St. Anne’s Goes to Guatemala
by Dick Malloy

Sleeping on a concrete floor and taking cold water showers in rural Guatemala – sound attractive? Actually, it was a great experience for six St. Anne’s parishioners who recently participated in a medical missionary trip to the Central American country. The trip was arranged by “Hands of Love,” a local group of doctors and dentists who have been making medical outreach visits to a small Guatemalan village for five years.

Parishioner and dentist Steve Albright and his wife, Paula Cipola, are core members of the group and recruited four other parishioners – Javier Ortiz-Aponte, Dick and Molly Malloy and Colleen Zamberlin. “Hands of Love” included doctors, dentists, nurses, translators and all the medications and equipment needed to set up a clinic and treat 1,100 villagers in a six-day period.

The village, San Gabriel, is in the central highlands of Guatemala, six hours by bus from Guatemala City. Conditions were primitive, but adequate. The missionaries slept on the floor of a church hall, but foam mattresses and long days made for good sleeping. Showers were cold, but welcome since the days were hot.

The villagers were wonderful – polite, friendly and extremely grateful for the medical attention. In a simple ceremony, every missionary received a hand-made gift – and heartfelt thanks -- from one of the children. For the first-time missionaries, this was an unforgettable experience – one they just may repeat when “Hands of Love” makes its next trip. If you’d like to be involved, contact Steve Albright at albright@seanet.com.

The St. Anne’s contingent in Guatemala with some of their Guatemala helpers.
Upper row: Steve Albright, Colleen Zamberlin, Dick Malloy, Molly Malloy, And Javier Ortiz-Aponte.
Front row, Paula Cipolla, third from right.

A “Hands of Love” doctor treats a village woman wearing traditional, hand-woven dress.

One of many beautiful children treated at the clinic.