Auyamas and Nursing Students

I sit here tonight by candle light typing in a house without electricity or water....going on day number two.  Ojala, this is only temporary.  We spoke with our neighbors who said the city usually only turns off the water for a couple days.  Electrical outages are a common part of life here (everyday we lose power for about 10-12 hours).  Deficits of both in mi casa are simply because we are on a grid with those who cannot pay.

And so, tonight, as I feel a little bit sticky and just want to wash my face and be connected to the world I can empathize with so many of my patients who only have running water from a hose within their neighborhood that isn't entirely clean and is only turned on twice a week.

But, my lack of household "necessities" are not what this post is about.

I wanted to share with you how we celebrated American traditions low key in the DR.  Those of us who have no change in season have been dying to share in the cooler North American temperatures, the falling leaves and the snow.  And so, we have done the best we can to bring fall to the DR.

This includes....Auyamas!  A cross between a pumpkin and a squash, auyamas are not found in the states but are a main staple in Dominican cuisine.  You can find this flavorful, orange veggie in our famous habichuelas (beans) or in soup.

Auyamas!

Carving!

Me!  We had a chilly night! Yay!

Baked auyama seeds!

As the Halloween season has ended and we prepare for Thanksgiving, do not worry we have plans to make a full turkey dinner and enjoy a "Friendsgiving" together.  Almost as good as being home with family.

I can't believe it is already mid-November and I find my mind wandering towards my upcoming time in the states.  But, I continue to be brought to the here and now as both myself and my nursing students are busily preparing for our health care fair next week in Sabaneta.

Two Bethel professors will be joining us as we spend four days in clinics and teaching about topics related to each of our SI medical sites...including Women's Health, Community Health, Physical Therapy and Dentistry.  I am so excited for my student's hard work to be put to use.  I will update my blog after the profs leave!  Please keep us in your prayers as we initiate our first preventative teaching sessions!

My nursing students in action

Bagging medicines for our women's health clinic

Dios te Bendiga!