Ezequiel

One unexpected job I have been given at the clinic is to mentor a local medical student.

Ezequiel is from nearby Louisville - under 10 miles from our clinic. He has just finished his medical training at a school in Merida, Mexico. He is currently on break before his internship begins.

I have had the opportunity to teach him some medicine, but more importantly patient management. He has had the opportunity to teach me Spanish!

It has long been hoped that Ezequiel, a local boy, would one day fill the need that this clinic has for a physician. Currently, he desires to become sort of surgeon.

Please pray that the Presbyterian Medical Clinic has its physician need met. If Ezequiel is to be the one who meets this need, pray that he would realize this and forego his desires to be a surgeon, knowing the good he can do here.

Miss Karen

Karen Hill is an RN from Jacksonville, Florida.

She has worked at the clinic in Patchacan for the past 3 1/2 years.

Today she flies home, her time of service in Belize now over.

We had a nice going away gathering for her the other night - including her favorite dish by Ms. Lucy, fried chicken.

The O'Neill's are sad to see her go.

She has been a model of hospitality, making us feel at home from the beginning of our stay here.

She has taken a genuine interest in our kids and the reciprocal love they show towards her is evidence of this.

And she has had a connection with her patients that is an inspiration to this health care worker.

When you pray, thank God for her service here. And pray for her following His guidance as she enters a new phase in her life.

Shock and Awe

We are just past our half-way point.

I thought it might be a good time to "de-worm" myself and my family, you know, just in case.

Treatment for parasites is a single dose of Mebendazole.

Grattan thought so much of my idea that he took Hudson's, Athan's, Charity's and his dose at once.

He is definitely clear now!

Retreat

We were privileged to the attend the Mission to the World (MTW) Belize leadership retreat last weekend.

MTW is the mission agency for the Presbyterian Church in America. The local leadership, that includes some Americans and some Belizeans, thought it was a good idea to have a weekend retreat at the Banana Bank Lodge. They thought it would be good to fellowship, sing praises, hear some Scriptural exhortations and sight-see.

I thought it was an even better idea to invite the O'Neills ;)

We did have a good time singing many songs of praise (my favorites were Eres Todopoderoso (I like the Patchacan version better, but this was the best I could find) and Before the Throne of God Above), being exhorted to pray (and to do so more intentionally, frequently, and powerfully) and getting to know one another.

The O'Neill's also had a good time swimming and then visiting the Belize Zoo (do not ask Bram about the Tapir!) and the Community Baboon Sanctuary (where people and Howler monkeys co-exist).

Hump Day

Today is Hump Day.

We have been here 7 weeks.

We have 7 weeks to go.

As with most things, time has flown by - though it didn't seem like we would ever get to this point after the first few days.

As each day passes, I am more and more glad that we have had the opportunity to come to Belize and be a part of my patients, staff and neighbors lives.

Thanks to all of you that have prayed for us, sent us encouraging notes and have taken an interest in our affairs. In has been more appreciated than you can imagine.

God has been faithful (as if He could been anything else) to bless our activities here. Pray that He would continue to do the same on the second half of our visit.

Why we are here V

Another reminder of the people we are here to serve.

Finally ...

It has been several years at home, and over 6 weeks here, but Hudson finally gave in - he fell asleep early the other night. For those of you who know him, this was a momentous event. It was not a mid-day nap or anything, but it was before 8p and that is extraordinary for him. The score is Belize 1, Hudson 0.

On the other hand, Bram seems to have fallen asleep anywhere and at anytime!! He has adjusted well, as this is no change from home.

In the attached photos, Bram can be seen sleeping during praise time, on the plane, in the aftermath of our bat episode, in the clinic, on his bed, on a church bench, with his brothers, at the dinner table, on our couch, on a table and in the car.