wednesday

I´m writing this on Thursday night, because I was too tired last night. We had a very long day... Started at 4:30 am...
Incredible, breath taking views traveling through the Andes Mountains. A bit scarey at times. Our transportation was an ambulance, a jeep SUV, and a pick up truck with wooden rails with people sitting on a mattress in the bed of the truck. Everyone had white nuckles by the time we arrived.
This village was quite different in contrast to our previous clinics. A plush green mountainside vs. the tundra barrin of the days before. There were crops growing like a quilt pattern on the mountain side, and much more livestock.

The people were so hospitable and gracious. Every person, young and old, greet each and everyone of us, with a handshake, a smile and a Buenos Dias! They served us an Ecuadorian speciality Cuq (Roasted Guinea Pig) and potatoes.

The clinic was very busy from the moment we arrived. We saw approx. 128 patients, some with respiratory infectios, most with body aches from their laborous work, eye complaints from the wind and sand, and lastly the most common complaints of headaches, gastritis, and rashes.

The highlight of the day was picking up Darwin. Darwin is the 6 yr old that was identified by last years mission as having a serious cardiac condition requiring surgery. Darwin and his dad accompanied us throughout the day. It was amazing to see how quickly he´s recovering from the heart surgery he had only 1 week ago. Having Darwin running around smiling kept all our spirits up during the craze of the day.

We ended late and had to drive those tortuous roads in the dark and rain. Truely a death defying adventure!!

We picked up the rest of Darwin´s family on the way back to our hostal. We all had dinner together and had the opportunity to learn more about the whole family´s experience through this difficult last year. It was so moving to talk with them and see there sincere gratitude.

It was after 10pm by the time we let our heads hit our pillows. Fortunately we planned to sleep in a little later on Thursday.

Adios
Terry