Sweet Home Alabama

So I always thought that Alabama was just a place you drive through before you get to the beach...and of course there is that Lynyrd Skynyrd song 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Those words are gonna hit a little harder AND I'm gonna be singin 'em loud when I pack up and drive up to Birmingham next fall..because for those of you who haven't heard yet I got into PA school at UAB! :D

Poverty and the Poor. What it means to us, and what it means to them.

My time here has really helped me begin to see the wider effect of poverty on our world and its direct consequence on the lives of people. A few months ago I had a very different idea of just what the word poverty means and how to “fix it”. I used to define this concept more as a material or financial deficit. However, my current definition includes words like loneliness, hopelessness and shame as opposed to a more material description. I am becoming increasingly aware that changing attitudes and patterns is something much more difficult and time consuming to fix.

According to a report published in 2008 by the United Nations about one billion people in our world today live on less than one dollar a day, another 2.6 billion (40 percent of the world) live on fewer than two dollars per day. Meanwhile the average American is living on an average of 90 dollars a day. What a difficult statistic to wrap your mind around. That reality is just so far from us, and it is hard to imagine. Often financial or medical issues of the poor have to be addressed, but I see these folks as having relational needs that are even more glaring. More often than not their poverty is the result of a series of broken relationships, promises or poor decisions. Deep generational poverty usually doesn’t result from one tragic mistake or disaster. This is something we can work to redeem...but that’s just it. It is work and it’s hard! It is much more time consuming to heal and change hearts, minds and relationships that it is to give a medical treatment, a new set of clothes or a tin roof.

God’s grace and mercy to us through Jesus Christ really changes people’s hearts and in turn begins to repair their earthly circumstances. Of course we all suffer from the consequences that sin has brought us but as Christians we have the power to begin to redeem our situations and relationships by inserting the concepts of the forgiveness, grace and hope that the Gospel gives us.


For some (not so light, but very interesting) reading:
Urban Poor in Latin America -World Bank

When Helping Hurts-A book on Poverty Alleviation. Don't let the title throw you...it a great book and is endorsed by the Chalmers Center. If you haven't heard of them and are interested at all in this topic you need to check them out. They have a great philosophy of ministry and a wonderful track record.

Fue un buen Dia de Accion de Gracias, y estoy feliz como una lombriz...

Well it was a wonderful Thanksgiving! And yes, I am happy but maybe not quite like a lombriz (worm...its a Peruvian saying somewhat similar to "happy as a clam") :O

Speaking of worms, I have one for you...it is a tapeworm. Most commonly contracted by eating raw fish which in Peru is found in the traditional dish of ceviche This guy is over a meter long, and yes that is a cologne bottle.


I am currently assisting our Dentist, Angel (and no its not pronounced like you think! It's more like an-hell) for the next few weeks. But in between patients I go over to the lab to see if I can see anything interesting or learn something..like my newest skill...drawing blood!!

Thanksgiving was a bit more tame (minus our turkey...) All of the families and the interns of the mission (46 of us total) gathered in the Bakers home for our delicious feast and had music and a worship service afterward. Of course followed by a Thanksgiving Day siesta!



Mmmm!! Ha, this looks bad but don't worry the other one was much more presentable. Probably one of the prettiest birds I've seen yet. All the food was so great and it made me want to come home for Christmas dinner!

At prayer group tonight we went back and looked at some of the prayer requests/struggles and praises that we intern girls (and Alleen!) have been sharing for the past few months. It was so incredible to listen and laugh at them all because in their own way they have all been answered. Those of us struggling with homesickness aren't too anxious to go home for Christmas because that means our time is halfway over! And others who were seeking time and energy to spend with our Peruvian friends have been going out with them to dinner and to hang out and talk. I had been praying about getting an interview at UAB for PA school and don't you know I've got one! December 14th....so now I am thinking about that and what it could be like if I got in. But if that doesn't happen I am completely content coming back home for a few months, working and then applying again!

I'll be home soon. December 9th. :) I'm excited about getting back and visiting with folks but I need to buy my return ticket for next summer, which makes me pretty sad! I love it here! I am content and I'm finding my place and purpose in the mission and working in the clinic is wonderful. I am so excited to see everyone though, I miss ya'll!

