What a great day! The team was excited and anxious to get
to Opit and begin interacting with people. Both first timers and veterans were
ready to jump right in.
The day started off different which has become a norm when in Africa.
Mike, Sarah, Cindy, and I were to meet with four local politicians to thank them for allowing us to hold the clinics and just visit. We were ready to go; Then after waiting until around 9am, it was canceled. We headed to the village. This is Africa. It was a little distracting to have been delayed, but we are F.A.T. (Flexible Adaptable Teachable).
We arrived at the village around 10:30 and began to setup. Having been at this school last year we had a flow established. This year we brought 300 pairs of reading glasses with us, as this was something we had seen in the past that troubled many of the people. Today the team was dispursed as follows:
The day started off different which has become a norm when in Africa.
Mike, Sarah, Cindy, and I were to meet with four local politicians to thank them for allowing us to hold the clinics and just visit. We were ready to go; Then after waiting until around 9am, it was canceled. We headed to the village. This is Africa. It was a little distracting to have been delayed, but we are F.A.T. (Flexible Adaptable Teachable).
We arrived at the village around 10:30 and began to setup. Having been at this school last year we had a flow established. This year we brought 300 pairs of reading glasses with us, as this was something we had seen in the past that troubled many of the people. Today the team was dispursed as follows:
Cheryl, Cindy, Jim, and Les worked in the pharmacy.
Sue prayed in the prayer room.
Mike was crowd control.
Jonathan and Kara worked with children's ministry.
Jody and I were ushers, floaters and door blockers.
Susan was in the medical clinic.
Katherine was in the dental clinic.
Sarah handled wound care.
The team was amazing. Everyone stepped into their role and things ran smooth. It was incredible to have things go so smoothly after a frustrating start. Everyone worked their part. The church being what is should be... the hands and feet of Christ.
Jonathan and Kara were incredible. They were not sure what to expect or do to entertain approx. 200 kids, but they were so awesome. I saw kids running, playing and laughing. Soccer balls flying and bubbles blowing. These two were rock stars! They barley took a break all day and were running out in the sun. The kids loved them! Kara even got a marriage proposal from someone!
Katherine went from observing in the dental clinic to giving shots and pulling teeth! She has had nothing but a smile on her face since we arrived. She wanted to be in the dental room as this is the field she wants to study in college. Talk about work experience! Katherine has been a delight to us all!
Sarah was calm, cool, and caring in wound care. She took care of everyone she saw and treated them with nothing but love and grace.
Cheryl, Jim, Les, and Cindy had the pharmacy running like clockwork. Pharmacy is always busy all day long, but we finished filling all scripts in time to leave at 5pm. Incredible job!!
Les also ran the vision clinic if someone needed reading glasses to see. He does such a great job interacting with everyone and making them feel loved and respected. He told us a story tonight of an elderly woman who came in with a bowed head and stated she just could not see well. Les got her fixed up with a pair of glasses and when she looked at the chart she yelled "I can see! I can see!” How awesome is that!
Sue is our prayer warrior. She prays each member up before clinic, during clinic, and at all points in between. She, Pauline and Pastor Gabriel (local pastors) prayed with 247 people to either begin a relationship with Christ or recommit. The gospel of Christ is our real medicine!
Mike is always a crowd favorite. To see him interact with the crowds waiting to see the doctors is inspiring. Mike treats everyone with dignity and love. He always makes them laugh!
Susan has a heart of compassion. She is always looking for ways to help ladies and their babies. Susan doesn’t believe in can't. She tries to find a way to bless them! She also had an elderly man of 88 asked for her digits so he could call her. That's right. 88 years and asked for her digits! His name is Abraham and we have seen him before. Amazing man with a sharp wit.
Our hosts have been amazing again. They eagerly assist at the side of the team member that they are working with and are always upbeat with sharing their faith. God has truly blessed us with wonderful brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow we go back to the same village and see as many people as we can. We have let them know we are coming and even handed out tickets for the first people to see the doctor.
