Not a Manic Monday...

Today was the first day that we spent at the clinic. We loaded up early (about 7:30) to head to the neighborhood were working in. As we pulled through the barrio there were houses surrounded by garbage, sewer, old cars, and much more debris. In a different situation, I would call them oasis of hope, but the homes didnt provide that. They are old, dilapidated and in many circumstances not much more than one slighly wider room.

We pulled up to the complex where the pastor of the local church, Pastor Humberto, has been working for the last few years, we were greeted by people anxiously awaiting our arrival. The sick were waiting inside filling out fischias--sort of like triage forms in the ED--and children were awaiting the rest of the group for Bible school. We worked throughout the morning and then sto0pped for lunch. Pastor Humbertos church (where I went to church last night) had fixed us lunch. It was a traditional Brazilian spread-- black beans and rice, shredded chicken casserole, boiled potatoes and cuattas (sort of like hush puppies). We had Guanrana and Coka liche to drink and the best fresh bananas Ive ever had.

The afternoon was more of the morning. We saw a total of 93 people today, and dispensed drugs to 135 (dont ask about the math).This is nearly 3 times what the group saw on the first day last year. Keep praying for us and for those that were going to encounter. Part of the medical counseling is that we educate them about their physical health, but also their spritual health. There were several who werethis close to making a decision today...please pray for them.

Tonight, we went to a local mall and got dinner. I had a pasticia (please dont ask me to pronounce it..it wont work!!). Then guess what? More shopping!! Im off to bed. Lots more work awaits us tomorrow.

Ciao