Long overdue

It has been a few weeks since my last update....partially because I have been away from Trujillo and internet for much of it but also when I am back here I am exhausted and don't feel up to writing! I am sick right now and not leaving my bed which has left me no excuse but to update this thing and catch up with people (which I have been terrible about...sorry.)But apparently the Lord has now provided some time for me to do that ;)
Two weeks ago I went with a group of Peruvians and Americans from Larco Church to the region of Ancash in the Andes. Our purpose was to conduct a study and investigate the presence, influence and attitudes of people there towards the Church. We started our journey on the western side of the Andes near Huaraz, and later traveled to the other side of the Cordillera Blanca to the cites of Huari and Chavin as well as several other pueblos. The people group from this area are known as the Southern Conchucos, their main city is Huari which is at about 10,500 ft above sea level. Supposedly there are only 0.24% Evangelicals (about 700 total). The majority of the Roman Catholics (95% of the S.Conchucos) are cristo-pagan syncretistic. During our time there we took observations and talked to local folks in order to gather information. The week that we were there was during a festival so the towns were swollen with people and activity...we got to see some parades and costumes and all the folks in their best dress. We also went and met several missionaries of different evangelical denominations who are serving in the area.
I have to say that one of the most memorable experiences of the trip was a visit to a remote village outside of Chavin called Iscog. The pueblo is a few hours walking outside of the town and is only accessible by foot (or burro if your lucky). We started out from town accompanied by an caballero of 78 yrs of age...drunk as a skunk unfortunately but despite his age and condition (...ahem)he had no trouble with the terrain (unlike myself! I blame the altitude...) so we walked up up up the mountain passing through a few little stands of trees and homes with cuys (guinea pigs) and snotty nosed kids and drying hides. The valley was very dry and it has not rained there in months...a problem considering this is a herding and farming community. Eventually we reached the top and the school at Iscog but there was no one to be found at first except for a few curious kids who just wanted to play some ball with us. Everyone else was in the fields or with the animals. We had a young man who was wearing blue jeans and a graphic tee walking along and talking with us for a while. (Young people in the Sierra want to modernize and dress like Westerners...but they always stick out to me here because they are wearing rhinestone jeans and everyone else is in more traditional wear...often bright beautiful wool outfits for the ladies) Anyway eventually a man came down to talk with us for a while about the community and what they think they need. They have been desperately pleading for rain. We ended up in a circle...the Peruvians and Americans, even the snotty nosed kids. Everyone. We held hands and asked God to send rain. We asked in Spanish. We asked in English..and then we asked in Quechua too.

Wouldn't you know that once we left and started to walk back to town big fat drops started falling from the sky.






The same day we returned the interns boarded a bus for Ecuador to renew our visas. We stayed in Cuenca, Ecuador for a few days and also visited Cajas National Park (it hailed!!) before heading back across the border. It was a good time to rest and relax and get ready to go back to work. Although I have to say the 70+ hours in buses and combis over the past 2 weeks was starting to get to me!! :O If you want to see all my pictures you can always access them by by going to my Picasa albums.

He's out and about

Terri and I went to find Sr. Leon today and found him in the market begging for some change. We wheeled him home and took his glucose changed him and talked for a while, then we read Psalm 121 which we also sing in church sometimes...he has been trying to teach us new songs in Spanish because we have been singing in English when Percy isn't there! Sr. Leon's vision is bad and he can no longer read but he was reciting the Psalm as I was reading (in my terrible accent!)

Salmos 121
1ALZARÉ mis ojos á los montes, De donde vendrá mi socorro.

2Mi socorro viene de Jehová, Que hizo los cielos y la tierra.

3No dará tu pie al resbaladero; Ni se dormirá el que te guarda.

4He aquí, no se adormecerá ni dormirá El que guarda á Israel.

5Jehová es tu guardador: Jehová es tu sombra á tu mano derecha.

6El sol no te fatigará de día, Ni la luna de noche.

7Jehová te guardará de todo mal: El guardará tu alma.

8Jehová guardará tu salida y tu entrada, Desde ahora y para siempre.

Leche Condensada

We have a diabetic patient at the clinic who came in recently quite ill and we had to send him to the hospital. He has been out for a week in his home on bedrest and Percy and Terri and I have been visiting him daily. Sr. Saturnino is elderly albino man with advanced diabetes. He cant walk or feel anything below his knees. I can't hear any breath sounds until the upper 1/3 of his lungs because they are full of fluid! Still haven't figured out how he was released in that condition...but thats another story.

