Today began very early in the morning with our daily devotional in the courtyard. Today, Terry, helped us reflect using two beautiful poems by Mary Oliver. His question for us today was, "What are you doing to enjoy life?" The message focusing around the fact that life is beautiful even when it´s dificult, and we must continue to search for the joy and beauty in life. Then we went to breakfast at our local restaurant; and after breakfast, our teams divided up and began the work that was set before us.
The Medical Team (Richard, Shirley I, Cooper and Pam) left first and headed about an hour out of town into the mountianous area to a little village called San Juan de Coloradito. They, along with a few nurses and some translators from the area, set up a mini-clinic in a school that wasn´t being utilized. However, before getting there as they traveled through the dirt back roads, they did come across part of the road that was under construction and had to wait until another truck on the other side could come to take them to the village. During their time, they worked to see as many patients as possible. The most common symptoms Richard, Shirley, and Cooper encountered were parasites and worms causing upset/hurting stomachs. They dispensed medicine and gave advice about more healthy practices. In addition, there was a make shift "women´s clinic" set up in the bedroom of a dirt-floor home close by that Pam assisted with. The team was able to help a man who smashed his finger pretty bad as they made their way back to town.
The Education (Mary, Kelly, Jon, Beth, Tom, and Harvey) and Construction (Terry, Sandi, Lisa, Noey, Randy, Chuck) teams made their way to Nuevo de Julio early in the morning as well hoping to begin work on the wall and teach our lesson about Zacheaus. However, when we arrived at the school, we found out that the students and teachers had waited until today to have their "Dia de los indios" celebration. The "Day of the Indians" (a yearly celebration to honor the Lempira who were the first Indians and protectors of Honduras) is actually on July 20th; however, the director of the school wanted to share with us their program and so waited until today...talk about feeling honored. Many of the children dressed as Indians and during the program there was singing and dancing by each of the classes. People from the village came to watch the beautiful costumes and to celebrate. After the program was over, the families had prepared some local food for everyone and made special food (made with bottled water) just for us. During this time, the education team also played games with the students, sang songs, and gave out crafts supplies for the students to complete. Since there were no afternoon classes, both teams returned to the school to work construction in the afternoon after our lunch prepared by (Shirley H and Larry).
In the afternoon, we mixed cement and filled column forms, as well as, laid brick for the back portion of the wall. Even though school wasn´t in session, many children came to watch and we entertained/taught them by playing games and singing songs like "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes". During this time, part of the construction team (Barry and David) were working on their project back at the church/education building in El Pino putting in a new wall.
After a long day of work, the teams returned to the hotel for a bit of down time before our dinner at Pizza Hut. Yes, you read that correctly...Pizza Hut. This was some great time for fellowship and coming together to share stories from the day. When I think about the question that began my day from Terry..."What are you doing to enjoy life?", I can honestly say that I am personally doing it. Seeing the relationships that have been formed and are continuing to form with the people of El Pino and Nuevo de Julio is amazing. And to hear how much good our Medical Team did today alone makes me know that this is where my enjoyment comes from. Tomorrow will bring with it it´s own challenges, but for now, the day was been enjoyable and full of the love of God! ¡Gloria a Dios!
Till next time, trusting in the Lord and living with out fear in Honduras.....
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