Yesterday was a good example of how life doesn’t always go how you necessarily plan it.  Without divulging all the gory details, I’d highly suggest that if you ever desire to get killer diahrrea and naseau, I’d highly recommend doing that in the presence of 5 doctors and two pharmacists!  Needless to say, I needed all the expertise they had yesterday.  I tried to hold out as long as I could, but ended up going to the pastor´s house down the street and sleeping for three hours.  I came back, and felt like a million bucks!  I spent the afternoon working in the optical clinic, and fitting people for reading glasses and sunglasses.  As a side note, I never knew what the Lions Club did with collected glasses, and now I do!  All that we have came from the Lions Club.  The pastor of the church was going out to the black market last night to try and buy a bunch more too – there are  a few different perscriptions we’re running out of, so hopefully he found some!

Today is the last full day of the clinic.  When we’re done tonight, we’re having a party with the locals at the clinic – not totally what’s in store there, but I think I saw Jenga and Pictionary in the luggage!  Should be a good story for tomorrow!  Tomorrow is a half day of clinic, and another shin dig in the afternoon, and Friday is a day for us to be tourists for awhile.  The time is really going fast!!! 

Just think….when I come home, it will be 100 degrees cooler……. seems like enough to make a person sick!

Have a great day! 

Saludos,

Meredith

First – thanks to all of you that have sent notes, I love reading them!!!

This has been an amazing experience, and there are still four days left!  Never in my life have I been with a more intelligent, spiritual, moving group of people.  It’s good affirmation that there is a God in this world, and all of us are here to do something much bigger than what are minds can generally fathom.  Yesterday, we had a question in the morning to reflect on all day, and that was “How has God worked in your life today?”.  Let me tell you, the Guy has been busy!  I know I couldn’t have done yesterday without him.  The clinic was packed.  In previous years, they have seen 100-150 patients on the first day.  We saw 370 yesterday, and there were 20 that didn’t show up for their appointment.  On top of that, the “official” temperature recorded in the clinic at noon was 118 degrees.  Gotta love that!

Yesterday I worked in medical triage, taking in each patient, recording their name and age, and then deciphering what it was they needed the clinic for.  I think I may have heard everything under the sun, and there are no limitations!  I was glad I got the heads up from previous years that there are a number of mothers concerned for the size of their little son’s male parts.    That was my third patient yesterday.    That’ll get you some new vocabulary words!!!

I also had a great experience with my brother yesterday – we were both speaking Spanish to some little kids and even talking to each other in Spanish, and we understood each other!  He goes more the way of Spanglish, but it was still awesome to have that experience!  Together we learned the word for “boogers” (moco if you’re curious) and the kids thought it was hilarious that we said boogers were food for kids – that totally got more than one smile!

The people here are so grateful for our service, it’s unbelievable.  I’ll share pictures when I’m home, but it’s amazing to think where they live and how it corresponds to their attitude.  By our standards, you’d think they want for nothing – they’re so happy!  And they think WE smile a lot!

One other quick blip about yesterday – part of our clinic is a photo ministry where families can have their pictures taken.  I was invited to be La Rubia (the blonde haired girl) in a number of photos! It was pretty funny – sometimes you feel more like a zoo animal, but if it makes their day, I’m more than happy to do it!  The two working in the photo clinic didn’t get past about the first hour or so without being in nearly every photo!  It’s a pretty cool ministry!

Gotta run – thanks again for the notes, the prayers, and the support!  I FEEL THE LOVE! 

Saludos,

Meredith

What a great day yesterday!  We attended church which was extremely long by any Catholic or Lutheran standard, but the two hours flew by like two minutes, and it was exciting to be able to worship and understand in a different language!  There were about 25 people from the town there yesterday, so our group doubled the size of their congregation.  They set up a special tent outside just to to have churh.  Silly me thought I was ” out of the sun” until I got back and saw the beautiful shade of red on my arms and chest!  I had an opportunity to meet a number of people from Condevilla, where we’re having our clinic, and they are so excited for us to begin today.  My Spanish skills have never felt so useful or so fulfilling.  Words really can’t describe translating prayers – it’s a very powerful and moving experience.  I did find out quickly that I’m not sure how to begin or end a prayer in Spanish, but I have been taken care of and added all the appropriate words to my vocabulary! 

