El Capulín

6/17/2026

Beauty in The Broken Roads

Today we traveled down long highways and up, around, and over mountains. On pothole riddled roads with large rocks and deep duvets. Along the way we watched with wide eyes as we saw valleys fills with banana trees, coffee plants, fields of pineapple, flowers, many animals, and lots of smiling families.

Upon arriving to the village, we witnessed a gentleman pushing another gentleman in a wheelchair up the same roads we struggle to tackle with a four-wheel drive bus driven by our “driver extraordinaire”. Upon further assessment we found out that it was a father that had pushed his 28-year-old son diagnosed with cerebral palsy over an hour to receive medical care. To add to the difficult journey the father was born with only two digits on his right hand and had only a rusted wheelchair that he had equipped with mountain bike tires. Despite the hardship and lack of resources experienced by this family the father had provided immaculate care for his child. The young man was able to speak despite the lack of speech therapy and had maintained intact skin and a beautiful smile.

We also saw multiple children on all sides of the spectrum. I was greeted by a small boy with large smile who ran up and wrapped me in a giant hug. We passed around a beautiful baby girl with Down Syndrome whose smile and giggle filled the clinic. One member comforted an over stimulated child with autism with a warm smile, calm voice and gifted them their cross.

We cared for people of all ages, from a one-month-old healthy baby boy to elderly men and women with respiratory illnesses. The first gentleman I cared for took time after his medical consult to thank me from the bottom of his heart for coming such a long distance to provide love and care.

Ultimately today was a reminder that God makes no mistakes. Every man, woman, and child no matter the disease, illness, struggle or reason was met to be where they were today. He allows such beautiful things to grow despite the harsh environment. Friends of Barnabas has proven to bring smiles, health, and forever changed hearts to not only our patients but every person willing to make the journey.

~Jewel