Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Dominican Mission Part 3 Day 6 +

They were a muddy success when they came back.
 Day 6 began with a rain during the night that made all the men in our group climb a steep hill outside the mission compound to push the loaded equipment truck until it was clear. They were prepared to do the same to our bus.

Then we ran into roadblock 2.  The workers at the electric plant were getting ready to strike, and one of the ways they announce this is by leaving big rocks and other debris in the middle of the road for the government staff to discover on their way to work.
It must take a lot of anger to make this much work for themselves!!

This day we were allowed to use the operating room of a local hospital.  This was much nicer than any of our other working conditions.

Even though some of the wiring might make you think the electricians were about to go on strike!! 


The head urse was very welcoming and helpful to us....

and we all were grateful to have more space!

Conditions here were more like home....

and the patients were wonderful!! 

This little lady was praying for us.  

This is where babies are born.  Can you imagine being about to give birth and having to climb those metal steps??  Or putting your baby in the metal crib?

The next day we visited another hospital on our way to a hotel/resort for our last day.   Matt looks very happy about that after working so hard!

And his parents (dad was the founder of these trips and one of our optometrists extraordinaire...)  enjoyed  de-stressing too in the fresh air!

But none more than these two buddies who kept us laughing the whole time, and that's the best medicine!

My favorite moment of the trip was when one of our elderly patients was leaving and gave us nurses a hug.  He kept mumbling something.  Dr. Parker said "Do you know what he said?"  I said , "no..." He said  the man repeated to us all "You've changed my life."  I think we all had a teary eye over that.

Chris, my co-worker and roommate for the week...leaving her own footprints in the sand.  I think I speak for the whole group when I say that we all had an extraordinary experience that none of us can quite describe nor will ever forget!!




13 comments:

yaya said...

Beautiful pics and I promise to not get mad over some of our equipment when I saw their OR..we are spoiled. I love the pic of Jesus in the OR..we need more of him plastered all over our suites. It might keep all of us remembering who we really serve and who deserves our gratitude. Good job! P.S..have you had very many "you've changed my life" comments working here? Usually we're worried we'll get sued!

Sush said...

The world sure is a better place with people like you and your friends doing.
Thanks and hugs~

Mrs Catch said...

What a wonderful thing to do. Enjoyed your photos of the different conditions. Electricity in developing countries is very interesting, isn't it...

karen said...

What a wonderful experience! How wonderful to be part of something that "changes someones life." I really enjoyed reading all of this.

Cro Magnon said...

Not many of us can say that what we do is 'life changing'. Well done to all of you!

Susan Anderson said...

It must feel so good to participate in this kind of healing.

=)

Darlene said...

I am sure you WILL never forget this trip. I loved knowing that man was such a grateful patient. It does make it all worthwhile, I am sure. I'm wondering if you will be doing this again. Do they go every year?

Julia said...

Ah Donna, I'm so proud of you for the work that you did on this mission and with the spirit that you serve. It's people like you who reminds us that we have so much to be grateful for.
Maybe you and your group have changed lives but I'm sure that your lives also has be chance somewhat.

It's too bad not more people goes on these missions. Thanks for the photos Donna. Hugs and love. JB

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your mission trip experience with many interesting photos. It must be so satisfying to have the opportunity to help others in this way.

rjerdee said...

Glad you could end on such a high note!

Marsha Young said...

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news ... and good medicine.

Blessings to you - Marsha

Deb Shucka said...

What an amazing adventure and a wonderful service you're providing. May these blessings return to you a hundred-fold.

Katherines Corner said...

wonderful. I am so happy you are posting this wonderful experience. God bless you and your team and all that you are doing xo