During this time of pandemic, Guatemala is still receiving deportees from the United States at its borders and airports. After going through a process to determine their state of health, they are taken to hospitals or shelters.
Faced with the need for medical attention in this season due to COVID-19, Doctor Emilio Ramos, from Guatemala’s Central District Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) team, made himself available to the country’s Ministry of Health. He was assigned to serve in the “Ramiro de León Carpio” shelter, one of the migrant shelters where a group of 176 people can be found.
When Dr. Ramos arrived, he could not find space to put a clinic where he could serve patients and had to attend to them on one side of the building, in the open air.
Then he contacted the North Central Area NCM coordinator, Dámaris Kellogg, requesting the assistance of the mobile clinic that the NCM has available in case of emergencies or needs. With the help of a Work and Witness team, the mobile clinic was transported to the shelter. They also sent a box with New Testaments, masks, and gloves.
One part of the NCM group made the delivery (taking into account all precautions and security protocols), sharing some words of welcome and hope, also praying for those there and their families. “With the mobile clinic the patients can now be attended to with dignity and privacy,” said Dámaris K.
This week the team will bring clothing, as that is one of the needs people have, as they do not have more than the clothing on their backs, said Dámaris Kellogg. The country’s government has provided shirts, pants, and sandals.
“We thank God for the opportunity to serve our countrymen. We had the opportunity to speak to the migration personnel about important topics such as safe return and immigration. God is opening doors to serve and minister to these people who have gone through a very difficult process,” Dámaris Kellogg said.
Source: Dámaris Kellogg, Church of the Nazarene North Central Area NCM coordinator.
