Hola from SRM!

Thursday, November 11

Today started with some excitement!  As I walked with sleepy eyes to get my coffee I came upon a HUGE tarantula!  It was the first sighting of the week.  Glad we got to see one, but I'm also hoping I don't see another!  The tarantula made its way into the dining area mid-morning, but two-year Caleb was prepared with the fly swatter.  I'm not sure what the fate of our 8-legged friend was.....

We had a short and beautiful ride to Los Cerros de Chalona.  We set up our clinic in a small vodoo church.  It was an open air clinic--no walls and dirt floors.  We had to run off a hog as we set up for the day. We had a view of the mountains and a refreshing breeze all day.  We were able to see all of our patients (probably the whole village) by 2pm.  It was the smallest clinic of the week, but we saw approximately 160 patients today. 

As I looked around the clinic today, I smiled as I recognized how familiar my new colleagues have become.  Betsy Triggs, the pediatrician, wore friendly and youthful pigtails.  She seems to have a very gentle touch and a loving smile.  Jim Cato, the internist, is jovial and laid back.  He is always quick to joke and share a laugh with his patients as well as the rest of us.  Steven, the ER doc (and my husband) is very efficient and practical.  He kept 2 translators busy part of the day.  Rebecca was so impressive as a pharmacist and a translator.  Her social work experience and her ability to translate have been invaluable.  Lisa efficiently organized all our trinkets and tooth paste/brushes which were probably the highlight of our visit for the kids.  She used our rubber gloves to make balloons and entertain the multiple kids that several mommas brought to be seen.  As we passed the kids on the street on the way home we smiled as we recognized the baseball hats, sunglassed and gloves that many were wearing. 

The surgical team had another successful day--5 tonsillectomies including a child that Betsy referred from the barrios yesterday!  They have finished and are leaving for a ride through the countryside.

Juan Carlos, one of our interpretors and an aspiring teacher gave us many Spanish lessons this week.  Steven, in particular, has learned a lot of Spanish from him.  One of our favorite phrases we learned this week is:
"Vamos hacer un trabajo de Dios" which means "Let's do God's work!"  We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to do God's work in San Juan de la Maguana.  We look forward to a return visit!

Amanda Ragle