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.
thanks for the phone call Kenzie….wish I hadnt screened my unknown number calls
but you know me, I might not even answer if I do know who it is!!! Looking forward to Sunday. Staying busy here. Ashlee is moving out and I am home “sick” today!!
Ok, so I hope it is ok that I have monopolized the comments on the blog, but you dont realize how difficult it is for me not be able to facebook or text Kenzie all my ridiculous thoughts and have her respond within minutes. Apparently she is my crutch….nevertheless, important new developments in my new job and home in Ames. I went to check out my apartment today and it is LOVELY. I cannot wait to host you for dinner