This team required the skills of a translator who could speak Creole so anyone with Spanish skills did limited talking. We were in a city-like setting with running water at the church. During lunch the team took a bit of a walk around to see the markets and at the end of the day traveled the short distance to the Haitian border for a look through the gate to "no man's land" that exists at the river between the 2 nations.
On Wednesday the team got a little lost and enjoyed the experience of the bus getting stuck. Instead of getting to the planned location, the team decided to set up at an available school. Just before getting there our fearless leader, Juan Ernesto, began recruiting patients by yelling out the bus door letting the residents know that a team of American doctors and dentists was there to serve them - it was like having our own pied piper. Our lunchtime walk took us to the river that served as the crossing point between neighborhoods as well as the local bathing spot.
The final day of barrio clinic on Thursday was held in a very remote school down a valley accessible only by gravel road. We finished a little early and headed to a nearby waterfall to eat our late lunch and enjoy the cool waters of the area. Upon returning to San Juan de la Maguana we made a quick stop at the local market and then walked into town to visit the main cathedral including a climb to the very top for a 360 degree view of the city.
Three of our team members opted to sponsor children attending a school built by Solid Rock. On Thursday night those children came to meet their sponsors. It was great fun to watch them see the children meet their new friends and "cheerleaders:"
Our Friday morning departure greeted us with a little bit of excitement as a nice sized tarantula had made its way into one of the rooms to say good-bye. We're all just hoping none of his friends found their way into our luggage for the return trip to the US!!!
We really enjoyed our visit and guesthouse stay. Dan, Kari, and Nicole make for a wonderful team and we thank them for their tremendous care of all of us. God speed to them all and may God bless them for their service to all.
Peace out from the First Presbyterian Nashville mission team - Doc Holliday and the best team ever!!!
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