clinic day 1

Today was an adventure.  An adventure in lessons about patience for the entire team.  We knew this year has been incredibly difficult in terms of organization.  Connie has just about pulled her hair out and I think today she probably nearly came unglued.  After months and months of sending all the medical licenses, passports, social security numbers, place of employment, etc, etc, etc the government decides our dentist can't practice.  That was after a trip to get equipment to do fillings and restorations instead of pulling teeth. As disappointing as it is, we hope it might just be for today.  At the end of the day, they called the "higher ups" and said he might be able to practice tomorrow.  Everything here takes forever.  I mean forever.  Something so easy turns into a very difficult and out of our control situation.  So, Connie waits by her cell phone and hope it takes a better turn.  We try to do everything by the books.  We do whatever they ask of us.  We get all the proper approvals.

So, we just know it is out of our control until we hear something. 

Everything else seems to be moving along.  This is the first time ever that the Ministry of Health has come into our clinic.  They made us use their pharmacist working alongside our pharmacist, which we knew beforehand.  It worked well.  Tomorrow we go to Ladyville village and set up in the community building.  Last year this was one of the busy days.  We hope it is busy this year as well.  Ladyville is just outside of Belize City and a very needy community.

Jon Amonette has been busy taking great photos on our trip - he is able to capture some amazing moments.
Many of our team members sponsor children in the areas in which we work.  It is so nice to see them connect for the first time.  There are many memories made during those few moments each year.
 They are always bringing half their suitcase full of stuff for the kids.  I know I always pack as much as possible and when we get here, I wish I had brought more!  

As we visit some of the homes and spend a little time there, you start to think this is ok living conditions.  Then it gets dark.  No electricity.  Then your clothes are dirty and you wash them for half the morning.  Your closet (hanging rack) is hanging above your sofa with 2 small uniforms and 1 little dress.  You walk on rocky roads everywhere with bad shoes carrying your newborn.  When it rains your house gets wet inside - really wet.  There are no mattress covers.  Sometimes no mattress. 

Each day we should be thankful. 
jenny