Last Day June 5, 2010

This morning we drove to Chalchuapa for the last time for the last time. The clinic was much less crowded and we got a chance to serve the people of the church who had been helping us all week.

As always, tons of kids came to see a doctor or dentist or just hang out while their parents received care. Karen, Susan and Sarah ran the children’s ministry. Their table of crafts, drawing and necklaces was so popular. We also had a balloon machine, which the kids loved! During the week we gave out little toys and gifts to the children, including barbies, bouncy balls and race cars. The toys made seeing the dentist or a long wait a little better.

Today was much cooler and it rained for a little bit mid-morning. Our clinic is set up under a big roof, so everything stayed dry. We wrapped up around noon, but everyone was quick to exchange names and e-mails to stay in touch with our new friends, especially the translators. Many worked with the same person all week and brought gifts for the teens who worked so hard. (See Tom’s North Carolina t-shirt) Alan Stippa worked with a few of the girls all week at triage. He said, “At home I have three sons, now I have a bunch of daughters too.”

After packing all the supplies and leftover medicine, which we will leave with the church until next year, we gathered for a closing ceremony. Like all Salvadorian worship, it included great music and a prayer. Ken thanked all of the people of Oasis de Gracia in Santa Ana, Texistepeque and Chalchuapa with small gifts. Our ministry could no have happened without the gracious service of all!

Mary said it best, “I got more out of this trip than what I gave.”

Our weekly total of patients serves is 2615 and 239 new believers! We have so much for which to be thankful! Our team will spend the next day bonding, praying and relaxing. A special thanks to all who supported and prayed for our trip!

“Observe” is going to look a lot like work June 3, 2010

Shout out to David, the birthday boy! Happy 20th!

Michael’s words on the bus this morning could not have been truer. The medical and dental students were glad to help again today. We had a look out at the door and if someone from the Ministry of Health had shown up, the lookout would find Philip who would do his cattle call. When we heard “WOOOOOOOO COWS,” the students knew to scat. Luckily the day flew by perfectly. We treated 611 patients and 47 people professed their faith.

The medical students were back in the examining rooms to watch and learn. Whenever a doctor treated an unusual case he or she would call all the students in to see. The patient would sit there as a crowd asked questions and talked about the problem. One little boy had his ear infection examined by 10 people in a row; he was such a trooper! It was a great learning experience for the students to work alongside doctors and see some of the cases firsthand.

The med students look on as Dr. Chambers shows an ulcer. (You can tell by my face, far left, that I am not as excited)

Eye exams seem to be very popular- luckily we have lots of reading glasses to give. We are flying through our supply of sunglasses.

Diabetes is fairly common down here. Many don’t have access to a healthy diet, supplies or education about the disease. Audrey worked with Michael in ophthalmology today. She told us about a lady with cataracts, “She knew she had diabetes, but she kept saying the problem was her eyes. I was trying to tell her that the diabetes is causing her eye problems.” She went home with a packet of information about diabetes in Spanish.

For dinner we invited all the translators to our hotel for burritos, tacos and tortas. We sat around the pool visiting with them after dinner. These junior high-high school kids are INCREDIBLE! This week would not have been possible without them. They were so patient with us during almost every patient-doctor/dentist interaction. During the clinics they also played guitar and piano for the crowds and us. What a treat! Tonight we found the Lakers/Celtics game on T.V. (FYI most of them are Lakers fans)

Tomorrow is our last day in clinic. We’ll have a half-day and then a closing ceremony before cleaning up and heading out. It will be sad to say goodbye to the generous people of Oasis de Gracia who have been alongside us all day, everyday. Our group is looking forward to a little time on the beach to debrief, reflect and bond. Lincoln couldn’t have said it better: “I feel like I’ve known everyone forever.”

Thanks for the prayers and warm wishes! Here are some more pics from today.

Amazing Grace June 2, 2010

Editors note: Although El Salvador is experiencing some mudslides after this weekend’s storms, we are all fine. We did minister to some of the refugee families displaced by the storm (see yesterday’s entry). We have only had a drizzle since Monday. On a health note, we are all felling ok except for a few little digestive problems. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers.

