Wednesday, June 24, 2009

We are now more than half way through our time here in Trinidad. We have accomplished many of the tasks on the back of our group T-shirts, with a few yet to experience. Yesterday morning, after devotions and breakfast, our team got busy working here on the compound. Seems like almost every overseas missions trip, there is dirt to be moved and it proved true for here as well. They are currently working on a new structure and they had a huge dirt pile for us to create a floor with. We all took turns shoveling, carrying buckets of dirt (and we did have 2 wheelbarrows), and leveling the dirt once it was moved. It was hard work in the intense sun but everyone kept at it and we were able to finish it. Afterward, many of us took a quick dip in the pool before lunch. Later that day, we left for Day 2 of VBS. We had a good turn out of kids. We played some games, sang some songs, had a puppet show, Tyler did a good job sharing the Bible lesson, and then we worked on our craft! One of the cultural things we got to try was a type of fruit that grows right there on the trees. They were good, but you did have to get used to the texture. You break it open and then suck on the slippery fruit around the seed. They are round in shape and I believe it was Travis who said they tasted like slimy eyeballs.

Today, we did have a few sick kids. A couple of them stayed inside during our work time as they were complaining of not feeling well. As the day went on, we learned that more of them were not feeling the greatest. The Lord, in his providence, just so happened to let us come to Trinidad the same week that a big group of doctors was here. Nurse Jamie and Gwen took our patients to see Dr. Hutch. After peering into lots of sore ears and throats, he diagnosed three of our kids with middle ear infections, and one with strep throat. Thankfully, the medical team was able to provide the neccesary antibiotics and ear drops to jump start their recovery. We gave Dr. Hutch a few more patients the following morning. He confirmed another ear infection, and a case of sinusitis.