The Delayed Friday Post

What an incredible trip! God has blessed our team so richly in so many ways! Last night as I was about to begin the blog post the guesthouse lost electricity (this isn't anything new; it happens ALL the time). So, today I'll update you on yesterdays activities.

Yesterday (as always) was an early and long day. At 7:30 we loaded up left in two taxis and headed out to a village about an hour away from the Haitian boarder. Along the way we stopped in the city of El Cercado to see one of the other clinics and church Solid Rock Ministries supports. It was especially exciting for Phil, Tammy, Glen and Josiah because they helped construct the church two years ago when they lived here. The clinic sits right next to the church and school. From El Cercado we enjoyed the rest of our 1 1/2 hr ride through the mountains. The country is so beautiful!

Once we arrived at the village (the name escapes me) the team broke up into two groups. One team for an out-patient medical clinic and another prepared for puppets, games, and bubbles. The medical team set up the clinic in a schoolhouse and immediately began work. Each patient was given a red piece of paper with a number on it; this was their ticket. When their number was called they were taken to Becky who operated the triage section of the clinic. After triage the patients were seen by either Mike or Dr. Canario (one of the clinics doctors). Once the patients received a diagnosis they took their "script" to the pharmacy where Jin, Peter, Claire, and Sarah were stationed. It was a long and hard day of work but we ended up treating over 100 patients.

Meanwhile the rest of the team traveled down the road a little further to another school were they set up their puppet stage. The team did 5 puppets, sang songs, played games, blew bubbles, colored, and gave a gospel presentation. But one of the most important things the group accomplished was displaying and showing the love of Christ to the children through action. So many of the kids just wanted someone to love them. The kids are taught from a young age to watch out for each other and sometimes act like their own mom and dads rather than children. The group had to be reminded that these children are still kids who want to be played with and loved. Just holding the kids hands and playing was an eye opening experience of what it means to love. More to come...