Christ has risen, indeed!

Happy Easter!

It has been a new experience celebrating this Semana Santa in Honduras. On Thursday afternoon, Good Friday, and Sunday everything in town is closed. The streets are deserted for the beach - where you will find TONS of people swimming, cooking out on grills in little grass huts, getting their hair braided, and enjoying each other. We had a church service on Friday afternoon and again this Sunday. There are mosaics of Jesus down the center of the main street, Ave San Isidro, that tell the Easter story.. a Santa mision.

Next week returns to "normal" - as Caleb leaves in the morning, and classes begin again at Brassavola. I am looking forward to the "tourists" from Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula to go back home - perhaps it is because they are from larger cities, but they just don't seem as friendly as my Ceibanans. Pray for me this week - as I present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to my students and their teachers at Brassavola. Pray that they will have soft hearts to hear, understand, and accept all that the Lord has done for us.

an unforgettable day

Today my brother, Caleb, and I went to Armenia Bonito to spend the day with my "adopted family" (important to note that they only speak Spanish and all the following happenings were in Spanish). ;) We arrived a little late due to the punctuality of the Honduran public transportation system - and as we were walking down the path to get to their house, Antono and Jessica ran to greet us with hugs. We then walked hand-in-hand to their house, where I introduced Caleb and he was given a very quick tour before being whisked outside with Antono, Noel, and the other guys to play with the soccer ball and football. I was left inside with the women - Angela (the mother) and her daughters Danyi, Jessica, and Heysi. I immediately heard a CD of children singing Spanish praise songs that I had given to the girls when I visited with my mom two weeks earlier - and the CD continued to play on repeat the entire time we were in the house. We spent the rest of the morning playing with games and toys we had brought - and I discovered that I am very proficient at turning a jump rope, not so good at playing jacks, and great at teaching how to play pick-up sticks. Caleb was outside playing sports until he was drenched in sweat and then came inside to sit in front of the fan and draw with Antono.

We ate lunch together - and I was glad that they didn't treat us TOO much like guests, as I was able to help serve the food and clean up a little bit afterwards. We sat on the floor to eat, and the mother - who ate last - ate with her hands, as there were not enough forks for everyone.
Afterwards, we decided to go to a nearby river and swim at a place called "tres pierdas". As we started out, Antono asked Caleb and me if we like to walk. Of course, not understanding all that the question implied, we replied, "yes." Well, that was apparently the correct answer, since we then proceeded to walk for 45 minutes to get to this place... all the while I am thinking - "I am going to have to walk back this way?!" Needless to say, Caleb and I are both a little pinker in our skin color than we expected.
The rio was beautiful - and SOOOO refreshing in the hot sun. I was struck by the fact that it was all "locals" there, even this week when Ceiba has the largest influx of tourists in town. I was also struck by the fact that they all went swimming in their clothes. When I asked about it - I found out they do this for two reasons, they can't afford a bathing suit and since they don't have a suit to wear, they are too modest to swim in anything less. I watched as women got in the river in their skirts and blouses - and everyone had big grins just to have the chance to swim.

Caleb and I had to cut the time at the river short.. and walk another 45 minutes to return to Armenia Bonito by 4pm in order to catch the last bus back into Ceiba. We were there at the bus stop by 3:40... and waited... and waited... and waited... and by 4:30, with the sky getting darker with more threatening clouds and less sun, we decided that the bus was not coming. Good thing we like to walk. We said our goodbyes (even though we were offered beds at our abuela's house to spend the night) and we started walking toward the main road. This entails walking ALL the way through Armenia Bonito, around the airport, and then ALL the way through Primero de Mayo (another village). Well, after about another 45 minute walk, when we were ALMOST to the main road, a taxi came to our rescue and took us all the way home. Talk about being tired!

As we walked, we had time to reflect upon the day... and I realized how I feel like such a part of their community. From the beginning, I was drawn to two little girls who love to smile, to play, to share their lives with me. I am constantly amazed that while this family has next to nothing, they are so happy and so hospitable to their guests. It was hard for me to think that perhaps because of the large meal we had today, they wouldn't eat perhaps for the rest of the week. Despite that reality, it didn't stop them from opening their house and making both myself and my brother feel comfortable and welcome.