We’re leaving the hotel this morning at 8:00 to drive to Condevilla, and set up the clinic to start at 10:00.  We found out yesterday that we have 1,470 appointments set.  The quick math turns out to 1 patient every six minutes per doctor over the next four days.  Amazing by any standard, so if we can keep it up, it will be awesome!  Our medical team is fantastic – two family practice docs, two ER docs, an orthopedic surgeon, and a GI doc.  We should have most concerns covered, although we still have no good way to explain that sickness DOES NOT come from drinking cold drinks or sitting in front of a fan.  This is a common concern here. 

Quick weather update – it’s hot, hot, hot.  No idea how hot, but I’d guess in the upper nineties.  Combine that with the comforts of our tent, and we should be well into the hundreds.  Not to worry, my hotel room has air conditioning, but I’ve realized that I’m going to spend very few hours there in the next couple days!  It rains about an inch per YEAR in Lima….and it rained last night.  It certainly didn’t last long, but it was like the oasis in a desert. 

I scored some great finds at an Indian market yesterday, and found out the hard way that the money changer will not take my American dollars if they are torn or have any kind of markings on them.  I had a $20 bill with a black line on it that he wouldn’t accept – - which was solved by wheeling and dealing with a purse vendor to buy something in American dollars.  Yes, Mike, this means I bought a purse.    It’s great.  Jill H. – you’re going to like it, I thought of you right away!

Last note – this computer is in the lobby of the hotel, and it’s got great quick access.  However, the music selection overhead is quite odd.  At the beginning of this posting, I was listening to a pan flute version of the Beatles hit Let It Be.  Hmm……now I’m listening to a breathy lounge singer do her version of Hey Jude.  Both good songs, but I can’t say I ever thought of either as mood music. 

Ok – on with the day!  Yikes – I just realized this was another super long posting.  Sorry, but I hope you enjoyed it!

Saludos,

Meredith

On to immigration we went and then headed to customs.  All of our luggage made it, and all of our storage totes with all of our supplies made it.  Each person had to go through the security checkpoint with one storage tote and their luggage.  Some are searched, some are not.  About half the group made it through when suddenly we were directed to get out of line and go to “The Office”.  Yikes….immediately this evoked feelings of the great TV show Locked Up Abroad.  My Spanish skills were put to the test – given the stressul situation and my pure exhaustion, I think I passed with flying colors.  Apparently they were irritated with us that we had medical supplies, but since the totes with the actual medications had already been put through security, all we had were a bunch of miscellaneous supplies.  He was most concerned about our 1,000 toothbrushes, and told us we’d have to leave everything there until Monday.  We kept talking – and somewhere in all the talking, smiles, and head nods, he finally looked at me and said in Spanish I’m “I’m just going to believe you”.  I couldn’t believe it!  I cheered.   

We finally left the airport at 2:00, and arrived at the hotel about 2:45 am.  It was the best bed I ever slept in.  The weather is fantastic by Wisco standards, and we have a good day planned ahead.  I might even catch a nap.

Sorry for the long e-mail, but it was quite a crazy story.  I’m sure words don’t make it nearly that exciting, but just imagine how I’ll be when I tell you this story AGAIN.   Take care everyone!!

Saludos,

Meredith

I’ll try to keep you posted as best I can as our trip goes on.  Thanks to everyone for all your love, support and prayers – it’s going to be quite a ride!  Don’t forget – - if you want to receive automatic updates when a new post is made, you can register on the website.  Just click on “Register” on the right, lower side of the page. 

Saludos,

Meredith