Today was productive and restful for many. We spent the morning at La Majada, and had a medical/dental clinic and a carnival. However, there were so many medical and dental needs that they were very slow in the carnival. Everyone had a good time, though.
The medical team saw 58 patients today, and had to turn some patients away at the end of our time there because we could not see them all. That was very difficult for everyone. They were able to treat many, however, and give them the medicines that they needed. They had the first "surgery" of the week when a patient had a cyst and it had to be cut open to drain.
The dental team saw 44 patients. The dental team was very pleasantly surprised today to see that the majority of the children had good teeth. It is apparent that teams have been going there for several years and the children have frequently received new toothbrushes and toothpaste, along with dental education! Only 7 of the 44 patients needed extractions!! What a blessing to begin to see the long term differences that are being made through God's workers at El Ayudante!!
John and Heather headed up clay pot training this morning at La Majada, as well. For those of you who do not know, clay pots are used for water filtration, which can greatly increase the health of the people of Nicaragua. The team passed out 25 clay pots and trained the people on how to use them. They also had about nine people who had been given clay pots in the past to return for more supplies. It was a very successful morning!
We all returned to the team house for a late lunch, and then were given several options for the afternoon. We could rest, we could work on the construction project, or we could go on a tour of Old Leon. Old Leon is the site where Leon originally was, and had been destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Momotambo. It had an absolutely beautiful view of the volcano. The children at HCN that have sponsors on this team (9 children) joined us for the tour. Everyone had a good time with the children and with one another.
Tonight, we had a later dinner and then the older girls from HCN came over to the team house to do two dances for us. They did a wonderful job, and spent time relaxing with the team for a little while afterwards.
We have just finished our nightly team meeting. Thanks everyone for the update on the weather at home. Thanks, also, for the information on what happens when the toilet flushes on an airplane. We are making sandwiches now for Las Tias, and will be preparing for bed soon. Once again, we love and miss you all, and we greatly enjoy hearing from you.
Sounds like you guys are having a great week. You all are in mine and Tamika's prayers. I pray you all recieve the blessings of the love you are sharing. I wish I could see the smiles on the faces of the children.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Jimmy and Tamika
Hi Dad. Sounds like today went better with the patients. I guess the "I" does work.(dental joke)On the other side. MeMe and Pappaw are without power. Russ has the logs going for them. I spoke to him tonight and the plan is for me to go and get them tommorrow(Thur)and they will stay with me Thur and Fri and then I told them you would take them back to Portagville Sat to check on things. Hayti, Portagville and other areas will not have power for 2 weeks. The closest gasoline is in Dyersburg. We will take good care of them until you get back. Pappaw says he is not leaving so he will finally get to witness the "real Me" tommorrow when I Make him get into my car.Russ is coming to help me. Meme seems alittle nervous. We will all be fine and warm tommorrow. Have a safe trip home.
ReplyDeleteHello to Bill and all!
ReplyDeleteThe ice storm passed by Jackson with only a few problems and hit some of the surrounding areas. Several towns have outages and problems like we had in 1994.
I spoke with Kelly and Martin received ice and snow but she has power. Erin had a slow drive to work but made it fine. JEA has had some problems with internet and phone service because of the weather north of Tennessee. Everything melted off the roads today and I'm hoping that will help with driving conditions tomorrow morning.
It's cold here but our hearts are warmed by your daily posting. May God continue to keep you all safe.
Love you Lots,
Liba
For Mary Newman...Lauralee went to her doctor yesterday. She will not go back until February 4th. Looks like baby Chase is waiting on you! We love you and miss you. Hope you are having a wonderful week. See you soon!
ReplyDeleteHey Guys - Glad to hear you are all continuing to do well. Katie - it started snowing early Wednesday morning. John and I enjoyed a day at the house - even Lambuth cancelled classes on Wednesday, so that's one less day of class that you missed. Hope you are having a wonderful time. I can't wait to see you on Saturday. Dad is planning on fixing fried chicken for you on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteLove,Mom
Greetings from Brownsville.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that you are all well and doing well in your ministry. Our prayers are with you.
Janice, I hope you are being as blessed as you are being a blessing to those around you. Rella is still whining morning and night, now going to look out the windows as well as searching every room. We can't wait to see you.