Tonight at a team meeting everyone shared their first impressions. It was fun to hear how team members were touched by people they met and worked with; also to hear how their expectations of the trip were either met or not. They all love being here to share their faith, provide some physical healing, and simply love people. The team was full of smiles and tears of joy.
Sue prayed in the prayer room.
Mike was crowd control.
Jonathan and Kara worked with children's ministry.
Jody and I were ushers, floaters and door blockers.
Susan was in the medical clinic.
Katherine was in the dental clinic.
Sarah handled wound care.
The team was amazing. Everyone stepped into their role and things ran smooth. It was incredible to have things go so smoothly after a frustrating start. Everyone worked their part. The church being what is should be... the hands and feet of Christ.
Jonathan and Kara were incredible. They were not sure what to expect or do to entertain approx. 200 kids, but they were so awesome. I saw kids running, playing and laughing. Soccer balls flying and bubbles blowing. These two were rock stars! They barley took a break all day and were running out in the sun. The kids loved them! Kara even got a marriage proposal from someone!
Katherine went from observing in the dental clinic to giving shots and pulling teeth! She has had nothing but a smile on her face since we arrived. She wanted to be in the dental room as this is the field she wants to study in college. Talk about work experience! Katherine has been a delight to us all!
Sarah was calm, cool, and caring in wound care. She took care of everyone she saw and treated them with nothing but love and grace.
Cheryl, Jim, Les, and Cindy had the pharmacy running like clockwork. Pharmacy is always busy all day long, but we finished filling all scripts in time to leave at 5pm. Incredible job!!
Les also ran the vision clinic if someone needed reading glasses to see. He does such a great job interacting with everyone and making them feel loved and respected. He told us a story tonight of an elderly woman who came in with a bowed head and stated she just could not see well. Les got her fixed up with a pair of glasses and when she looked at the chart she yelled "I can see! I can see!” How awesome is that!
Sue is our prayer warrior. She prays each member up before clinic, during clinic, and at all points in between. She, Pauline and Pastor Gabriel (local pastors) prayed with 247 people to either begin a relationship with Christ or recommit. The gospel of Christ is our real medicine!
Mike is always a crowd favorite. To see him interact with the crowds waiting to see the doctors is inspiring. Mike treats everyone with dignity and love. He always makes them laugh!
Susan has a heart of compassion. She is always looking for ways to help ladies and their babies. Susan doesn’t believe in can't. She tries to find a way to bless them! She also had an elderly man of 88 asked for her digits so he could call her. That's right. 88 years and asked for her digits! His name is Abraham and we have seen him before. Amazing man with a sharp wit.
Our hosts have been amazing again. They eagerly assist at the side of the team member that they are working with and are always upbeat with sharing their faith. God has truly blessed us with wonderful brothers and sisters!
Tomorrow we go back to the same village and see as many people as we can. We have let them know we are coming and even handed out tickets for the first people to see the doctor.
Tonight at a team meeting everyone shared their first impressions. It was fun to hear how team members were touched by people they met and worked with; also to hear how their expectations of the trip were either met or not. They all love being here to share their faith, provide some physical healing, and simply love people. The team was full of smiles and tears of joy.
We saw 302 people in the clinic today. We also witnessed
some heart breaking stories. Some made me cry. But to be able to offer a hug, a
hand shake, share a laugh or dance is part of being the hands and feet of Christ.
What a blessing today was!!
Keep praying for us. All has gone well and smooth. We, as a team, just want to be what God has called us to be in this place and time.
Off to bed am I. We miss you all dearly.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Ephesians 2:10
Chris
Keep praying for us. All has gone well and smooth. We, as a team, just want to be what God has called us to be in this place and time.
Off to bed am I. We miss you all dearly.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Ephesians 2:10
Chris
1 comment:
Praying for you friends and our friends from the north. Eagerly awaiting each message!
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