Today was our last day actually working in the mission field as tomorrow is a driving travel day. The drive back up to San Pedro Sula is very long and can take anywhere between 6 and 10 hours depending on the day. So we drive up there the day before our flights to anticipate any hiccups along the way and make the actual flying day less stressful and uneventful.
So Thursday is always a half day working on mission in the clinics etc so we have time to take down the clinics, sort through medications and inventory stuff for next year. Theres a lot to do during this time so we can be on top of things for the next mission and know exactly what we have down here.
But the day started off as usual and pretty quickly upon arrival the clinic was filled with people who had been waiting there, some of them since 6am. Some people come from the mountains and go by foot to get there. We take for granted in the states the ability to get around and access to so many things. Lots of kids today too and people coming back for rechecks as well as new patients. Our little girl who had the massive abscess came back for a recheck so it was awesome to see that. She endured so much the day before, I was happy to see that she came. Her wound looked good and she didn’t have a fever and said she was feeling better! Fingers crossed it stays clean and heals.
We had 71 patients in the clinic this am with a total for the 3 1/2 days of 525 patients. That’s just the clinic. For the entire medical mission we are probably pretty close to 1500 patients between kids in the school, the rehab center, special needs school and women’s clinic.
After church was cleaned up and everything sorted and accounted for, we headed back to the hotel to clean up, pack and get ready for dinner and church. After dinner we headed back to church to celebrate and spend time in worship with our brothers and sisters from the La Ceibita church. The church services here are always so vibrant, cheerful and exuberant. Theres so much passion in the service and it’s always enjoyable to be at. My little girl Valery sat with me through the whole service so that was wonderful. She such a sweet girl and has a beautiful smile and I always love seeing her.
When we come here we always leave with so much more. We are filled with love from the people here and while we think we are coming here to do good work, we are humbled by the work that people do here and how much they do for others. My heart is full and I can’t wait to see everyone again. Life is different here, there are language barriers, and other things that we could allow to get in the way, but they don’t because the only language we need to know is the love that we have for each other and our faith in God.
Tomorrow is a travel day, with another travel day following for the team. The van ride back is often full of reflection and laughter and sometimes quiet sleep moments as the tiredness from the week kicks in. But no matter what it is all good.
There will be a youth mission in June and another mission in September. There is work to be done in between and the people here never stop being on mission.
Until next time
Blessings, Shelley
Theres always room for one more in the vehicle 😂
Counting meds earlier this week
