First day went well. We arrived early so we did a little shopping at WalMart and ate some good ol’ chic-fa-le. We didn’t have any trouble crossing into the border. A federali inspected our vehicle a little bit but eased up when we told him we were a church group going to build some houses. As we crossed there was a slight silence. A few questions like “do the people really live in those houses?” and remarks of grief, thinking we had it bad in the U.S. It’s a true eye-opener seeing such poverty and observing them being thankful for the things they do have. They might not have an Xbox 360 or the newest purse—actually most of them don’t even have shoes, but what they do have is their family. The smiles on their faces playing soccer in rubble that you wouldn’t even want your dog to walk on, but they’re truly happy and that’s all that matters.We unpacked and set up everything early so we hit the town. Headed to the famous “shed” for some good ol’ Mexican tacos, where a wonderful guy came up and sang for us (wait until you see the video). Second day started a little bumpy, my alarm didn’t go off. I’m lucky I made it to breakfast—thanks to my brother. We loaded up the vans with lunch and water and headed out.
Arrived at the worksite, anxious and excited. Gloves on, boots tight, ready to rock n roll. Our bricks were quite a bit further from the house than we wanted, but so were team #3’s. So, being the nice gentleman of team #2 we marched over to help them move their bricks onto the foundation where the house will be built. (For some reason team #1 was nowhere to be found. It figures—ha-ha. We were successful in moving all their bricks, so they returned the favor. We got to work. Guys started sifting gravel and preparing for the mixture of mud (cement). Then the fun began—laying bricks, letting the meistro (boss) fix all our mistakes so the walls weren’t built crooked. Then the fun started falling out of the sky—shaped in little raindrop forms. Some continued to work while others took shelter under a pavilion. Then it started raining really hard, so we couldn’t exactly make a good quality product with a wet soupy cement. At that point we went for shelter. Then magnificently it started hailing. Yes: hailing! In Mexico! We headed hurriedly to the vans. Getting back to the VIM. Calling it a day just in time for lunch. As everyone gathered I began looking for my brother to share some stories.
At one point along the way we noticed a car was on the side of the road, knee-deep in water. A woman’s head popped out, a face begging for help. Her car was stuck in the mud and there was another woman and a toddler inside. So I asked if I could help. I got into her car, took about five minutes but I got it unstuck and had to drive it down the road to dry land. If you could have seen the woman’s face of gratitude, it was amazing.
I’ll keep you posted!
Shannon Ortman
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Monterrey, Mexico Medical Update
Another beautiful day in Monterrey. We have been blessed with lovely weather, so sunny and pleasant. Each morning has been cool, the afternoons warm, but dry and comfortable. The city is basically a desert valley, surrounded by dramatic mountains. Markedly different than Tulsa!
We moved our clinic today to Mission, a village about twenty minutes farther than Zapata. It is even poorer, with dusty, dirt roads winding through shacks made of wooden pallets, corrugated tin, and items scrounged from the junk pile. Stray dogs and chickens roam freely. Other than roosters crowing occasionally, it is very quiet: no radios or televisions, no cars or truck traffic, no sounds of industry.
This poverty was reflected in a different type of clinic patient than our previous days'. Not as many cavities, as they don't have access to the same sugary--and relatively luxurious--treats. Instead, more profound gum disease that puts all of their teeth at risk. Lots of uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes. Several children came in with the physical symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. On the one hand, it felt good to be able to serve, as their needs were so great, anything helped. On the other, it was somewhat depressing, as you know you can't change their underlying problem: extreme poverty. That last part, however, is very convicting to continue to serve however you can as a mission volunteer.
Altogether, it's been a great trip: our team has worked well together, our different skills and personalities have been complementary, God has been good and provided for us--as always.
Leslie Roark
We moved our clinic today to Mission, a village about twenty minutes farther than Zapata. It is even poorer, with dusty, dirt roads winding through shacks made of wooden pallets, corrugated tin, and items scrounged from the junk pile. Stray dogs and chickens roam freely. Other than roosters crowing occasionally, it is very quiet: no radios or televisions, no cars or truck traffic, no sounds of industry.
