The clinic takes a lot of teams to the Ixtyutla region. The month of May is the beginning of rainy season and the roads get really bad to travel back and forth so this was our last outreach to these villages for the season. It was one of the largest mission teams to be taken up there at one. There were about 33 people on the team. The team included ORU mission’s team, Seol Baptist Korean church, my wonderful boyfriend John, our local medical team, drivers, translators, and 2 cooks. I was concerned about taking a team this large might be overwhelming for the natives. To my surprise this was my favorite outreach thus far. I don’t know if part of it had to do with John being there too:)!
Our 33 team member group!
I felt like we offered so much more than just medical help. The Seol Baptist did a variety of services. They gave haircuts, took photos and printed them out as gifts for the Mixtecos, taught VBS to the children.
They also gave out toys to the children (possibly being the first toy for most of the children) and helped with the team devotions.
Picture of children in line waiting for their toy!The ORU guys and my very strong John did manual labor. They helped with preparing the roads for rainy season. Then we did clinic in two different villages. I of course was in charge of pharmacy. We had three doctors with us.
They guys and their shovels!
John and I after hard day of work!
During our devotional meetings we would translate into four different languages. We had English, Spanish, Mixteco, and Korean. I was just amazed at how diverse the group was but we were with all one purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God. All the devotional times were so up lifting. Hearing everyone worship God in their own language really blessed me.
It reminded me of the verse in Revelation 5:9-10 “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” It was small taste of a few languages, tribes, and people groups worshiping the King together.
Two weeks ago Elisabeth, Joe, Eder, Paullina, and I left for a 14 hour drive to a village called Usiela for a medical and evangical crusade. We drove 12 hours to a city called Tuxtepec to meet up with the rest of our group. The next day we took a 3 hour bus ride to Usiela. On the way we had to switch buses because the rains and river caused a break in the road. We had to unload our luggage and supplies and carry it across were the other bus was waiting for us. Then we finally arrived to the town, we found out that the truck that had our things in it crashed. Everyone was okay and the luggage was recovered several hours later.
Here is what the mudslide did to the road on the way to Usila!The week was really busy. During the day we had consults from doctors and dentist. In the afternoon youth rallies were held and then at night services were held in the town squares. We saw over 800 patients in four days. I was slightly sick the entire trip. I was able to go to two of the night services and pray over people. God’s spirit really fell on people.
Here is little Grace helping me fill prescriptions!
This is a pic of one of the night services with half the village attending, Praise God!!!
On our way back to Puerto we went to Oaxaca City. We went and saw the ruins and ate Rock soup. One of the families from Usiela started a restraint in Oaxaca City. They have a special tradition in the village of Usiela. When a person becomes a special friend of the family, the family shows their gratitude by cooking this special soup for them. The men cook it and no one knows the recipe. The men get these gourd time bowls and fill them with fish, shrimp, spices, vegetables, and water. They get this special rock and heat it. They then put the rock in the bowl with the other ingredients and cook it with the hot rocks. This is the only restraint in the world you can get this type of soup. The family blessed us with it for gratitude of the work we did in their village. It was a blessing.
Here is the soup lined up with the rocks cooking it!
The Oaxaca Ruins!
Then when I got back I had the privilege of spending a few days with my uncle Brian and aunt Gisela. Oh I can’t forget my cute cousin Brendan. It was refreshing to spend time away relaxing and being with family. Gisela’s family was wonderful. They fed me very well. I think I gained 2 pounds in 3 days.
Well, I can’t believe I am coming home in about two weeks.
I can’t wait to see all of you guys. You are such a blessing in my life.
I have some more prayer requests:
~Trip to Amuzgos next week
~Safety for my trip home
~ Easing back into my job and US life
~God to continue to use me for His glory
Praise Reports:
~Safety on the roads
~ The amount of people coming to the outreaches
~ John being able to come and visit
~Time with my family
Thanks you all for your prayers and encouraging words!!!
