It's (still) the Little Things

Brothers getting coconuts out of a tree

The more time I spend in rural Central America, the more my eyes are opened to the fact that there are some truths about the human condition that simply transcend race, time and culture. Across continents, across centuries, certain truths endure. And the most recent one I've confirmed here in Honduras is this: going to the dentist sucks.

Fresh off the boat for brigade in Quinito

That is especially true if you're a little girl who's probably only seen a doctor a handful of times - and now a man speaking a language you don't understand is about to pull a couple of your teeth in what is usually your english classroom.

I'm not at all sure how I ended up in the dentist area on day 2 of this brigade - the

majority of my time up to that point had

been spent translating for a pediatric doctor. Nevertheless, I walk in the dentist's room and translate for a roughly twelve year old boy, who came to the dentist room by himself, that a couple of his teeth are getting yanked. Kid was nervous, but between numbing and yanking, barely even flinched. Dawg.

At this point I'm thinking to myself, things seem pretty under control here, maybe I'll head back to my original post. That's when the other dentist's patient simply couldn't keep it together anymore. I turn to see a little girl, about 10 years old, in her school uniform. She wasn't even sat all the way in

the chair yet, but her eyes were overflowing with panic and tears. The dentist had me break the news to her - she needs two teeth pulled.

Babies rule

I took a seat on the floor, the little girl's hands in mine. We rode out the storm together for the next ten minutes.

As soon as the dentist finished, I turn to see a slightly younger girl sat in the first dentist's chair, fewer tears but more panic in her big brown eyes. She needs one tooth pulled.

I took a knee on the floor, the little girl's hands in mine. We rode out the storm together for the next five minutes.

I cherish those fifteen minutes with all my heart.

A few of the other Little Things recently;

Washing feet on Holy Thursday.

Holding babies on the medical brigade.

40 minute boat ride in the rain.

Saw a lion fish.

My family visited!

Tossed the baseball with my little brother for the first time in a while.

Sunsets on the beach.

Coconut water.

Dominos.

Enjoy some photos.