Although we awoke in different cities across the United States, we’re excited to all be together in San Isidro, Costa Rica tonight. After a smooth day of travel, we were blessed to have a fast trip through customs. All the medications, supplies, crayons, flip flops, hats, etc went through customs just fine. Praise God! We jumped on the bus and drove to the Pacific coast, stopping along the way to have supper at Los Crocodillos. The surprise of the night was seeing sunbathing crocodiles.
After supper, we drove along the coast and up into the mountains. We’re now settled into the hotel and excited for what tomorrow has in store. Please pray for the clinics that start at 8am; that God would re-energize us and bring the people most in need of health care to the clinics.

This man felt very comfortable feeding the crocodile, knowing there were so many health care professionals nearby.

Thank you to everyone at home who has been praying for our trip. We were blessed today at clinics. Hundreds of people showed up and were able to receive medical, dental and eye care. The gymnasium that is hosting our team for the week has been turned into a medical facility! We’re also able to pass out Bibles, toiletry kits, hats, and family portraits to those in line. Translators are giving their time and talents to help out team communicate with the patients. After a long day, great food and plenty of team bonding, we’re even more excited to see what tomorrow has in store.

Dr. Gary making friends with a little patient

Pastor Victor joined in on the fun today! The church that we are partnering with for the week, Martillos de Guerra, has been a wonderful host. They cleaned the facilities, spread word of the clinics through television and radio, and have been helping to organize the flow of patients.

Ellen is keeping the children entertained while their parents are in line.

Word has gotten out about the clinics and we saw even more people today! Students studying English at the local university came to help translate. We're tired after a long day on our feet, but so excited at what God is doing. Tomorrow is a bit more relaxed. We'll sleep in, go to church, and pass out packages of food to about 50 homes before resuming clinics on Monday.

Ken has been taking photos of families that come through our clinic. He's able to print them off and give them their gift while they are still in line!

After a particularly moving and passionate church service on Sunday morning, we went into the community to pass out food bags. These bags contained rice, beans, sugar, coffee and toiletry items. About 50 bags were passed out and we were able to see part of the community that had been coming to our clinics.

Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the San Isidro valley.

Ward, hard at work in the pharmacy!

During the week we got word that a young couple was in need of a crib. Their baby is due soon and they have been praying for over two months that they would be able to afford a crib. It just so happened that God had provided the finances for us to purchase one and give it to them as a surprise.

We had our final day of clinics yesterday. They were wonderful. Before the week started, medical professionals from San Isidro volunteered to sponsor the group; offer advice, help with supplies, and give feedback to the ministry of health. Dr. Laura, a dentist, visited the dental clinic yesterday. She told some of us about a patient that was referred to her for additional work after receiving dental care at our clinics. The first thing Dr. Laura asked was "how did they treat you?" The patient couldn't say enough about the love and care she felt, even in the midst of a dental procedure. That summed up the goal of our clinics; to help in a way that showed respect and love to all that came. This week has been a blessing; definitely to us as a team and we pray to the people in San Isidro as well.

Today we are going to enjoy a time of recreation in Dominical, a beach town on the Pacific side. We'll have a time of fellowship, fun, and reflection over everything that God has done this week.