Today we saw some grace in action during our first day at Chalchuapa. The ministry of health stopped by this morning and deemed our clinic ok by their standards. They decided the students should only observe the professionals at work. This is disappointing, but many of them said they are confident they will still learn from the doctors.

During the inspection all of the medical and dental students were exiled. We took a little field trip to El Sito Arqueologico Tazumal, Mayan temple ruins. Our tour guide Guillermo was probably near 70 years old but he had more energy and information about the Mayans than you can imagine. Did you know the Mayans invented the zero?

During the afternoon some of the students worked at the pharmacy and the children’s ministry. Father Mauricio took the rest on a tour of downtown Santa Ana, including the Cathedral de Santa Ana, the city square and the mall.

Back at the clinic the licensed doctors and dentists were busy, but luckily we saw fewer patients than Monday or Tuesday. Our daily total was 400 patients and 30 professions of faith- so despite the shortage of hands on deck, it was still a great day.

Three of our AWESOME translators!

This evening we attended a worship service at Oasis de Gracia. Their hospitality and spirit never gets old. This time Philip graced us by playing Amazing Grace on the keyboard and demonstrating his cattle call. Pepper preached tonight on Vision and Strategy. One of his big topics was “See the masses through the person,” and “Build the person to reach the masses.”

After church we ate at Pollo Camparo, Central America’s take on KFC. As Thom said, the fast food chains are American embassies.

Back to Chalchaupa manana! More pics here.

Smiles are contagious June 1, 2010

Another huge day at our clinic! We treated 760 people and 75 people accepted Jesus. Ken is so impressed and said this is his most productive trip yet. It was much sunnier, therefore much warmer today too. Some of the Salvadorians wear jeans and jackets. I guess they’re used to it. I think we’re using every fan in Texistepeque. Steve said, “Why would you even OWN a pair of pants in El Salvador?!”

This is what we saw all day for two days!

People on the streets waved and smiled at our bus as we drove to our clinic in city hall. When we arrived Philip yelled “Buenos Dias” and everyone clapped for us. Charles shared the gospel with his balloons and the help of a translator for the waiting crowed. Jeff also preached to them and a lady thanked him by giving him a bag of fruit (we think they’re mangos).

Con mi mejor amiga!

The doctors and dentists worked so hard again today. Each person has a teenage translator from the school or the university. They work so well as a channel between us and the people we are serving. Mary asked her translator from triage to come home with her!

We took a quick lunch break at the same home outside of Texis. Yesterday we ate Burger King and today Pollo Campanero. It was great to sit down in the shade.

Before lunch, Linc and Shane went to the school to treat some of the refugee families displaced by the storm. Later in the afternoon I went back with them to deliver medicines. Charles also came and made balloon creatures for everyone. He is a kid magnet! The families living in the school are very poor and the meds we gave them are such a blessing in their lives.

Nick and Craig teaming up

It’s exciting to see members of our team connecting with the patients on a personal and spiritual level. Many of our doctors and dentists ask to pray with the people after seeing them. I love sneaking in to capture special moments. Today Nick and Craig were checking a two year old that would not sit still in her mom’s lap. Craig blew bubbles to distract her as Nick slyly checked her ears.

Philip with his new buddy

Philip made friends with a girl who could barely walk. She told Philip he was handsome and asked about his mother and daughters. She also wanted him to take her back to the US with him. Her and her mother were so sweet and spent most of the day at the clinic; they left with a wheelchair!

One of the hardest things we saw today was 4-year-old girl with 3 abscessed teeth. Five dentists worked to hold her still as she had them removed. It was hard to watch and listen to for everyone. Luckily they were able to help her and when she finally left she had a smile full of gauze.

We finished the day with a dinner of papusa (an El Salvadorian specialty) at the same place we ate lunch. Many of the church members who volunteered alongside of us came to celebrate our last night. They thanked us over and each person presented each one of us with a little key chain and prayed for us. It was a touching ceremony and we will miss them dearly.

