To get another perspective on the mission, President Joe asked Ken Wolfe to write today's message.
Today was the sixth and final day of the mission. We saw 266 people today in the vision area which puts our 6 day total at 1,674 people who were helped in some manner by the eye team. In total, between the eye, dental and medical parts of the mission we helped over 3,000 people in 6 days. A pretty incredible total. Most of these folks will have a much better quality of life due to the assistance that was provided by this Rotary mssion.
I believe the plan was to see around 175 people today so that we would have time to pack up our equipment which we were able to leave at the hospital all week, however, the people kept streaming in, and we ended up seeing almost 100 more than we had originally planned. That was how it worked all week as we worked well after 5 p.m. on most nights due to the number of individuals who needed help. Even though it was tiring we all agreed that we would do what it takes to help as many people as possible.
There was some feelings of remorse realizing that this was the last day that we would be able to help the great people of Ecuador. There remains so many more people who could use the help that we were able to provide.
After the equipment was packed and accounted for we exited the hospital to load our equipment and board the bus back to our hotel. One problem-our bus had a mechanical failure, so we were without transportation (a Friday the 13th coincidence?) As a result we sat around for about 45 minutes and waited. (One thing I learned is that when you are on a mission trip like this, things don't always go as planned, so you have to be flexible and patient).
Ralph and I, along with a Danish doctor and her daughter, eventually jumped into a taxi (being named a taxi was being gracious as it was one of the smallest cars I have ever ridden in) and proceeded to have a very harrowing ride back to the hotel. The roads are utter chaos with cars, trucks, busses and motorcycles constantly cutting across lanes without warning. You feel fairly safe in a bus but in a taxi the size of a large envelope, it is a little disheartening! Right after Ralph and I left in the taxi they were able to get the bus running and everyone else returned to the hotel in the bus.
The Rotary Club of Guayaquil Sur invited everyone on the team to one of their member's residences for a party tonight but only Ralph attended. Joe and I and our daughters opted for dinner at the hotel and a more relaxing evening here since the party was expected to last until at least 10:30 PM, and probably much later, since nothing seems to run on time here in Ecuador.
Tomorrow we must leave at 6:00 a.m. for an off-day trip to the Andes Mountains.
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