He has 5 siblings an estranged wife and several children in Trujillo, but they have been reluctant to care for him because they want to inherit his house (not that there is much to it..)We have been bathing and changing him in hopes that he will be able to regain his strength. This has been a wonderful and interesting experience....singing Psalms in Spanish while taking care of him. Today he was asking us all about why we are here and what this was gong to cost him! We go through this every few days, but today Percy wasn't with us so I was on my own with the spanish. It went well though, I was able to explain first of all that it was gratis (free!)and that we were interns with the Presbyterian church. Also that we are here working in the clinic and helping the church serve the community. He said "Oh que bueno que bueno...la iglesia presbyteriana.." I proceeded to tell him no we weren't here serving the church, we are here to serve the Lord! He is quite the interesting character to say the least.
Today we were very busy in the clinic and didn't get out to visit him until 1 in the afternoon or so. Terri Patty and I walked in to see him up in his chair for the first time. At first I thought he was drinking an Ensure and I was wondering where he got it. Oh no. Not Ensure....leche condensada. Sweetened condensed milk..for the wheel chair bound diabetic! What happened to the diet counseling...the daily glucose checks? After expressing our firm and clear disapproval of his binge Sr. Saturnino commenced to tell us that it was ok and his body was accustomed to it! Everything in moderation! :O We have our work cut out for us I guess.

Getting out of my box

We had a great time this week with a small team from IPC Savannah. I got out of my normal clinic routine and helped with campaigns in Larco and Arevalo Chruchs, as well as in the new church at Parque Industrial. We were also able to see patients in the clinic Thursday and Friday. The team consisted of Paul Carpenter (pharmacist), Ryan Moody (internist and pulmonologist) and Frankie Daniell. Frankie and Paul were able to help us replace the current roof over the stairwell and waiting room which was really in need of replacing because when it rains (although not often!) the water flows leaving streaks on the walls and puddles in the clinic. But not anymore! So it was a great week, I learned how to listen to the heart and lungs and we will no longer come to work with water on the floor!



This week was a great opportunity to get out of my “box” at work—literally I work in my little room in triage in the morning and don’t really leave. Although I love my work there it is good to sit in with the Doctor when I have time later in the day. These opportunities lead to chances to get to know patients and their stories, for example....
This past week I had a 13 yr old boy from Clementina come in with his mother (who is having her 6th child in December). I was really interested to see what was going on with this kid. In triage he said he had dizzy spells, and strange headaches, heartburn especially after sodas, numbness on his right side, general malaise…and a lot of other seemingly unrelated issues. Terri and I guessed gastritis and a parasite, according to Dr. Mario’s diagnosis I think we got it! Jeisson is 13 years old, and his Dad is in and out but not really around or involved. This kid has been the doorman in a combi (public transport van) for 3 yrs. That is to say he has been working a man’s job since he was about 10 years old, and is not in school. His income is possibly the biggest contribution to his household—I'm not sure about his Dad. Such a little grown-up, but still runs over to his Mom in triage while I am trying to get his weight and whispers something about being embarrassed about his dirty socks and smelly feet in her ear. He is still young and innocent enough to have a childlike heart, but I am sure he has experienced many disappointments, hardships and broken promises in his short life so far.
People and stories like this are too common to be considered or bothered about much, or at least be out of the ordinary. But this kid stuck with me for some reason. This week he and his mother came back into the clinic for a check up and I invited him to come with Terri and I to climb the Cerro behind Clementina for a good view of the city. We went on Saturday morning and had a great time. The clinic is only a 3 or 5 minute walk away from the fringe communities where people like Jeisson live, but unless you go out there often you tend to forget how they live. A few examples being the men sitting outside their homes drinking at 10 am. Thankfully, this is frowned upon (at least for the moment) by Jeisson and his little friend Juan Marco who promptly informed us that they were borrachos (drunks). Thank you boys, we didn’t pick up on that one ha. But really can you imagine the bitterness that these kids must harbor if their fathers are like that? The kids have to quit school and work to provide for their siblings or pregnant mother. Then after a few years of living this tough stressful reality they turn to the same outlets that their fathers did....drinking or drugs or women. Don't forget about the countless sick small children playing in the dirt together, alone without supervision. When the kids get thirsty, they all drink directly—and I do mean directly…they put their whole mouths on the newly acquired water spigots. Unfortunately, on top of their mouths being all over the spigot, the city water as it comes to Clementina is unclean and unbeknownst to these kids harbors the bacteria and parasites that make them sick. There are 4 access points in the community I believe. They are quite lucky to have access to water, I was surprised to see the nice concrete fountains. When I asked how they got these so quickly I was told that they are stealing the water by tapping into a city source. I am sure they will have to pay some exorbitant price for that water later....

