Day 5 - Palmira and the new church

 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 

Acts 11:23-24

The time at Palmira has become a day filled with expectation. After sleeping the first nite and enjoying a good breakfast at the facilities in Lita, the team travelled in three trucks on the improved road all the way past main Rio Verde and on to the growing community of Palmira. Upon arrival, we quickly set up our general medical clinic, with a pharmacy, a station for eye glasses, and four general medicine stations run by our two physicians, nurse practitioner, and two nurses. We received invaluable assistance from translators on our team, as well as from the Liebenzell Mission and from Galilea Church. VBS activities with the many children were conducted by our energetic and creative VBS team.

Over 230 residents of Palmira were provided care over the next six hours. Cases seen included pneumonia, cutaneous lymphoma, asthma, degenerative joint disease, multiple cases of scabies and head lice, pelvic inflammatory disease, gastritis, and infected fly and other insect bites. The people seen expressed thanks for the care received.

Upon completing clinic work for the day, some of the team rode up the hill with Kevin and Kathy Bruce to visit the new Awa church, The House of Prayer. Built at the request of Paulino prior to his death, the church is the only church in the Palmira community. Its presence is a tribute to his life in Jesus Christ, and the number of worshipers is growing.

Before departure, the thanks of the people of Palmira was formally expressed to the team by the community president. Located at “the end of the road”, he said such an event had not occurred before.

Though it rained on the way home, nothing could dampen the God-created spirit within the team that day. Supper tasted good, and sleep was sound that night.