Nicaragua

Can't believe we've been gone a week!  We have been VERY busy so unfortunately, we didn't have time to blog on Wed.

Our day started off yesterday with a young boy (Dennis) being brought to the compound from a village in the jungle a day away north of here.  He was accompanied by a man who was his present caretaker.  He had a very nasty looking cleft lip.  He was evaluated by the doctors here and was immediately sent to the hospital to prepare for surgery later in the day.  As his story unfolded, we learned that he was 16 yrs. old and looked no more than 12 due to years of malnutrition.  His mother had died and his stepfather had beaten him.  Dennis had been wandering through the jungle.  It was very emotional for all of us to see such a sweet boy and know that he has a miserable life.  He got to ride in a pickup to the hospital and didn't even know how to open the door.  He hid his face as he was ashamed of the way he looked.  Many a tear were shed over him yesterday and last evening.  He is doing well post-op and was expected to leave the hospital this afternoon.  We hope his life will be improved with his "new lip".

Tamra and I have been working almost non-stop helping the Dr.'s with minor procedures such as scar revisions, mole removals, biopies to evaluate for skin cancers, keloid removals, etc. We have worked with all 4 of the doctors but primarily Dr. Gomez who was one of the co-founders of Nicaplast and who runs a medical school in Leon. Today we did 22 procedures by 1:00.  Would have done more but we had to give up the operating room that we were working in to a Nicaragua dr. 

Dean & Sue have kept very busy in the OR's, Catherine with the children's ministry & Cole has been everywhere helping wherever he has been needed.  He has done a great job and we're all hoping he chooses medicine for his career.  He would be a great assest to any medical community he would choose.  He has the loving and caring spirit that would make him a wonderful dr.  Catherine's experience as a teacher has served her well.  The children have enjoyed their time with her and have been blessed by her talents. 

We have been so blessed to be working with 4 wonderful doctors.  They LOVE their patients and it shows.  They are very caring and take special care with each and every one of them.  Dr. Kurt shared with us last evening some of his story and said that his faith in God has become much stronger because of his experience with us this week.  He was very touched by Dennis' story as well, and felt very honored to have been involved with his care and treatment.  Dr. Taez (not sure if spelling is correct), ENT, is a pastor in Bluefields and has been a joy to work with too.  Dr. Gomez has shared many of his experiences with us and is a very interesting gentleman.

A special treat for me last evening was being able to attend Mass and Ash Wednesday services at 1 of 3 Catholic churches here in Puerto Cabezas.  It was a big church and was completely full.  That was a pleasant surprise to see so many people there in spite of the heat.  I found out during a procedure with Dr. Gomez during the day that he was Catholic and was hoping to go to Ash Wed. services.  He invited me to go along if time allowed and it all worked out.  I was a bit nervous on the cab ride back to the compound though.  It's pretty scary being out at night here in PC and we've heard stories!  Services started at 6:00 and we didn't get back to the compound till almost 8:00.  Dean & others were worried when I was gone so long and I promised that I wouldn't go out again when I would be after dark getting back.  I surely didn't realize services would be so long.  But it was a good experience. 

The surgery crew is still at the hospital but those of us that are at the compound will be eating pretty soon.  Hope all is well back home.  The time is flying by quickly for us here. We're all well here!
Carolyn