89 and counting...

Started our adventure last night with a trip to a pharmacy at 12am to pick up medications needed for the clinic. San Jose is an interesting city-especially in the middle of the night! This morning we arrived at La Carpio to set up. La Carpio is a neighborhood in San Jose made up of immigrants. The roads are dirt and uneven-undrivable. Houses are made from some concrete and mostly scrap metal pieces. Dogs and roosters wander freely around looking for scraps.  People have so little  yet they are a strong community together. You see 10 year olds taking care of younger siblings and young teenage moms taking care of nieces and nephews. It truly is a family.  Clinic kicked off and I saw 89 patients! Y'all, on a normal day at work I see 15-20. A super busy clinic day might be 40. It was C-RAZY!!!  Excitement included a tuberculosis diagnosis and a scalp laceration that I stitched (haven't done that in a while, but it's like riding a bicycle I guess-it all came back). The people, as always, were so welcoming. The kids especially love to give hugs and sit on my lap. I love how trusting and happy and unspoiled they are.  Now we are back at the hotel to clean up after lice, ringworm and a whole lotta "gripa" (congestion/cold) and then head to dinner. Our whole group here is a blessing and I especially love that Micah and I get to share this time together. It's unmatchable. I am exhausted but can't wait to get back there to do it again tomorrow. I may just send for my boys and never leave this place-it's my peace.  Hasta la manyana!