We began our day yesterday with yet another amazing meal. These missives would be remiss if I did not mention that one of the highlights for all of us are the meals, prepared and laid before us by Marta, the cook here at the orphanage. These children are well fed with delicious, home cooked meals. We have feasted on her homemade tortillas daily. Each day we fill our plates with fresh pineapple and watermelon, rice or incredible rice mixtures, fried plantains (my personal favorite) and salad. Apparently Wednesday is "fried chicken night," according to Joy, the director of the orphanage and fried chicken has never tasted better. As if that were not enough, we also served ourselves from a mound of Marta's homemade rolls....oh my!
Our clinic yesterday was located in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Jinotega. As we turned onto the road leading to the clinic, we encountered a road block, piles of rocks heaped across the roadway. Before Oscar turned our bus around to go another route, Brian, Kris, AJ, and Ben hopped off the bus, choosing to walk to the clinic site to scope it out and decide how to set up the clinic for the day. Each day, our medical professionals (Brian, Judy, Kris, Ben, and AJ) set up examination spaces, registration space, and the pharmacy. Simon, who is simply Simon if you know him, is omnipresent.
(Ed. note: I was just greeted by a sweet little face popping through the office window saying, "Hey good morning." A good way to commence this day.)
Our day yesterday followed the same pattern as the preceding clinic days. Although each day is flavored uniquely by the community we serve, every day flows with relative familiarity. Patients line up, are called in in an orderly fashion, and with Joy interpreting for Sue, they give their name, age, and a description of complaint. Sue marks on the card if they would like a bible , also indicating if she thinks a prayer shawl is in order. They sit and wait on the white plastic stackable chairs we have lined up as a make shift waiting room. Typically Bea's lab is set outside on a shaded portion of the porch, and I (Ellen) set up the arts and crafts table in a front yard area. Our amazing teens (Luke, Maryann and William) float, weighing patients, facilitating the flow of patients, handing out bibles or coming to help me with the craft table. Sweet Alex will often help entice children to the coloring station. The patients are seen in order of their appearance. Labs may be ordered, and all patients leave with at least vitamins, calcium pills and deworming medicine. If other medication is required the pharmacy provides that as well. Our translators truly make it all happen; without their able language skills, none of this would occur. It is a pretty well oiled machine at this point, all parts running smoothing and in concert with Celeste functioning as our masterful maestro.
The craft table was hopping yesterday. Rainbow looming is now enjoyed the world over I can tell you. We have taught many children to loom--on mini looms, larger looms, and their fingers if all looms are commissioned. At one point yesterday, I stepped away from the crowded table just to take it all in. Our American teens sat side-by-side with Nicaragua children and youth, laughing and managing to communicate across the geographical, cultural, and political boundaries. It is rather incredible how quickly kids connect. Friendships formed at that table. Two incidents stand out. Early in the morning, we had the cutest little boy who immediately made his presence known, telling us his name (all three names) and repeating it until he was certain we all knew him. His animated and happy countenance quickly made him the center of our attention as well as entertaining all who waited in line. He and Luke devised a game with the rainbow loomed that both of them found incredibly funny and soon had us all laughing. His mother and I exchanged knowing nods and smiles. Maryann also made a friend and before the 14 year old girls parted, they exchanged notes written on coloring pages, earrings each were wearing, and bracelets loomed together. Can there be better diplomacy be between countries or a better witness to the all encompassing of love of our God?
Last night the children of the orphanage sang for us and with us, joined us in our devotions, and played games with us.
Today we will set up our last clinic, and late this afternoon, we will pack up and travel back Managua. I suspect this may be our last post and you will need to read the "rest of the story" upon our return. Tomorrow will be a day for R & R--a day to shop the markets, zip-line at a volcano (the jury is out whether this fear-of- heights Nana will brave that one), and see another Nicaragua from the one we have experienced here in the mountains. It will be hard to leave this place filled with the sounds of children, the air that Kris so aptly describes as "deliciously light," the beauty of the land, the colors of the town, and the warm open faces that greet us everywhere. We have received as much as we have given.
Yesterday morning, Joy wore a shirt given to her by a mission team from Greenville, NC. On the back of her shirt were these words:
Love God
Love Others
Love Nicaragua
And to that we add...Amen.
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