During our preparation process for the trip, our formation team preaches that our presence alone is service enough. This doesn’t mean that our service projects don’t produce results. It means that the most important results are likely ones that cannot be measured. It’s our perseverance in service when tired and ill, uncomfortable and confused, that will leave the most impact. Like the sun breaking through the clouds that continue to nestle themselves in the mountain valley of Coatán, the endurance of our love breaks through barriers of language and culture between us and our hosts.
Wednesday brought an end to the work of our education and medical teams. The medical team saw over 225 patients, referred over 20 patients with chronic illnesses to our telehealth clinic for followup visits, and dispensed over 300 prescriptions.
A highlight of our medical team was our pharmacy staff. When the retired doctor who was running the pharmacy needed some rest to overcome a stomach bug after the clinic’s first day, her staff took over for our busiest day doing an awesome job in her absence. Rodrigo Lopez, from St. Frances Cabrini parish, was one of the pharmacy staff. His careful attention to detail and heart for service shone through the tiring day on his feet, hunched over tables, counting pills.
The education team taught in 16 classrooms in two schools, applied fluoride to the teeth of over 250 children, and planted over 100 trees. Megan Rozmajzl, a St. Robert’s parishioner, has been a sunny presence on the education team burning through the cloudy days and sometimes restless nights staying in new surroundings. Dealing with her own stomach bug did not deter her from traveling with the education team yesterday to brighten Sacred Heart School in Pueblo Nuevo Jucup with her smile. A teacher by profession, her innate ability to connect with children the best teachers have has been evident throughout the trip.
We ended the day moving onto our next adventure—staying with families in surrounding communities in San Sebastián Coatán. The nervousness of both host and guest was palpable in the room as we prayed together before exiting the parish as one family. We hope that our light might continue to shine in the homes of those who open their doors to us.