This poverty was reflected in a different type of clinic patient than our previous days'. Not as many cavities, as they don't have access to the same sugary--and relatively luxurious--treats. Instead, more profound gum disease that puts all of their teeth at risk. Lots of uncontrolled high blood pressure and diabetes. Several children came in with the physical symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. On the one hand, it felt good to be able to serve, as their needs were so great, anything helped. On the other, it was somewhat depressing, as you know you can't change their underlying problem: extreme poverty. That last part, however, is very convicting to continue to serve however you can as a mission volunteer.
Altogether, it's been a great trip: our team has worked well together, our different skills and personalities have been complementary, God has been good and provided for us--as always.
Leslie Roark
Friday, November 07, 2008
Monterrey, Mexico Medical Update
Friday, November 7
Our second day in Monterrey started much more smoothly than Thursday. After another delicious breakfast, we traveled to Zapata where we were alread set up to see patients. There was a line of people waiting to see us, and our day was very productive.
We saw over a hundred patients, with illnesses ranging from the common cold to cardiac problems. One elderly gentleman made an impression on us because of the before/after contrast he demonstrated afer receiving a pair of eyeglasses.
Our team's daily Bible reading focused on mercy and compassion today. We didn't know when the day began how these qualities would be reflected in our experiences. The dental schedule for the rest of the day was full by 1pm, with people lined up in chairs waiting for their turn; however, three patients arrived late with major, obvious dental needs. Our entire team came together to work things around to accommodate these extra patients, as we were all overcome with a desire to help those in distress and improve their quality of life. It made for a long day, but everyone was peaceful and fulfilled as we returned late Friday night.
Another special aspect of the day was that it was two team members' birthdays: Don England, Asbury member and frequent mission team member, and Juan Carlos, a young man from Monterrey serving as one of our translators. Both seemed thrilled to be celebrating their birthdays by serving others, which was great to be a part of. We were able to take a quick break and enjoy another of Humberto's fabulous, home-cooked, Mexican meals and participate in a traditional, Mexican birthday event: breaking open a pinata.
It was a long day, but a rewarding one.
Leslie Roark
Our second day in Monterrey started much more smoothly than Thursday. After another delicious breakfast, we traveled to Zapata where we were alread set up to see patients. There was a line of people waiting to see us, and our day was very productive.
We saw over a hundred patients, with illnesses ranging from the common cold to cardiac problems. One elderly gentleman made an impression on us because of the before/after contrast he demonstrated afer receiving a pair of eyeglasses.
Our team's daily Bible reading focused on mercy and compassion today. We didn't know when the day began how these qualities would be reflected in our experiences. The dental schedule for the rest of the day was full by 1pm, with people lined up in chairs waiting for their turn; however, three patients arrived late with major, obvious dental needs. Our entire team came together to work things around to accommodate these extra patients, as we were all overcome with a desire to help those in distress and improve their quality of life. It made for a long day, but everyone was peaceful and fulfilled as we returned late Friday night.
Another special aspect of the day was that it was two team members' birthdays: Don England, Asbury member and frequent mission team member, and Juan Carlos, a young man from Monterrey serving as one of our translators. Both seemed thrilled to be celebrating their birthdays by serving others, which was great to be a part of. We were able to take a quick break and enjoy another of Humberto's fabulous, home-cooked, Mexican meals and participate in a traditional, Mexican birthday event: breaking open a pinata.
It was a long day, but a rewarding one.
Leslie Roark
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Monterrey Medical Team Update
Good news from Monterrey!
After a delicious, home-cooked Mexican breakfast, we divided into two vans: one on to the colonia to set up the clinic, the other to the airport to pick up our remaining supplies from customs. By late morning, we were reunited and seeing patients. All told, we saw over 60 patients, some medical, some dental, some optometric--some all three!
We enjoyed some fellowship and the evening meal at the clinic, and then returned to Monterrey for ice cream and a late visit from Dana and Tom Harrison and other special guests.
We are all tired, but it's not the weary kind: instead, I think we all feel the satisfaction of a long day's work done well. Thank you for remembering us, and for continuing to pray for us and our patients!
Leslie Roark
After a delicious, home-cooked Mexican breakfast, we divided into two vans: one on to the colonia to set up the clinic, the other to the airport to pick up our remaining supplies from customs. By late morning, we were reunited and seeing patients. All told, we saw over 60 patients, some medical, some dental, some optometric--some all three!
