Dios le bendiga (God Bless You) and hugs were parting rituals seen and heard often at the clinics as a patient left…
This year, I was privileged to go on another medical mission trip to Managua, Nicaragua with the UNT Christian Medical Association. We brought 5 physicians and other volunteers (DO, PA, and MPH students, significant others, siblings, friends, pharmacists) totaling around a hundred. We were also lucky enough to have local doctors helping at the clinics. By the end of the week, we had seen 1300 patients!! Tears came to my eyes when I heard the number. It was almost double the number of patients we saw last year in El Salvador. The missionaries and trip coordinators worked extremely hard so we could service as many areas and patients as possible with our limited resources. And similar to the memento of last year, the patients healed out hearts.
We had one fun day, then it was work time! Through out the week, we rotated through three different clinics set up in three community churches. On Wednesday, a physician and small group of volunteers saw patients from a women’s shelter and orphanage… so we had four clinics on that day. A typical day was breakfast, packing a lunch, seeing patients in the clinic, dinner, a devotional, redistributing meds to each clinic, shower, then sleep! Because it was busy, the wonderful and blessed week flew by and it was time to go home!
We had to stay at mission houses – girls and boys! The ladies were at Quinta Primavera. I was in a room with twelve women and ONE bathroom. Imagine the logistics! At least there was a community bathroom.
There was gorgeous vegetation everywhere! And we had mango trees on the premises of Quinta Primavera.
We were transported in three buses. This was one of them! You would not believe the skills of the bus drivers. They could get us anywhere through anything. Really, we would be less than 6″ passing a wall, another vehicle, etc! It was nuts!
Lots of views from the bus – headed to the central plaza.
On our fun day, we did zip lining through the canopy and a boat tour of the coast. {I skipped the zip lining – I’m a scaredy cat and afraid of heights.} On the boat tour, we saw beautiful birds and vegetation, small islands {some that were only big enough for house that sat on it}, and monkey island! The monkeys wait for the boats to come by with treats! One even jumped onto the boat!
Look at the monkey’s face!! Can you tell he LOVES oreos?!
This is the beautiful door at Clinic #1. One of the church members acted as a gate keeper to let a certain number of patients in and then out to prevent overcrowding.
Trying to get organized on the church stage for our make-shift pharmacy.
These were the make-shift exam rooms at Clinic #2. It was the largest and busiest site. Here, a local family of doctors came and helped see patients. It was a father, wife, and son team. They were awesome!
Back to Clinic #1 – Sweaty but still smiling!
This was our last night in Nicaragua. One of the local doctors, the son mentioned previously, sang at our celebration dinner. It was a wonderful way to end the trip.
Adios Nicaragua. Thank you for the beautiful scenery, experiences, friends, and love that we gained. And thank you for letting me share this wonderful experience with you. I will always have a part of Nicaragua in my heart.
{The pictures were a compilation of my own and other trip members.}
Awww, this is so sweet Sam! Looks like an amazing time and how wonderful of you and the other volunteers!!!! Great photos, thanks for sharing your experience!
Oh Sam! What a blessing!! I think it’s SO wonderful that you are able to go and spread the love of Christ in such a way! I’m actually jealous! Hubby and I have been doing some research to join the “doctors without borders” or similar organization. Hopefully, we’ll be able to give back in someway. Thanks for sharing your journey and the great photos! I LOVE the monkey pic…yeah, I think he knows! Hope you’re getting some much needed rest this weekend!
what a wonderful trip! I love the photos. It looks like a beautiful country, and I’m sure you left many happy people behind. Bless you for volunteering your time.
WOW!! This is so inspiring. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the memories you made. It’s wonderful to be able to share your skills and gifts.
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It looks like you had an amazing trip Sam!! You all must have done so much good, in such a short time!! You’re all amazing!!
xoxo
Stacey
http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.co.uk/
What an amazing trip and opportunity! You and all of the other volunteers are wonderful :)
Awww, this is so sweet Sam! Looks like an amazing time and how wonderful of you and the other volunteers!!!! Great photos, thanks for sharing your experience!
xoxo,
Rachel
http://www.rachelslookbook.com
Great photos Sam! :)
Oh Sam! What a blessing!!
I think it’s SO wonderful that you are able to go and spread the love of Christ in such a way! I’m actually jealous! Hubby and I have been doing some research to join the “doctors without borders” or similar organization. Hopefully, we’ll be able to give back in someway. Thanks for sharing your journey and the great photos! I LOVE the monkey pic…yeah, I think he knows!
Hope you’re getting some much needed rest this weekend!
Jeannie
what a great way to help those in less fortunate situations!
Aww this is so wonderful! I need to do more traveling
Nice foto!I folllow your blog
This is such an inspiring read, Sam. How I wish I have the skills which is useful on missions like these. Love this post!
Olá flor passando pra conhece seu blog , e adorei tudo vc esta de parabéns estou seguindo vou adora ter vc no meu blog beijos flor..
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What a wonderful trip. You and your group are doing some awesome things to help people. Love the pictures, the monkey’s face is priceless.
what a wonderful trip! I love the photos. It looks like a beautiful country, and I’m sure you left many happy people behind. Bless you for volunteering your time.
AwayFromTheBlue.blogspot.com.au
Sam..you’re such an angel. :)
What an amazing trip full of heart warming memories! I am so glad you shared your trip with us, it sounds like a really great, fulfilling experience.
thanks for sharing this with us Sam, looks like an amazing trip and you look so cute on the boat! hope you get to do some more :) x
Aww you look so cute in your stripe shirt + sunglasses.
WOW!! This is so inspiring. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine the memories you made. It’s wonderful to be able to share your skills and gifts.
It looks beautiful there.
Truly inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
Just read this now – what an amazing and inspiring opportunity you had. It looks like you and your team made such a great impact on the community.