Mayfairian Visitors and a Retreat

Aside from the medical brigades, we had several visitors and other happenings in January/February that are worth a blog update.

Sidenote: a nearby hospital has been asking us to bring groups to perform surgeries in their facility. There is a need, but we don't want to begin something so serious without doing an extensive amount of research.

So, Dr. Kinzer and Andy Curtis came down to investigate and share their opinions on the things that would need to change before these groups become realistic. Along with Matt and Kristen Moore and Kyle K. that were visiting as well, we toured the hospital and asked some important questions. While we're not done "researching" before any decisions or commitments are made, this was a necessary step, so we are thankful that they made the trip.

Dr. Kinzer and Andy also stayed for one day of the medical brigade, and it was nice to have extra help. I was secretly hoping that Dr. Kinzer would bring a few of his children in his suitcase, but he did not.. Still, I enjoyed very much translating for him during the brigade.

My phone is 110 in phone years
 so don't judge the bad photos

Our other visitors from Mayfair (my and the Stacys' home congregation) were Jason Bybee and Matt Moore. They came down to speak/translate for the MUR team retreat. They are the dynamic duo of speaking/translating gigs, and we were incredibly blessed to have them there to share with us.

The retreat was at the beach in La Ceiba, and we had a great time! There is never a dull moment when the whole team is together, and that is especially true with the Central American part of our team at the beach. I've said before and I'm sure will say again that I am very thankful to work with an organization that invests in the spiritual well-being and relationships of its employees.


Not to be a downer, but the other "happening" worth mentioning is that I ended up making a surprise trip home for a week in February when my grandmother passed away. I was surrounded by loving words and prayers from my family and friends in the 2 countries that feel like home, and I realize how special that is. My family and I appreciate the support!

Lessons in cutting open a chicken.
This is what we do with visitors.

Getting ready for a cookout.

Medical Brigades

We have already had two medical brigades this year! They both went really well, both groups were great, and I'm going to update about both right now.

In January, we hosted a group from LaVergne, TN, but it was far from a normal brigade week for the MUR team. Instead of leaving from Santa Rosa each morning, we traveled with the group to Puerto Cortes. I enjoyed being in the hotel/eating with the group, and I really loved traveling with the MUR gringos for "work"!

The brigade itself went really well. We saw 770 patients in 3 days. LaVergne was a fairly small group, but you wouldn't have known it based on the way they worked. 

It was fun to be a "tourist" with them. For their free day we went to a Spanish fort, which was really interesting. We ate some decent seafood, visited the "beach", and had a medical brigade. Great week.

Stacy kids working hard

In February, we had a brigade in El Limon with the group from Longview, Texas. It was the third time I've been here for their medical brigade, so it was nice to see many of them again and to have a pretty experienced group to work with. 

In 3 days they saw 904 patients. They also were checking eyes and giving out glasses, and they had a dental area with teeth pulling. Of course, the week went really well with them also.

Both groups were a blast to be around and were incredibly encouraging for those of us who live here. As always, by the end of the weeks I was left loving my job even more than before!

Puerto Cortes

I translated for Dr. Kinzer the day he worked with us!

I got the soldier to teach Kevin (translator) how to tie shoes.
Kevin did not enjoy this.