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!
I literally cried at your post today. In your photos, you can see how much difference you are making JUST by looking at the people’s eyes. You can tell how appreciative the locals are! When return, let’s speak Spanish todo el tiempo!
Who is that cute blonde with glasses, blue scrubs and contagious smile?
Congratulations, Shannon. Be careful and God bless each of you.
Keep in touch.
Diane Sawyer look out!