The Epidemic

That´s right, an epidemic bullied its way through our household...and the greater metropolitan area of Santo Tomas and Union. What was it? I tell you: PINKEYE! It started out simple (perhaps an eyelash in the eye?), then exploded into mayhem over the next several days. Within the week all of our girls and workers and volunteers (a number of about 25) had pinkeye except for 4. We soon discovered that most of the community had it as well.

Now for the interesting part. Everyone had a magical remedy that worked, supposedly. Here is a brief rundown of the various suggestions given to the girls in various encounters:

1. Antibacterial eyedrops: My first suggestion, but proven ineffective.
2. Achiote leaves: My personal favorite due to its natural charm. Google achiote and you will discover this plant has a huge list of medicinal properties, including a phlem that relieves conguntivitis. Way to go, Amazonia. We have one in our back property. Still fairly ineffective, unless healing takes about 5 days.
3. Eye ointment from the pharmacy: My next suggestion, which felt like it should be effective since it burned...but still didn´t work any miracles.
4. Breast milk: Yeah, one of our workers tried that while I was investigating the proper application of the eye ointment. I asked what the white liquid was, and found out it was from our currently nursing mother. Weird.
5. Iced Tea: I think it is just the cold that eases the irritation, but they are convinced that it is only the manzanilla tea and the one that smells like Fruit Loops. Still didn´t work very fast.
6. Coconut milk: Better to drink, I think.
7. Lemon: By this time I had it and felt hopeless to any remedy. I let the girls try whatever natural thing they wanted to try. Squeezing fresh lemons into the eye (just a drop) sounded painful—and was confirmed to be painful! I decided to wait and see if it worked before I would try. Good thing I waited—pain for nothing.
8. Urine: A motorcar driver suggested it and I vetoed it…but I think Keyla tried it later…if she did, it didn´t work.

We have all recovered, or almost recovered. In the end, it was viral so it didn´t really matter what remedy we used. The next time you get pinkeye, just take a look at this list and take your pick! Enjoy!

Aaron´s Birthday

Aaron turned 24 on July 10. The girls egged him, as is tradition, made him some cake, sang to him and then we all went out for chicken and rice at our beloved Kikiriki. It was an awesome night.

Monkey Island and Boras with family

Due to the great holiday, Teacher´s Day, we took advantage of no school to go touring with family. Here are some pics of our trip. We have visited this Bora tribe several times and are friends.

Walter (a common name here...I believe it comes from the Cocama dialect) and me.

Us with the Boras. Arthur is shirtless...because he traded the shirt on his back for an item. Classy.
Michael and his needy "friend". Pretty funny. Wouldn´t recommend crutches at Monkey Island.
Herkie´s fiancé, Ariana. She has the same coloring as our son! Just less hair.
Aaron with this cute baby Choro!!! Pooped on him, but still so cute!!!!

4th of July

The missionaries in Iquitos area threw a 4th of July pool party. It was awesome. Potato salads, sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, iced tea...it was like being at home!!!

Arrivals and Departures

We apologize for the blog drought. We have had many people come and go in the past month and we´d like to give a breif review.

Good news: THE JENSENS ARRIVE!!!

Bad news: The Jensens depart...

Good news: The Jensens will come back!!!

We never officially introduced the Jensens. This particularly tall, blonde family arrived fromFlorida early May to replace Casey and Lisa. Kathi has been here along with her three

children, Michael, Kristi and Matthew. They are an awesome family and we are privileged to have them here. Just last week they returned to the States to register their eldest son for school. They will return late August with husband/dad, David. We are looking forward to their return.

Good news: Richard is awesome and helped us a lot in the past many many months.

Bad news: Richard departed. Bye Richard!

Good news: Arthur came and even got a nickname! Arturo Maduro

Bad news: Arthur left. ¡Chau Arturo Maduro!

Our dearly rugged friend, Arthur Ordelheide came to visit for about 6 weeks. He brought so much enthusiasm and joy…and cinnamon rolls! All day he practiced Spanish with the girls and the neighbors; every trip into town he said “hola” to every driver and passenger he saw; every afternoon he tutored math to the neighborhood kids and played soccer; every Friday he “got his roll on” making cinnamon rolls for Friday dinner.

Good news: Aaron´s mom and sister came!!!

Bad news: Becky already left...

Good news: Sarah is here until mid-August!!!

The girls will forever remember Becky´s joy and contagious laugh. I will help them remember it. Hahahaha! ;) Sarah is continuing the children´s program, teaching them some songs and words in English. Nice, Sarah!
Good news: Wilson and Danika arrive!! They will be here until early August.