exciting. But I can assure after 14 years my excitement is richer than ever, I imagine this is true for you as well. I look forward to seeing you on May 22nd @ Sharp Memorial Hospital.

~Sean

Iaomai Medical volunteers continue to make an impact all over the world. Over the past 2 years volunteers have served in Latin American to Africa, from the Caribbean Islands to Asia and all the way back here in San Diego, California. Roughly 15,000 patients treated. Praise God!!! You guys are amazing!!!

Haiti and the aftermath…
After the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Iaomai volunteers were some of the first medical responders to hit the ground. With support to the bigger effort, many of our volunteers served with the CMDA, Worldvision and the U.S. Government. As you can imagine the effort in Haiti will continue for the foreseeable future. If you’re looking to serve medically in Haiti – click here.

A trip to Kenya…
In March, Iaomai’s Director of Surgery, Dr. Robert (Bob) Beck and wife Jossie, returned from their 6th medical outreach to Kenya. They spent 2 weeks serving in a Kijabe Hospital. The team performed 85 life transforming plastic surgeries. Although it was a tough trip, the reward as Bob always says, “is priceless, seeing all the little girls and boys smile for the first time…tears just roll down your face.” The Becks have huge hearts. They’re back and ready for the Guatemala mission in October. They wanted me to send a warm “thank you” to all of you who prayed.

Back to the Caribbean…
On May 8th, Miles Ahead Medical returned to the Caribbean with the “Do Something World Cayman Event.” The medical team is lead by our own Joshua Kirby, who along with 8 other volunteers, will be serving a school of 513 youth for the week. On May 14th & 15th, the team will join other ministries to participate in the “Do Something Cayman Festival” with a special message from Miles McPherson. Please keep them in your prayers.

Amazing volunteers…
I know we say it a lot, but we appreciate our volunteers so much. Your motivation never ceases to amaze me. I love hearing all the stories of how you guys are impacting the world around you, whether in San Diego or some location around the globe. We love the slogan, “Do Something,” it resonates with us deeply – it’s why we started a medical organization in 2008 – to Do Medical Outreach, it’s our Do Something. We seek to serve the poorest of the poor; the ones cast out of their village because of a debilitating illness or the child who looses their innocence because they’re plagued with some sort of physical anomaly. These are the forgotten ones, the ones abandoned. The numbers don’t lie; 28,000 children (those 5 yrs old and younger) die daily from treatable and preventable illnesses, like diarrhea and malnutrition. It’s sad; however, there is hope because we can “Do Something.” Our motivation is simple and clear – to share the love of Christ in a practical way through modern medicine. I am always reminded of what my mentor taught me in the Guatemala jungle. He said, “we may not be able to save them all, but we can save them one by one.”

~Sean

Thank you for all of your support.  Without dedicated and wonderful volunteers like all of you, none of this would be possible.

Blessings,
Sean

This is the distinct emphasis of Iaomai Medical Ministries: to share of the love of God in a practical way to the poor through the gift of modern medicine.

All of you represent that love, the sacrifice you make, the risk you endure and the challenge you face every time you decide to “Do Medical Outreach.” I know I speak for our medical board, leaders and partners when I say, we praise God for your faithfulness and service to this ministry!

I truly appreciate you all.

In His Love,
Sean

It was great seeing all of you and the many new faces at the Guatemala medical meeting on March 20th. The planning is going well. We are on track and hitting our goals.  In addition, we have a wonderful team coming together that is very specialized and lean.

A brief recap of the meeting:
We are heading back to the Mayan Highlands on October 2nd, 2010. You can read more about the trip under Where We Serve – Guatemala. Our team size will be approximately 65 to 70 volunteers.
 

Our medical team specialties will be focused in the following areas:
Surgery: General, GYN, Plastic and Oral
Clinic: PEDs, Women’s Health, Primary Care/Internal Med, Dermatology, Dental & Optometry

Applications have been emailed out; click here if you still need one (the website will be updated soon.) The team is pretty full this year, so please be sure to get your applications in to secure your spot on the team. You’ll be notified once your application has been approved – you can submit your initial deposit after you receive confirmation.

Reminder send all applications and checks to:
Helps International
15301 Dallas Pkwy. Ste. 200
Addison, TX 75001
Or fax 972.386.4294
All checks should include a memo: San Diego (team #1019) – Applicants Name

And the best for last – with much excitement I present the…

***2009 Guatemala Team Video***

Thank you for all the feedback and compliments regarding the 2009 Team Video.  Awesome right!!!…props to Levi and Loida Guevara (my adopted Filipino parents) who put a lot of heart into making the video.  From all of us…thank you!!!

If you haven’t seen the 2009 Guatemala Medical Team Video you can view it here.

Blessings,
Sean

The site contains information about us, what we stand for, who we are and what we do. It has information on our upcoming trip to Huehuetenango, Guatemala and team photos from our last mission trips.

We also have video coming soon. The team video from Huehue turned out great. It will be shown for the first time on March 20th at the Guatemala 2010 Medical Team Meeting. We will post it on the site following the meeting.

I can’t express enough how thankful I am for all of you. Each one of you plays such a big part towards the impact that’s made in each of the communities we serve medically around the world. Your desire to Do Something, to Do Medical Outreach is extraordinary, the volunteering, the giving, the support and above all the sacrifice. Our call is simple to share the love of Christ in a practical way through the gift of advanced healthcare, and as all of you know it is a powerful thing to share. We have seen many miracles and lives transformed… including many of our own. Without you we couldn’t do what we do. Thank you and God bless.

I hope to see you all soon

In Christ,
Sean Burgess