We spent the evening at the Johnson's home hanging out with about 20 youth from their church. Every week the youth are invited to "El Huerto," a hang out/Bible study time in the Johnson's outside patio area. We had a sweet time worshiping with one another in two languages (at the same time) and sharing stories of how God has transformed lives. Bryce Swinehart drove home the simplicity of loving Jesus with his testimony and the 5 words that changed his life: "Jesus come into my heart."
Mornings around here usually begin with a beautiful sunrise over the view of the city we have from the house, sporadic popping of fireworks, and individual quiet times.
Today was our first medical clinic day in a neighborhood called Aliansa. Since we were all unfamiliar with the Mexican medical system, we weren't really sure how things would go or what exactly we were stepping into, but the long and the short of it is that, as always, God had his hand over the details and the day was so good.
Our Charlotte medical team (Dr. Adam , Nurse Kacie, and Translator Maria) was joined by two other doctors - a Swiss physician, Dr Tom, who lives permanently in Ometepec and runs the private hospital, and another Mexican doctor from Ometepec, Dr Augustin, (who joined us at the last minute...even after working a night shift the evening before). Each of the 50 patients we saw today also had the opportunity to hear the Gospel and pray with team members. During the clinic the team was instrumental in interacting with the community who came and keeping los ninos (the kiddos) entertained with street soccer games.
While the medical clinic finished up, most of the team went to watch Ben's weekly soccer game with the "Veterans Team" (for players over 35 years old...and yes, he calls himself "el burro viejo," meaning "the old donkey"). Don't let his age fool you though... El Burro Viejo pulled out more than one hat trick and scored 7 goals for the team win! As they say here... GOALASO!!!!! (awesome goal!!!)
All in all the whole day really was a "goalaso." Community members were loved through physical and spiritual care, the team sweated and played together, and God put together details we could not have planned.
Some praises and prayers:
- Huge praise for Dr Tom and his integral help to us with his knowledge of the local medical system, tropical medicine, and for writing all the prescriptions we needed for our patients. Please pray for him and his wife Rosa as they live out daily life of service to this community of Ometepec.
- Another huge praise for Dr. Augustin for joining our team today. Pray that the love of Jesus in our lives would be a witness to him, especially as he may join us again later this week.
- Praise that God brought the right patients to us today. Pray that the medicines and prayer they received today would do a healing work in their lives. Also pray for the second clinic we will do on Monday. We will only have 2 medical people for this next one and a bigger language barrier as this community also speaks an indigenous language.
Good to hear what y'all are up to there! I also enjoy seeing the pictures of what it's like there. I see Farrell is in her element of playing soccer on the street! But where is CC? What is she doing? :)
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