Today, we visited a community called Las Flores ("the Flowers"). This community was not originally on our schedule. However, one community cancelled, so Las Flores was scheduled in its place. We all know that God has a master plan. There is a reason that we were in Las Flores today!

Staffing the medical clinic were Julie, Jessica, Dale, Yolanda, Shirley and Dr. Eapan. They saw a total of 151 patients with one pediatric and eight adult referrals. Crystal, Barrett, and Donnie were steadily busy in the pharmacy, mixing antibiotics and making certain all the stations were well supplied.

Susan and Peggy continued to assist Dr. Adam in the dental clinic with some difficult extractions. They saw 22 patients and had 36 extractions. For most of the day, Elmer and Neal had a line outside the door of the vision clinic. They saw 31 patients, distributing 40 pairs of glasses. In the deworming/fluoride/vitamin A clinic; Laura and Sean had 55 deworming, 14 fluoride, and 10 vitamin A.

Reflections after dinner...

As soon as we arrived we all could all see that this community was full of love and appreciation. They were eager to assist us with unloading the bus. Laura and Sean appreciated the community leaders went to a lot of trouble (although it seemed to be no trouble for them) to cover their clinic with tarps and a blanket. It was right in the sun and they wanted to create shade for them. Jessica stated that it was interesting to see the differences in communities especially in the way that they pray. Barrett agreed completely; he enjoyed the community prayer this morning before clinic, stating that the presence of God was definitely felt.

Susan gave her cross to a young lady who needed four consecutive bottom teeth extracted resulting in stitches. She and Peggy mentioned that the extractions took much longer today due to patients' teeth breaking into pieces. Shirley gave her cross to a little girl whom, at seven years of age, said very few words. The little girl had obvious developmental delays and was referred for further evaluation.  

After clinic, Donnie, Crystal, Julie, Jessica, Dr. Eapen, Susan, Peggy, and Sean went on a home visit. This was truly an eye opening and emotional experience. The house had one bedroom and one room for living quarters with multiple children and grandchildren living there. The eldest woman lost her husband just six months ago and is still grieving. Crystal gave her cross to this woman, as she was touched by her story. Dr. Eapen said that he didn't know what else to do to help, so he prayed for her and her family. The entire time they were there, one child would not interact with anyone until Donnie said goodbye. She ran up to him and gave him a hug. He immediately gave her his cross. After going on the home visit and seeing the poor living conditions, Julie was able to better understand the severe respiratory issues for which she had treated many patients.

 

Shirley, Laura, and Papa Joe accompanied the Honduran doctor and a translator on a house call. There was a woman who had just surgery and was in too much pain to come to the clinic. On the way up the steep hill to the home, a little girl fell and started crying. Papa Joe lovingly took on the "grandpa" role, picking her up and carrying her the rest of the way.

Yolanda stated that it was nice to see Jessica and Julie "flying on their own" with their stations today. As always, she was right there to assist them when needed, especially when Julie was introduced to a family of nine! Neal was very appreciative that the medical clinic referred a young boy to the eye clinic. They were not able to get him the exact prescription he needed, however they came pretty close! After hearing his mother tell him that he wasn't smart, Neal encouraged the little boy to wear his glasses in school so that he will be just as smart as his peers. Although Laura was steadily busy with deworming and giving vitamin A, she still found time to fall in love with a baby and even asked if she could take her home! She was surprised at the mother's response, which was "If you do and she comes back later, we won't recognize her." She was expecting a simple "no!" Sean has applied fluoride to several children's teeth, but today experienced a first; a little boy was so ticklish that he laughed the entire time!  

Dr. Eapen shared that, at the beginning of the week, he was nervous while driving up the mountains. However today when squeezing through several narrow areas to get to the school in the community, he sat calmly in his seat because he knew that "Elmer's got this!" We all agreed and wanted to show Elmer a little appreciation. Therefore before dinner several of us washed the "white teddy bear" inside and out!

As always, a wonderful dinner was served by the cooks. Ending the night with lovely fellowship and devotions! Many of our hearts were touched today as we served God's people in Las Flores. What does God have in store for us tomorrow? Only He knows!

Sincerely,