The day ended with a little bad news. The government sent a scout to check out our clinic on Monday. Even though he was impressed, we received word today that anyone without a license is not allowed to be involved in our medical and dental ministries. This is sad for our group because we are made up of roughly half med and dental students who will be spending tomorrow in the pharmacy and the childrens ministry. Tomorrow may be less productive in terms of numbers of patients, but we will all find a place to serve. (We’ll see about Thursday and Friday) Check out today’s pics!

Organized Chaos in Texistepeque May 31, 2010

Tons of good news today!

First of all, Sara Boren spent the night in the hospital but she will spend tonight with us in the hotel. This afternoon she had the stones in her gall bladder removed. Luckily, she can wait until she returns to the U.S. to have the entire gall bladder removed. Dr. Cattau stayed with her the whole time to ensure she was getting proper care. We are rejoicing that she is healthy and our prayers were answered!

Second, it didn’t rain today until we were on the bus ride home!

Third, we had an awesome day! On the bus ride over everyone was anxious and excited to finally see patients and we were not disappointed at all. We saw 570 patients and 63 professions of faith. Kids came from an orphanage and we fell in love (see pics and you will too). Even though we sweat through our scrubs, everyone- patients, doctors, dentists, minister, and logistics- never stopped smiling. Please take a look at the pictures to see us in action!

I think it’s best to show you what we did and how we did it…

First, the crowds waited under a tent outside and listened to the gospel and music.

Then on to check in where patients received a little card with their info to carry all day.

Local nurses weigh the patients and took their blood pressure.

Next, our nurses and med students manned the triage to record the patient's personal history on the cards.

After waiting again, the Salvadorians see a doctor or dentist for work or a check up. The doctors write the prescriptions on the cards.

Before filling the prescription, each person must meet with a counselor from the church.

Last stop: the pharmacy. Ginny oversees the busy work of filling prescriptions and communicating instructions to our translators.

Some other favorite moments:

Philip said, “If I was at home right now, I would jump in the creek with everything but my boots.” He was a HUGE hit with the kids who hung all over him. He made friends by giving away John Deere hats. Like they say: you can take a boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy!

One of the most popular services offered was by Charles. He twisted his hands into cramps making balloon animals and flowers. All afternoon, little girls begging for his handy work hounded him.

Dr. Michael worked on eyes all day with so much energy and prayer. It was awesome to watch him at work.

Erin and Philip had a really special moment this afternoon when they were reunited with a special patient they treated two years ago. The boy was only about a year old the first time they met him. He had a severe tumor on his tongue and could hardly eat. The Chambers paid for him to have surgery to remove it. Today they found him two years older, and much bigger and stronger. Unfortunately, he still had a big tumor. The Chambers were so grateful that he is still alive and hopefully will find a way to help him. Truly a miracle! Before and now pictures to come!

It was a very long and hot day, especially for the dentists who didn’t have any breeze. The medical students were able to work alongside the doctors and in the triage.  Stephanie extracted her first tooth today! We are still praying for the return of a bag with really important dental tools in it.

Thank you for the support! We love the comments ☺

Verdad y Vida May 30, 2010

Verdad means truth and vida means life in Spanish- we definitely got a taste of both today! We started with breakfast at the hotel, which like all meals here, includes strong El Salvador coffee. Other delicacies included goat cheese, papaya and fried banana. Then we loaded the bus to head to the church for both of their Sunday worship services.

This was the first time for many to participate in a service in another country, let alone another language. The music was absolutely wonderful! Luckily they had the words on a power point so we could try to sing along. Some of the songs were new, but we did recognize “Here I am to Worship” and a few others.

Their church announced our ministry and all were invited to the clinic and the Downline Discipleship meetings in the evening. Over and over their pastor and musicians thanked us for coming and thanked God for bringing us. Ken spoke about living a life of service during his sermon. He referenced Acts 17:1-4, 1Thes. 2:6-11, 1Thes. 1:4-7, and 1Thes. 2:19. He called us to leave a legacy of discipleship with the people we come into contact with this week. The entire time a translator worked with him so all could listen and enjoy. It is hard to capture the spirit of the church with just photos.

After the 8am service we got a little break and then at 10:45 we began another. More music of course and J.B. shared his story of how the Oasis de Gracia became his home church. He also focused on discipleship and the importance of sharing our faith. J.B. read to us from the second letter to Timothy and encouraged us to study it this week.

