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Day 4
Today, on our way we had to make a quick stop at the hardware store to purchase a wheelbarrow. You can see from the photo that Alfonso got quite a ride!
This morning, the guys went to a different part of the community to build some stairs so that left just us girls (Americanos y Peruvians) to carry sand and walls. While the sand is not that difficult, the walls are extremely heavy! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of that because I was too busy carrying walls! We did very well if I do say so myself!
We did have to wait for more sand to be delivered, so some of the girls taught their new friends some hand games. Be sure to check out the video and pictures!
We had to leave early today because we had been invited to a late lunch at the mayor's house. None of us wanted to leave unfinished work, but it was important to honor the invitation and encourage the government's involvement. We arrived at this huge barricaded complex and were led inside. I can't even explain to you our amazement at what awaited us! A huge catered lunch of traditional Peruvian and local food, elegant tables and chairs draped in white satin and gold and a huge garden/pool/recreation area! The food was amazing and the amount of food was crazy huge! We all went crazy over a green sauce that was served with the steaks and chicken. Diane even convinced the mayor to get the chef to give her the recipe. So those of you who know Diane and her cooking, know that we should all be getting to taste this wonderful sauce very soon. I think Diane and the mayor have a great marketing scheme cooked up!
Some of the team members expressed to the mayor a great desire to form a medical team and to provide access to a free clinic sponsored by volunteer doctors, nurses, dentits, etc. Mayor Carlos Burgos seemed very excited about this and promised to provide whatever expertise and resources were required to do this. Including providing an NGO to coordinate lawyers, licensing, etc. This is a big deal! We have seven nurses on our team and I can't imagine how heartbreaking it must be to not be able to help in that way!
The mayor also explained that for the past 10 years (he has been in office only three years) he feeds the children in an impoverished area in his district. He does this every Saturday and Sunday morning for about 2000 children! Mayor Burgos invited all of us to come and help serve tomorrow morning! We are all looking forward to this. Of course, when the kids found out that we had to be ready to get on the bus by 6:30am..some were a little less enthusiastic! Especially when Sunday is usually the day to sleep in and go to church. But as Linda said, "It's time to take church outside the walls!"
Amen to that!
Love, Paola
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zia Francesca Paola, my church pays the salary of a local doctor in a small town in Nicaragua to serve in the free clinic. Then twice a year a medical team of volunteers go there to help out. It has gone very well.