From Ila, July 27:
Hola, teams.
Just a quick thanks, which I'm also sending to a few others.
This will be brief, as I'm still working on the grant application, now from the comfy digs of Fr. and Terri Smith in Antigua Guatemala. Tomorrow I head for Pedro's Union Victoria.
Petrona Chavez has her jaw bone-graft small surgery this morning, and I've confirmed that she is at the hospital. This got a bit more expensive than expected, Q6000 [$800] plus the preliminaries we did when Team 2 was here. Family is paying half, and Elizabeth's Legacy is paying half, including the $200 Fowler Fund donation Fr. Smith was holding, and $200 of the Legacy money I am holding. I think this will just about finish the orthodontic followup to her cleft lip and palate surgery done many years ago, at least I hope so, as orthodontic expenses already were high this year. But the work is proceeding well.
Nicolas Sanchez, the 10-year-old from Caba whose father has been resistant to permitting him to leave for correction of severe cleft lip and palate, did the preliminaries with a
jornada in Chajul July 7 and is now scheduled for surgery in Antigua September 7. It's with a jornada that seems responsible (15-day stay), his adult brother will accompany, and we will pay only for transportation for both, other essentials, required clothing, and incidentals. Probably less that $200. Thanks to a very generous donation for parishioners, we will have enough to cover this, with a balance for other uses.
Miguel Anjel, the boy from Xecoyeu who almost lost his life and leg (severe bleeding wound and complete femur fracture last fall in Xecoyeu), horrendous pickup truck ride and then hospital for 2 months, is due for followup August 10. We will need to pay for transportation and possibly some tests. Elizabeth's Legacy last year contributed more or less Q1400 for emergency travel and the expensive metal plate that is holding his femur together, and the family and another group paid the rest (over Q6000 total, if I recall).
Tomas Choc of Mirador is still expected to accompany Gustavo Cuyuch of the Equipo de Salud to Guatemala City next week for followup for the tumor removed from inside the major vein inside his nose, when Gustavo comes for our final meeting August 6. More "medical travel" expense, and perhaps a bit more!
The 8-months pregnant woman with diabetes we sent to the hospital from El Triunfo is now back in the community, I understand on medication. I'm urging (well, scolding) Pedro Marcos to go get strips for their in-country glucomenter NOW.
Otoscopes and glucometers -- I should finish the grant proposal today, have been checking with Sarah, Linda P., and Enid over various possibilities. Sarah, Fr. Smith and Terri will be making a trip to the US to visit relatives in early October and could courier otoscopes back. Just let me know which you think is the better deal. Enid, if you have done anything ab out contacting Roche (hope you got the earlier e-mail), please let me know today.
I will try to get the info above and below out to our complete lists when I return to Tucson August 7, late. Meanwhile, please feel free to forward.
TEAMS 1 AND 2 -- what your in-country donations accomplished.
Linda Paul did a little tally for me before she left. In addition to all the other donations you made, of time, personal expenses, and expertise, your application fees and in-country donations totaled Q3,902 (over $500), of which we have used all but Q6. They enabled us to do the following:
Donations for in-country orientation to other "on-the-ground" in country groups: Q600
Fluoride and related for application during the
giras Q648
"Bestias" to move cargo during the walking
giras Q470
Patient medical travel outside the communities - replacing money used Q560 (a big help to protect Project general funds, which are low)
Patient medical travel for Tomas Choc, who walked out with us to Nebaj Q140
Additional medicines for the
giras (another Q5450 was paid from Project funds) Q330
Miscellaneous, copying documents, etc. Q398
Gas for the one CPR vehicle when it transported us Q600
One-time "
premios" for health
promotores who worked with us as volunteers Q150
Hope it adds up! I'm not re-checking the figures, which did correspond when Linda finished the document.
Again, thanks to all.
***
Vestry’s Report on Transition: #5
26 July 2015
Greetings from your Vestry!
Since its commissioning on 14 June, the Nominating Committee has selected its officers: Chair
Ohia Hodges, Co-chair Debbie D’Amore, Scribe Bonnie Edwards, and Treasurer Jim Steinman.
It has begun preparing for its first task of gathering formation from all parishioners to form a
parish profile before the search. It will meet with the diocese-appointed Transition Consultant,
Canon Russ Smith, on 19 August to set schedule and strategy for reaching the goal of
recommending three candidates for our next Rector to the Vestry at the end of the search.
On 12 July, we reported that our Interim Rector, the Rev. Dr. Richard Mallory, will join us in
person on Sunday, 16 August. A fuller introduction of Fr. Mallory and his work with us will be
presented to you on Sunday, 2 August.
Having completed the most urgent tasks mentioned above, we are re-focusing on the overall life
of this parish during transition by examining existing projects and needed efforts; for example:
• Adult education: Vestry persons Joel Williams and Linda Morrison will join Peter Schmidt and
Paulette O’Malley to work with Fr. Richard Mallory on topics to be offered. If you have any
desired topics or can conduct a topic of study, please contact any of the above named.
• Sunday school: Due to increased workload at Literacy Connects, Violet resigned from Director
of the Godly Play for the younger children, but her husband, Vestryman Alec Kennedy will
continue the Sunday school for the older children. There will be no child-care until further
notice. Mo. Clare is working with Alec and others to re-organize the Sunday school and childcare.
If you would like to help in anyway our children’s Sunday program, please contact Alec.
• Welcoming visitors: Jim Steinman and Vestryman Todd Vicks will work with Lynette Emory
to help the ushers in welcoming visitors with follow-ups. Secretary Nancy Vernon will provide
an insert in the Sunday bulletin for visitors, so contacts can be made within the week of the visit.
• Representation on the School Board of Trustees: Reed Karaim will represent the Vestry on that
Board. We thank Margie King for her past work and wish her well. Note: Parishioner Lori Lewis
is the new President of the Board. The other parishioners on the Board are: Fr. Peter Cheney,
Debbie D’Amore, Catherine Gioannetti, John Hsieh, John Meyer, and Paulette O’Malley.
• Air-conditioning the church: The adobe walls, the wooden windows and doors, the organ pipes,
the electrical wiring, environmental impact and health implications need to be addressed by all.
Before the best solution is determined, our Building Committee, which consists Byron Brandon,
Howard Creswell, Grahame Davis, Andy Harris, Alec Kennedy, Proscovia King, and Chris
Lewis, will work with Junior Warden, Lisa Sharp, to gather information necessary for a
productive discussion to reach an optimal solution. Currently, we have $21,240 in this account.
• Renumbering pledge envelopes: The number on your pledge envelopes has not changed for
years, due to keeping inactive numbers! Thus, we have been wasting trees and paying for useless
envelopes and boxes. Yes, you might have a new number next year; but no action is required of
you. If you want to unsubscribe pledge envelopes or if you want to have your name added to
receive pledge envelopes, then please notify the Parish Office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience, concern, trust and support, all rooted in your prayers! Please call
our attention to any of the things that need to be done in, for or by this parish for our living in
God’s kingdom. We look forward to working with Fr. Mallory. Together, with God’s help, we
can all do our best to live our Baptismal Covenant at St. Michael’s. Keep on praying!
