The Local Team Takes Shape...

There were a lot of firsts... 

A 6-day trip...our longest.
A team of nine...the biggest crew yet.
Four women...first time to have women along.
Two from the States...the first time with foreigners.

Our dentists were both Nicaraguan as well as our nurse. The two girls from the States were EMTs. We went to three communities, Haulover, Orinoco, and Pueblo Nuevo and saw a total of 216 patients...the team worked hard and blessed a lot of people.

At one point during the trip, Dan looked around and saw everyone happily working...doing their specific jobs and he thought, "This is just how I envisioned it." Dr. Sevilla and Dr. Leon have been such a blessing and seeing them eager to serve their own people has further encouraged us in developing a local team. We now have a pool of twelve people from which to draw...for piloting the boat, cooking meals, triaging and treating patients, and doing a host of other duties. 

To have local team members, funds are needed. These doctors and medical workers, as well as the crew, have to take time from their normal jobs and we feel that it is only right to compensate them. 

Here are some specific ways that you can support this ministry:

• $15. pays for dental care for one patient.
• $50. pays a doctor's salary for one day.
• $400. pays for one day...medical staff, food, fuel, medical supplies and crew. (Most trips are 4 to 5 days.)

Donations can be sent to Global Outreach, account number 4448

Here are a few pictures from this latest trip...

Our female crew: Ashanti Cash, R.N., Dr. Vania Sevilla, dentist, Beth and Martha, EMTs

Our two dentists: Dr. Jesse Leon and Dr. Vania Sevilla

It's almost impossible to keep the kids off the boat...we are like a magnet for them.

"Captain Adorable"

Ashanti organizing instruments and getting ready for the day's clinic.

Our chef made sure we ate well. Here we are in the main cabin which serves many functions.

The city dock at Orinoco...people were waiting for us when we got there.

Dr. Leon usually likes to work in the cockpit, but it was raining.

Dr. Sevilla ended up working on this man for over an hour.

The EMTs did triage in the cockpit while others patiently waited their turn.

They had a pediatric blood pressure cuff that calmed and entertained the kids.

Beth with a baby and her new toothbrush.

Sunset over Pearl Lagoon.

Entering the Wawashan River

Motoring up the river to the next stop, Pueblo Nuevo.

Arriving at Pueblo Nuevo,.. our first time here.

Dockside clinic...

It was Market Day so there were plenty of people in town to see the dentist.

Dr. Leon back in his favorite work space...

A local beauty...

Innovation...

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our blog space. Please pray for the ministry here. Caribbean Grace is under the umbrella of our local fellowship, Verbo Christian Church. 

Blessings, Dan and Donna Letton

We would love to hear from you! dan.donna.letton@gmail.com

3 trips in 2 weeks

Orinoco ... Dory Sail boat race ... Fishing with Casa Bernabe

Orinoco ... The first medical trip

On the first trip upriver, Dan met a young local dentist practicing in the coastal town of Pearl Lagoon. Dr. Leon was very excited about the possibility of taking his skill as a dentist to other small communities. So they picked him up on the way up river to Orinoco and Marshal Point. The team was small: Dan, Robert and Wibur as captains, Dr. Leon, Orlando who is a nurse, and Sixto who is a deacon in our local church. From the very beginning the team worked together, everyone finding their niche.

They headed out on a Monday morning, May 22nd and returned on Thursday afternoon. Here are some pictures and details of the trip.

Caribbean Grace docked at Marshall Point

 People waiting patiently to see the dentist...some waited all day long.

 Dr. Leon working ... mostly pulling teeth (120 teeth in two days!).

  On the second day they set up shop in the cockpit because the cabin was too hot. The nice breeze made both the patients (70 in all) and the doctor much more comfortable.

Dr. Leon giving out toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

He made them promise to brush their teeth 3 times a day!

The galley crew...Sixto and Orlando

Gathering around the table after a long day's work...

Dory Sailboat Race...

