Heritage High School (Maryville, Tenn.) junior Elizabeth Trexler works in the pharmacy
during a Vine medical mission clinic Nov. 6, 2002, at  Llano Del Pinal,
located outside Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Elizabeth Trexler is a Heritage High School junior and daughter of Frank ``Buzz'' Trexler, managing editor at The (Maryville, Tennessee) Daily Times and pastor at Green Meadow United Methodist Church in Alcoa. After her dad returned from a mission trip to Guatemala, Elizabeth decided that she wanted to take part in a future trip. In preparation, she took two years of Spanish and continued with her health vocation courses. Printed here is a journal she kept while on the trip.

(At team meeting prior to the trip.)

Prime issues: "Black Hole of Need"

The need is so great, what good are we doing? We work with people down there who will continue to work with them even after we leave. It's the infinite value of one life.

``Who's Fruit is this Anyway?''

We're not there to get numbers for Christ.

Culture shock: When you get down there and when you get home.

You are there because God wants you there, so be a sponge and soak it up. Enjoy it and when you get home let God wring you out to your family and friends.

Oct. 23

Hey, wow that meeting last night was awesome. I was so nervous before that. See, I don't do well with flying, and I'm going to be far away from home. But, it's in God's hands.

On the way home we have a seven-hour layover in Dallas, just in time for the Miami/UT game. I guess I will be doing my homework or sleeping (more than likely the latter). I'm not a football fan and I couldn't tell the difference in Casey Clausen and Jamal Lewis.

Oct. 28

I still need to get my assignments for when I leave. Mom went shopping for Dad and I on Saturday. I am hoping to get my backpack this afternoon. I am using one of (brother) David's bags for my luggage. I am still nervous about flying, but it's too late to back out now. I am too excited to back out anyway!

Nov. 1

At the airport in Knoxville we were told that we had too many bags for the amount of people we had. Our extra bags were filled with medical supplies. We ended up having to pay about $1,000 extra to get our stuff to Dallas.

On the flight from Dallas to Guatemala City I had an awesome experience. The man who sat next to me was going home to see his family for the first time in 14 years. He had sought asylum in the U.S. during the civil war and had five daughters he was supporting in Guatemala. His second to oldest daughter was going to graduate the next day and had no clue he was going to be there.

Nov. 2

We woke up this morning at 4 am and we got in bed the night before sometime after midnight. We met Hector, a doctor, and Javier his son at the Burger King at 5:30 a.m. We traveled on a twisty, curvy road through thick clouds and over potholes for what seemed like decades. When we stopped at a Texaco for a bathroom break, the line for the women was at least 30 minutes long.

When we arrived at the clinic at Rio Dulce, Javier and I were put to work packaging the vitamins and handing them out. Between his little English and my little bit of Spanish, a little patience and sometimes a translator, we were a great team. I believe he said that he was going home tomorrow. We exchanged e-mail addresses and necklaces.

He worked great with the kids today, and their eyes would light up the sky when we gave them suckers. They have it bad according to our standard of living, but the family's love and respect for each other makes them the richest people in the world.

Nov. 3

Wow ... that's all I can say. Our first patients today (in Rio Dulce) were from an orphanage. I felt so lucky. Then a lady brought in her 5 children and she is pregnant again. One of children had pneumonia and probably won't make it. I can't help but want to cry my eyes out for these people.

Javier and his father went home earlier. Hector made a house call, and I don't know how it went. I'll have to ask a doctor later.

I became a little overheated toward the end of the day. The nurses took good care of me though, dipping a scarf in the ice water and wrapping it around my neck to try and cool me down. Dr. Bruce (Allsop) gave me some Tylenol, but I have no clue why.

When Javier noticed I was not feeling well, he looked at me and said ``Amiga, are you OK?'' I guess you can say I felt accepted by him and his father. I also felt honored to be called his amiga after just one day.

Leslie (Hughes) and I are enjoying ourselves as roommates. We are getting along great and she keeps me in my right mind. One of my jobs was to give out the worm medication. For children 7 and younger it is a liquid, which has to be a horrible tasting thing. Most of the children drink it and smile, but some of the younger kids have a harder time.

It kills me to see these little, innocent children who are so malnourished and sick. I just want to scoop them up in my arms and bring them all home with me. But I know I can't.

I already want to come back, and I haven't even left yet.

Nov. 4

We went down the river this morning to visit a fort that protected the mouth of the river. We then went to the Mayan ruins, and they were simply fascinating to look at and explore. I saw where the sacrifices were made and stood in the arena where they played some sort of sport.

There was an adorable tabby kitten where we got our drinks. She could not have been more than a few weeks old. Dad told me I had to leave her there.

We went to the orphanage next. I did not want to leave. We handed out candy and bracelets to the children. I held a little 5-year-old girl named Mariella. She did enjoy all of the attention she received. She talked my ear off for well over an hour. Although I did not understand much of what she said, I know it's good for her to have someone to listen to her. She kept squeezing my neck.

Dad would not let me take her home, either! That is so unfair. Mom said that I could not bring home any children, and Dad would not let me take the kitten home either. What's the fun in going to another country if you can not bring home either a sibling or an animal?

All of the rest of the day was spent driving, and we got lost.

