A Successful Clinic

We had a rough start today, trying to get organized after having very few hours of sleep. We were up for 44 hours and had 4 -1/2 hours of sleep. Today we had to try to reorganize all of our remaining supplies into our clinic operation. We arrived to our building to find out that school was in session in the building we were to use. Lessons were shortened to 5 minutes more after our arrival. I don't think the kids minded getting dismissed early, but some did not want to see the doctors and nurses instead of going to school. We had one little boy run away from us when we wanted to take a closer look at an infection on his ear. We had an additional set back when we discovered that our preprinted prescription labels were missing. They must be in the suitcase held by customs. Teamwork prevailed when we all pitched in to handwrite the prescriptions in spanish on all of the blank labels we had with us. Within several hours we were rockin' at top speed and had seen and assisted 70+ patients by lunchtime. In addition, we were able to share coloring pages of the song "Jesus Loves Me" and help many children create butterfly crafts. Butterflies symbolize new life in Christ and also symbolize Hope here in Guatemala. Some day we will all be transformed the way "La Oruga" transforms into "La Mariposa" Stickers and candy and nutrigrain bars were also very popular. We even had kids coming back for "seconds" on toothbrushes and toothpaste! They are very excited to have anything of their own and we were able to do some education. Thank you to the AM kindergarten for giving the poster paint markers. We are bringing home many pictures of butterflies that the children in Guatemala have made to thank you for supplying the paints! Many of the children also "escribe tu nombre" --wrote their names so that you can know who they are! Thank you so much for sharing your blessings with them! We will write more tomorrow about our work in the same location. Maybe the boy who ran away will return so that we can help him too!