Update from Deb

Despite problems with the internet connection in the DR, we continued to take pictures so that we could update the blog when we returned. 
Day 2 at the clinic began with a devotion given by our dentist Randy.  He spoke about his experience in reading a book called "The Art of Possibilities, Transforming Your Personal and Professional Life".  We had all been feeling like we were there just putting a bandaid on a giant wound, because of the amount of poverty and what we had to offer in the week we were there.  He talked about taking OWNERSHIP of what would we could do, to own that we had a week there to make a difference.  He related it to the fact that the world only needed 1 savior, but many disciples.  We could make a difference by serving for the short time we were there. 
We had interpreters that were medical students at the University, who were invaluable, as we knew very little Spanish.  They do not have patient contact very early in their studies, so they were very eager to help us and to see all the pathology in the patients we saw.  We learned alot from each other.  The children have all kinds of skin fungus, pharyngitis, coughs, colds.  The girls marry very young (13-15) and are mothers very young in life.

 The clinic building, with "offices" on the second floor

 2 Dominican students dressed up as clowns and played with/educated the children

 The waiting line for the clinic.  It goes around the clinic.  They were there every morning

 This little boy was so cute.  He kept coming up to me and smiling and looking at me with big brown eyes

 Candice and Erielka, the medical student/interpreter

 Jane and her interpreter

  This is a 6 month old little girl who had no diapers.  Her mom was 15 and she was feeding her only juice and an "herbal" tea, because she didn't have any formula.  We gave her formula and bought her 3 packs of diapers. 

This was the sunrise we saw every morning from the hotel dining room. 
Day 2 we saw about 200 patients.
Day 3, we did not have as many interpreters.  Some of the medical students were concerned, that even though they had permission from the University leaders, they would not be looked upon well by their professors for missing class.  It was too bad, but we doubled up with interpreters and made do with what we had.  Jane, Katerina, Rachel and Katrina took a bus to a Haitian orphanage and took care of about 70 children who all had some sort of skin condition.  That evening, we met with the community and University leaders to interview them about the community. (I will let some of the students describe)  We have forged a relationship with the leaders of the medical school at the Catholic University. 
Day 4 at the clinic started early at 8 am.  Our goal was to finish our last clinic day with a bang.  We had plenty of medical students for interpreters, so we were able to see many.  The church in Cien Fuegos provided us with lunch each day; some sort of meat, rice and beans, tomallies (sp?) and usually some type of salad.  The women were very gracious in serving us and making sure we were fed well so we could continue the clinic each day.

That evening we were honored to be part of Noche de Damas (Night For Ladies)  This was a night organized by the lay women on the trip.  It was a night planned for educating the DR women on their rights.  In the DR, women have few rights and are never given such an opportunity.  It wa a beautiful night.  I spoke on Breast Health and Awareness, speaking from my personal story of breast cancer and educating women on how to decrease their risk of breast cancer.  Karla spoke from her heart about her story of being raped and how her life has changed since giving it up to Christ.  Then a judge from Santiago spoke on women's rights and how the women of Santiago could get help if their rights were violated.  Tom had sent a bus to Cien Fuegos to pick up some women and bring them to the hotel.  They had never been to an event like this and they were all very grateful. 

Singing Amazing Grace.
One day we went to the "hole', the garbage dump of Cien Fuegos.  It was terrible to see.  There are people who are garbage diverss here.  They spend the day "diving" into garbage and trying to get anything they can to use or sell.  It was so sad.  Here is a picture:

What a wonderful trip.  Something that I will never forget.  Please know that your prayers and support were very important in making this a meaningful trip.  I am sure that we touched the hearts of the people of Cien Fuegos and Santiago as much as they touched our hearts.  Stay tuned for more information from the students.