Anyway, all this to say I am glad I got the opportunity to get to know Jeisson, Juan Marcos and his little dog, Como Tu. I don’t want these any of these observations to be taken as judgmental or ethnocentric. By no means are they intended to be such…we all have our own faults and problems. If anything it is remarkable how their lives can progress and bloom when given the opportunity. We live very different lives, but for some reason I can't help but identifying with these kids...and seeing what they have to experience makes my childhood innocence die a thousand little deaths all over again. So...It's good to get outside of your box...hike and talk a little...learn a lot about who it is you are serving and what its like to be in their shoes, however smelly.

1º Charla de Salud

Yesterday we held the first of what I hope to be many "charlas de salud" (or health chats) for the women involved in Peru Missions microfinance ministry-Sinergia. There were at least 40 women all crowded into Sinergia's office space (and out the door) watching and listening as our Obstetriz, Sonia spoke about womens health and other..ahhgm, hygiene issues. I was amazed that not only did these women take time out of their day to come but they listened attentively and had lots of questions. I am really looking forward to more of these and enjoyed the opportunity to participate in something that will directly impact the health and lives of these women.

Tengo música!

Today we were out on a campaign in Parque Industrial and I was talking to this little boy who of course wanted to play with anything and everything and he got a hold of my stethoscope. So I help him put it in his ears and let him listen to his heart. I asked him what he heard and after thinking for a minute he replied "Tengo música"-I have music!
Karina and I outside of the church in Parque Industrial. She has been faithfully volunteering to help in traige with patients- registering people and taking money or giving out tickets. Not the most fun job and it can get hairy when we have large campaigns. I am so grateful for our Peruvian friends and staff, they are all amazing and I have so much to learn from them. Mil gracias amiga!

Poco a poco...estamos creciendo

Last week the clinic got a new sign, which I am quite excited about! I believe this is an important step in increasing our visibility in the neighborhood.


We have also launched the new blog for Peru Mission's Medical ministry and and clinic. Part of my job here is to promote the work of the clinic back home in the States and provide information about happenings here in this ministry.

The clinic recently hired a new Dentist, Angel Rosario, who we keep very busy out here in Wichanzao. He always has a smile--siempre con sonrisas! We also have a new lab tech, Kelvin who joined us last month and we recently celebrated his birthday, (as well as Kristi...our clinic psychologist) in the clinic!







Also, we have a new intern in the clinic! Terri Attardo is a recent graduate of the Nursing program at UConn and will be working with us for 6 months. I am so excited to share this time with her and learn from her! This photo was taken last week at a meeting of all of the clinic staff. Lora and Dale have created a manual to formalize clinic policies and so we had a lunch before going over it. I am glad we ate first because it took us almost 3 hours to get through it! We took turns reading out loud...in Spanish :O

A weekend in Huaraz

This past weekend Nick, Mark, James and I went to Huaraz for the weekend. I had so much fun but it was definitely a whirlwind, I would have loved to stay longer but had to get to work Monday. Our bus left Thursday night at 9pm and arrived in Huaraz at 7 the next morning. We got to out hostel (Caroline Lodging) which was really nice (well..by my standards..it was a clean bed and a hot shower with a free braekfast!) I am really hoping to make this trip again, the bus was only about 20 USD and my hostel room was 5 USD a night. After getting to the hotel Friday morning we ate and then hiked to some ruins a few miles outside of the city. Needless to say I put a few miles on my boots this weekend but I had a great time and we were grateful that the Lord protected us from getting hurt or sick! We certainly would love to go again if we get the chance! On Sunday Nick read this very fitting passage for us on the way up to Lago Churup:

Psalm 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

By the way…I also want to send a big THANK YOU to Margaret Scroggs, NP (and the Daniel Clinic!...?) for the package of things for the clinic I got today! It was the first one I have gotten since being here, and I can’t wait to bring it in to the ladies tomorrow. That note and package meant a whole lot to me Mrs. Margaret, it made my day...Thanks!

