Much better day today.  All the areas had translators.  Especially with the ninos!
Having Pablito there to help with communication - made all the difference!!!

The Nawbe Public Health promoters came in for a review of the program they have been trained in.  They also received some instruction in early childhood development.  Jane also worked with them to set up the STAR pilot program in their communities.  This program will promote 5 areas of family health.  Those areas are: protection, prevention, nutrition, education and coordination.  The program was very well received.

And Steve implemented the no BP while BF rule (you will have to ask him about it).

More Pictures

Most patients walked, but some had horses.

School kids stopping by.

Phamacy Setup.

Bron fitting sunglasses on Carla's Mom.



Elizabeth with her new boyfriends!



Dr. Pete after a patient.

Nancy performing cleanup.



Chalino our driver and Marcos the District Superintendent/Interpreter

Breakfast (from left to right) Austin, Dianne, Lynda, Mary, Elizabeth,  Julia, Kayla and Kiara
(standing) Rhett and Amy.

Breakfast (from left to right) Tracey, Rich, Jane, Harvey, Dr. Pete, Nancy (hiding) Steve and Janet.

Breakfast (from left to right)  Mary, Elizabeth, Kiara, Rhet (hands) and Julia

We arrived to the community center each morning for breakfast then work.

We've started...

Half the Dental Team

Triage and Medical Team

Eye Center

Youth Center

Austin(17) and Elizabeth (gotta ask her..thirty something I think)

Julia(13) and Kayla(17)...another year older

Whew! We made it!!

Kayla, Julia & Austin

After our arrival on Friday night, the group had breakfast and arrived at the Panama Canal by 9 a.m.  We were able to see several ships pass through.  By 11:15 we were on the road heading for Chiriqui Province in Western Panama, where we will be working with Ngabe Indians there.  On the way, we picked up Rhett Thompson, our host and Dr. Barry Kram, who had come to Panama in advance of the team. On the way, we stopped at our mission work site and unloaded all of our supplies there before going on to David.  Today, we are in David and will attend the local Methodist Church.  There we will present them with a gift of several Spanish Methodist Hymnals.  We will then change clothes, have lunch and proceed back to the Cienaguita Mission site to set up for Monday's work.

Dianne & Rich Buy Group Tickets

Group Members Wait in Canal Theater  Line

The kids having fun

Canal View

The Kram's Pack Supplies in Michigan

Supplies being brought down for this trip generously donated by Zurich Insurance and  the congregation of FUMC - Palatine.

New Health/Children's Team Prepares for 2013 Visit

Twenty volunteers from three states are busy gathering supplies and preparing credentials for their upcoming Panama Mission Trip.  The group will be traveling via Panama City to David, which is near their mission worksite in Cienaguita, Panama.

The group is comprised of specialty units who will be collaborating with local Panamanian Methodists in David to provide Medical, Dental, Vision Care supported by a well-stocked pharmacy. Health education of local health promoters regarding mother/baby care will also be a focus. Patients from the nearby Ngabe reservation who come long distances will stay for the day.  Their pre-school children will be able to enjoy planned early intervention activities in the morning.  School aged children will have a planned afternoon program.

Please visit this site in the coming weeks as the group posts notices about their preparation and March 8-16, 2013 trip.