The Clinic is Open for Business!

Praise God! We now have an operable clinic in La Esmeralda!!! The number of lives that will be changed by the medical attention dispensed from this one clinic will be incredible!

 

Our day began with another adventurous bus ride to the village but this time, instead of work, we were able to share in worshiping God together. Dennis Fuentes, a recent graduate of the seminary run by the mother church in Managua, presented a wonderful message on the power of working together under God's direction. The church was packed to the limits!

 

After service, we all walked down the hill and then back up another hill to the clinic (our Sunday best soon became our Sunday so-so clothes...the road was very muddy). We were amazed at the number of people that appeared from this sleepy little hamlet. After a few words from Pastor Guy, he, Don Hugo, the pastor of the church, his wife Velma, and the nurse, Carla, cut the ribbon officially opening the clinic! That's when the controlled chaos began. :)

 

We provided the manpower while some of the village women provided the food for the very hungry crowd. Then we proceeded with the activities. Picture a placid pool of water in a tropical clearing, birds chirping, the wind gently blowing through the leaves...this was nothing like that! We brought out a huge garbage bag filled with balloon animals and the placid pool became the site of a feeding frenzy. :) It was all very crazy but fun at the same time. The bags were eventually emptied (two...maybe three seconds later) and then the ladies would ask for the garbage bag so they could take it home with them. Everything was used and very appreciated.

 

Nick, Mundo, and Aaron started an impromptu soccer game which was a big success. Erika grabbed a kickball and started hitting it to all the kids. Kelly, Kelsey, and Jessie passed out hacky sacks. Luke, Hannah and Bill started face painting. Yami and Laura helped kids make foam visors and eveyone else was busy blowing up balloons or preparing even more food for the hungry workers. It was a lot of fun but when all was said and done, everywhere and everyone was coverd in mud! Good times. It's great to be used by God in such a rewarding way!

 

Tomorrow we head back to Managua for our sports competition with the teens from that church. More opportunities to forge lasting relationships in Christ!

 

We serve an Awesome God!

 

Clif