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Doctor Smith Shares Guadalajara Trip Experience (posted January 27, 2004)

I was asked to write a little about our families experience at the blind school for girls in Guadalajara. The idea actually started around my son Cameron's desire for an eagle project. He thought it would be nice to make up some hygiene kits that could be distributed to the school and the orphanage in Guadalajara. We contacted Dr. Gerritsen and the Sorensons to see the need and the feasiblity of a project like that. We thought we could assemble the packages and send them down with a team going to Guadalajara.

After some discussion, there was some alteration to the original idea. So as a family we decided to go to Mexico and be involved together. My wife and youngest daugter stayed home. My son Cameron and daughter Brielle and her husband Tono went with me. We thought getting down to Guadalarja was going to be difficult. We had a suitcase full of dental supplies and small equipment, another suitcase full of hygiene kits, games (made by the scouts for the blind girls) and some tennis shoes for the girls. As it turned out getting through customs was much easier than expected.

We arrived at our hotel the night before Thanksgiving. It was the first time we had taken a taxi in mexico. This actually turned out to be a fun game. To see how low we could get the drivers to take us to certain places. They were all like mini tour guides and most spoke some english, although we spoke spanish. It was also fun trying to have my son and daughter with their two years of High School spanish to communicate without mine or Tono's help.

The best experience was working with the girls themselves. They had better teeth and hygiene than I had expected. Many had heavy flourosis staining. But it was their spirits that melted my kids hearts. They were always happy, and they loved to sing songs to us. Most of the songs were in english and they had memorized all the words in english.

Delfino Herrera was a great help. My kids loved the places he showed us and the food we ate, especially Pipiolos. We were able to see the temple, the mission home and the shopping was fun. We shopped at the older market in the Centro Historico, and Cameron learned how to negotiate with the vendors for some authentic gaucho clothes. They also have two very nice and modern malls that my daughter loved. We not only had a great two days working on the girls and associating with them but we enjoyed the city and only wished we had more time. When we left the girls were very appreciative of the tennis shoes(Cameron had gathered 38 pairs of shoes for each of them.) the dental work, the hygiene kits, games but most importantly the knowledge that someone cares.

We loved our experience, even with some small mishaps. It really helped my children appreciate the many blessings they have. We would encourage all who have an opportunity to take the time to experience Gualdalajara and the beautiful spirits of the girls.

Dr. Brad Smith
Rocklin, California