Wild Will in Action

HHGlobal welcomed the first team of the season, and Mark, Will and I were honored to participate in medical and health education outreaches with Dr. Martin and Wendy Williams, and the rest of the Jungle Hospital Team!

William 3 months old and loving every minute of his first team!

(Photo Credit to Wendy Williams)

I have to say that things are a little different when you have a little one on board! Literally, since William has been riding around in a sling over my shoulder or in a back pack with Mark. At 3 months old he has seen more of our valley than some of the locals! I was speaking with the ministry's cook, Elida, the other day and she told me that she has never been much farther on the road than our village, Rio Viejo. Well, yesterday we went on a school visit in the village of Urraco, which is at the end of the road...much farther than Elida has been in her whole life! It's crazy to realize that transportation is such an issue, and I am blessed to know that William will grow up seeing more of the area around him.

Will riding around in his baby sling...snoozing away while I teach the group the dental skit for the kinder visit.

(Photo credit Wendy Williams)

 

Will's first school visit to the Kinder in Rio Viejo with HHG and Christ the Redeemer Church!

(Photo Credit to Wendy Williams)

Mark has played a new role as a translator for a Physician's Assistant on the trip, Douglas Senecal. I know he has enjoyed the challenge of medical translation, as well as the change of pace from his normal construction management duties. Today he will be hiking with the team to the village of San Luis, which is about an hour and a half off of the main road. Not only will he translate for Doug again, but he has asked Dr. Martin if he could share the gospel with the children there! Way to go Mark! I am so proud of him, and blessed by his desire to show Christ's love and accessibility!

Mark translating at a medical brigade for Douglas Senecal.

(Photo credit Wendy Williams) 

Will and I are staying back today, but we did enjoy our time on the school visits earlier this week, one to the kindergarten here in Rio Viejo, and 2 yesterday in Urraco and Japon! It was so much fun for the kiddos to see him "outside of the belly" and some of the teachers and I were pregnant at the same time, so it was fun for us to see each others children! Being a mom has given me a new perspective...knowing we have started a family here, there is a deeper sense of belonging. The people have not only seen our faces for years, but they are now seeing our family grow, and that brings us all closer together somehow. Their smiles are quicker and their joy is evident...something only a the presence of a new life can bring. I have to say that I love living here, and I am blessed by what we get to be a part of! 

Mark and Spencer hiking to San Luis with the group!

(Photo credit Wendy Williams)