Todos Sus Juegos y Diversión...Excepto Cuando No

This morning Kerry and I had the opportunity to visit the women's nursing home in which we took vitals on all the ladies and assisted in various other tasks that the nuns were responsible for. One patient had a pressure ulcer on the ball of her foot that rivaled the Grand Canyon for deepness. Kerry and I both almost dropped to the floor. We had never seen anything as miserable as that nor have we been responsible for cleaning it. Thank the good Lord that the nun was there and took over the cleaning process; another blessing because her technique was much different than what we've learned in nursing school. I refrained from taking pictures for the good of all of us and because I was trying to focus on one thing: staying conscious. 

After finishing with patient cares, we were asked to package gauze and cotton balls for the nurses to use. It's incredible that these nurses are required to prepare their own materials; I think I touched on this in another post. Not only are the responsible for the patients, but for their materials and sterilization as well. Here we are working with cotton sheets!

One patient and I getting ready for lunch time!

And another! After she saw me take the first picture she seemed to show a bit of jealousy and was almost demanding to have her photo taken. So adorable.

Not all of the patients require help with eating, but those that do are a challenge. During this moment today I was thinking about all of the many, many babies I've fed. It was almost an identical experience: drooling, head tilt, distraction, etc. I was amazed at how true the "Circle of Life" is really applicable in most settings.

The circle of life is also so, so, so beautiful.

Gen and Lauren spent their morning doing pediatric physical therapy. They enjoyed their experiences and have a few photos to share!

Lauren and a baby

Physical Therapist with Lauren and the baby

Gen and the Physical Therapist helping out a little niño

Asmita and Meghan spent today doing Social Service home visits and delivery goods to the families. It's amazing to see the resources (or lack of) that these families have and the joy they radiate when a new delivery comes. It isn't always easy, but it's always, always worth it.

Meghan and a new baby! (There are lots and lots of pregnant women here)

A snap of some of the goods and services they were delivering. Toilet paper is not available in many places and people generally carry it around with them. It also is not permitted in the toilets so we have been learning to collect our toilet paper in trash cans. Always something new to learn! :)

Here are two girls excited for their new supplies!

This afternoon Kerry and I were re-energized at the obstetrics birth clinic! So much excitement. We walked in to the delivery room where there are two delivering beds just after two little niñas were born. We watched as the plecentas were delivered from both mothers within minutes and observed both newborn assessments--SO SWEET! Minutes later another expecting mother walked into the delivery room screaming, jumped into stirrups, and pushed her baby boy out within minutes. It was ridiculously quick. Here he is!

There was no doubt that his lungs worked--this little guy screamed for quite some time.

Durinng the lull in deliveries, we spent a few minutes checking out the babes in the nursery. A few were premature babies that have been there a while, and a few were babies just waiting for their mamas to be cleaned up.

I swear all the babies here have hair for days!!! It's so thick and beautiful right out of the womb.

To continue on with our excitement, an expectant mother needed an IV change, so the nurse let me do it! So fun. It was a dashing success, but I've never seen an IV bleed as much as it did. The most important part is that the mother told me she didn't have any pain and it was good to go--phew! I almost felt that doing the IV in this setting was easier because I couldn't understand what anyone was saying at the time, so I was able to be in my own little world and focus on the task at hand.

Stef and Anna had the opportunity to work in the Pro-Life Clinic today where they checked up on many expecting mothers. This clinic is a place for these women to come for prenatal cares, nutrition advice, vitamins, etc. The midwife that works in this office is awesome and so receptive to our learning!

Stef and Anna checking on the baby

Stef and Anna reading the ultrasound to the excited mother

Before I close tonight, I wanted to discuss some of the cultural rituals we have noticed. Because we are guests at a Catholic Parish for this month, we are expected to attend daily mass as missionaries and participate in their faith practice. Each evening we've been here, the church has been PACKED--and this is a church that can hold probably 1200 people. It's been so fun to watch and so impactful to see how faithful these people are. Additionally, they all give what they have in the donation basket which blows my mind because these people do not have much. The faith they practice is so encouraging and something I will definitely be leaving Peru with. Below is a photo from after mass tonight of the people reaching for Holy Water. It's a tradition that after each mass the attending priest sprinkles (read: drowns) the crowd with Holy Water. Again, their faith and trust in God is delightful.

Thank you for your continued support and love!!! We appreciate everything and pray that our thoughts, words, actions, feet, and hands are guided by the love of Christ. 

Sending smiles and a boat load of laughter,

Alex & the gang