To Save a Life

We went to Valle Escondida Friday, a poor neighborhood in David where we set up our clinic in the church. Alan, picked up some people in the church bus and we saw the locals as well.

Late in the morning there was a commotion and I hear Yolanda calling "Dr. Jim, Dr. Jim, Dr. Jim - I looked and saw an hysterical grandmother crying, carrying her grandson and shaking him up and down, desperate to get him to respond. We got him on a desk and found that he had a very slow heart rate, was unresponsive, and sweating profusely. Dr. Humberto secured his airway while we confirmed he was breathing and had a pulse. We called "Boris, Boris, Boris - but no response. Slowly as grandma and mother cried, Boris' heart rate returned to normal and he stabilized. Dr. Humberto called Fire Department and we prayed for Boris and his family.

While waiting, we learned Boris simply slipped and fell. One moment playing and enjoying the all of the commotion, the next - on the ground struggling to breathe and fighting for his life. We don't know how long he was down before someone brought him to us and we started the simple ABC's of first aid and the spiritual first aid of prayer. Not knowing Boris' relationship with the Lord is a reminder that life is short and fleeting, and we will all bow our knees to Jesus some day. A good opportunity to ask ourselves if we trust him for our salvation or have we chosen to pay our sins for ourselves? For that matter, what about all of the other people out there who don't know the Lord? Let's pray for Boris - his health and salvation and for all of those facing the dangers of this life without a saving relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have a great day!

Jim Ingram
www.drjimingram.blogspot.com
www.jamesingrammd.com

So I want to start off by thanking Jim for giving me the opportunity to contribute to his blog! I must say this trip has been amazing so far and I am looking forward to what Go will do through our team tomorrow.

Today we had the honor of serving a group of people who have suffered hardships as a result of the Chiquita banana company leaving the area a few years ago. As the ambassador of fun I have the opportunity to hang out with kids all day! Today I interacted with a group. Of kids that were really interested in English...so I got to practice my Spanish. :) I really enjoyed reading and singing with all of them. They giggled constantly as I made mistakes And I just smile and nod!

The medical and eye team saw 550 people today. It was such a blessing to everyone!

On a side note...we have learned that Sam is such a hilarious kid...I think his new nickname will be Lizard Lips. If ya get the chance ask him about it sometime!

Thanks for your prayers!

Emilie Rains and team

A mountain a picket line and duck duck goose

Corotu - up another road up another mountain in the back of another truck. This time with Mark hanging off the back, standing on the bumper. It's pretty crowded packing the gringo's in the back of he truck - so the big Kahuna road on the bumper.

Had to get water and Coke at the bottling plant where the Indians were picketing. Fortunately there were some ladies to send across the line to pick it up:).

The clinics are going great, seeing lots of people. This year the ambassador of fun (Emilie and her side kick Mary) are tasked with the only purpose of having fun with the kids. We had a couple of hundred indians in a room trying to maintain their stoic poses while their kids and Emilie ran through the room hitting a beach ball back and forth. Bubbles, hair braids, bouncy balls, dum dum suckers and lots and lots of running all in the name of the love of Christ. Just when I would get tired of treating the masses, I'd see Emilie running with a pack of kids or rounding the circle trying in vain to win another round of duck duck goose.

Our team is having a blast serving the people, loving Jesus, and pushing each other to serve God better. Last night we enjoyed an amazing church service in Corotu. Energetic praise to God and a sermon that challenged the indians that they have to accept God into their heart for themselves. That Jesus will cleanse their hearts and save their souls. That their real problem was not physical illness but a darkened heart destined for Hell's fire - and the only medicine is Jesus.

We've seen team members stepping out, leading prayer and devotions, and even Rachel singing A Capella "Praise you with the Dance" at the Indian service. A beautiful voice, beautiful song, and a beloved sister praising God - it was joyous. We are full of joy, laughing continually, loving the time together and the opportunity to serve.

Thank you for the prayers. Today we go to a new village for me - Potrerillos. Tomorrow will be our biggest day -
A shut down banana plantation where people have been out of work for two years and are suffering greatly.

Love you all!

Jim Ingram
www.drjimingram.blogspot.com
www.jamesingrammd.com

Quebrada de Loro

Took a 4 x 4 up the mountain, 16 gringos, packed in the bed of the truck holding on for dear life. After an hour of rocking and rolling we made it to the village. Lots of familiar faces today - Dr. Ramon, Betsy, Yolanda, Sarah, Alan, Juan, Stephanie, Joanna. We saw about 255 indians in on and off rain and cloud cover. Our ambassadors of fun played ball, braided hair, blew bubbles and had a fantastic time entertaining the kids.

This afternoon we trekked up the mountain, vainly searching for a top we never saw. We did see God's glorius creation and many of his little sons and daughters chasing us up and down the mountain wondering why anyone would go hiking in their home just for the fun of it. Wondering if so many round and soft people would ever make it home.

Now we are waiting for a church service. The pastor has been here three years and gone from twenty to one hundred and fifty people just by living and preaching the gospel. Like so many people here, a humble servant of God. What a wonderful world it would be if we only were more like him.

Thanks for all of your prayers! Love you guys.

Dr. Jim and company

www.drjimingram.blogspot.com
www.jamesingrammd.com

Quebrada de Loro

We had a schedule change and are going into the mountains today. We got through all of our flights
OK and are now in David.

Yesterday we got to see the last part of church service and reconnect with many old friends. Spent the day packing pills and training Andrew and Sam on the Optometry system.

This team is having a great time, laughing so much. Diane and Erin could make it big on a professional comedy tour. Today we get to meet the beautiful people in quebrada de loro, which is a large mountain village I have been to several times before. We will be welcomed with open arms and get to enjoy a church service tonight.

Pray for God to be glorified and our team to be in the center of his will!

Jim Ingram
www.drjimingram.blogspot.com
www.jamesingrammd.com