Our trip exceeded my wildest expectations. Our group included many new members who had spent only a few short meetings together but came together as if they had known each other their whole lives.  Encountering the usual bumps in the road that every trip brings, each member stepped forward to help make the mission successful.  We had Leonard, who assumed the role of Patton and got our bus going down one of the worst roads I've ever seen a bus try to negotiate. We had Anthony, who stepped up to the plate to assume a leadership role when a last minute meeting pulled Zehra and I back to San Salvador. We had Nubia, translating, applying fluoride varnish and helping in any and every way. We had Marc, who worked tirelessly with the dentist, captained our soccer team in Zancudo (we played 10 year olds) and who's enthusiasm was an inspiration to everyone.  We had Nic who documented our trip from start to finish but dropped his camera and jumped in to help whenever he was needed. We had Kristi who walked the towns gathering data that will help us in innumerable ways going forward to determine the most effective way to help the towns we visited. We had Daniel who had an eye opening experience, had great ideas to improve the way do business while on mission and worked so well with the children. And last but not least, Dave brought new ideas, new insights, new support and some of the best new jokes I've heard in along time.

     What we learned on this trip was that there are so many ways we can make a difference without seeing thousands of patients. It is so clear that educating the health promoters, the local population, the Peace Corps volunteers and working with the local doctors, will go a long way to leaving a lasting legacy of improving health for a country that has so many people in need. Our meetings with the Ministries of Health cemented our ability to work with the country's health system to help them move forward.  It was an eye opening experience for us all, both rookies and veterans.

      And of course, I have to thank all the Peace Corps volunteers who helped us make this trip work. Dan and Krystal were such essential partners in our endeavor that I can't thank them enough.  Karl, Helen, Rosellen,Erica, Jessica, Greg,Ashley, Jamie, Eva and others were just marvelous people who's work I respect and who touched my heart in so many ways. Thanks to you all and I can't wait to see you guys again