Thursday we are finally getting our act together.  Mickey Dee's for breakfast, blogging and shopping for lunch materials, then on to the camp by 9:15 where we already had a crowd waiting.  The dental team had 20 people waiting, plus 8 left over from Wednesday and the medical team about the same number (with no leftovers).  When we arrived there was an electrical team stringing cable (hopefully for the campground) but the electrical at Pablo's Casa was erratic so the generator had to be fired up.  The Dental team started out with a difficult molar extraction (hard to keep your cool with a studio audience in attendance!) but the rest of the day went smoothly.

The Kids Kamp had the morning off but at noon about 50 kids came and spent the afternoon playing soccer, climbing trees  and playing hide and seek with the parachute.  There was the usual craft time with clay monsters--this was very popular--along with using markers which ended up on walls, clothing and faces.  Kristen showed the children how to make "God Eyes" with yarn and popsicle sticks and there was the usual fun with Luz Rojo--Luz Verde and Simon Dice.The medical clinic and pharmacy were moderately busy--the pharmacy ended up with about 55 cards but some of the cards went to the vision and dental clinics so an exact count is not available.  Carol was the Gyne Consultant and had several women with mysterious unsolvable problems.  We ran out of prepackaged adult vitamins and will count them out as needed tomorrow, with the surplus (some 12 suitcases full) going to Cienaguita and to Javier in Darien Province.

We had our celebratory "Farewell" dinner with the translators from David, Rhett and his mother and a hitch-hiker from Stuttgart who was supposed to be dropped off at the grocery store but instead joined us for dinner.  Lovely restaurant, great food--Rich had fried chicken AGAIN!--and luscious desserts.  A very successful evening.  Janet did devotions about water and thirst (we are experts in that field) at the Pool Terrazza and then we returned to our rooms to pack.  Friday is our last day.  What will the morning bring?  

Combined Blogs for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday

Yesterday, Monday our team, during a very dry and hot day set up the medical station with the Doctors area, the Dental Clinic at Pablos house on the hill where we were offered free use of the bathroom, water, and electricity.  What a great spot Pablo has, which he has built complete by his own hands! This is the spot to be used by the two dental teams to clean and repair teeth of both children and adults.

Bron and I set up the vision clinic with corrective lens and sunglasses, which will be fitted to the adults coming to the clinic from the village being served. We have enough sunglasses to give to most patients.

The pharmacy was manned by Doctors, nurses and the general help, counting pills and filling the bags for patients to take to their homes.

Austin, Kristen and Amanda had the 50 kids running in high gear having a great time.

We finished the day buying groceries, bought some chairs and some small tables making our services more efficient

We are ready to serve!

Harvey

On Tuesday 3/06/2012 the Panama team started with breakfast at McDonalds.  We needed to buy a scales at a store near-by to weigh our patients.  This was done on all patients on their checking in to be examined.  The team doctors and dentists did not have approval from the government yet to serve the community.  At about 11:00 A.M.  the team received the clearance needed to physically examine and treat patients. 

We continued to pump up the pill selection in the pharmacy with the lack of customers.  Tomorrow should be the big day.

About 70 children again had a terrific chance to run our people ragged.

At the close of the day we bused some of the children to their mountain home and continued to a higher elevation to the town of El Valle de Anton, where we finished the day at a zoological park where we saw lots of chickens along with a few toucans and parrots, an ocelot and other local animals.

Returning to our quarters we finished the day with our Centering Time, which is a reflection of the day’s work and a time for prayer. 

Harvey

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 we started out early to be on site and open by 0900.  We had patients waiting our arrival.  The people in this area seem to be healthier and better off than the Nobe Bougle.  We had a steady line of clients all day long. We closed the clinic about 3:30 P.M.  Last night after dinner the four translators from David arrived.  The trip for them was about 9 hours.

Again we had a good number of kids to run around with for the afternoon. 

The dental clinic with Heather, Nancy, Loree and Pete kept busy with patients all day and but the electrical power shut down for two hours and we had to get the portable generator running.

Bron fit most of the adult patients of the day with glasses and sunglasses .  She and Charles were the last to close shop.  It was a very productive day for the eye clinic.

Monday - Preparation

Today we are still waiting for final clearance for holding clinic in San Carlos.  We set up our dental clinic in a private home (with electricity and, we hope, running water) and our medical clinic and pharmacy at the campground that the UMC Panama  is establishing.  It is a beautiful forty acre site with several buildings that will be residences for campers when the camp is finished, ie, when electricity and running water and sanitation are available.

The dental clinic is very impressive--does your dentist take care of you on a shaded veranda with surroundings of palm trees and bougainvillea?  Loree and Heather and Pete are really lucky, but champing at the bit to get started.  Tom was so excited--he got to see our first patient, a young man who got something in his eye.  The patient was very happy to be treated by Los Norteamericanos.

Loree and Pete are all smiles!

  

Austin greets the campers while Rhett and Pablito look on

Don't you wish your dentist had this set up?

 It is hot, of course, and the afternoon was spent prepackaging medications and vitamins and with Amanda and Austin playing soccer with a group of about a dozen schoolchildren under the supervision of Kristen and Pablito.  We expect to get our clearance tomorrow and start giving well checks and dental cleanings until we hear from the commissioner.  We drank all of our water in the course of the day and used up all the ice by 2pm.  We have to get more supplies and are all hoping for a swim this evening, either in the piscine or the mar.   

March 3, 2012

News Flash

The talks between the Panamanian government and the Ngobe have broken down as of Friday evening. The Ngobe  blockaded the Pan American Highway.  The highway

re-opened up today but the situation is still unsettled.  We have decided on a Plan B which is to proceed to Santa Clara and serve the people there.  There is a medical clinic building where we can set up medical and dental care.  This is contingent on getting our permit to work outside Cienaguita expanded by the Panama Ministry of Health.  We have submitted the proper paperwork and are awaiting word.  Prayers that this can be accomplished quickly are appreciated and needed.  We will still be able to do Focometer activities, medical education, Flouride treatments, and a children's ministry.

We are a very flexible group and though there is some sadness on missing opportunities to see old friends we are soldiering on and looking forward to making new friends.  We were not idle today.  We spent most of the day touring Panama City and eating.  The architecture is quite stunning. 

Tomorrow we head for our new destination and challenges.



St. Jospeh Cathedral

Centering time



  

The Tornado building

 

Hotel Columbia

 

Ice cream shop

 

The Final Countdown!

     I am not sure about the rest of the team but I know our household is very excited that today is the day we board the planes and land in Panama.  I have made a list and checked it twice (or more).  The bags are packed  and we are just finishing final touches.  The team will be wearing matching t-shirts to make finding each other at the airport easier.  I am trying to keep my head from spinning with the logistics of getting 22 people and 27 bags all checked in.  I am so glad and feel blessed that we have experienced team members traveling with us new comers.  I can't wait to get there and get busy working.  

Cathy