Today's visit was to Rio Seco, Santa Barbara. The sweet children and families greeted us in their school uniforms with bright smiles. We were able to set up clinics a little faster and get started! Within an hour, the clinics were filled with lots of hope! Today, the team experienced a smoother start after having spent the day before learning the system, getting to know translators and becoming familiar with common local illnesses.

Yesterday's journal spoke of the crosses we were given to pass on to a special Honduran who touched our heart and soul. Today's village impacted many of us and four of us gave our crosses away. Judy gave her cross to a sweet 91-year-old lady who reminded her of her Grandmother. They embraced and shared a touching moment. Cherie gave hers to a man who was very ill/ unable to afford surgery and needed strength to heal. She also saw a child who was half his size for his weight. He appeared to be healthy and had minimal complaints. After a complete exam, she detected a heart murmur and sent him to Pasquela, the resident RN at Barnabas House. She works directly with the pediatric cardiac team who annually perform life-saving surgeries for congenital defects. By looking in his eyes, she was able to see that he was a candidate for potential cardiac needs. He was given a referral to be seen at Barnabas House and screened for cardiac condition potentially requiring surgical intervention.

Erica was blessed by an angel today who apparently was writhing in pain before she entered the clinic. Accompanied by her son, they quickly embraced as if they had known each other forever! Her requests were brief and included pain secondary to years of hard work with her hands, back and knees. Immediately, she asked for prayer instead of medicine. Communicating in broken Spanish and understanding only some of her nervous chatter, they communicated with each other through their eyes and touch. After she was given medication and vitamins, they hugged again pointing towards heaven and smiling. After finishing with her next family, Erica needed a quick break, she grabbed her cross and ran out to find her friend. After more hugs and cheek kisses, she asked the lady to hold on to her cross when she feels bad. Erica wrote their names on either side of the cross and placed around her friend's neck. They shared some tears and hearts full of God's love. A few hours later, one of the translators handed Erica a bag of bananas, plantains and fresh ground coffee. Hidden in the bottom of the bag was another bag that contained a sparkly red and silver ring. Something she will also cherish forever.

Later that day, as the bus was ready to leave, Faye spotted a man carrying heavy boxes to our bus. In Spanish, she learned how to say "you are strong!" His reply was, "my strength comes from Jesus!" She was so impressed, she promptly gave him her cross before getting on the bus. Bumping our way down the mountain, we heard a group of kids screaming "thank you, thank you, thank you!" What a day!

After another great meal, the team had devotions based on Romans 12:1-8. It reminded us of the many parts that make up the body. As there are many parts that make up the body of Christ, it takes many to make these mountain medical mission trips happen. From the people who donated money for us to go, our new president and development coordinator, Margarita (our chef) and the dentist who spent his day today pulling 43 teeth.

Our God is an awesome God! Good night.