of the DR; even though I was supposed to to ministering to them. Our main project while there was to help construct a foundation for the expansion of a Christian school's cafeteria; but we nurses were also able to provide some nursing care to some of the locals. I was able to get to know some of the lovely Villa Ascencion villagers, and was invited, along with three others from our team, to eat lunch with one of the families on a couple occasions. It was really neat to eat in their home with them, they are SO hospitable, and welcoming. I had lots of interesting, challenging, funny, and unusual experiences, I don't even know where to start. So, instead, I'll just put some photos on here, they'll be much more interesting than my ramblings anyway.
Shovelling cement -
works lots of muscles
I forgot I had!
Stefan - our fearless leader!
Praying over
the new foundation
Playing with a child in Aguas Negros (Black Waters)
Football (soccer) game -
we lost, 0-6.
The cheering section
for the football game.
Nursing: third-world style
One of the nursing stories is about an intriguing lady named Louisa. Louisa has an infected toe that she has been treating with home remedies for a while. Some of the nurses in our team found out about her and were able to start treating it. I was able to go along on one of the occasions, and was elected to do the actual dressing change, because Louisa was known to swat at whomever was cleaning her toe. So along we went with a whole entourage of care providers. While I was holding the lady's hand with one hand (she had some scary-long nails), did the dressing change and wound cleansing with the other, one of the guys in our group was playing the harmonica - for distraction; another was giving her a shoulder massage - also ready to grab swinging fists; one nurse providing PR - taking pictures and translating; another nurse was squeezing the saline bag to rinse the wound; a third nurse was providing the necessary supplies and helping with 'sterile' field; and finally, the grandson, who was watching all the going-ons and laughing about our unique techniques. In the end, the wound was cleansed thoroughly, the dressing changed, and a wonderful time was had getting to know Louisa. I don't know if our efforts had much effect on the wound on her toe, but I hope that Louisa was able to see a little glimpse of God's love for her through our being there and spending time with her.
Thank you all for your support in this chapter of my life.
- Snuggs
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