My intention was to start writing blogs more frequently and have one for May… but well here we are in June, and I am just now sitting down to write this.
SLOWLY OPENING BACK UP
Things are starting to open back up here in the Dominican Republic. Like many countries around the world we are opening in stages. All of our stores are now open with restrictions of how many people can be inside at a time, and we have to always wear a mask. No restaurants are open except for “to go” or delivery orders. We still have a curfew, but thankfully it is moved from 5p.m to 7 p.m. Those two extra hours have really made a big difference! Buses are now open but are only able to hold a certain number of passengers. I am hopeful that airports will start opening up soon!
QUARANTINE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We have not been able to go to work in our mobile clinics since the quarantine, because it is not permitted by the public health department. We hope that by the end of this month we will be able to begin consultations again in the clinics. The good news is that we have started to do some consultations in our office in El Llano. It is very important that we get to see our patients in the mountains soon, because they have not had any medical care since the beginning of March.
With the extra time from not seeing patients, I have managed to reorganize and scan all of our medical documents for Rosa la Piedra! It was extremely overwhelming, but I feel great now that it is all organized! We have over 1,800 records!
RETURNED CHILDREN TO FAMILIES
In mid April, we got a call from the Sisters at the Missionaries of Charity. They are the ones who take care of the severely malnourished children we find in the mountains of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They needed us to return all of the children that we had brought down to recuperate with them because of the quarantine. We were able to return 14 of the 17 children to their families. The families were all very excited to see their children! We returned the last 3 children at the end of May. This is the first time in a long time, we have not had children with the Sisters. While that may sound like a good thing it just means that there are malnourished children up in the mountains that we have not been able to get to. :(
A TEMPORARY ADDITION
The Carlile family went back stateside in the beginning of May, and I inherited their dog while they are gone! Zellie and Luna spend their days chasing each other, fighting over toys, and snuggling. A true sibling relationship if you ask me. I am still so thankful that I have Luna. She keeps me company on the many adventures I have gone on, and honestly just wants to be wherever I am!
UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS
Since about mid March we have not been able to continue construction due to everything being shut down, but hopefully we will be able to start up again in the next few weeks. The call for us to be up in the mountains more frequently is vital, so we can check on the children and their health needs to keep them from becoming severely malnourished.
SOME AMAZING NEWS…. A team that worked with us in January from California just gave us a $10,000 donation and we are beyond thankful. The clinic still needs windows, doors, and flooring, but we are still able to use it as is. We are considering using the money to finish off the roof on the staff/volunteer house next door. Having a roof on the house would allow volunteer groups and staff to stay up in the mountains multiple nights, thus making our clinic more productive. Yet a clinic with doors, windows and a finished floor would be amazing!!! Please pray for us as we discern the best use of this donation.
FUTURE NEWS
I have started to save for a car. Having my own transportation will give me the ability to spend longer hours at clinics, or be able to come back to San Juan whenever I am ready. It will also allow me to not have to rely on other drivers or public transportation when I am at home in San Juan. I love having Luna with me, and I am not able to take her on the bus. It has taken me a long time to get to the point to actually start saving for a car, because I always felt that there are better things that money can go to than a car.
In the next few weeks, I will be preparing our supplies for when we can return to the mountain for clinics. I will be working on paperwork, the nutrition program, and construction preparation. My hope is to be stateside in July for a couple of weeks if all things continue to progress.
I pray for you all and your safety, health, and for everything happening in the world.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for the children and their families in the mountains that they are safe, healthy, and well nourished.
Pray for RAIN! We have gone through most of the rainy season with no rain.
Pray for the continued success of the clinic.
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