I am having a hard time knowing what to do with all of this - as I have the means to give them so much, and would LOVE to give them all things that they don't have - but know that it won't fix a long term problem. I struggle with the fact that I am leaving Honduras for who knows how long in less than 6 weeks and I won't be around to continue to be a presence in their lives. And as I struggle with these things, the Lord continually reminds me that as much as I care about them, that HE cares about them more - and that even when I am not around, HE is. And He always will be. And I have to trust Him and continue to be faithful to the things and the people that are in my life now... faithful to live my life openly before them, faithful to give God glory for all that He has created and what He has done in my life, and faithful to LOVE unconditionally - just as I am loved. I know it is impossible for me to do these things, but with Christ ALL things are possible.

back "home"

What a whirl-wind trip to the US - and I am left sitting here in my little apartment in disbelief that it is already over. It felt like a sprint - and I'm left now to recover from trying (unsuccessfully) to fit in everything I wanted to do while I was in Virginia. BUT I must say that it was a very rich time - especially in spending time with people I care about.
highlights:
LOTS OF BABIES! I was incredibly glad that my sisters were visiting our dad's house with my niece, Victoria, and my nephew, Stephen.

I was also fortunate enough to get my hands on several friends' babies while I was home. :) SO CUTE.

Shenandoah County craziness... apparently the sucker fish are running up stream and get caught at the dam in our back yard - which creates the opportunity for an amusing pastime.. catching the fish and throwing them up the river. ;) I watched.

I did NOT expect it to be SO COLD - I mean, come on - it is April! But I think that this spring weather is more fickle than women.. one day it was beautiful with highs around 80*F and the next a bone-chilling high of 55*F with wind and rain. (note the hoodie in the above picture. yes, I was shivering.)
Now I am back in the very humid 90+ weather of Northern Honduras... and I'm lovin' it. Well, I love it more around 6pm when it cools off enough to take a nice walk without sweating too much.
good times.

I can't believe I only have 6 weeks left... I definitely want to seize every moment and make the most of every opportunity - knowing that time is short.

This week is Semana Santa - or Holy Week - which is the most important holiday of the year. Everyone takes off work and spends the days playing in the rivers and the oceans, cooking food outside, and enjoying each others' company. This is also a special week for me because my younger brother, Caleb, is visiting Honduras. I pray that the Lord is lifted up this week as we remember what He did for us on the cross by paying the price for our sins, and how He defeated death by raising from the dead to sit at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Praise God for His love and His grace He has poured out upon us.

ps. I no longer have a phone number here - but you can always email me :) and I will get back to you as soon as possible!
oh, and apparently it is hurricane season again? We have a tropical storm coming our way...

I LOVE Honduras.

So I am leaving for the airport in 5 hours to begin my day-long journey back to visit family and friends in Virginia. This past week with my mom has been really special (except for the part where she got sick... which can only be accounted to a true Honduran welcome) and I am so thankful to have been able to share my life here with her. I do feel like she was able to see places I love and meet the people who are so important to me here. In addition, she was able to drink water out of a bag, judge a science fair at Brassavola, ride the public transportation, help out in two medical clinics, talk a little bit in Spanish, make tortillas from scratch, meet my hermanitas and their grandmother as well as see their house in Armenia Bonito, and of course, walk around the busy streets of Ceiba. I know that I would have no problem getting her to come back to visit me if I were to stay here (or somewhere else in Latin America) longer. Sharing my life with my mom here has reminded me HOW MUCH I love it - and how richly I've been blessed with amazing, intelligent, and such sweet Honduran friends. I have to remind myself WHY I am leaving here, knowing that I want to do what my Heavenly Father calls me to... but - who knows what the Lord will bring after nursing school... :)

Here I am, Lord. Send me.

beautiful Roatan

My mom, Mari, and I had a great time in Roatan - waking up to the sound of the waves, taking walks on the beach, relaxing in hammocks, kayaking and snorkeling around on the reef, going out to dinner... ok, ok, I'll stop before you get too jealous. ;) Here are some pictures from our time there:
Of course, we can't be in Roatan without spening some time helping out in La Clinica Esperanza. Mom was able to see common medical problems here and help translate Spanish for the newest volunteer in the clinic, an ER doctor that will be there for 3 months. (in this picture, I am posing as a patient with another volunteer, Deb, to give you a view of the exam room.)

