Eye Glass Team in Action

Tuesday--Clinic Day 2

Another fruitful day in the field.  Many of our "God Sitings" tonight involved seeing how the process of planting seeds unfolds. . . .what the evangelistic team begins, the triage team feeds, and the medical team continues (the same holds true in each area of the clinic site, no matter the specialty).  While not every seed will bloom to a full commitment to Christ this week, the ongoing ministry of the believers here will continue to work in God's Garden long after we're back home. 

We've been blessed to see a new boldness among our younger team members, with an eagerness to pray with and for others as the trip progresses.  We are hearing testimonies from our team members that help to nourish our souls and restore us each night as we prepare to return to work in the morning. 

Our dental team had another great day, though the barnyard antics continued. Today's big treat was the vulture on top of the building.  The eyeglass clinic continues to run smoothly, and that team works together like a well-oiled machine.  Just another example of God's plan in action!  Please pray that our supply of glasses holds out through the week to meet every need (think fishes and loaves!).

All our illness issues seem to have resolved, and God continues to reveal Himself to us in unique and wonderous ways.  Like the view from the mountain top, what we're seeing this week is simply beautiful.

Mountain top view from the Passion Fruit Vines

Dental Team at work, Monday

Monday--Clinic Day 1

Today was our first full day of clinic.  What an example of God's team in action!  With dental, eyeglass, triage, medical, pharmacy, evangelical, and VBS all in motion at once, it was an eventful day.  We've shared many heart warming stories of "God Sitings" tonight over dinner & devotions, and laughed over some of the more light-hearted moments. . . you'll have to ask Bill, Sharon, & Austin about Carlos and the hen.  It seems she was looking a place to roost and thought the dental clinic would make an excellent spot.  It was up to Carlos to change her mind, and let's just say they all enjoyed the show! 

Mary and the logistics staff had a ball (literally and figuratively!) with the community children as they kicked off our VBS this morning.  Richard helped out with a few "magic" tricks, and Wendy added her artistic touch with face painting.  Brittany, Madeline, & Megan helped with games, crafts, and songs.  Linnie & Erica (GHO translators) helped keep the lines of communication open, though giggles and smiles came through loud and clear.  We're looking forward to an even larger number of children as the week moves on, including lots of baseball.  The youth group from one of the local churches is planning to help with the fun, and it's awesome to see so many young people on fire for God.

Our dental team faced many challenges (other than the roosting hen), but God provided.  Difficult procedures were performed in record time with limited resources and without complication.  It is humbling to see God's hand so visible in a world that often claims He has no place in science & modern medicine.  Today's dental clinic is proof yet again that miracles still happen every day. 

Pharmacy filled prescriptions for 169 people, with an average of 3 prescriptions per person. . .that's almost 500 prescriptions today!  Our pill counters were busy, but as Mike so elequently put it at dinner, they prayed over every prescription.  What an awesome thought!  Can you imagine that every pill that is taken over the next month has been covered by prayer?  Certainly that adds a little "fertilizer" to all the seeds that will be planted this week.  For every time the Gospel is shared, for every decision not yet made, there is a legacy of faith left behind, even after our team has returned to the comfort of home.