I can't believe it is October - for that matter it is almost mid-October and I am just getting this out. I thought things were to slow down when groups left? It seems as though we have been as busy as ever and that makes time fly by even faster.
"Coach" Jonathan L. Holland,
September allowed Sheila and I the opportunity to return to the Rio Coco. It is always such a mixed bag of blessings and we are always surprised at how they appear. We are never surprised by their source. We delivered school supplies, eyeglasses and medicine.
Armed with the knowledge of how to use OTC medicines, I was sent as the distributor. Our doctor gave me instructions and so, wielding a thermometer, otoscope, and stethoscope I packed for the Rio Coco to distribute acetaminophen, parasite pills and a mild antibiotic. At one point when I was in San Andres, the central city for the region and the only health center for many, many miles, a young man came to the clinic. This is where we were setting up for vision screening and eye glass fitting. We had been told that there were currently no doctors at the health center so the whole facility was at our disposal. This man had sliced the top of his foot open with a machete. He needed stitches. I had some in my emergency medical kit. Here we were in the village for just a few hours and I was being called "doctor" and expected to sew an open wound shut. (It is at this point where Sheila reminded me that I am in fact accident prone and had seen the procedure completed personally on dozens of occasions.) I got the man to a bench and got his foot elevated I went for the emergency medical bag. As a I rounded the corner I saw a man standing at the door of the health center personnel living quarters.
"Are you the doctor?" I asked. "Yes," he said, "but the clinic is closed and we are on vacation, unless there is an emergency." "Oh, there's an emergency," I assured him and took him to the patient. I ended up playing nurse instead of doctor, and got another good opportunity to witness stitching. Yeah, I could do that if I had to. I hope I don't have to! I wonder if the young man knows how lucky he was.
I took fewer pictures this time, but I think it was because I was so much busier. I'd much rather be the photographer than the doctor.
Sheila and I are planning a short trip home that will begin in mid-November and end in mid -December. We have become so accustomed to the lifestyle here that trips home seem very expensive, starting with airfare. We will use the time to visit family, as many friends as possible and tend to some contract work with a school form the Mount Pleasant, TX area.
Residency is progressing well and we expect to have all paperwork in the local attorney's hands with in a week. Once we have those papers finalized we will start making the contacts with the Ministry of Family to learn more about the adoption process. Please keep these things in your prayers as you continue to pray for all aspects of our work here.
Ikaia the cat is getting bigger and continues to be successful at her primary function. As she grows she has begins to do what cats do naturally so, after some research and talking to a local vet, we decided to give her a birth control shot that will last until early next year. Yes, now I am a veterinarian. With Sheila as my assistant, we administered the recommended dosage of depo-prevera to our pet. Remember that in the animal world I am 100% dog lover. Have you ever seen a mad kitten? She has been giving us the cold shoulder. "This is going to hurt you more than it is going to hurt me," I told her. I guess I was right. This morning when I picked her up to give her the once-over she just looked up at me, hissed, and hid behind the couch.
Finally, we are in the final stages of production on the 2014 calendar. The theme is "Children of the Rio Coco." It may be the first tri-lingual calender ever produced. Each page chooses a photo topic and includes a brief description. Additionally, there is a box with an associated phrase. The phrase is in English, Spanish and Miskito. We hope you will find this calendar not only visually pleasing, but hinging on educational. I know in a world where paper calendars are obsolete this may seem like a waste. We have chosen this as a way to share what we do. Besides, are you going to hang your electronic device on the wall? We are asking for donations of $18-20 to cover the cost of production. Any profits made will go directly to the work of Sigh For Sore Eyes. Did I mention they make excellent gifts? We need to complete the order process by 24 OCT 2013 to get them in your hands around Thanksgiving while we are stateside.
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Checks can be sent to:
SFSE
PO Box 903
Georgetown, TX 78627
To order, please send your physical address and the number you wish to order to me at:
I cannot say often enough how grateful we are for your support, whether it is spiritual in the form of prayer, financial, or both. Thank you.
Grace, peace and Mercy...but mostly Mercy,
Executive Director, Sight For Sore Eyes Foundation, Inc.
Deputy Director, Mision Para Cristo, Jinotega, Nicaragua
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