Our Days

We only arrived less than a week ago, but a routine has already set in. Everyone is welcoming.

Our days are spent at the clinic, which is not as busy right now. We are seeing babies, children, and a full range of adults. Many have intestinal complaints--some more likely reflux disease and gastritis, but many likely due to recurrent amebiasis or giardia. There is no lab here; everyone is treated empirically. Elderly folks with chronic joint pain, likely due to the physical nature of their everyday lives. The clinic has a supply of basic medications which we are using regularly. We are doing some pre-op evaluations for in advance of a group of Austrian plastic surgeons coming in November: scars, burns, one very large cleft palate so far.  Just trying to help wherever we can.

Lunch and dinner are promptly at 12 noon and 6pm with the Sisters during the week. They are gracious and very friendly with a great sense of humor. Four sisters reside here, 3 originally from Colombia and 1 native Ecuadorean. The clinic is on a "compound" that includes the Sisters and priests residences, our house for visiting medical staff, the parish church, and an expanding retreat center that is used for both spiritual and secular gatherings. The grounds are lovely, with fountains and colorful flowers scattered among the verdant natural vegetation.

The peacefulness of the valley is present daily, invisible birds chirping at times softly and at time loudly in the trees. And today we have had the continuous pitter patter of the rain, a fairly constant phenomenon here in the Ecuadorean rainforest where  temperature (highs of 75-80, lows 60-65) and daylight (sunrise and sunset both 6-6:30) are the same all year long. Clouds have been every present, drifting up and down among the hills and mountains.  Music emanates from various houses in downtown Guadalupe, across the river. Lots of happy people here, it seems.

The pueblo itself is small and welcoming. Friday night, we watched 2 local futsal teams (indoor soccer) playing in the town center on a covered, cement basketball court. Lots of families on the sidelines  cheering, just like home!

Already we feel the presence of Christ in the people here and their willingness to share their culture and food.

Yesterday we had the good fortune to spend time with a local farmer, Jose, his wife, Mercedes,  and their family.

Mass today in the parish church was typical, we are told. Lots of lively music and both old and young singing and visiting.

Back to work tomorrow.

-Danielle