Barrio Clinic - Nov 7

A portion of the team headed to a barrio about 40 minutes from San Juan.  Two dentists, an internist, a nurse and several Dominicans joined the team.  Approximately 140 patients ranging in age from 11 months to 80+ years were seen for primary care needs while the dentists pulled upwards of 40 -50 teeth.

The best part of the barrio clinic was setting up outside under a tree.  The shade and breeze were soothing and we were able to enjoy being a part of all the noise, laughter, and commotion of the community.  The barrio is home to about 200 families so based on patient counts it seems we saw nearly one member of every family living there!  Solid Rock Missions sends medical teams to a barrio only once or twice a year so this was an important visit for the community.

The barrio clinic was a delightful day that even included a visit from a neighboring pig as s/he cooled down in the small drainage creek that ran through our treatment area.  We gave out around 30 pairs of reading glasses - see below for a happy patient still unwilling to remove the sticker listing the correction strength.

A lunch time walk around the community included a view of the local police outpost and trip to the river that serves as the water supply for drinking, bathing, and laundry washing for the community.  No doubt this is the reason we treated so many adults and children for parasites and malnutrition.

The clinic/surgical team started off strong w/ 8 surgeries for the Matt Speyer - all kids w/ tonsils being removed.  Stuart Smith had ortho consults all day preparing for surgeries on Tuesday and Wednesday.  More may appear as word spreads about the team's presence.  We are the last medical team for 2011 and the next team won't arrive until next January.

After dinner tonight most of our team headed off to play in/watch a local baseball game.  We think we won, but no one really cares as the team is a combo of adults and kids and just hanging out is the real goal despite the intense passion of Dominicans for baseball.  Stuart Smith and Jon Alderman were brave enough to join in while the rest of the gang were loyal fans.

We're all tired from our first day of service and know that God is present as we serve in His name.  We pray that we have clothed ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and patience to enable us to live out the calling for the week.

Benediciones a todos nuestras familias y amigos.  Hasta manana.