We are back in Ceiba now - and I am preparing to head to Virginia on Saturday. It is hard to believe that I was originoally going to be home for good on April 1st. I am grateful for all the support I recieved to be able to stay until the end of the school year at Brassavola - and am definitely looking forward to coming back here on the 10th!

OH! Please pray for my visa situation, I was only given a 30 day visa last December and I need to go get it all straightened out before I try to leave. This usually means spending all morning in the immigration office and then in lines at the bank - and it is a ridiculous and LONG process that can be very annoying and discouraging... so pray that it goes smoothly and for some reason they won't make me pay the $80 to be able to leave! :)

i love kids

This week has been so rewarding - as I have taught in the school, been in Armenia Bonito with our short-term teams, and out in the medical clinic in El Pino. I have loved being an "extra hand" with the teams - to translate for the kids or just someone to give more one-on-one attention.


The little girl next to me in the blue jumper, Jessica Sarai (9 yrs old), and her sister (in front of me - 6 yrs old) have decided to become my surrogate sisters (hermanitas), since of course, all of mine are in the States. They have adopted me quite well - and I am very taken by them both. :) I went to their house this past Thursday - and I am still in shock at what I found: Nothing.
Here I am in a village that has access to the city, so these children are so much better off than a LOT of children in Honduras- and still, they had nothing. (Except, logically of course, a television and stereo system.) I was not going to whip out my camera to take a picture of their home - but let me tell you - they best thing they had going for them was cement floors. They did have a refrigerator - which they proudly showed me, and when they opened it up - I was surprised that there was NOTHING inside it. They showed me their bedroom, which they share with all the kids in the house, that was complete with mattresses that took up the entire room, pero falta bastante.. sheets, pillows, and just about everything else that would normally make our bedrooms our own.
I have fallen in love with all the kids here - especially my hermanitas - and I am SO torn between wanting to give them SO MUCH that I could temporarily give them - and just loving them.. so that they don't come to expect STUFF from gringos all the time. As it is with the rest of this culture, mis hermanitas were very generous hostesses, and they gave me what was, I think, the only piece of food they had in their house - a rotten piece of fruit. I marvel at the fact that they had a tv and stereo but not a table or chairs... or food! I definitely don't understand it, and I don't know if I ever will... but I do know that these two girls have found a special place in my heart and I will continue to spend time with them and give them things, as is appropriate, while I remain in Ceiba.

the days continue to be very full... but I am loving every moment of it. Our two short-term teams leave for the States tomorrow morning, and my mother and I head over to Roatan. I feel like I am running a marathon at a sprinters pace - and I am anticipating another busy week before my trip to the States. Pray that I find rest in the midst of activity each day.

visitors, visitors!

Time continues to fly by as each week is filled with different activities and different people!
Let me recap and give you a look into the next couple weeks for me: Jarrod came at the beginning of the month, and before he left, we ushered a short-term missionary team from Florida. Another team came in today to meet up and join the team we have here currently and will also be working in Armenia Bonito (at the orphanage, Ninos de la Luz, doing construction work and in the village holding and after-school program for the kids). Before both teams leave, my mother arrives for her week visit, and part of that time we will be working in Roatan in La Clinica Esperanza. Then I am heading home for 10 days and will be back just in time for "Semana Santa" with my brother, Caleb, in tow. AND - when Caleb leaves, I find myself with 4 weeks left in Honduras.

I can't believe I have already been here for 6 months!

Here are some fun pictures from hanging out with the kids in the village of Armenia Bonito the past week:
This is an example of the prevalent dichotomy between trying to be a child while having adult responsibilities. This little girl came to do crafts with her friends, but also was in charge of taking care of her young siblings. She was a perfect mother, comforting her little sister when she cried, playing with her, or riding around on her bike with her. We all watched in fascination as a little girl of 8 years mothered this little child, and again realized that this is part of the reason why the girls are having babies of their own at 12.

Something I realized this week was a commonality between the poor children in Armenia Bonito and the more wealthy children at Brassavola Bilingual school. No matter how much money they have, they are all hungry for love and attention. They all need a word of encouragement or a smile. What a privilege I have (and the teams have) to be able to pour out love on these children!

This week coming up, I am looking forward to continuing my Bible classes at Brassavola in the morning and then spending some of the afternoons out in Armenia Bonito with the boys at the orphanage and the other children in the village - lifting up Jesus' name to them and showering them in unconditional love.