We enjoyed some fellowship and the evening meal at the clinic, and then returned to Monterrey for ice cream and a late visit from Dana and Tom Harrison and other special guests.
We are all tired, but it's not the weary kind: instead, I think we all feel the satisfaction of a long day's work done well. Thank you for remembering us, and for continuing to pray for us and our patients!
Leslie Roark
Monterrey, Mexico Medical VIM team update
Greetings from balmy Monterrey! Thirteen volunteers for this medical mission departed Tulsa at dawn Wednesday morning; after a quick layover in DFW, we arrived at our Mexican destination. Two others had landed earlier today, joining another pair who came yesterday to prepare for our arrival.
Fortunately, we had an uneventful trip: on-time departures and arrivals, our bags were waiting for us, no one got lost. We encountered a glitch once here, though: the customs officials were reluctant to release our medical bags, carrying all of our supplies that would allow us to provide medical services at the clinic starting tomorrow...boxes of eyeglasses, crates of dental equipment, cases of medications, all somewhere in the airport. Our team leader and a fluent physician spent literally hours at the airport negotiating with officials for our supplies. Even the local bishop, who was at the airport to pick up another Methodist guest (coincidence? I don't think so), was unable to facilitate the disposition of our goodies before we left today. We are optimistic that we will be able to retrieve them tomorrow on the way out of town; however, any prayers that would pave the way for an easy pick-up tomorrow morning would be welcome!
So, learning a little bit about patience and flexibility. We ate lunch in the airport, and I hate to say: we came all the way to Mexico to eat at Carl's Jr. Only here, a six-dollar burger is a nineteen peso hambuergesa.
We drove through big-city traffic to the church offices, and settled into the dormitory. It is modest, but clean and pleasantly cool. We walked to the nearby John Wesley Seminary, where the Director and a first-year student gave us a tour. The building is over a hundred years old, and they were rightfully very proud of their facilities. They were also very specific in showing us how previous construction crews from Asbury and elsewhere had helped improve their building; their gratitude was evident, and they were quick to acknowledge God's hand in their lovely church home.
We're getting ready to eat dinner here, have some devotional time and then--hopefully--to an early bed. Our group is all getting along well: we really do all have different, but complementary gifts, and it has made a long day enjoyable and interesting. Please remember us all in your prayers tomorrow as we collect our supplies and travel outside the city to serve.
Leslie Roark
Fortunately, we had an uneventful trip: on-time departures and arrivals, our bags were waiting for us, no one got lost. We encountered a glitch once here, though: the customs officials were reluctant to release our medical bags, carrying all of our supplies that would allow us to provide medical services at the clinic starting tomorrow...boxes of eyeglasses, crates of dental equipment, cases of medications, all somewhere in the airport. Our team leader and a fluent physician spent literally hours at the airport negotiating with officials for our supplies. Even the local bishop, who was at the airport to pick up another Methodist guest (coincidence? I don't think so), was unable to facilitate the disposition of our goodies before we left today. We are optimistic that we will be able to retrieve them tomorrow on the way out of town; however, any prayers that would pave the way for an easy pick-up tomorrow morning would be welcome!
So, learning a little bit about patience and flexibility. We ate lunch in the airport, and I hate to say: we came all the way to Mexico to eat at Carl's Jr. Only here, a six-dollar burger is a nineteen peso hambuergesa.
We drove through big-city traffic to the church offices, and settled into the dormitory. It is modest, but clean and pleasantly cool. We walked to the nearby John Wesley Seminary, where the Director and a first-year student gave us a tour. The building is over a hundred years old, and they were rightfully very proud of their facilities. They were also very specific in showing us how previous construction crews from Asbury and elsewhere had helped improve their building; their gratitude was evident, and they were quick to acknowledge God's hand in their lovely church home.
We're getting ready to eat dinner here, have some devotional time and then--hopefully--to an early bed. Our group is all getting along well: we really do all have different, but complementary gifts, and it has made a long day enjoyable and interesting. Please remember us all in your prayers tomorrow as we collect our supplies and travel outside the city to serve.
Leslie Roark
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