and then there were 2 (and a half) months

I don´t know how it is possible that I´ve been here a month already but apparently it`s true.   Today I changed my keyboard to the spanish setting and therefore my punctuation may be slightly lacking as I figure out where all the little exclamation marks and stuff are.  The good news is that now (with the help of dear friends) I have found the ¨ñ" key, which I've been searching for.  YAY.  It's the little things, folks, isn't it?

A fabulous team from Gainesville, GA, just departed this morning- we had a wonderful week!  I feel like I am learning so much from the wonderful Dominican and American providers that work or help out at this clinic.   I loved being in the clinic with them, meandering from pre-op to post-op to the operating rooms to the storage rooms to the pharmacy and beyond.   I love what I`m doing here...grabbing supplies, starting a rare IV, fetching folks from the waiting room, trying to help translate,  running for dry towels or sheets or more meds, generally being a go-fer.  I just love it.  


My spanish is still completely Charlie Brown spanish but I am growing increasingly fearless about using it.   I am settled in beautifully to Room 16 at the Guesthouse and I no longer screetch with my cold water showers.   And I have grown accustomed to the fact that water never just runs from the sink or shower.  It sputters...wildly.  So when you turn on the water to brush your teeth or wash your hands...there might be one drop and then it explodes all over my face and shirt with violent eruptions.   I always look like I have fumbled my coffee all over my shirt when I walk around this place.   I sleep through the roosters and donkeys and dogs and pigeons now, although occasionally I find myself humming with the disco music blaring outside when I wake up or lie down.   I wear sweaters sometimes in the morning (it IS winter here too people...these 60 degree mornings are BRISK) and shudder when I hear news of snow at home.    I buy minutes for my cell phone by handing my cell to the lady at the local colmado who takes down my number, calls it, and somehow transfers minutes from HER cell to mine.  It's just nuts but it works.    I can text a little bit in spanish and occasionally handle about 20% of a phone call.    I crave rice and I dream of guandules.    I AM still waiting to see if a big spider makes it way into Room 16 but so far, so good.  

It seems like I wake up and another week is gone..time is flying by.   I miss my friends and family in the States so much but I feel surrounded here also with kind friends and adopted family.   It seems there is no shortage of invites to "come over for lunch" or "stop in and visit".   And this morning I got lots of hugs when I walked into the clinic.   Overall, I sense God showering me with His mercy here, I'm safe, I'm warm, I'm happy.

Thanks for continuing to pray for me.  It is amazing to see Jesus here in this place....never gets old.