As part of the Maypole festivities in Bluefields, there is always a dory sailboat race. This year we took a group of 20 from the church to anchor out in the bay and watch the race. It was a rainy, cloudy day, but we enjoyed the fellowship, the race and even got to do a little fishing ...

 The group assembled and ready for a great day...

 The boats are owned by local fishermen who get people and businesses to sponsor them.

Everyone gets new sails for the race..

 It was a pretty choppy day, but they were all expert sailors.

 Kevin's catch...the "big one" got away.

 Pastor Ed

Miss Margaret's first time fishing and first catch!

Gizzy's catch was one of the biggest

Fishing with Casa Bernabe...

Saturday we took 14 kids from Casa Bernabe, the children's home, out in the bay to do a little fishing. For many of them it was their first time on a boat or their first time fishing. Trying to get them to follow some basic boating rules (i.e. no running, hold on, always wear your life jacket) was challenging...but there were no mishaps and all the kids had a great time. 

Loaded up and ready to go

 The best part of the life jacket for Tygy was the whistle and the light!

 Robert and Wilbur have become a great captain team

 The kids loved riding on the bow

 Richard and Darell...two very determined fishermen

 Cooling off on the stern deck

 Jaquelin caught 3 fish!

Ingrid wanted to take her fish home and eat it...Donna fried it up that afternoon.

 Several of the boys took turns stearing the boat...Darell's face tells it all!

 Tired but happy...on the way home.

After making several trips up-river, we have become convinced that to get the best use out of Caribbean Grace, we need to involve local medical people. They know the area, the people, the problems, and the languages (there are at least 5 in the region) and they are eager to help their own.

The biggest problem is that most of them can't afford to leave their practices, even for a few days, without some financial compensation. We are starting a fund at Global Outreach to cover the costs of salaries, medical supplies and trip costs. 

If you are interested in investing in the sponsorship of a local doctor/dentist or an entire team, please indicate "funds for local medical teams" with your payment.

Cost estimates:

doctor salary: $50/day

4-day trip approximate cost: $600;

We thank you for your interest, your encouragement, and your support. We are excited about what the Lord will do with this boat in the near future...

Blessings, Dan and Donna Letton

Running From Otto

We never dreamed that our first real trip up river would be because we were running from a hurricane. For days we watched the weather reports showing Bluefields right in the cone of the hurricane track prediction.

Our Thanksgiving tradition in Nicaragua has been to spend the holiday in Managua with the Buzbees. Donna went over on Sunday leaving Dan to oversee work being done on the boat. By Monday morning there was talk of closing the airport and he had to jump on a plane in a hurry if he was going to get his turkey in Managua. He also had a very important steering cable that needed to be extended. He took it in Tuesday morning and left it with the experts. By Tuesday night, he felt strongly to go back to Bluefields and take Caribbean Grace to safety. But it was useless unless he could take the cable which wasn't ready Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning he headed out from the Buzbees...the cable was miraculously ready, there was a seat on the plane and he was off.

By Wednesday afternoon Dan and his crew were headed up river. Here are some pictures of the trip...

 Heading for the light beyond the clouds.

 Pesca Nica...where many old fishing boats end up.

 It wasn't very rough...mostly lots of rain...

 Roberto

 Arriving at Kukra Hill with many boats already there.

 Caribbean Grace finding her place at the dock.

 From the largest to the smallest...all looking for a safe haven.

 Lunch onboard.

 Sunrise Friday morning...time to head home. 

Greatfully, Hurricane Otto had veered south and spared Nicaragua.

Dan getting some coaching from the expert, Aliside, the best mechanic in Bluefields.

 Everyone was heading home...

 The blue sky was such a welcome sight.

 Some boats lined up like baby ducks, getting a tow.

Safely home with the crew...Aliside, Alejandro, Roberto and Dan

The Coast Guard gave us permission to make this trip, even though we are still not licensed or registered, because it was an emergency. We are now working on getting this done. Please pray that this will be done with as little hassle and cost as possible. 

We are grateful for so many things...this will certainly be a Thanksgiving to remember. 

Happy Holidays, Dan and Donna Letton