Sr. Margo, a physician, serves the people of Guatemala, bringing medical care, otherwise unavailable, to remote areas.

Waking up without an alarm clock and surrounded by nature are two small but significant events that greet my soul with delight each morning.  I awake knowing that the day will be full, yet leisurely.  Life in Guatemala is simpler and does not move at breakneck speed with constant pressure to do and produce more.  Waiting, patience, the person, relatedness and being give structure to each day.

The second thread in the weave of life that feeds my soul is intentional community living.  Myself, and two other women religious form the core community.  We are committed to each other and the people of Guatemala for the long haul in faith.  We keep ourselves honest and grounded by gathering most mornings for prayer and sharing.   The face of our local community is fluid and ever changing as we welcome and accompany more than a hundred visitors and volunteers a year.  They come individually and in groups; for a few days or longer periods of time.  We seek to make each person welcome at our house, at prayer and in the activities of the health and education projects that we facilitate with native Guatemalans.  Volunteers may participate in the regular programs of the projects or they may offer specialized services such as surgery or hearing evaluation.

Ministry is the final threat that gives balance to my being.  Living and ministering in a poor, rural, marginalized urban area of Guatemala where water, electricity, sewer and garbage are not taken for granted and where supposed compulsory health and education are minimal, our faithful presence to offer quality services speaks hope, respect and possibility.  It is a wonderful experience of standing with God's people "outside the gates".

   As a physician, I delight in being able to practice the art of medicine unhindered by excessive paperwork and outside bureaucratic controls.  Many are unable to pay for extensive testing, therefore, diagnosis depends largely on one's clinical skill.  A case in point is Sebastiana who is in her 70's and rarely leaves the house because of arthritis.  She complained of episodes of her heart racing and of not being able to 'catch her breath' but when I saw her there was nothing evident on her exam.  A cardiac arrhythmia was most likely so I gave her a trial of medicine which, she says, resolved the problem.  Now she takes the medicine daily and is more functional.  My life is filled with people such as Sebastiana and I give thanks to God for the healing that comes to them through my hands.

I have long said that Guatemala is good for my soul but I am only beginning to understand the gift that it is for me and, therefore, for the people to whom I have promised to serve wholly and completely by my commitment to God through my religious vows.  I am privileged to live and minister in Guatemala and pray that continued energy and passion be mine for the journey.  God is good and all is well.

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