Alianza, Honduras

Good afternoon family and friends.  We have just finished our day at a very remote village that is situated near the top of one of the mountains 1 and 1/2 hours from Colinas de Santa Barbara.  The view was amazing as we rode up very windy, bumpy, and very steep roads.  It is a wonder anyone ever travels on these roads!  Of course the people of these mountains walk up and down them as if it was nothing.  It was very cool up on the mountain and the clouds were coming and going all day – threatening, but never producing rain. 

This particular village seems to have a little more money, they seem in better health than any we have been at since we have been here.  We saw 105 medical patients, 28 eye patients and the dentist did 10 fillings and pulled around 60 teeth.  Art is getting good at extractions – the dentist prepares the tooth and he uses the forceps to extract.  It takes a fair amount of strength and the dentist, whose name is Emily, weighs around 100 lbs.  So Art has been a big help to her.  The pharmacy is running well with Heather, Darlene, Micah and Ron.  Rachel continues her duties with the pediatric doctor and with her experience has been a great help as the doctor is still in residency and Rachel has more real life experience.  They make a great team.  Sabrina is still teaching people about bending, picking things up, and general body mechanics.  She also is improving her Spanish!  Kaitlyn has managed to endear herself to not only all the kids of each village, but to the kids of Colinas.  She has been buying them shoes and a few toys with money donated for that purpose.  Erika and Taylor are still enjoying intake and are making great progress on their medical Spanish.  They almost don´t need interperters for some of the problems.  Kathy and Margie continue helping people get where they need to go.  Kathy is great at Spanish and the children love her!  Margie has been a great help to the dentist who is bending over the chairs and so Margie gives her little mini massages to get her up and going again. 

Jorge, the health educator and evangelist for the trip has seen some amazing stories.  Today alone we had 11 decisions for Christ.  The people are so open and receptive to the idea of Christ in their lives.  It is amazing to watch him preach and to see the response.  The medical care we give is temporary, but we are seeing eternal changes in the lives of many people.  Today, one of the doctors made a house call to bring pain medicine and prayer to a 50 year old woman who is dying of intestinal cancer.  She was so blessed by the medicine as she did not have any and is truly in her last few days.  She will rest easier for her last days and is ready to meet the Lord.

Well, that is all for now.  We are all well, most have had a little grumble in their stomach and a little Montezumas Revenge that you expect with traveling – but everyone is healthy and working hard.  We love and miss you all and thanks for the posts that are such an encouragement to all.