The Hensons In Cusco: Eye clinic inauguration!

I have realized that I have a bit of catching up to do on the blog...about 6 months worth of catching up! Over the next week or so I am going to try to post pictures and update about what has been going on with us these past months.

I will start with a few cute pictures of the busiest, but most fun people in our house! Luke is now 18 months old and Noah 6 months old. Most of my work these days is full of these two!

The big news in our life lately is that the new eye clinic has opened. Nathan started officially seeing patients and operating the first week of January. Before that he was operating and seeing patients about three hours outside of Cusco. Since the clinic here has opened, it has been bustling with lots of patients to see every day. Most patients seem to be very satisfied with their care and amazed that Nathan would spend so much time talking with them and explaining their diagnosis. Nathan has done several operations with great outcomes so far.

A very typical way to celebrate or announce the opening of a clinic, church, business, etc is to have a formal inauguration. So, that is what we did. On the 2nd of March, the small grassy area in front of the clinic was transformed into what looked like a wedding reception. There were about 100 people invited to the event. These invitees included; other ophthalmologists from Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa, the mayor, vice-president of the region, numerous members of the ministry of health in Cusco, the deans of the two medical schools in Cusco, and all of the employees and missionaries who work for the clinic. It was also great to have Sam and Julie VanVoorhis with us from the United States. Thanks in large part to their generous support we were able to build and equip the clinic. So, Sam and Julie were the "padrinos" of the celebration. This means that they were the guests of honor. They were also in charge of the ribbon cutting, which we learn not only means that you have to cut a ribbon, but also break a bottle of champagne prior to the ribbon cutting.

Tent and tables that looked as beautiful as a wedding reception

Yes, there was even a head table. I felt like a bride!

Ribbon cutting and bottle breaking by Julie Van Voorhis

There were many people who shared kind words during the ceremony. Nathan was able to share about how 3-4 years ago our dream of an eye clinic was one room, a slit lamp, and an eye chart. And now look at what the Lord has provided! A huge clinic with a waiting room, optical shop, three exam rooms, a treatment room and an operating room! Amazing! Several other ophthalmologists shared kind words and wishes for the work to be done here. One of these opthalmologist began the national eye institute in Peru and has been very instrumental in the advancement of ophthalmology here in Peru. We were very honored to have him here as well.

Nathan Wilson, president of LaFuente Clinic sharing about the history of the clinic

Sam Van Voorhis, donor and good friend

Nathan sharing about the goodness of our Lord and thanking everyone who has been apart of making the clinic possible

Dr. Contreras, pioneer in ophthalmology in Peru, giving his blessing

Dra. Mendoza, friend and ophthalmologist from Arequipa giving her blessing

Vice-president of the region of Cusco giving his remarks

After the ceremony, the tours of the clinic and ribbon cutting, we all enjoyed lunch together and watched typical peruvian dances. There was even a band who played traditional quechua music!

Dr. Contreras, and his family from Lima

And even little Noah made it to his daddy's inauguration. He was very popular!

Overall it was an amazing day and such a great way to reflect on the Lord's faithfulness over the years. There have been many days over the past two years that we thought that we would never see the day that the clinic would be operational. And here we are! The Lord is good indeed.

A few pictures of the inside of the clinic