What a whirlwind trip!
We just finished our final day of clinic. We haven’t got the final tally yet, but I believe we treated around about 800 patients. We had several come to Christ and we had several voo-d00 practicers that renounced voo-doo, prayed with our pastors, and allowed us to burn their voo-doo charms!
It has been a hectic trip… In fact, in the same spirit of hecticness that the rest of the trip has had, I have exactly 21 minutes to finish this post, finish getting ready, and get down to the bus to go to supper!
Our missionaries arrived on Tuesday night. That helped our clinics run quite a bit more smoothly for the remainder of the week. However, in the crush of seeing patients, we had a few team members get sick. That tends to happen when you’re highly stressed, incredibly busy, and not getting enough water.
My roommate, Jess H., has become very dehydrated and has had to be put on IV fluids. We’re trying to get her re-hydrated and rested up for the trip home.
Our head nurse, Missy, woke up this morning nauseaous and making numerous bathroom trips. She spent the day in bed. We’re trying to get her re-hydrated and rested up for the trip home.
I hate that I only have time to share the bad stuff here. On one hand, I feel like folks need to see the real side of service. Sometimes, it’s very uncomfortable. But on the other hand, I don’t have time to counter it with all of the precious people we’ve met this week and all of the rich experiences…
But I can share a few…
Gary- the hotel manager that’s giving us a better exchange rate than the banks have.
Isaias- the 6 foot, seven inch translator who is being scouted by professional US baseball teams, but who is thinking about giving up that dream to pastor–and who has a smile as wide as he is tall when he talks about it.
Pedro- the Assitant Superintendent of Pentecostal churches in this country who has taken to calling me Sarita, La Princesa Misionera (Little Sarah, the Missionary Princess) and is trying (but not succeeding) to talk me into staying here.
Juanita, the pastor who played American praise music last night to make us comfortable at her church’s service…
Expect more later! Right now, I have to put my shoes on and meet my group for supper at a US Western style steakhouse called La Madera, where they will have American style steaks and a live American musician!
Dios le bendiga, mis amigas! I’ll be home before you know it!
About Sarah Salter
I am glad to hear that you are doing well over there.
My little KONNA!!!!! I will be very glad to hear ALL about the trip—the good and the bad– GGRU and I know ALL about the bad in a foreign country—-Just one little note-my principal called me and is moving Mcgee and me to the 7th grade to be the new 7th grade team!!!!!! See ya upon your return-love -your AMA
St. Paul says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” He goes on to say, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:16-18 Please convey to Missy, Jess and the others that their current sufferings are just a fortaste of the glory of God that is to be revealed to them. Also tell Assistant Superintendent Pedro you cannot stay there; you have a puppy here who is missing you very much. Also the puppies grandfather as well. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night. God has been good to all of us this week. Your team there and our church family here.
So exciting to read this post and the last one! Trusting that your co-laborers have recovered now. Love you Sarita! See you soon….hope you are still thinking of heading my way.
Glad you are home safe and sound.. God had a purpose I am sure.. And I know you all made a difference in the lives over there.
B