I feel so fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to be back here in San Juan de la Maguana a second time in one summer! We arrived at the guest house yesterday, unpacked, and got settled.
The students had a great bible study last night getting ready for the week of serving people, and they all seem to be very mindful of the kind of Christian spirit that makes these trips successful.
We headed out this morning to a community that is not too far out. The name of this community was Maguayel/Arroyo Loro. We saw quite a few people today, and had some interesting cases come through the clinic. We saw a young teenager who had a severe heart murmur. The doctor listened and then let several of the students listen to give them learning opportunity. Once the teen had left, Dr. Omar explained that this person probably would not live many more years. When asked about what kinds of options this person had, we were told that the only chance was a heart transplant, and the likelihood of a transplant just wouldn't happen. For me, it was really sad to see this young man and know that he would have options if he lived where I live, and that those same options an opportunities don't exist for him. I understand that reality, but it is a tough one to swallow.
The students were eager to meet the people and interact with them. We had students working in all areas of the clinic and also doing some education with the kids. We had giant flash cards to learn colors, body parts, animals, and activities in English and Spanish. ONU students were learning Spanish while the Dominican kids were learning English. We also had games taking place. The Dominican kids set up a game of what we know as "Duck Duck Goose" with a couple of our students.
And we had some bible lessons with pictures to color, as well. The kids were more than happy to share their talents with us!
We got back to the guesthouse this afternoon, and several students walked into the town to see the cathedral and climb the tower. We have an OB/GYN with us on this trip, so there were three women who came to the clinic late this afternoon to get ultrasounds. I'd never seen an ultrasound being done before. Fascinating! I always learn so much on these trips about so many different things. It truly is a special experience.
We had an amazing dinner of Dominican stew with ham, potatoes and guandules (pigeon peas) over rice with cornbread and MANGOES! I could live on mangoes, I think. And it is till mango season here. I will definitely try to stock up for the year on my mango consumption. And there are many different types of mangoes, too. Who knew? But so far I like all that I have tried!
Like always, I am humbled by the people I meet while I am here, and I sometimes think they do more for me and my soul than I could ever do for them. Their graciousness and gratitude are so abundant in life--even in the most difficult of circumstances. So many lessons for me to learn from them.
So while we are teaching them about health with giant stuffed microbes (that's Dengue Fever on the left and the common cold on the right in blue), they are teaching me about humanity and humility.
So tonight I bid you all adios from the DR with this beautiful two-month old little girl in my arms, and I will send more as the week goes on.
Que Dios les bendiga (may God bless you all).
