This past month has been full of lots of studying and building for Nathan. He just returned on Sunday from the US after taking his oral ophthalmology boards last week. He is really glad to have them completed and now is back in Peru. Last week was my first full week alone in Peru and I seemed to survive pretty well without Nathan. The only big events of the week were that the starter in our car stopped working and I got a flat tire, but other than that it was a pretty uneventful week. We continue to be so thankful and blessed by our dear friends here, who very graciously helped take care of me.
So the clinic construction continues! We are definitely learning patience and lots about this culture during this process of building this clinic. We have had several peruvian work crews decide to take 2-3 weeks off before returning to finish their job. This has been very frustrating at times and has definitely made the progress of the clinic go a bit more slowly than we had anticipated. It has been a great opportunity for us to trust in the Lord's timing and plan for the clinic and the work that is to be done in the future.
Over the past few weeks the ceilings and outdoor bricking have been completed. This week the lights should be hung so that we will now have lights in the clinic. The main things left to finish will be the tiling, cabinetry, and then bathrooms.
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| Beginning of the bricking with the insulation |
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| Side of clinic with finished bricking |
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| Walkway to ophthalmology clinic |
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| Front of clinic |
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| Back of clinic with garage |
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| Finished ceilings in hallway |
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| Exam room finished ceilings |
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| Operating room |
I have been enjoying spending some time at a local orphanage outside of the city. This orphanage has about 13 children from the ages of newborn to 6 years old. Many of the children have special needs and really just want to play and be loved. I have enjoyed getting to know the many "mamás" who work at the orphanage and keep the children. Lately I have been going a few afternoons a week and have been holding babies as well as making cookies and helping the older kids with their homework. I have been incredibly encouraged and blessed by this ministry. What a joy to love on children who don't have parents to love on them.
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| Sweet 6 year old girls Hilda and Angelina |
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| The girls with Angelina's brother Fabrisio |
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| Play time with one of the "mamás" Katy. |
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| Angelina (she loves the camera) and Fabiola, who is 4 years old |
