Kerry presented to sixty children on the importance of dental hygiene and Lauren presented to the same group on physical activity and what a healthy lifestyle looks like. They had the resource of an interpreter so the presentation was able to be given in English and translated into Spanish for the niños.
Lauren teaching the kids how to exercise
Meghan and I spent the morning at hospice where we hung out with the same patients we've been caring for as a group this week. We continue to find horrendous pressure ulcers that tie my stomach in knots, but otherwise there's nothing very new going on there!
Meghan helping Alberto eat lunch
Tobin and Sarah spent their morning in the Pro-Life clinic where they monitored pregnant mothers and taught on pre-natal care. Tobin says his experience was awesome and he has loved getting to learn more about a woman's perspective on being pregnant. Music to a woman's ear!
Genevieve and Asmita had a somewhat unusual morning; as we were loading up the truck to head to our designated clinical sites, they were asked to change paths and go with a visiting dentist to work as interpreters between him and the Spanish speakers here. They both report that it was a great learning experience and was a great challenge to work as interpreters but also as the dentist's assistants.
Stef and Anna spent their morning in the OB clinic where they saw two births at the exact same minute! How exciting. Feeling a bit anxious before departure, Stef came back to the parish full of excitement and says it was an awesome experience. She was not sure what to expect but she really enjoyed her time there with the mothers and babies and looks forward to going back. Anna, of course, also loved it as she aspires to be a midwife in the future and got to put her doula training to use!
Remember how we love siesta? Tobin caught a few of us taking full advantage today on the balcony outside our rooms. :)
This afternoon was a little different than our usual routine. We had a short class and then headed out to a village for a ceremony of the Virgin Mother. Seeing the faith practices and cultural routines collide was something else! Boy, Peruvians know how to have a fiesta. Snacks, drinks, games, dancing...the whole shebang. Here are a few pictures from the procession of the Mother.
As I wind up for tonight, I'm going to have a moment of raw honesty: we are all WIPED out. Eyes are red, yawns are big, and beds are calling. We have worked our tails and brains off this week and we are feeling the consequences. If you think of it tonight, please keep us in your prayers for good health, positive minds, and soothing hearts. Thank you!!!! We appreciate your love and support and feel it constantly. :)
Peace and laughter,
Alex & the gang
You have certainly done and seen a lot during this five-day work week! I'm tired just reading about it, but then, I remember ~ you all are young! I was impressed with the way the children were dressed for school. Do they dress like this everyday? Is this a parochial or public school? And, to think drugs can be obtained without a prescription. You haven't missed a day of mentioning the siesta. The retired people in the USA get to practice this every day. Gotta love this option. How refreshing to see the display of faith in the Village. How often is this done? Speaking of yawns, red eyes, and bed calling ~ what happened to the invite for tonight (?) to listen to more guitar music? What is your time schedule for getting up and going to bed at night? I hope you and the gang have some free time this weekend to enjoy doing some different kinds of fun things. Thanks for sharing your first week, and look forward to future blogs from your travels in Peru. Continuing prayers for your good health and happiness, and that of "The Gang," and the Peruvian people. Hugs and love from Grammy.
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