Nov. 5

This clinic was Xejuyop, which means ``down from the mountain.'' On the way to the village, I was traveling in the ambulance and it just stopped. Mario and I were left behind. But Dad, Chris Hughes, and Mike Perry came back for us. The clinic was a slow process because the people did not speak Spanish, so we had to go through two translators.

These people were not like the others we have worked with. They were hostile, pushy and liked to stare and argue with us in the pharmacy. A rumor had been going around that Americans would come down and steal their babies for their organs.

I was told that there were a lot of demonic issues in the village. There was a witch doctor in the village. One of the ladies was being prayed over and fell into convulsions, but it was seizure-like convulsions. Another of the ladies would laugh for about half a day every few weeks.

We only ended up with about 200 people being seen today. The road to get in and out of the village was rough, muddy and rocky. It was a great way to get your back realigned.

The bed I slept on last night was a concrete slab with a thin mattress on it.

Nov. 6

This clinic was much better than the last. It was a totally different experience than yesterday's. The people hugged us and thanked us for being there. The thing is that the people paid 5 Qs (quetzales is Guatemalan currency) to be seen. About 250 people paid and about 50-100 did not. At one point I went to lay down in the van and about five or six children wanted to join me. So, needless to say, I did not get any rest.

One of the guys, a local in Xela, told my Dad that he liked ``the blonde,'' and so Dad introduced us.

I feel so bad for some of the families we treated today. The doctors were giving out Lindane lotion and shampoo to whole families for scabies. The same goes for Lice-Aid. We also handed out a lot of amoxicillan and Lorabid for infections. We saw lots of Advil, Tylenol, and medicine for stomach problems go out at all the clinics.

This clinic set up was basically at the base of a huge volcano. The volcano has not erupted for about 100 years, but the last time it blew it was a horizontal blast on the other side. That blast buried a whole town alive.

On the way back to the hotel there was some guy passed in the street. The whole night I could hear the disco bar across the street.

Nov. 7

No more clinics. We grabbed breakfast and went shopping. Actually, Dad and I tried to get hold of Mm. That was a trip that I don't want to think another moment about. To make a long story short, to dial home internationally, dial 001-area code-phone number. After we tried calling, Dad and I went to the Internet café. We wrote some e-mails to our family and friends to let them know we're alive. We also exchanged our currency (finally). After lunch we left for Panajachel, at Lake Atitlan.

There was a beautiful view on the way down there. Once we were checked in we went to the marketplace. I bought the most beautiful table runner, skirt and belt I have ever seen. I also bought some bracelets from a little girl.

I am exhausted.

Nov. 8

Almost home ? Dad and I led the worship service this morning. We sang ``Open the Eyes of My Heart'' and ``You Are My King (Amazing Love).'' Then we shared the good experiences from our trip. One of the things Dr. Bruce Allsop said that stuck with me was about how on the way up to the third clinic our ambulance broke down. This delayed the medical supplies. He believes that happened so that the angels could send reinforcements down to protect us.

Then we broke bread (took Communion) together. That was a little different than I am used to. We used apple juice and sweet bread.

I walked along the lake and picked up some volcanic rock and pumice. The volcanoes were magnificent with the clouds around them this morning.

On our way to Antigua we stopped at a wheelchair shop. Everyone who works there is in a wheelchair.

Once we got to Antigua, Dad and I went shopping. I bought an apron and blanket from an elderly woman in the market square. She also gave me a little doll. I bought a shirt from a man in the same square. But the most fun was in a different square.

These little girls wanted me to buy some stuff from them. Honestly, I was looking for some trinkets to bring home. I bought a beaded necklace and bracelet from a little girl. Then I bought two hackey-sacks, and I started to leave. As I was getting my stuff together the girl held a change purse up and said ``Three for your watch.'' I bought the watch because I figured I would leave it down there, and I did.

Then Dad, Leslie and I tried to leave. While all this was happening Dad bought a flute. But when we tried to leave the girls followed us up the street. Finally, I told the sisters I would spend 20 Qs, if they promised to go back. I was afraid they would get hurt. So they agreed. Dad picked out a bracelet for himself and I bought a piece of square cloth.

Earlier, Dad took me through Hermanos Pedros (a Franciscan hospital). Talk about a neat place.

Leslie and I dressed up in our cartes/skirts for dinner. We met a missionary couple who ran an orphanage about 25 minutes outside Guatemala City. The name of it was ``Hands of Mercy,'' and that is what they provide. They started out as a family who helped families nurse their children back to health. When the courts found out they were housing children, they asked the family if they would house children to be adopted.

Nov. 9

Finally going home ? Hector and Javier met us at the airport this morning. I really wish I could speak better Spanish. Javier brought me a hacky-sack and bracelet. I wish I had known he was going to be there. He gave me a hug and so did Hector.

Some of us almost did not get home. The airline tried to bump a lot of us from our flight. Dr. Bruce and Woody had to fly to Florida then to Dallas. They were the only ones to get bumped, though.

It was a long layover and flight. I was so ready to be home. We flew next to this awesome storm. The cloud-to-cloud lightening was so spectacular to watch. It was so volatile.

I cried a majority of the flight home. I was so ready to be there. When I saw Mom, I was in tears. David and Elizabeth (his girlfriend) were also at the airport.

To be in Guatemala was great, but so was being home and in my own bed.