Who would have though that 1000 miles away I would have to put up with slurs about the Florida Gators from an Ohio State Buckeye? Well it is true because a medical team from the Ohio State University just came for a one day clinic at the garbage dump. The day before they arrived, we went into the garbage dump to invite as many people as we could to the free clinic the following day. On the next day, we had a line out the door before we could even set up. By the end of the day, we had seen over 150 families and had to turn many away because of time. I worked as a translator for two separate rooms. I was shocked by how these families were suffering from common ailments because of lack of clean water or sanitation. Many of the children had suffered from colds or flus for months because they did not know how to treat them and did not have the proper medicine. Even worse, I saw minor sickness progress into major ones because there was no one to warn the people. I saw a six-month-old baby, the same age as my son Elijah, who looked sick and malnourished because of the conditions in which he lived. It was the first time in his life that he had seen a doctor in his life as he had been delivered by a grandmother figure. It broke my heart to know there were many more babies going through the same experience yet it also reaffirmed our goals here.
After seeing the need, I am further convinced that we are on the right track in wanting to build a clinic/pharmacy for the families living and working in the garbage dump. Following a model proposed by Project Global Village, we would construct a clinic in an area near the garbage dump. Then we would train a nurse practitioner from the garbage dump to manage the clinic. Through our various connections we could stock the clinic with all the supplies needed for proper treatment. This is one of our goals for 2008. The need is great but we serve a great God and HE will use us to accomplish great things. Please keep this idea in prayer as we look for the proper place to build it and the right time and connections.
After seeing the need, I am further convinced that we are on the right track in wanting to build a clinic/pharmacy for the families living and working in the garbage dump. Following a model proposed by Project Global Village, we would construct a clinic in an area near the garbage dump. Then we would train a nurse practitioner from the garbage dump to manage the clinic. Through our various connections we could stock the clinic with all the supplies needed for proper treatment. This is one of our goals for 2008. The need is great but we serve a great God and HE will use us to accomplish great things. Please keep this idea in prayer as we look for the proper place to build it and the right time and connections.
1 comment:
Rey, you, a Gator, had it easy. I, from MICHIGAN, was a larger target for those Buckeye folks!!
It was all in fun though. They didn't even pour alcohol in my open blister, so they aren't all THAT bad, even if they were from Ohio.
I am somewhat envious that you and Elise are having this awesome experience. I know it isn't all a big vacation and that there are difficulties, but I know the two of you will succeed and have such awesome memories when you return to WA.
God Bless,
Karen H
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