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Be Thou my Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art,
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

A piece of Virginia came to Ceiba

As I mentioned earlier, my friend from EMHS came to visit Honduras.  It was arranged for him to get credit for school, but for me - it was really nice to have a piece of my past experience my life in Honduras.  When I go back to Virginia, I will have someone there who will know what I am talking about and understand better what life was like for me here.

 I am so glad to have shared these days with Jarrod - it was really nice to have him here!

 It is sad to see him leave - but I am looking forward to both my mom and my brother visiting in the coming weeks!  I know each visit will be unique - but definitely worth it!

Thanks for coming and sharing a part of my life in Honduras, Jarrod!

some highlights

Here are some of the highlights of this past week:

For those concerned dads out there... let me explain about my friend Jarrod, who randomly showed up in my blog a few days ago. ;) He is a friend from high school, and traveled to Ceiba during his spring break in order to complete his ESL practicum for Covenant College.
He spent the majority of his time here teaching at Brassavola Bilingual school. I was impressed with his flexibility - that he was able to walk into the school and be ready for the administration to give him classes anywhere between 6-10th grade (in English, Math, Science, or Bible) for him to teach. He did a fabulous job, the kids all love him (he has the notes to prove it!) and the school is definitely ready to hire him.

Outside of Bible classes, I have been working with a small group of 2nd graders on a short play that they will perform at the end of the school year. The kids constantly crack me up as I demonstrate putting emotion into the words they read, and then they do the EXACT same thing for every line for the rest of the play. They are so fun - and I'm definitely enjoying working with the kids in a new way.

On Thursday morning we had the opportunity to judge the Brassavola Science Fair. Jarrod and I were judges (along with another woman) for the 6th grade classes. We had presentation after presentation for 6 hours straight - but the kids all did a great job! I was glad that Jarrod would work with them the next day so that he could give them constructive criticism on their projects so they would know why they got the scores they did and how to improve for next time.

We also went out to the orphanage, Ninos de la Luz, where we sang songs together during the kids devotional time and then had time to play with the kids. They always appreciate extra love and attention.
Jarrod and Michael had fun playing futbol and basketball together - and I know that Michael hopes to see Jarrod again someday. ;)

Oscar gave me my first "latino beso de un Hondureno". Que rico!

Time has flown by, but the days have been so full with teaching, loving on kids, enjoying friendships, "breaking bread" together with other missionaries, playing games, and enjoying the beauty of Honduras.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1

Jungle Adventures....

This week has been crazy busy - full of adventures and new experiences - and promises to hold many more! A group of 8 gringos and 3 catratchos (Hondurans) went out to Rio Maria to swim, jump off rocks, and play in the jungle that is Honduras. It was a great time to spend with each other, getting to know each other better and develop relationships more.
Afterwards, I had my FIRST Honduran bicycle ride, with a good friend, Stephanie, pedaling while we shared the steering responsibilities... I was laughing all the way! (It helped to not think about the.. Uncomfortable... bar I was sitting on.) ...we will get a picture of that experience soon!

Praise the Lord for good friends - and great opportunities in daily my conversations to open up and share who He is and how He shows Himself to me. Please pray for me - and every Christian here - that we would continue to be bold in our friendships and not shy away from declaring Truth. Pray that we would be able show what it means to be faithful and unconditional in our friendships with non-Christians (and with the body of Christ!) while holding firm to the standard Christ sets. AND finally, pray for our hearts - that our motivation to LOVE and SERVE would be from the desire to bring God glory and benefit others instead of ourselves.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support and I look forward to hearing from each of you soon! (hint, hint!)

Friday night futbol...

Another "must" was checked off last night as I went to my first futbol (soccer) game to see Vida, one of Ceiba's two professional teams, take on another team. It was such an interesting experience, starting when we bought the tickets - women and kids get to pay half of the price that guys pay to get in- there were little boys (ages 10-13) running around trying to sell us cerveza or pizza hut, a fence around the field that people would jump on and shake when Vida scored a goal, how incredibly... um, vocal.. the crowd was throughout the entire game, and even in how roughly they played soccer! Overall, it was a really fun night - and I'm glad I had the opportunity to go!
The most random experience though, was when we were walking around the stadium to meet some friends, and all the sudden this guy called out to Jarrod - and they go over and greet each other and start talking... Erin and I were left standing there in shock! Jarrod has been in the country for less than 24 hours and he was running into people he knows already? It turned out to be a man named Angel, who sat next to Jarrod on his plane ride here.

