The Twelfth Mission -- March 2007

Our just-completed trip to serve the people of Ocotepec was very successful. We had a great group of volunteers who treated a grateful population.

This trip presented several challanges. We were no longer associated with the Salesian Sisters in Ocotepec, we were housed at the new Casa Brody/Liegner, and set-up our clinics and pharmacy at the municipal arena rather than at the school. Finally, the freak snow storm in the Northeast created travel problems for some of the volunteers. With all of that said, everything worked out just fine. We had a fun "Bienvenidos Party" at La Caretta, a typical Chiapan restaurant near the Camino Real.

Thanks to the hard work of Carlos and Paco the house, while not completely finished, was ready for the influx of volunteers. Joanne, Nick, and Rebecca arrived in Ocotepec on the Tuesday before the mission week to work on the house, Carlos, Aaron and I drove my van, with a trailer full of household goods, from New Jersey to Chiapas. We finally arrived in Ocotepec on Wednesday night, having left NJ the Saturday before. Two more days of work on the house and we all headed back to Tuxtla on Saturday morning to receive the volunteers.

Kim, Mary, and Don got snowed in at Newark. Don eventually made it to Chiapas on Monday but Mary and Kim had to punt. The West Virginia crowd (Dr. Jon, Anna, Adam, and Sarah) got snowed in at Washington but all arrived on Monday as well. (Nick and I took a collectivo Monday after clinic hours to gather them at the Tuxtla airport and drive back to Ocotepec.)

The dormitorio room slept 14 in 7 bunk beds made in town by our woodworker Oscar. The dormitorio also has a small kitchen, a wash room, and a private bathroom with a shower. The room was used mostly by the younger volunteers. The other volunteers used 2 large bedrooms, one for guys and one for gals. 5-6 people in each. Joanne and I, for the first time in all of the trips, actually stayed in the same room, our master bedroom.

The beautiful ceiling in the living room had just been completed, decorative quilts and paintings were hung, and the large kitchen was set-up. The house has an open courtyard in the center which served as a nice place to kickback in the afternoon. The roof also served as a sundeck, star observation deck, and clothesline area. The dining/living areas worked well for meals and general hanging-out.

Ernesto's great-grandfather had built a wood-burning oven outside. A charcoal grille, the size of a human body, was next to the oven and bother were protected by a permanebt overhang. The oven and grille worked to perfection and were used extensively. The chicken from the oven had a smokey flavor and the burgers and steaks were grilled over mesquite wood. While we didn't eat fancy, we ate well. (During our drive we passed through some of Mexico's best fruit growing regions and brought plenty of oranges, melons, bananas, etc. for all to enjoy.)

All of the equipment and supplies owned by The Project, and a lot was collected over the past 6 years, were moved to the municipal arena, a large, open building housing a basketball court. It was sort of nice all being in view of one another. Dental, GYN, Peds., and General Med.clinics were established. Triage was out front and the extensive pharmacy was near the exit. The patient flow was constant, but not overwhelming. Things seemed calmer than on previous trips, but at least as many patients were seen as on other trips.

After the last clinic session on Wednesday we packed up all of the equipment and supplies, after having taken a detailed inventory. We returned the next morning to move all the stuff to a room at the house. We left Ocotepec late Thursday morning to return to Tuxtla Gutierrez.

Thursday afternoon was free time for us all. Some went to Chiapa de Corzo, some to San Cristobal de Las Cases, some went directly to the poolside bar. That evening we had a fine "Adios Dinner" at the Asidor Castellano", a Spanish restaurant a few blocks from the hotel. (No issues with expensive wine this time.)

Friday saw a few of our people departing for home. ("Ta Ta" to Yeti from London. Come back speaking proper American soon.) Most people used the day to see some of the splendor of Chiapas. Carlos and I spent 5 hours experiencing the splendor of the Chiapan D.M.V. getting plates for my van. A few of us ended our stay in Tuxtla by attending a great concert at the Municipal Theater that evening.

So, that's one guy's take on another worthwhile and fun trip to Chiapas. I am looking forward to receiving (HINT, HINT) CD's of everyone's photos so I can spread them around.

We will know the dates of the August trip later this week and I will send them out ASAP. We will need completed copies of the soon-to-be-updated application form each potential volunteer. I have already received notes of interest from several people, esapecially dental people. We will need physicians and diagnostic nurses. As the house limits the size of the group, please send in your app. soon after I send it out.

As you know, we are in desperate need of a new webmaster so we may update our site. We also will need grant proposal writers to begin the task of raising the funds for the permanent clinic building. Please ask around and let me know.

Thanks to you all, the Project is moving forward and will reach its goal of establishing a permanent clinic in Ocotepec.

Dave Brody, D.M.D., President
The Chiapas Project Inc.
A New Jersey Non-Profit Corporation

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