Safe and busy in El Salvador!

It has been a busy couple of days here in El Salvador. We weren't able to update this blog until now since we had no internet access on the island.
We are now at the Mission House, our home for the rest of the week. We'll be trying to update you with news from our activities.

On the island, our first stop, we spent two days participating in the mobile medical clinic. Over the two days, 239 patients were seen by a team of two doctors, a dentist and assisted by our team.

Roberto and Yvonne with Magdalena Guillen

We were especially moved by the warm welcome of the people of La Calzada. What they lacked in material resources they made up for with their generosity and hospitality. While the patients were being seen, team members played games, crafts and did coloring activities with the children.
We also participated in a special Mother's Day celebration put on at the school. We were even treated to a surprising pizza snack at the end of the program.

We learned more about the daily way of life of the people of the island, including using the latrines, drawing water from the well, and walking LONG distances in dusty, rutted roads in intense sun and heat. We saw the variety of ways that transportation happens...dugout canoes, oxcarts, pick-up trucks loaded with at one time 20 people.

After the two days we spent on the island, we traveled into San Salvador and got settled at the Mission House. Our hosts, Antonio and Lety welcomed us with a delicious lasagne dinner.

This morning, we loaded our bus with supplies and headed to Soyapango to work at Por Gracia School. Today's medical clinic was focused on the neediest school students and  195 kids and a few parents and siblings were seen.  The dentist was there and we were able to show the DVD about toothbrushing in the classrooms which we noticed were colorful and inviting. One of the highlights of the day for many of us was when Dana was able to meet her sponsored child, Melany, for the first time. Many tears and hugs were exchanged and Melany even presented Dana with a special Mother's Day gift made out of hearts.

Back to the mission house for the evening and to get ready for another day tomorrow.