For those who care, the game ended in a tie, 1-1.
Viva Vida!

Jehovah Jirah

So today I walked up to a friend and told him, "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
and he looked at me and said, "are you engaged?"
ha.
noooo.


I am completely amazed at how the Lord provides when we trust in Him for His leading. Since I've decided to come home this Spring instead of remaining in Honduras, I've been worried about how I've committed to stay here longer (until June) and will be hurting a lot more financially than if I would have gone home this coming April 1st... and so really it has been putting a damper on me staying.. BUT when I came home from teaching at school today to find an email from UVA telling me that if I accept the position to the CNL program, I will be designated a Fuld Leadership Fellow (sounds official, huh!) ;) AND that comes with $10,000 EACH year to support our education - with no stings attached. WOW. HOW INCREDIBLE! Even now, hours after I first got the news, I am still completely floored - because I have been preparting myself to go into debt in order to pursue nursing school and I didn't want to get some hospital to pay for me because I would owe them time afterwards when all I really want to do is come back to Honduras (or some other underserved area) to work.. I am even more amazed that I didn't apply for any sort of funding, scholarships, or financial aid - and this money just fell into my lap. Praise God!
So needless to say, the Lord has reminded me -AGAIN- not to worry, but to be FAITHFUL to what He has called me to... and He WILL provide for all my needs according to His riches and glory.

R&R by the Sea...

I took a MUCH needed break this week...
I went to the Hotel Canadien this past Thursday with several of our MTW current and future team members and spent the afternoon running around in the pool, eating good food, and enjoying beautiful weather.

The afternoon was SO enjoyable, I did it again. ;)
This afternoon, after church of course, Erin and I went with a friend to the Palma Real in Roma (a little ways outside of Ceiba to the East). For anyone who wants to take a vacation to Honduras.. I HIGHLY recommend this all inclusive resort! It was a shock going there - I was in Honduras one second, and then we turned the corner and walked into something that looked like Florida. What a surprise!
We spent the afternoon laying on the beach, playing in the pool, and listening to a variety of music from the ever popular reggaeton to some oldies but goodies. ;)

I write this not only so that you be jealous :) but really to let you know that we make some time to rest and enjoy ourselves here. MAKE that time in your life!

good news!

I have been offered a position into the Clinical Nurse Leader master's program at UVA... not a moment to late or too soon.

Over the past several months, I had been struggling with what to do with my life - to pursue residency in Honduras and work in a Honduran youth ministry or return to the US and do who knows what. In the process, the Lord has taught me what it means to wait upon Him. Elisabeth Elliot describes it well: "that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one's thoughts." She also warns that "it is easy to talk oneself into a decision that has no permanence - easier sometimes than to wait patiently." I found myself often in that position, talking myself into all the reasons I should stay - and then making that "decision"... and then later talking myself into the reasons why I shouldn't stay - and making that "decision".
I went before the Lord - as He convicted me that I need to SEEK Him first (above my desires to be with my family, my fears of being on my own, my heart for the people here...) and since then I have just been waiting... and learning what it means to wait silently, just offering it up to the Lord every time I thought about what I was to do. In the past few weeks, He has laid it on my heart and shown me through circumstances that for now, my time in Honduras is drawing to a close.
I have such a peace about this decision - although I do get hit with waves of sadness to be leaving people that I have come to care deeply about. I look at my time here and see so much that the Lord has taught me. He has shown me Himself in so many ways, He has given me new direction in my life - as I would have never considered nursing before I came to Honduras - and He has given me an incredible love for Honduras and the people here. I know that as I will look to go home in a couple months, my time here is not over. I don't know what is in store for the future - but I do know that resting in God's plan is the very best place to be.
and just as God is ever faithful to us, He calls me to be faithful to what He has given me here and now... May I be worthy of that calling.

its getting hot, hot, hot!

when weather.com says this: Índice UV: 10+ Extremo - it really means that in the 15-20 minute walk home from church in your tank top and skirt, you can expect to be sunburned..

