The Road to Chiraque

I can only imagine how Bob Hope and Bing Crosby would have enjoyed making this movie!
Despite early morning rains. . .this on top of several days of the same. . .the team made its way up the difficult "road" to Chiraque.  The road starts as creek bed, then turns uphill. . .with only a couple of paved sections.  Mostly, its a dirt/mud road and rain gives it a hog pen quality!   We were there to do a mobile medical at our adopted village, and pitch in on the putting the final touches on the rebuilt church, which is to be re dedicated today. . .followed by a village-wide celebration.  We basically throwing a party for 300 folks, and everything has to be brought up mountain and prepared.  Yikes!
But the energy is not to be denied.  Without a church, there is no village.  Worship on Sunday, overflow school rooms Monday - Friday, shelter all the time.  It is the heart and soul of the community, and Hurricane Matthew knocked it down.  We resolved to rebuild it, and the village started in January clearing the debris of the 20-year old church.  Tomorrow, after 3 months of non-stop work, fellowship resumes in the church. . .Jack Harnish suggested calling it the Chiraque Methodist Church of the Resurrection.  Good call, but the villagers will just call it home.
Carpenters, masons, painters, electricians were all at it yesterday, and women of the church standing by waiting to sweep, mop and decorate.  Church choirs were practicing. . .breathtaking their focus on preparing for a grand celebration today.  It will be emotional. . .more to come.
The mobile medical was very busy. . .over 280 patients seen and treated in 7 hours.  We had three doctors, 4 nurses, a few translators to assist Dr. Scott and Nurse Nancy.  By the time we all made it back to our overnight accommodations in Jeremie, we were pretty tired.  The day before, Friday, was a long day as well as we cut/counted/bagged many different medicines for distribution In Chiraque today.
It rained overnight again, making us wonder if the Road to Chiraque will be passable today.  So much want to be part of a celebration that promises to be glorious.

Sent from my iPad

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