Love,
Harrell
To Deborah McLean, I thought I sent one earlier but i think I created my own Blog instead. It is cold and we had a day out yesterday for ice and some snow. Kids loved it! Rob won 1st in Derby. Amy working on cheer routine. Harold Kail is coming home with sitters. Vicky's mom broke her hip. Tell Elmer we said hi, especially Robert. Sounds like everything is going good there and lots of hard work going on. We are keeping all in prayers. See you Sun. Molly Rowe and family
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ReplyDeleteJohn & Heather:
ReplyDeleteWe know that you two are surely having a great time down there, and blessing many hearts along the way. It is SO amazing how God continues to use you year after year.
We really miss you guys and hope that you will be back in the pews at Northside as soon as you possibly can!
Do us a favor while you're down there, will ya? Take a picture in that bush for old times' sake.
We love you, as we do everyone on the team, and we are praying hard for you all!
love - Millie & Patrick
Howdy Y'all!! Well hurry up and get home so you can freeze with the rest of us! It is very cold. Snow was pretty, but Jackson got it good compared to other areas. There will definitely be some VIM work to do in NW TN and KY! All of you that left cars in the lot at the church I have been keeping an eye on them and they look like they did when you left them. Except Chuck, you will need some gas... LOL!! No, all is great here as we watch your hard work and loving hearts pouring into Nica! I can't wait for July. Reading this makes me wish I was on this trip. I have always wanted to go on a trip like this with Bill Ragon and someday I will. Y'all have a good time and we will see you when you get home!
ReplyDeleteglenn
Hi!Dad. Its Thurs. I picked up Meme and PapPaw at 9:30 this morning. They were packed and their things were at the door ready to go. From the Bridge, north, it looks like it did in 1994 here. Power lines were down, no power and Portagville was cutting off the water supply. Russ had a generator running in the garage and there was some heat. Pappaw was happy to go too. When we got to Covington, we ate and then moved them into our house. Meme was so happy to take a good hot bath. They are tired but happy to be somewhere else. Have a nice trip home
ReplyDeleteAshley and Team, I know as the week comes to a end that you are sad to have to leave with so much left to do. I will tell you like I told Ashley last year. You have to look at what you were able to do and not what you were not. You might not have been able to give them everything they needed(This is for Sandy B.) but those little beanie babies said somebody loves me and somebody cares. That gives them hope and with hope you can endure.It's like the starfish story about the little boy who was throwing starfish back into the ocean and a man came along and said, What are you doing? You can't make a difference, there are millions of starfish on the beach and the boy said 'I made a big difference to the ones I threw back in'.This team has made a big difference in many lives this week. May God bless you for caring enough about the Nicaragua people that you reached out in love. EVERY ACTION IN OUR LIVES TOUCHES ON SOME CHORD THAT WILL VIBRATE IN ETERNITY~Edwin Hubbel Chapin Love, Lisa Daniel
ReplyDeleteWow--you folks never let up.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see all that is being done.
This team will really be missed.
You will be leaving a countless number
of blessings to many people.
God bless you--everyone.
Note---Sheila, blog stated you and Janice
helped at the construction site. Hope
the building did not fall down!!!!!!!!
Danny
Sounds like yall had a wonderful time at La Majada today. I love that place! It is one of myh favorite places to go. I sm lookinh foward to all the stories when yall get back. I am so looking foward to July, it actually is coming quicker than I thought it would. Feb is almost here! Well some of you on Sunday! :) Leah I bet your spanish has improved practicing down there. I cant wait to hear what you learned. Frijoles Fresca! HAHA!
ReplyDeleteCarlie
Well - Jackson had school Thurs. Most of the snow/ice is gone. I've heard that Lake, Obion and Dyer are pretty bad. No school today in those counties, lots of power outages and lingering ice.
ReplyDeleteDeborah's sister Molly finally figured out how to use this blog. It is a little difficult even for us "veterans." She and her family were thrilled to have a day off from school Wednesday.
Everyone's fine. We're all praying for you all to have a safe trip home. I know all your hard work has certainly been appreciated.
Love you all... Kathy K.