Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala: This Mission Site is not Active
Mission Purpose – To bring compassionate care and the message of the Gospel to the people of Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala.
Mission History: The first mission trip to this area was to San Juan Sacatepéquez in 2006, 2007 Santa Maria de Jesus in 2008-2016. In 2013 the mission was in Ciudad Vieja in Santo Tomas Milpas Altas in 2017 and back to SMJ in 2018. To date, HHMM has conducted 15 missions to this region of the world. More than 340 missionaries have attended to the needs of over 25,400 patients. Over 60 surgeries have been performed and over 2,340 dental patients have been served.
The overall impact has been positive, we have been able to develop good relationships with many people in the region. Four members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Bridgeport Connecticut coordinate a project that provides water filters to the people of the region which results in cleaner water for many of the residents of Santa María de Jesús. Our future plans include continuing to work in Santo Tomas Milpas Altas. Our team has been well received by the communities in need. We have the support of the local Catholic Church, and the Health Ministry continues to grant us the necessary permits.
Local Needs – The mission setting is both Urban and rural. Local maladies include: Hypertension, diabetes, respiratory and gastric infections, skin diseases, etc.
Vaccinations: Find information here.
Additional Services: Helping Hands Missionaries have teamed up with international and local water filtration companies to offer the people of the region cleaner drinking water thus helping with the Providing prevention of gastrointestinal infections.
Non-Surgical: This is not a surgical mission.
Types of specialties needed for this mission:
- Family Medicine Providers (Physicians, Physician Assistants (PA's), Nurse Practitioners (NP’s)
- Dentistry: Dentists and Dental Hygienists
- Optometrists
- Pharmacists and pharmacy Techs
- Nursing: RN’s and LVN’s
- Physical Therapist and Chiropractor
- Counseling
- Natural Family Planning Instructors
- Non-medical volunteers
- Spanish Translators
Climate
The average temperature in Santo Tomas Milpas
Altas in November range from low 70’s to low 50’s.
Mission Chaplain
Thank you for your interest in serving as a Missionary Chaplain. Upon commitment to a mission, you will receive a list of responsibilities and duties, which we require of each Chaplain. If you have any questions regarding the program please contact Lupita Assad.
See the application page for more information.
Mission Leadership
Medical Director: Mike Brezinsky, MD
Home: Colorado
Missions attended: 18
Years serving as Medical Director: 12
Meet the Medical Director
Mike Brezinsky, MD
Home: Colorado
Missions attended: 20
Years serving as Medical Director: 14
1. What inspires you most about serving on a mission?
I have been abundantly blessed in my life with a wonderful career as well as a loving family and friends. The medical missions allow me to give back to the world and to help provide for God's children. Poverty and suffering are abundant throughout the world. But Helping Hands permits us to extend love to those who lack even the basic necessities of life.
2. What is your hope for other missionaries who attend?
My hope for missionaries who attend is that they will grow closer to Christ, that they will cultivate a personal relationship with Christ, and that they will develop a loving and generous heart, desiring to help people not only in impoverished nations, but also in their every day lives.
3. Please share with us one memorable mission experience.
Three years ago, on a mission in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala, I attended to a grossly malnourished baby girl who appeared to be close to death. The infant had significant skin breakdown and cachexia and was terribly dehydrated, weighing only about 3 1/2 pounds. The infant had recently been hospitalized, but obviously was dangerously close to death. Through the efforts of the missionary team, we were able to have the infant hospitalized. We were able to initiate and maintain tube feedings and we were able to insure that the baby would not only survive, but would thrive. A loving member of the organizing ground team was able to visit the baby during the stay in the hospital. The following year, the mother and the baby returned to us in Santa Maria de Jesus and the baby was walking, was no longer malnourished, and was thriving. Had God not placed us there at that time, I have no doubt that the baby would not be with us today. God works in amazing ways!
Meet the Missionaries
The reason why I love doing service work is because of the fact that I know I have tried to improve this world. I can‘t cure cancer but I can put a smile on a face."
There is something so contagious about giving back to the community, but I am not here to blab about myself, I am here to send forth the message that great things are happening in this troubled world. Read more
Ana Caballero
Meet the Missionaries
It has truly been a life-changing experience for me... I always return from the missions with a renewed energy."
My favorite memory while on a mission was in San Juan Sacatapequez, Guatemala in October 2007, I believe that God placed us there for a very specific reason. We were set up in a remote clinic in the hills... Read more
Michael Brezinsky, MD