Cerro Cabras

Last week one afternoon after work some of the interns climbed the hill that overlooks Wichanzao and Trujillo. This hill, called Cerro Cabras (literally Goat Mountain) is dry and brown for most of the year but has turned green in the past few weeks due to all of the rain (aka mist!) we have been getting. I really loved getting out of town first of all for some fresh air…it doesn’t stink quite so much up there! But also because of the amazing view this vantage point affords. From this point, depending on the weather you can see all of the district of La Esperanza (north of the city) and much of the city as well. It is so amazing to see all the communities that I have worked in since being here-Wichanzao, Arevalo, Clementina, Nuevo Jerusalen, Parque Industrial, Milagro and others. We climbed up and looked for a few minutes trying to spot out all of the neighborhoods and landmarks we knew before heading down and singing (apparently there is quite the range of voices in our group!)I tried for about five minutes to get my camera set up to take a picture, but the wind was so strong it just kept blowing the camera over! We finally got one that is crooked but we are laughing and I think it just captured the moment well! :D







(If you haven't noticed..all of my pictures can be found by clicking on the MY PHOTOS link on the right side of the blog!)

New Interns

The interns for this coming year have arrived! This is a picture of all of us...the old and the new at the beach this Saturday.

Meagan Samuelsen
Katie Bivens
Julie Breck
Heather Campbell
Julie Rogers
Jose Salaverry
Chip White
Nick Meyer
Mark Gregory
Emilio Salaverry
Chase Gosselin
Heidi MacDonald
Amanda Willis

I recently was writing a friend about some struggles she is having and through thinking about this conversation have begun to realize some sin in my own life that I have been avoiding….procrastinating, you might say ;)

“...it has been interesting (Im sure you can relate...) to be ripped away from everyone/the norm and start over on your own. Honestly this is my first time and I am struggling with it on several levels. i think my tendency to "stay busy" and not take time and create a space to reflect this past month has built up some tension inside..so im dealing with that. And am thankful that God is showing me these things so I can begin to work through them now!”


When we get settled into our daily routines sinful habits and patterns seem to blend in and sneak into our work and our relationships. In the past month and a half my life has changed in many ways….this has magnified some of the sins already in my heart that I have managed to conceal from myself or just pushed out of mind.
During my time here in Peru I have noticed my tendency to procrastinate and put off difficult tasks when I am not sure how to tackle them. Now to be fair a lot of these projects or tasks are ambivalent or lack a real timeline, but they are still things that need to be done. For example, working on the independent study course I am supposed to be taking, applying to different schools or writing to family and friends back home. Sometimes this even reaches into work tasks. I am in charge of starting a blog for the clinic and updating pictures. I have done this but am not sure what improvements to make or what to do next and so updating this just gets forgotten and put back on the bottom of the list of things that I need to get done. I am still quite functional and even have time to help others with things, but I have recently been feeling the need to address this issue honestly with myself. God has given me great gifts, responsibilities and opportunities…and I must be a good steward of all of those things. And I need to be consistent and intentional about that work!

The intern book this month “How People Change” spoke of how our actions and the responses that come out of the difficult situations or “heat” in our lives are really just reflections of the heart. I was reading Jeremiah 17 this morning and really thinking about this chapter. Here are a few verses:

5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Reading this passage really reminded me of the roots of the problems I am finding myself in and that my actions and habits are not really due to culture shock or communication problems, etc. (Which are a definite reality and ever present temptation to blame!) But they are flowing out of my rebellious heart! However I find great comfort in the fact that “ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46: 1)

In Jesus Christ, God has given us everything we need to overcome these struggles and addictions and patterns in our lives if we are in communion with Him and seeking His will. In spending time in reflection and prayer and with the help of the Spirit and with accountability from my brothers and sisters I hope to move forward through repentance and in faith that this is a situation that can change...now! ;)


10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46: 10-11

Pediatric campaign in Milagro Sector 6--Tuesday

Today we had another day of the Medical Campaign with the Norfolk, VA team! We were in Milagro once again but in a different sector, and operated out of a school ('colegio') called Circulio Solidario. We saw 80 kids and also had dentistry with our new Dentist from the clinic, Angel. He saw an amazing number of patients today..I know it was more than 40. Here are a few photos...

Although by the time I got the chance to get away from triage the day was winding down and things look deserted...but I assure you they were hopping earlier! And the free toothbrushes (and worm pills) were still a big hit!

From Trujillo July 2009

Cyntia helping in the dental area...

From Trujillo July 2009

My little friend, hehe. We were teaching him to count on his fingers

From Trujillo July 2009

From Trujillo July 2009

From Trujillo July 2009

From Trujillo July 2009

Pediatric campaign in Milagro Monday

Today began at 7 am this morning when I got up to be at the clinic for 7:30…we have a team in from Virginia this week and so our first day of clinic was in the barrio Milagro which is north of Wichanzao on the Pan American. The team has three pediatricians and one physical therapist so we were limited to seeing patients in those populations.

