Final Day of Clinic in Por Venir

It is was our final day of clinic today and we spent the day in Por Venir.   Por Venir is one of the new and old communities just outside of San Lucas. The community is both new and old because the people of Por Venir lived for many years on a Finca ( coffee plantation) up in the volcano. 9 years ago their community was washed away in heavy rains and the parish was able to purchase land for them to build a new community. Today the pueblo Por Venir is a beautiful community with a school, a community center and a health center. Each home has running water and electricity. To think that just 9 short years ago these people were living as indentured servants  or finca workers far from civilization in very meager conditions. I remember going to Mass in their finca with Fr. Greg  in 1985 and it was very remote. Straight up hill! Today the people of Por Venir are so proud of their community. The homes are simple but well taken care of and they are growing coffee and corn in their yards! Some of the people also have land in their old finca that Fr. Greg helped them to purchase so they climb the volcano and work in their own coffee fields today. We saw close to 50 patients today and were able to help them with their ailments.I am so proud of this MDP team. They are amazing together!  It has been a great week of work. Tomorrow we are on the lake and then on to Antigua and home again. Thanks for all of your prayers. Bridget Hermer