El Salvador 1999

**La Union - Final Report 1999**

**click here for statistics for La Union 1999**
ORTHOPEDIC AND PLASTIC SURGERIES What a special time it was for Ship Physician and Orthopedist, Dr. Tim Browne on the last major post-op day when many of his patients returned back to have casts removed and check-ups.. "It was such an emotional moment me," said Dr. Tim. "There was such a feeling of closure to gather these ones together and see the fruits of our labor. This is the largest scale event I've ever been involved with. I hope this will be the start of many more orthopedic outreaches for the future." Pediatric patients, Blanca Pineda and Kenny Guillen who had leg and knee operations, were all smiles as there casts were removed and they could see straightened limbs. Sharing this great moment with Dr. Ti m was local Orthopedist, Dr. Darwi Pereira who could not help grinning and joking with these recipients of mercy. Dr. Tim has continued to do a few more surgeries before the ship's departure which included arthroscopic knee surgeries. Dr. Tim has been training Dr. Darwin in the skills of arthroscopy as a unit will be donated to the hospital for future surgeries. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Anibal Escobar has also wrapped up his time with Mercy Ships by doing surgeries to a 35-year-old man with a cleft lip and grafting skin on a woman who was an electrical burn victim. Completing their outreach numbers, Dr. Tim and his team performed 71 orthopedic procedures. Meanwhile, Dr. Escobar operated on 24 people in his time with the ship. Overall, 95 Salvadorians were touched by these newest of surgeries working alongside the Caribbean Mercy.	WELL DRILLING In the last few weeks of the outreach, the well drillers have been busy digging two wells. One, in the tiny village of Nueva Amanacer (The beginning of a new day) and the other, the community of La Pista de Belen (Track of Bethlehem). At Nueva Amanacer, the team dug down 188 feet in 10 days (considerably faster then Bendicion de Dios). This lush green location had no water. Thanks to the team's efforts, a hand pump with sufficient pressure should take care of the need. Team translator, Janice Gerrard also had a chance to go through the area's 25 homes to visit with the people. In her first day of house calls, Janice came across a sick woman, who after prayer and a conversation about a relationship with the Lord, received Jesus into her heart as Savior. Her daughter, who was by her side, also believed and received. With just three days to spare, the well drilling team met with the community in La Pista de Belen to discuss the possibility of doing one more well. After a time of prayer, the team proclaimed that if Jesus could be raised in three days, the drillers could depend on God to meet this need. Two days later, the team managed not only to dig 178 feet but blow out clean, fresh drinking water. God had performed a miracle. When the team had hit the 70 foot mark, they struck water but to insure a long life for the well, dug 100 more feet down. The community will now build a gravity tank on a nearby hillside. The team's well drilling contact, Inmar de Jesus has promised to put in a submersible electric pump after the construction is complete giving the community not only a new source of drinking water but a system to get it into the homes of 3500 people. During the drillers last week, they completed the installation of the hand pump in Bendicion de Dios, making it available for the community to use. Before the ship's departure, many of the crew were bussed out to the village and joined together with more then half the village for a dedication service for the water well.
OPTICAL EYE SURGERIES The last lens was implanted and final suture was tied completing the outreach's eye operations that took place in the Caribbean Mercy's surgery unit.. "God chose the surgeons and nurses for such a time as this," said Surgical Coordinator, Linda Snider. "We were blessed with having had several of the team members for the whole outreach. I was impressed by the professionalism and the skills of these volunteers. I believe the success of this outreach was due to their consistency and commitment to serve the people of El Salvador." During the week, many of the patients returned back for their last post-op examinations. One patient was 15 year old, Irma Benitez whose came to the clinic all smiles. She was already seeing quite clearly after the removal of the whitened lens that covered over her pupil. Besides her sight, her dignity was returned. People would no longer stare at her at her abnormally white eye. Overall, 316 patients received 348 surgical procedures.	MOISS PROJECT It was a special day for the crew of the Caribbean Mercy as the last brush stroke of paint was spread on the home of Moiss Benitez and his family. The completion of a three week project. During the last two weeks, crew members were in high gear trying to complete the residence before the ship's departure from La Union. After the foundation was laid, the house literally was up in days. Details like putting in doors and windows soon followed and with less then a week to spare, the structure was painted. At a special ceremony, the key to the home was given and prayer was lifted over the home. "I was really impressed with how this project turned out," said Ship Bosun and project coordinator, Yafet Antah. "So many crew members took time out of their schedules to come and help and the team of locals we hired to construct the house were excellent. I am so glad to see Moiss and his family have this new home."
