Thursday was our last day at the clinic. We left the hotel extra early because we were in the store for a special treat. Johanna gave an inspirational devotion on about her cancer journey which not only touched me but countless others on the team. It was an excellent way to start out our day.
Just five minutes from the clinic is a jungle with some Mayan ruins and howling monkeys. The bus took us right to the site and we spent about thirty minutes exploring. We climbed some hills, admired the vegetation, and watched the monkeys in the trees. It was a go lot of fun and a wonderful, uplifting way to start the morning. We all came back with very muddy shoes and some of us with mud on our clothes.
The day went well. It was very hot and we had our afternoon downpour. We saw lots of patients and as usual everyone collaborated to make sure that we provided the best patient care. At the end of the day we packed up and put all the trunks in the truck. We were all exhausted, satisfied and wondering where the week had gone. In a blink of an eye, as Tagni reminded us, our work was done. It was definitely a bittersweet moment.
The mayor from El Chal came and thanked us. He expressed his gratitude and support for the program. He presented us all with certificates. He recognized the local volunteers and village coordinators without whom the work could never happen. Many of his employees had volunteered to work and he let them know that they had the next day off. Everyone clapped with gratitude.
We had a lovely celebration dinner after a long day of working and then we recognized the many volunteers who made up the team. That is always a wonderful time of sharing and fellowship as we recognize everyone’s work. What is always so wonderful to see is how relationships are forged.
Today, I am writing from the bus. We will be in Antigua shortly after noon and we will have the opportunity to do a little shopping and exploring before we all go home to resume our lives. We will be eating dinner tonight together again at a local restaurant; this group has enjoyed each other so much that we will fellowship again on this last evening together.
This is the smallest team that I have been a part of and it has been delightful. We have had the opportunity to get to know each other really well and really become a team. I truly hope that this won’t be the last time that we will see the new folks that joined our team.
I personally love the work that I do with FIP and this trip is something I look forward to every year. The work is satisfying and blesses everyone in ways that it is hard to explain. It is not hard to see God’s hands and feet at work.
Blessed to be part of this team. I’ll be back in February.
Mikki
Team AGO #715 2022
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