The basic health and dental needs that we take so much for granted just do not exist in Oro Verde. The cost of health care is essentially out of reach for the people of Oro Verde. They may be seen in the hospital but can't fill the prescription, not because of lack of desire, but no money. There are few view jobs available and they must walk wherever they go.
Dr. Karen and myself started seeing people almost immediately while Bill and Tammy Cook and Katy Reid took care of the "pharmacy" for the dispensing of meds. We had a "receptionist" who take the first name of the people, write it on a piece of duct tape and place it on the persons chest.
Whole families were seen at one time - meaning 4-6 people. My youngest was 3 months and the eldest was 66. After recognizing a couple of problems that I could not deal with, even with my translator I asked Dr. Karen to talk with them. The older gentleman was a diabetic and we initially had trouble with the glucometer - machine that reads blood sugar. Bill Cook was finally able to get a reading, however we use the last strip.
My 3 month old was "sick-sick" very lethargic, not eating or drinking very much. Dr. Karen had the mother take her to the hospital for some blood work.
The most common complaints of the day were headache, bone and muscle aches and cough. Something that seems to be universal.
In the evening most of the team went to a "Hip-Hop" type of Christian Concert held at the stadium of the university. It was the largest Christian gathering of it's type in the country. The music of course was "Loud", glow sticks were all over the place. As team members we each gave out a box of sticks. Many of the younger kids would try and get as many as they could, stuffing the ones they had in their pockets so that it would appear that they had none.
I was fortunate in that my adoptive "sons" Jefferson and Urceil, spent most of the conference with me. During the performance I was able to ask each if Jesus lived in their hearts and both replied - yes. Jefferson said he has known Christ for about 12 years and Urceil 8 years.
On the way back to the base camp many took the opportunity to throw the remaining glow sticks from the bus to kids/people on the side of the road.
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