At 1pm we left the church to eat lunch in the hotel and then spent the afternoon sorting pills (a Pill Party as Erin calls it) and learning about the local diseases and problems. I was surprised to learn over 50% of children are born at home and few have immunizations. Dr. Alex lives and works here in El Salvador and he explained to us the some of the things we will see, including respiratory diseases, skin problems, viral infections, diabetes, and women with depression. The doctors and future doctors of the group started getting excited and quizzing each other on symptoms.

We were sad to learn some of the roads are flooded and many people are suffering, even some dead, from the storms. We are expecting to see some of them in the clinics this week. More storms are predicted for tomorrow, we are praying people will still be able to travel to the church to see a doctor or dentist.

Sarah has been sick, and today she had some really bad pains. We are lucky to travel with so many talented medical professionals who were able to provide basic care and decide that she needed to seek further treatment. Please keep her in your prayers this week!

Also, most of our lost luggage made is back today! Four pieces (three of them full of medicine) are at a hotel in a little town 45 minutes away (long story, which involved testing my Spanish skills). We’ll hopefully see those tomorrow. The only bag that looks hopeless belongs, or should I say belonged, to Moselle. Security said it was not allowed in the country because it had cheese in it. (?) Moselle swears she did not pack cheese.

After setting up the clinic for tomorrow and another Pill Party we dinned in style at Lover’s Steakhouse. The menu had tons of options from all over the globe and delicious deserts! (Check out the pics of all the decorative foods) Now it’s bedtime, tomorrow is going to be our fist big day of seeing patients.

Thank you for all your support and comments! For more pics from today click here.

Bienvenidos a El Salvador! May 30, 2010

What a day! It’s hard to believe that we started this morning in our homes all over the country and now we are at least two plane rides away, all together in Santa Ana, El Salvador. A group of us met this morning in the Houston airport where our flight was pushed back from 9:15 to 10am because the original plane couldn’t hold the cargo load.

When we arrived in San Salvador we learned that the plane we rode on also couldn’t carry all of our bags, so 11 were left in Houston. Say a little prayer that they find us soon!

The group flying from Atlanta also had a little problem as well. Their flight went to Cancun for a 6 hour layover. Everyone made it here safely and customs let us through with all of our medicines, equipment and wheelchairs.

This morning we learned one of the difficulties of traveling with such a large group- waiting. We waited for everyone to make it through customs, waited for the bus, waited for the luggage… On the bright side, we had a lot of bonding time! We got to know each other over med/dental school stories and plans for the week.

Our first real impression of El Salvador was the rain. It’s rain season here, and they weren’t kidding. It’s been switching between a pour and a drizzle since we got here. the bus ride was a little warm with the windows up, but the mist looks beautiful on the mountains. Hopefully things will clear up for the rest of the week!

We ate dinner in San Salvador at Villa Marie Restaurante. Fajitas were served and Wes declared the guacamole the best he’d ever had! More chatter and of course, flan. Then we waited in the bus because apparently the lug nuts on the tire were loose (yikes).

At 8pm we finally rolled into our Oasis de Grace, our host church. They greeted us by giving us sweet puppets and singing in both English and Spanish. The children gave us a taste of a traditional El Salvadorian dance with costumes. The pastors spoke and so did Ken before they prayed over us. The service ended with tons of hugging and “muchos gracias” and “bienvenidos.” We’re looking forward to working for these people and with these people all week!

Ken, our fearless leader has been an inspiration all day. He never seems upset when we have little setbacks or when we’re running behind schedule. Every time we run into another kink he always has a story about the power of prayer on mission trips. His laid-back attitude, spiritual guidance, and experience is exactly what we need.

Keep those prayers coming!

Here’s a link to the album of Day #1 Pics!

Please check back! May 28, 2010

My name is Shannon Whitney and I am leaving tomorrow on a Christian Medical and Dental Association mission trip. I will be going with a GHO group to San Salvador to take photos and videos and hopefully, if we get internet access, update this blog!

Please check back to hear about our trip and the work we are doing. Also, keep our group and the people we are ministering to in your prayers this week. Our trip begins on May 29 and we will return on June 6.