We created the clinic by typing ropes across the church's main (only) room, and then draping sheets. A few 2x4s were hammered into the ground for a little support. It worked pretty well.
A group of coffee farmers walked down their mountain to get various issues treated. Included in the group was this boy who showed up with skin that had become the greyish-beige color of oatmeal. He was super-sick with a respiratory infection, apparently some sort of pneumonia. We blasted him with repeated breathing treatments and gave him antibiotics, although if it is viral then he just has to wait it out. At least when we were done, he could breathe. We then gave them a ride back up the mountain to their adorable village of hobbit houses in the clouds, surrounded by coffee plants on the hills. I tried to take photos but through the haze of the clouds the pics were just a blur. But take my word for it, amazing.
This gentleman sat down in front of me and explained that after he comes in from working on his farm all day, he is "tired." He's 83. His blood pressure, pulse, and blood sugar were all better than mine. I told him there is nothing we could give him that God hasn't already been giving him his whole life. The man is EIGHTY THREE and he still runs his farm. Amazing. Meanwhile, I just ate a donut while typing this.
The church is next to a basketball court, which the church rents out to farmers to spread out their corn to dry. Lots of work.
When we washed out people's ears, one of us walked across the road to this woman's house, where she kept a kettle of water boiling over a fire. The water needs to be at least the temperature of your body, or it throws off your inner ear and you get dizzy and throw up. She was a vital team member with our clinic because of that water.
Cute kid. You can tell a lot about a place by the eyes of the little kids.
Love this and love what you're doing. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Emilie | October 27, 2014 at 02:05 PM
This does my heart good! Thank you for your commitment and for sharing with us.
Posted by: Deb | November 10, 2014 at 06:58 AM