Clinic: Day 2

Yesterday, we visited a Zapotec village 7,500 feet above sea level. We were there all day, so there is a lot I could write about. I like to keep these posts short, though, so I'll just choose one thing--eye clinic.

Dr. Susan brought boxes of reading glasses, and she set up an eye clinic on a balcony. The Zapotec elders would come and try on glasses of different strengths and try to read a Bible story from a child's picture book.

They were so proud of their new glasses, and we saw tears of joy more than once. The ladies prepared soup and coffee for us, as a way of saying thank you. The coffee is boiled in a clay pot with a cinnamon stick thrown in. When it is ready, they pour it into pottery bowls to serve. One lady brought a sack of peaches from her tree and gave them to Dr. Susan as trade for the glasses.

We take so much for granted--glasses, flavored coffee creamer, even running water. It can be shocking to see how grateful people in other culture's are for things we consider basic necessities of life.