We just returned from a walk around town. Sundays are the slowest days in clinic, which provides a nice break. A group from Colorado Springs was here last week working on construction and youth ministry here in Ahuas and other towns in La Moskitia (accessible by water or air). They worked closely with one of the 3 pilots in town, Jorge. He is Dr. Norvelle’s cousin and it was fun to meet him last week. He visits the States frequently because his wife and 2 daughters live in North Carolina. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a great impression of Minnesota. The only time he has ever been in MN, he was on his way to Iowa for a speaking engagement at a church and had a horrible sequence of mishaps. His flight arrived late in Minneapolis and the next one out to Iowa was too late to make it to church so he just stayed in Minneapolis. However, his credit card had just expired so he didn’t have money for a hotel room, so he had to spend the night in the airport! Then he flew back home the next day – a completely wasted and frustrating trip.
We’re learning to expect frustrations as well – in travel arrangements, communication of information and expectations, schedules, lack of breadth of knowledge in tropical diseases, cockroaches, and illness (Carrie was sick for a couple days). But, as we approach the end of our time here, we both agreed today that we are glad we came and that God has taught us many things about life in 3rd world countries, the universality of the Gospel, the state of healthcare both here and in the US, patience, trust, and prayer. It’s difficult to write about everything that is happening (and it will probably take years to fully realize all the effects of this month), but we look forward to talking to all of you in person. Hasta pronto ! Andrew & Carrie