Clinic in Batista (El Cercado)

I accidentally slept in so I didn’t get my run in. To be honest though it was nice to take a break and not get up so early. We went to another mountain village called Batista in El Cercado for clinic. After talking to some of the locals, I found out that the community is based strictly off of agriculture. They grow corn, beans, green beans, and onions as their main crops.

We worked with the group from Michigan State today because the village they planned to go to didn’t know they were going so nobody was there to receive them. I did home visits with Oto in the morning and pastor Enol in the afternoon. Camie and Cassie came with me. We visited two homes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

On our first visit in the morning, Oto just stopped two random women in the street and asked them if they menstruated. I thought it was a little invasive to ask such an open question, but apparently it’s normal. We gave away our female hygiene kits to them. Next we visited a Grandma and her grandkids at their home. It reminded me a lot of my mission. Oto explained Solid Rock’s purpose and then asked each of us to bear testimony of 5 things we knew about God. I translated for Cassie. I felt like it was a good missionary experience for her. In the afternoon I went out with Pastor Enol. He is a very friendly and respectful guy. He went to school in Guatemala for 4 years to become a pastor. He explained to the family that we visited that Solid Rock is focused on integral or full and complete health including body, mind, and soul. By testifying of Christ, they changed the souls of the people. He started his message with an interesting point that everyone is born in the same condition with the burden of sin. He taught that Christ is our Savior who is the only one who can save us. I recognized the truths of what he bore without disputing the fact that we are not responsible for Adam’s transgression. I bore testimony of Christ in Spanish to the people. It was a fun experience.

I ran in the afternoon after we got back when it was blazing hot. I’ll never do that again haha. We went to the top of the catholic cathedral in San Juan as a group following my run. The cathedral was 30 years old. It gave us a great view of the city. We ate at Bienvenida’s in town and saw Christmas lights in the town plaza in front of the cathedral. Afterwards we talked for a while as a group in the cabana and I facetimed Aubrey. I’m excited to spend time with her family next week.

We had a family planning session with Damon and Jaxon haha. We talked about all kinds of stuff and it was a lot of fun. I’ve gotten to know everyone pretty well in our group. I’m really glad I went on this trip and that I’m with the people I am. I think our friendships will last even after the trip. At least I really hope they do.

Nicole taught us at dinner that we might feel like we’re masking the symptoms or putting a band-aid on a bigger problem while serving these people due to their poverty. However she reminded us that what we have done like the treatments and medications handed out are significant and valuable to every individual we served. More important than that though are the small acts of service we give to the people like a smile, taking time to listen, or talking with the people so they feel like they have a voice. Those moments are empowering and eternal as Nicole described it.

I started having diarrhea today, but I think it’s just from all of the fiber in our diet. I think I’ll be just fine in a couple of days so I won’t take anything.