CARLILE FAMILY UPDATE
The Carlile family flew back to Michigan on March 1st for their youngest daughter Cami to have an important surgery. The surgery on March 8th went very well, but she is still in a bit of pain. Because of the surgery, the family needed to stay in Michigan for 6 weeks. That has also allowed them to visit friends and family and to fit in other needed appointments and meetings. The goal is for them to return to the Dominican Republic in early May as long as Cami progresses in her recovery.
While they are gone, I have been taking care of Rosie, who is the Carlile's foster teen. She has been part of their family for almost two years. It has been an adjustment, but I think we have finally gotten into a routine. Thankfully, our good friend Maritza is staying here and helping me.
NURSING CLASS
Rosie, Maritza, and I took an Auxiliary Nursing Class. Yes, I am already a Registered Nurse in the US; however, I decided that it would be interesting to learn what the actual requirements are to be a certified nurse in the Dominican Republic. Between the extensive time that I spent with Jessica and Cami in the hospital over the past year and this class, I have found there is a great need to improve the nursing education in the Dominican Republic.
BIRTHDAY
I recently celebrated my birthday on March 26! :) I am beyond blessed with some great friends here. It is always so hard to be away from family on these specific celebration days, especially when my family gathers together in Michigan without me. It definitely makes me miss home. My friends took me to the pool to celebrate and made me dinner with some of my favorite foods!
CLINIC
My friend Cassie came down for a week to visit in March! She helped me catch up on updating some of our patient records, worked at our Clinic in Rosa La Piedra, and then we spent the weekend in the capital at a pool! It was very nice to be able to catch up with a good friend.
During the clinic we had a very sick baby that needed to go to the hospital down the mountain. When we need to transport patients off the mountain, I take them in my vehicle. The baby is doing great now, and I was very thankful that Cassie was there to be able to keep the clinic running with Dr. Angel.
RELIABLE VEHICLE
Some of you may know that I have had multiple problems with my vehicle for the past few months. It has served me well for over two years, but I have reached a point where it is critical that I replace it with a more reliable vehicle. On one of my recent visits to the car mechanic, he expressed that I was fortunate to have brought the vehicle in when I did, because it could have been a catastrophe coming down the mountain. I will be reaching out to my mission support team soon to ask for their support in helping me get a more reliable vehicle.
EASTER WEEK
During Holy Week we did not hold any medical clinics. This allowed us to get some much needed organizing done. We spent two days at the clinic in Rosa La Piedra. With seeing so many patients in the past couple months, the pharmacy had become a disaster. It is such a relief to have had the time to get it reorganized.
With having the week off, Rosie, Maritza and I were able to participate in the majority of the Holy week activities at our church. We were at church on Good Friday at 3:00 pm., which is the time when Christ died. Suddenly, there was a heavy downpour. It was a beautiful moment! It could not have been a more perfect time to begin raining. It has been so dry here and we have been in need of rain. On Easter day, my friend Olivia came to San Juan to celebrate with us. We made lots of food and had time to relax!
UPCOMING MISSION SUPPORT TEAMS
In May, we have a team coming from St. Francis University. We are very excited to have them again. They are a medical, psychology and veterinarian team. We will have a veterinarian clinic running alongside our medical clinic!
PRAYER REQUESTS
-For the Carlile Family, that their time home is fruitful and rejuvenating and for continued healing for Cami.
-For more rain!!
-For my upcoming vehicle needs
-For the St. Francis University Medical team
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