The instructions were clear: be ready to leave by 7:00 a.m. We got to bed by 10:00 p.m. the night b before so we could be up, dressed and have breakfast by 7:00 a.m. We loaded the trucks with chairs, tables and tents, oh, I can't forget the water--40 gallons of water--and headed off to a community called La Delicias for the medical clinic. We set up inside a small Penecostal church and in the empty lot next to it. Triage and health providers were inside. The pharmacy and dentist were outside. Claudia and Elena helped with intake and triage. Gail also did intake and directed patients. My sister-in-law, Diane, was one of the doctors, and her daughter Jacque helped occupy children while moms saw the doctor. Shelley worked in the pharmacy and Jessica did some dietary education and also helped with the kids. After setting up the medical clinic, the rest of the team went to the village of Armenia Bonito to do construction.

Kelly, Caleb and I moved a lot of dirt, lowering raised areas and filling in lower areas. Harvey painted a gate and fence and helped with other tasks.

Here are some other facts you should know:

The temperature today was in the nineties with humidity also in the nineties. No one on the team escaped some degree of heat exhaustion or dehydration.

There is a 13-person team here with us from Harrisburg, PA. They are primarily focusing on medical work but some are doing construction as well. The leader of the team, Dr. Greg Moore, knows Tim Finnegan from when they both formerly attended the same church.

As soon as I post this I'm going to bed.

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