DENTAL The group had targeted four areas and felt very good about the results. "Up to 75% of the patients were from the Bendicion de Dios village," said Dental Coordinator, Denny Dewitt.. "A lot of these folks were organized by the CHE promoters who took time to help bring them to the clinic for treatment. I felt we were just a part of the greater picture of what the Caribbean Mercy has accomplished with the well, evangelism and the community health course." During their time, 223 patients were seen and the team performed 511 procedures.	GOVERNOR'S THANK YOU On Thursday, March 25th , the Governor of La Union, Jorge Escobar called for a special ceremony to be held in the port area, thanking the crew of the Caribbean Mercy for all the work accomplished in the ship's three month visit. Besides the Governor, the Mayor, the navy commander, port authority and many others attended the event to express their gratitude for the services rendered by mercy ship crew. With a military band playing, plaques and certificates were given to CEO Brett Curtis and Captain Jon Fadely.
EVANGELISM The evangelism team, Esperanza, completed their time in El Salvador with a special visit to the countries capital San Salvador to join together with the Iglesia familia de Dios (Family Church of God). They shared the Lord in the Central Park, at the market and around the train stations. Their presentations also took them into three Christian Schools where they shared with more then 1000 children and youth. During their time in the capital, the team was encouraged by the active response of the young people of the Family church in sharing and ministering the gospel. After every outreach, the 8 - 10 helpers were heavily involved in doing response cards and leading people in the sinners prayer. In the last week of outreach, Esperanza worked on the site of the Moiss project painting the home, and helping with the construction of the exterior kitchen. Before the outreach, violence plagued this small city but following the three month stay of the ship, the community changed. "In the time since your arrival, our crime rate has dropped dramatically," reported the Mayor of La Union. Evangelism leader, Wilson Flavius attributed this to the spiritual renewal that has taken place. "There are two things that stick out in my mind about our visit," said Wilson. "First, the ability to get churches out in the evenings to do evangelism to some of the worst areas of the city and second, the encouragement that the church needed to share the gospel on the streets. One church went from 40 to 200 members in less then three weeks." Overall, in the ship's time in El Salvador, 579 people gave their hearts to the Lord and an additional 29 recommitted their lives. This list includes 30 gang members who made first time professions of faith.	TIDBITS In the last report, it was shared that the ship's ICS kids had raised money to purchase toys for an local orphanage by doing singing telegrams during Valentines day. With the left over money from the fund raiser, the children of the ICS presented the family of Moiss with brand new pots, pans and plastic ware. CEO Brett Curtis and wife, Karen had the opportunity to be a part of the Mercy Ships council meeting held in Lindale, Texas. During the gathering, plans were brought forth for the Caribbean Mercy's trip to North Korea as well as the port visits to South Korea. They were blessed and encouraged by all the presentations and things that are taking place with the ministry internationally. YWAM Director of Honduras, Doug Houston and his family came to the Caribbean Mercy for a week to view the ship in action and have time to get to know the crew. Plans are to take the ship to Honduras in January of the 2000. Long-term crew members, Dan and Leighanne Jessee and Mary Davis will be leaving the ship. While the Jessee's go to the International Office to do a CDTS, Mary will visit her family and church and later, transfer to the IO. They will be missed by many of the crew. Also....goodbyes were said to Wilson and Kim Flavius and Steve Golla and Becky Oliveras..Steve and Becky will be married in June and hope to stay in missions with YWAM. Steve also received his five year pin as well for service to Mercy Ships. Operations Manager, Eric Folkers and First Officer, Clem Ketchum were MC's for Fun Night held on board the Caribbean Mercy. Highlights of evening included the Ketchum boys doing the "movie" skit and the singing and dancing of the deck "Watchmen" (some even in drag). "LarryBoy" made a special guest appearance (ICS kids dressed in neoprene suits).
COMMUNITY MEETING Pastor Raul Rodriguez from the Oasis church in La Union was the guest speaker from the Thursday evening community evening. Sharing from a multitude of scriptures, Pastor Raul spoke a simple message of abiding in the Lord. "He is the true vine," said Raul. "Your church leaders or those you give great respect are not. Keep away from the danger of seeking others for your help." Pastor Raul encouraged the crew that if they depended on God, bore fruit, stayed in love with the Lord, kept his commands and stayed clean that they would bear even more fruit.	PRAISE REPORTS Local churches who have all reported dramatic growth, some as much as 300%. All those brought to the Lord in the ship's visit to El Salvador. 30 plus gang members who have come to know the Lord. For no incidents of violence against crew members in La Union. Crime rate dropped since the time the ship arrived. 8000 people being affected by the three wells. For relationships formed during the ship's three month stay. For new boldness that the church now exhibits for street evangelism.

La Union - Final Report 1999