We were based out of a Presbyterian church of another Presbyterian denomination (interestingly started and currently pastured by South Korean missionaries) and saw 70 kids today. Everything ran smoothly but in the beginning we had some difficulty because most of the children that came didn’t have their parents with them. This is because they are all working during the day and usually the kids would be in school but of course the Peruvian schools are having a swine flu scare and just decided to let the kids out a few weeks early. We weren't sure how many patients we would have if we charged for the visits, because this is a very poor area so we saw the kiddos for free. We had a great turn out and had a lot of fun as usual with them...while they waited they got to color, play games and blow bubbles. Very cute!

We finished around 1pm and went to the church in Wichanzao for lunch (always a favorite of mine! The ladies at the church know what Peruvian food the Americans love!) I stayed around until 5 in the library where I have started to volunteer. The Wichanzao Church opened this library in May and I think it is quite the draw! There are always kids and teenagers in there reading, surfing the net or playing chess and checkers (first time I've seen that in Peru!) I will be there on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 3-5pm. It is a great opportunity for me to get to know people in the community and talk with the kids, as well as read and learn about Peru. I will help keep it organized and help children with homework or projects, or just talk and hang out. The library is not huge, but it is definitely a blessing to Wichanzao and a great chance for me to get to know people in the community.

Also, on a more comical note I had a bit of an adventure in the collective on the way home. First of all there were 9 people in the car...I was in the back seat by the window when a nursing mother and her Mom got in with me. Okay, roomy enough until another man gets in the back too and so while squeezing in someone bumped the baby..which was by the way the healthiest (fattest) baby I have ever seen. In all seriousness though it really was a sight to see! Anyway...the baby is crying and so the mother starts to nurse her. Not out of the norm here at all, in fact hardly a day goes by when I don't see that, especially in the clinic. However, it is usually not in a car with 9 people, and inches away from my face! I mean literally....whew. Anyway I just had to turn my head and laugh, I love this place! Hah, not a day goes by without something like that happening. They say laughter and a good sense of humor is some of the best medicine for culture shock and homesickness...so I'll take all I can get!

Another day in the clinic

Every morning in the clinic before the day gets going all of the staff gather together in the waiting room for a devotional and prayer led by Percy Padilla, the Pastor of the clinic. Usually we are joined by one or two early birds to the clinic, but most people don't show up until it gets a bit warmer out. Well, Tuesday is the day that Dr. Mario (one of the Peruvian physicians) attends patients in the clinic, and he is quite popular with the people in the neighborhood so by 8 am our little clinic was full of patients! So everyone had to stand because we didn't have enough chairs...such a blessing to have a room full of people to hear God's word but not when there aren't enough chairs! When I first got here I wondered why some days the clinic almost seems dead and others it is just bursting. I quickly found out this has a lot to do with the physician that is attending patients that day--and Dr. Mario is a favorite. To get you up to speed there are several Peruvian doctors who work in the clinic during the week. Occasionally we have teams from the states in the clinic or a doctor will come for a week or two, but the day in and day out patient care falls mostly on our Peruvian doctors who can serve as primary care physicians (although this concept isn't widely practiced here--most people come out only concerned with immediate needs).







The last patient I triaged today was this elderly man from the Sierras who was a farmer (agricultor....paltas/avocados, manderinas, limon/lemons). He came in with a complaint of some chest pains. I was trying to take his blood pressure but the machine kept giving me an error signal, so I went and found a cuff to take it manually (*We only have two stethoscopes in the clinic so I use mine all the time..Thanks Mom!) I had a bit of trouble though because this guys pressure was through the roof! We had a good little talk afterwards while I was taking his medical history. He was born in the Sierras in Huamachuco and was about 78 (I think...he wasn't sure so I just kept throwing years out at him and he eventually decided on 1931!). He told me about the different places he had lived in Peru and things he had seen. He worked around Huaraz for a long time and told me about that area. I am hoping to go soon with some of the other interns....there is a good bit of climbing there and it is supposed to be beautiful. He said there is always always snow and ice, and bitterly cold at night but so beautiful. He also taught me my first bit of Quechua..bread (pan in spanish) is t'anta. I love talking with the characters that come in...so fascinating to learn from them and they have had some very interesting life experiences.