Sept. 16th

Sounds of falling trees and chopping logs fill the compound today.
Why cut down trees? Partly because of the need for money, partly because of the need for and lumber for the new dorm/office building .

The trees are Venezuelan mahogany that were planted years ago by former missionaries. Their gifts of planting trees continue to help the people 30-40 years after the trees were first planted.


While we dislike to see large trees cut down we understand the needs and the reasons for cutting them.
A positive aspect of cutting down the trees is that there will be new locations to plant new fruit trees. We are stressing with the leadership that for every tree cut down others need to be planted in different locations so that future generations will also have trees.

Today I took a break from school to visit clinic. Numbers remain low but I was able to see two patients and met a couple new nurses. Both patients needed laboratory testing and when their results are available one of the staff will walk the results up to the house along with the charts. I will then finish the chart and write for any needed medications.
Eli is learning to use one of his birthday gifts-the machete.


Cory taught spelling and writing while I was down at clinic. The weather remains sunny so he is busy planting trees and working on the yard/garden.