The Last Few Days

7/27/17

As you all could guess we went out on the town last night. We took a few cars into town for ice cream and internet. I think everyone was more interested in the internet, but the ice cream wasn’t bad.

Today was our first day in Cebadas. We have spent a few years in this community. Since we have been here with a medical team multiple times before, people are much healthier. A stark contrast from Basan. We were able to see over 100 people today!

Every year my Mama makes a quilt for me to give to someone on the trip. I met a wonderful little girl named Lady Michelle. She has a heart defect requiring surgery. She was so excited when I asked if I could give her the quilt and would not let it go. Through the translator she was told all about the wonderful lady that made the quilt for her.

I met the future president of Ecuador at the end of the day. We see patients in family groups. This little boy marched right in and said “my name is Mateo but everyone calls me Matthew. I am top of my class.” He was so cute! Besides a bad tooth, he was perfectly healthy. We told him how important it was to brush his teeth twice a day. He said, “ok! I have it in my memory and will do it morning and night!” He was a very sweet boy.

7/28/17

Our last day in Cebadas was a good one. Again, we saw over 100 people.  They are working on expanding the church that we have worked in for a number of years. They currently cut the building in half. Even with half the size of normal we worked like a well-oiled machine. This team works so well together. I haven’t seen a hiccup yet!

During clinic we saw a man with his four children. Their health problems were not too troubling. Andrea felt the pull to ask the father if he knew the Lord. He said that he did not, but he thought he would be going to heaven because he was a good person. Through the spiritual bracelets that we give to all of the children, she shared the gospel with the family. In the end, they all accepted the Lord. As soon as we finished praying he asked if we could get him a bible.

It is such a humbling feeling to give a person something as simple as sunglasses or a blanket and have them be grateful to the point of tears.

7/29/17

We packed up our clinic and moved to the town of Jatar Campesino. Since we have done the set up a couple of times it took us no time at all. We saw 120 people by 3pm.  The set up was premo!

In clinic we saw a little boy with cancer. He had a tumor removed from his head. From what I have seen the Ecuadorians do not hold much stock in their suturing skills. Every person I have seen who has had surgery has a scar like Frankenstein.  Keeping in line with this, the little boy had a big scar across half his head.

After dinner we had a party for all five of our teammates who had birthdays during the trip: Jacqueline, Cheryl, Emma, Erik, and myself. It was a great time! There was food and dancing.

The Last Few Days

7/27/17

As you all could guess we went out on the town last night. We took a few cars into town for ice cream and internet. I think everyone was more interested in the internet, but the ice cream wasn’t bad.

Today was our first day in Cebadas. We have spent a few years in this community. Since we have been here with a medical team multiple times before, people are much healthier. A stark contrast from Basan. We were able to see over 100 people today!

Every year my Mama makes a quilt for me to give to someone on the trip. I met a wonderful little girl named Lady Michelle. She has a heart defect requiring surgery. She was so excited when I asked if I could give her the quilt and would not let it go. Through the translator she was told all about the wonderful lady that made the quilt for her.

I met the future president of Ecuador at the end of the day. We see patients in family groups. This little boy marched right in and said “my name is Mateo but everyone calls me Matthew. I am top of my class.” He was so cute! Besides a bad tooth, he was perfectly healthy. We told him how important it was to brush his teeth twice a day. He said, “ok! I have it in my memory and will do it morning and night!” He was a very sweet boy.

7/28/17

Our last day in Cebadas was a good one. Again, we saw over 100 people.  They are working on expanding the church that we have worked in for a number of years. They currently cut the building in half. Even with half the size of normal we worked like a well-oiled machine. This team works so well together. I haven’t seen a hiccup yet!

During clinic we saw a man with his four children. Their health problems were not too troubling. Andrea felt the pull to ask the father if he knew the Lord. He said that he did not, but he thought he would be going to heaven because he was a good person. Through the spiritual bracelets that we give to all of the children, she shared the gospel with the family. In the end, they all accepted the Lord. As soon as we finished praying he asked if we could get him a bible.

It is such a humbling feeling to give a person something as simple as sunglasses or a blanket and have them be grateful to the point of tears.

7/29/17

We packed up our clinic and moved to the town of Jatar Campesino. Since we have done the set up a couple of times it took us no time at all. We saw 120 people by 3pm.  The set up was premo!

In clinic we saw a little boy with cancer. He had a tumor removed from his head. From what I have seen the Ecuadorians do not hold much stock in their suturing skills. Every person I have seen who has had surgery has a scar like Frankenstein.  Keeping in line with this, the little boy had a big scar across half his head.

After dinner we had a party for all five of our teammates who had birthdays during the trip: Jacqueline, Cheryl, Emma, Erik, and myself. It was a great time! There was food and dancing.

Three Posts In One (no internet)

Blog

7/23/17

Off we go! The team met at the airport at 3:45am. SpokaneàSeattleàAtlantaàQuito. All of the bags made it.

7/24/17

We stayed the night in Quito since we got in so late and the drive to Riobamba is so long.

In the morning a group went for a stroll to the big park in Quito. Then it was on the bus for the long journey to Riobamba. Not too long distance wise, but still takes forever. Once we got to the new casa of One Heart Global Ministries, we began unpacking. It took us many many hours to get everything unpacked and repacked.

The new one heart building is beautiful! It is only partially finished but great already! I cannot wait to see the final building.

7/25/17

Up early for the journey to Basan. This village in between Basan Grande and Cebadas; villages we have been to in years past.  Set up was seamless. We were able to see over 60 patients in our short day.

Cheryl has been teaching the women how to crochet rugs out of plastic bags. She told the ladies that she would be back next year and give a prize to the person who had the best one. She asked what they would want if they won the prize for best rug. One said a bible, one said a cell phone, and one said a gringo husband.

7/26/17

Today was our second day is Basan we were able to see over 100 patients today.

I had Andrea as a translator again today in clinic. She is a rock star. She has a nursing background. When I teach her something, like why it is important to drink more than 1 glass of water in a day, she picks it up and is able to teach people without me needing to tell her again. It would surprise most people that we taught almost everyone why it is important to eat and why it is important to drink water.

We were able to pray for a number a people that we saw in clinic. It was extremely touching and powerful.

Currently, we have bombarded a small sandwich shop to pirate their internet.  Naturally, with 25 people all jumping on the internet at the same time we killed it. We are now working in shifts to use the internet.

Also, sorry for no pictures in the blog. The internet is too slow...

Are you ready?

Here we go! Less than a week until we leave for the beautiful country of Ecuador. We will have 17 U.S. team members. Ranging from three states and 5 cities.  Our team is made up of students, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, flight attendants, pharmacy technicians, retired veterinarians, and MRI technicians. Quite a diverse crew! Once we arrive in country our numbers will double. We will acquire translators, the military, Ecuadorian doctors, cooks, and family of our Ecuadorian friends.

We will be in three different villages and plan to see over 600 people.

Thank you all who have donated to our trip already! Your school supplies, socks, undies, coats (so many coats), towel, monetary donations, and your prayers are so very appreciated! If you still want to give we always need prayer.

Please pray for travel mercies. Please pray for the work we are setting out to do. Please pray that the Ecuadorian hearts and the hearts of our team will be open to what the Lord has planned for each and every one.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost