Mission Day 2: Vicam

Today we traveled 1-1/2 hours each way to set up our clinic at the Yaqui Indian village of Vicam (pronounced vee-kom). In the 10 years we've ministered here in The San Carlos/Guaymas area, we'd never been to Vicam before. We weren't sure what to expect, since we've previously had both difficult/frightening and warm/welcoming experiences at other Yaqui villages. And I'm sure the village residents didn't know what to expect from us either. But the day unfolded to reveal one of our most fruitful, smoothly-running, and welcoming visits ever.

Learning from yesterday, the first order of business was for Curt, Mark and Brad to make an early morning stop at Walmart (yes, Guaymas has a Walmart!) and purchase 15 additional chairs so our ministry group wouldn't have to stand on our feet on concrete all day. What a welcome sight to see the bed of Brad's pickup loaded with a stack of white plastic chairs!!

When we arrived at Vicam, we found a lovely shaded concrete area for our day's work. The set-up was accomplished smoothly and quickly, with all hands helping.

Curt and Mark planning the layout:

As the tents and tables went up....

...the nurses received their "marching orders" from Dr. Gabor....

...and all our docs planned their strategy for the day.

The highlight of the morning for Curt and me was to be reunited with our dear friend Jenny Navarro. She and her husband, Jesse, run an orphanage in the area where they currently care for 16 children. Jenny and Jesse have been awarded the status of honorary Yaquis by the Yaqui nation, and Jenny was there today as a trusted friend of the Indians to help pave the way for us to work in this new village.

Jenny and Jessica set up the Evangelism table with New Testaments, Bibles and other literature in Spanish.

As the set-up continues, the locals begin lining up for registration...

...and the day's work begins with the entire team in prayer.

If you read yesterday's blogs, you know by now our areas of ministry, and our individual stations: Greeters, Triage, Nursing Care, Doctors, Eyeglass distribution, Toothbrush distribution, Evangelism (prayer and Bible distribution), and Children's activities. So rather than adding a lot of narrative, I'll just post a few of the many photos I took today. You'll know by now what's going on.

You'll notice the colorful skirts and shawls of some of the Yaqui women, the traditional cowboy attire of many of the men, and the beautiful faces of all ages of the Yaqui.

Nurse Carol performing a strep test:

Kaitlyn has become quite adept at taking blood pressure.

Rachel distributes yet another pair of glasses...with her signature smile.

It was a long but very satisfying day. We're all looking forward to tomorrow, worshiping at San Carlos Community Church, and enjoying an afternoon of R&R.