The members are Michael Pursley MD, cardiologist pictured here, JJ McCool, Joe Strange, Pam and Len Turner (our dear friends for over 30 years) Cesar Roca MD, orthopaedic surgeon, Ralph La Guardia, pastor and Dr. Paul Fowler, senior pastor Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church.
The purpose of the trip is to help in the finishing stage of the construction of La Vida Surgical Center in Portoviejo, Ecuador. Through this process they will gain an understanding of the needs of the people, particularly the poor, in this region.
They have built a wonderful team. After the first day with JJ and Joe working on the suspended ceilings and Pam and Len painting walls , Ralph working with the Ecuadorian electrician pulling wires and the rest sanding walls and doing miscellaneous tasks, the group had exceeded the planned activities.
We meet for breakfast at 6:15 and begin our day at 6:55.
Although we are tired, there is no need for alarm clocks. The "hotel" rooster takes care of that function beginning at around 3:30 a.m.
Some of the guys are planning a special farewell soup which might involve our alarm clock!
Our work day ends at 4 p.m.
We sit and chat awaiting our evening "merienda" (snack) at 5:15 after which we go home to the Hotel Ejecutivo.
Evenings have been busy:
Rotary Club meeting on Monday night where we received a warm welcome.
The younger set, JJ McCool, Michael Pursley and Cesar Roca worked out at a local gym with Julian and Jeff
Joe Strange went out to practice his Spanish but his best teacher so far has been a 3 year old girl who loves to hang around when he takes a break.
On Tuesday night Paul Fowler presented a class at the church on discipleship. I (Flor) enjoyed translating for him.
Today, Wednesday Nov 11 Michael Pursley saw patients in clinic at CAS after lunch. Cesar and Paul saw patients in clinic yesterday most of whom were follow ups to surgeries performed in June and October
Tonight, Ralph La Guardia will speak to church during Wednesday night church service.
The photos that follow are a glimpse of these wonderful friends giving of themselves and enjoying one another.
Rotary Club meeting on Monday night where we received a warm welcome.
The younger set, JJ McCool, Michael Pursley and Cesar Roca worked out at a local gym with Julian and Jeff
Joe Strange went out to practice his Spanish but his best teacher so far has been a 3 year old girl who loves to hang around when he takes a break.
On Tuesday night Paul Fowler presented a class at the church on discipleship. I (Flor) enjoyed translating for him.
Today, Wednesday Nov 11 Michael Pursley saw patients in clinic at CAS after lunch. Cesar and Paul saw patients in clinic yesterday most of whom were follow ups to surgeries performed in June and October
Tonight, Ralph La Guardia will speak to church during Wednesday night church service.
The photos that follow are a glimpse of these wonderful friends giving of themselves and enjoying one another.
