Thursday, April 19, 2012

            Today when we arrived at the worksite, we were surprised at how far along it was! The walls are coming up quickly and the placement for doors and windows are being defined. Land is being cleared and they are expanding to the porch and maternity ward. It’s exciting to see it coming up right in front of our eyes!

            Winnie called the local children into the church and helped translate the story of Noah’s ark, as Annette read. Imagine 24 young kids all sitting quietly and politely for strangers! We handed out coloring book pages of Noah’s ark and the animals and the kids even got their own little pack of crayons. When they were told they could keep the crayons, they clapped and jumped around. As they finished, they lined up along the wall and waited to show Winnie their colorings so she could “grade” them. It’s incredible how pure they are in heart, how well mannered and jubilant, even with each other. They capture our hearts and we are grateful for everyday we get to spend with them.

            Afterward, we went to the local shopping center. It resembled a huge farmers market; full of vegetables, fruits, dead fish, raw meat hanging from hooks, and lots of American clothing/bags/toys. Not far, is the Saint Frances Community Health Clinic. We toured there and saw lots of rooms, but they were all very small. They had a laboratory, maternity ward, injection office, doctor’s office, burn victim room, and operation room (which ironically they call the “theatre”). We met Dr. Robert who works in labor and delivery doing sectarian sections. He said they lack a lot of the medical supplies to take care of all the patients that come in. The cleanliness and medical advancements are basically nonexistent (at least 40 years behind America). We didn’t see anyone wearing gloves or facemasks. The family members are required to feed and take care of the patients staying after treatment. Even recently delivered mothers or those waiting to deliver are laying on the floor. It was an awful sight, but there was still hope. The fact that the clinic is even there is huge to the locals. For such poor conditions, every patient we saw was smiling and content. There is a sense of optimism and affection that even as strangers, we can detect.

 Dennis offered to donate some of our medical supplies to help out at the doctors and they said they would be very grateful for such blessings. We wish we had our withheld medical bag, but customs is still giving us the run-around and refuses to release it. But, we will give what we can and put our assurance in God. Please continue to pray that they will understand our need for the provisions and permit us to take it.