Rainy season is over - and hopefully soon I will find a happy medium between having very white skin and skin that is very red. Already I am dreading the weather getting hotter - but I know it won't be too long before it is a good 20 degrees warmer here (yes, that means somewhere around 105*F!) If only my visitors knew what they were getting themselves into when they agreed to come in March and April.. ;)
how's the weather where you are? ;)

medical team!

This week has been crazy busy as we hosted a medical short term team out of Georgia. We worked in Armenia Bonita, a barria out by the airport in La Ceiba. Heydi and I were in charge of registration... I think we took the names and complaints of somewhere around 650 people, and the three doctors ended up seeing 520 total in 3.5 days (plus the few that came back as repeats). Some came to be registered for the doctor as "something to do" (especially the kids!) but got tired of waiting so they would go home. Others came back more than once to see how much candy, vitamins, and other meds they could get... so we had to be careful not to send people in more than once for the same problem.
The doctors didn't know much Spanish, so each of them had translators with them. For me, it was espeically helpful working with Heydi because she would take their names (SO hard to understand! but I got better as the week went on) and then I would record their age and complaints for the doctors. I think I was most surprised by how the Hondurans put on their very best clothes and fixed their hair to come see the American doctors.

I made friends with these two girls, Karen and Silvia.. I am not exactly sure what I did other than smile and talk to them a little bit - but on our last day there, they brought me those flowers sprayed with perfume and a note that told me their names and phone numbers. I was really touched... and reminded that - I, being an "extranjera", am watched ALL the time, and the smallest thing makes a difference to others. Don't be afraid to smile at someone you come across in the street or show a little bit of kindness - as it could make all the difference in the world in their life!

children of the light

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offerning and sacrifice to God..." Ephesians 5:1-2
...how easy it is to get caught up in our anger, in jealousy, in gossip, in shame... and out of these things come actions that very often we end up regretting and needing to apologize for... how easy it is to participate in the "fruitless deeds of darkness" without even realizing it. Perhaps that is why Paul writes SO often to to be very careful with how we live. He URGES the Ephesians, as well as many others, to put off our old self and to live the life God intends for us... in the light, instead of the darkenss.. and to be unified. That is why we NEED to meditate on the scripture, speak encouragement to one another, and being thankful to the Lord.. it isn't just because those are good things to do.. but that is the only way we won't allow the devil to get a foothold on us... to tear us apart... to tear us down.
I have been learning that no one is perfect (not even missionaries) :o but praise the Lord we know Who is perfect.. and that is who we constantly try to imitate. Whether you mess up, or someone has messed up and it has affected you... it is never to late to turn to the Lord and tell Him what is going on. Life is so so much better in the light.

a little about la Clinica Metodista

On Fridays I go to El Pino (about 20 minutes outside of La Ceiba) and work in a free medical clinic. The clinic is funded by a Methodist mission, but run completely by Hondurans.
Eloida is the nurse who runs the show - acting as medical care provider and overseer of the clinic. She sees patients, gives shots, and writes prescriptions.
Charles works in the pharmacy, making sure that the patients get their medicine and pay the 10 Lempira (which is about 50 cents) for the entire visit. However, it isn't important if someone doesn't have money to pay for the visit.

I spend part of my time with Charles and part with Eloida. It definitely proves to be interesting and educational! I have become efficient in reading the Spanish prescription and filling it.. although I am always amazed how every patient gets at least 2 different types of medicines to take home with them. Granted, half of the time it is aspirin, tylenol, allergy, or worm medicine - which isn't something people can just go out and buy anywhere out in the pueblo - but still, it always seems like a lot of meds!

With Eloida - I have been privileged to observe many consultations - lots of headaches, rashes, infections, temperatures, and other aches and pains for babies, teens, adults and the elderly. I have become very acquainted with penicillin shots (in the rear end) and how to work a nebulizer. It is amazing to me how Eloida really acts as a doctor - but that is what the situation demands of her, and without her there, the community would get no health care.

There are many things I would do differently - such as actually use a thermometer to take someone's temperature, perhaps check blood pressure or blood sugar as hypertension and diabetes are common problems, and prescribe a lot more drinking of water. I am definitely not coming away from this experience thinking that everything I see is the way to do things... but the bottom line is that it is an incredible blessing to the people who live in this community to receive some form of health care that they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
Seeing the people who come into the clinic remind me just how many needs there are in this country - be it a doctor or shoes for bare feet.

Whom shall I send? Who will go for me?