We had 3 baptisms today. One was around lunchtime. The other 2 were tonight. All women. So that was a big uplift.
So the clinic opened today. Imagine a big line of El Salvadorians in hot weather. Later in the afternoon we managed to get a couple of canopies over them to keep the sun off of them. Phil and Gary were there to offer aqua to the crowd. The water was still warm but they took it anyways.
The clinic has multiple stations.
Registration where some local ladies decide if they are of needing it financially (i.e. we don’t want people who are rich to be getting free medical care).
Next they have nurses to check their blood pressure. Next PD checks for lice. Then they get to see a doctor to consult with them about their ailments. The most common ailment is digestive worms. Each child gets a free dose of worm medicine. Afterwards they get their pills and health aids (toothbrush, comb, toothpaste, shampoo, soap). Then they are able to see a dentist for extractions only. You should have heard some of the kids crying over fear of getting their teeth pulls. I kept kidding Donna Crisp that she was making them cry. The last stations is head scrubs. Carolyn Eakes did a good job working all day at that station. Carolyn is still a licensed beautician although she doesn’t practice (just uses it to get wholesale shampoo)
Canaan from San Antonio is cool. He’s got a good heart and mind toward evangelism. He says his Biblical name is a good tool to start Bible conversations with people.
David Shannon went with Cesar (Honduran preacher) to do Bible studies. Initially he conducted the study with Cesar translating. However Cesar was such a good evangelist, he took off on the study on his own. While they were studying a chicken ran through the house. Apparently this is common. The homeowner and Cesar didn’t pay any attention to the chicken. Pretty soon a rooster came into the house. David thought he was going to crow.
Tonight�s service was interesting. Phil led us in traditional songs. Then Cesar led us in Spanish songs. Some were the Spanish versions of our English songs. Some like “There’s Not a Friend like the lowly Jesus,” “Blessed Assurance,” “We Praise Thee O God.”
Then the service broke up. The kids went to the childrens’ class. Phil and a translator took the teens while the Spanish preachers taught the adults. The children’s class was filled. Phil had had about 20 or so kids in his class.
A couple of teenagers came along expecting to play soccer. When we tried to get them to go to class, they said they were not allowed to. We later found out they were Mormon. Jacob tells me that kids can get disowned if they attend a church service.
We are coping with the inconveniences. No good drinking water from the facet. Washing our hands constantly. We do have access to cold colas from a stand on campus. 40 cents. 25 cents for water.
Food has been good. Raviolli for lunch. Mac and cheese for supper. Better than what I expected.
So its a good day. I still don’t know what I’m a hard core Latin American missions person – one that comes year after year no matter what. Its a good trip, but there is alot of preparation involved. You know its good I have this extra time at night to write such a long entry. I didn’t do this when I was in China.