and then there was 3...

The BHCC group left today around 2 pm after going to chapel at baxter. it was sweet at the airport to see those who are close to the group to say goodbye. this afternoon, rudy and i went around tegus looking for a car. we aren't having much luck but i know that God will provide the right one for me. attached are some pictures of the week like in the men's prison doing a dental brigade (i was the pharmacist that day), my new brother being baptized (along with 18 others at church on sunday), view of the city at night, mom playing with the kids at jovenes en camino, tamara reading a Bible story to the children at Kennedy's VBS, dinner as a group, etc... the trip has been eventful and has left an impression on my soul that i will be carrying with me the next few months as i try to serve God here to the best of my abilities. Dios le bendiga!

End of the BHCC trip

Today was the last day for the BHCC group to be here. They are headed back tomorrow to nashville. Yesterday, we had church at kennedy where there were 18 baptisms, VBS for around 100 kids sunday afternoon at kennedy, and the went to La Cumbre for dinner. The view from the restaurant is amazing. you can see the entire city and valley from the mountain. Today was a little slower pace. While the manly men went to finishing the 6 houses they built, the women went souviner shopping and packed lunches for the men before heading up to the cites to see what all the construction teams had been doing the last few days. Since the children here have school from 7am-12pm, we headed to Jovenes en Camino (Children on the Way) orphange in the afternoon to play with the kids and to see the progress of the buildings. Tonight, we had a banquet for all those who helped us and we helped them this past week. It's always nice to have a conclusion dinner to wrap up and have a devo with our brothers and sisters here and from the States. this week i have gotten to know lots of people i didn't know or know well that it's been a blessing to meet. more soon...

Limoncillo, honduras

today has been busy at a small village outside of the city called limoncillo. it's been a hard couple of days. yesterday, i went to the men's prison with a dental brigade. i was the pharmacist where we only had 3 medications: ibruprofeno, tramadol, and cephalexino. it was an experience i will soon not forget. we had around 50 patients and most had extractions. last night after eating with the group, we went to play soccer (well, i went to watch), and i had an awesome surprise- the youth group from kennedy was there. it was nice to see everyone. after arriving at the hotel close to midnight, the brigade met at 6:20 to go to an remote village for a medical/ dental brigade, along with VBS. We were packed for room on the school bus we take so we had to leave some things and people at the clinic before the long drive- WELL, it ended up that that included all the medical supplies. ouch! it was medical at it's basics! i had my BP cuff and stethoscope and a pen. it was crazy! tonight, i had a easy night. mom and i ate at the hotel and that's it! tomorrow we are going to church at kennedy and in the afternoon we are having a VBS for the kids in the Col. Kennedy area of Tegucigalpa. hope all is well. Dios les bendiga!

Busy day

Today has been a busy but blessed for the work in God's Kingdom. While i have thought for 2 days now the mechanic was going to go with me to take me to buy a car, we haven't quite made it. Rudy, the mechanic, had to fix the new school buses tha just arrived at the clinic, so i went with the brentwood hills group ladies today. First, after a quick trip to the clinic, we went the kennedy to unload the shipment that came to organize the items into categories. Then, i took a taxi back to the clinic to meet up with Rudy who still couldn't go. The group arrived shortly after to bag food. We made 250 food bags to take to the villages to distribe, especially Saturday in Limoncillo. Later, Rudy and i looked at one car before heading back to the hotel. The group went to the mall to eat. I went to Tony Roma's for dinner before the devo and now to bed. have a blessed day.

HERE!!!

We're here! mother and i arrived last night in tegucigalpa, honduras after a long 12 hour day traveling and visiting 3 countries in one day. we crashed last night and took it easy today. the brentwood hills brigade arrived this afternoon after being delayed in miami, and we caught up with them tonight at the hotel Marriot in time to go to dinner. it was soooo awesome to see all of my friends here today at baxter and the clinic. i love my apartment, too. it's basic 2 bedroom- AND I HAVE HOT WATER!!!! this is such a blessing! Thanks, God, for this special gift! hope everyone is doing well. tomorrow the group is leaving the hotel at 7 for a brigade to the women's prison both medical and dental, along with building houses while i am going car shopping with Rudy, the mechanic from Baxter. Hasta Luego!

Last day in the States

well, the time is almost here. of course, i haven't packed but have bought all those last minute items that i always think i need (but hardly ever use). anyway, this weekend's Saturday's Tennessean paper had an article on my mission trips to honduras. (see http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006607150334 ). it was rewarding to see my work noticed in such a public way but also feeling of wrong came surging over me. doing God's work is reward enough and having it displayed for all of nashville to see hurt my feevle attempts to be humble over the matter. I suppose if it gave light to the clinic and the that continues there it is worth it. I was unhappy with a few things. the picture that took forever to make doesn't even look like me. i look really distorted and was misquoted. First of all, i am a gringa, not gringo! and i do not recall sounding like a mentally challenged person by saying really, really, scary! honestly! anyway, it was overall a good article and that's what i am trying hard to focus on. well, the time has come- i should start to think what i need to take! the next post will be from tegucigalpa, honduras.

Last day at vandy

today was my last day at vanderbilt. it's been strange leaving but i know it's right for me and my career. now it is time to focus on returning to honduras on tuesday. i can't believe it is already time to go. please pray for me during this transition. i have had a lot of set backs lately especially with healing from the past surgery, lack of getting insurance and not having church sponsorship, but i know that i feel peace when i am in central america. i know that is where God is calling me to be. Brentwood hills has a fund set up where some friends and family have donated to my mission (especailly since i am buying a car for down there) and i am so hesitant to see how much is in the fund since i am having to spend so much out of pocket. In tomorrow's Saturday paper is when the Tennessean is having an article about my mission trips in the Faith in Action series. it has been fun talking to the reporters and having a photo shoot in Children's. I pray it looks alright. well, that's all the ramblings i have at 12:22. have a blessed day!

Opps!

Well, due to some wording on my resignation letter, my last day is now the 14th of July. (which actually works out better since i am not leaving until the 18th). i had the strangest occurance today as well. A reporter from the tennessean called and is doing an article series on mission work- group, individual, churches, organizations, etc. How nerve racking! i don't tihnk it is possible for me to lose 50 pounds by tuesday for that picture! oh, well. it will run in the sat july 15 paper. how fun! hope all is well.