Friday: We ended the day with a fun dinner at a floating restaurant with some of the staff (see picture!) We ate delicacies including green mango shakes, fresh fish, and si sig (otherwise known as pig brains, ears and all the rest). Our whole team tried it- and admitted it was the yummiest dish on the table!
(Note from Jeff) Saturday, March 6th 2010, a day to remember. It started like any other, hot and humid, in need of a shower 5 minutes after you just got done with the last one. I wear deodorant and antiperspirant, not because it actually helps, but probably more out of habit. The jeepneys were ready and loaded by 7:30 AM and we were on our way to our first mission site.
The first destination was approx 15 minutes by car and then another 15 minutes by foot, to an indigenous tribe called the Aita people, composed of about 60 family groups. We crossed a suspended bamboo bridge, many rice fields ready to harvest, and up and down some steep hills to get to the place we were going to do the feeding and medical exams. It was a one room school house about the size of my living room. The people here were once a tribe of hunters, but with the increased population most of the animal life has already been eaten.
The people are very poor, most are illiterate, and many came to our clinic with medical needs. The clinic was open and ready by 8 am, but unlike the other clinics we have run this week (where people are waiting in line for hours before we show up), no one was there when we opened shop. I (Jeff) was concerned that all this work would have been for nothing, but within the next 10 minutes the people came, and came, and came, and came. We drained abscesses, cleaned skin wounds, removed ear wax, and listened to many lungs. Vitamins were given to every patient, food was given to every family, and by the end of four hours, every one of the ~150 patients had been treated.
(Note from La Ne') In addition to our team of 7 and the staff from Sankey, 10 student teachers and their professor joined us for the clinic and feeding program. One of the teachers, Barbara, is a house mom here at Sankey. After seeing the needs of her students and their families at this site, she helped set up and organize the clinic.
And what an amazing site it was to see how quickly we were able to pack all of our supplies in to the school house and set up the clinic. The team worked like a well oiled machine- and amid all the crazy business, we were able to laugh and take time with each and every patient.
Our wound team earned their brownie points this morning- they cleaned terrible sores and burns and even lanced a thumb wound that would have made any experienced ER team shudder. But they took it in stride and loved on every hurting patient.
(Note from Jeff) Saturday PM:
2:00 PM came awfully fast after our crazy morning. Right after we finished at the first site, we went to the pharmacy for more medications and large syringes to aspirate abscess (a symptom we were seeing many more patients than last year), before we made it back to Sankey for lunch. A quick bite to eat and then once again a pointless shower, and we were back in the busses on our way to a local church that has not yet been used for a church service. The new building was recently built by the Australian team just 1 month before we arrived. The finishing touches are still being done.
The new building was christened with medical mission, prayer, 7 americans, and a volunteer dentist. God has continued to do great things through us, his humble servants, and use the resources that you gave generously. All your prayers were answered and over 200 patients were seen in approximately 5 hrs. Records were broken! The team averaged 40 patients per hour. A miraculous feat, especially when considering my average in the clinic at home is only 2-3/hr. Abscesses were drained, rat bites were treated, and ears were scrubbed clean. We worked until dark, when the church folks strung open wired lights across the ceiling in order to allow us to continue to see patients in to the night.
In all we treated 274 patients last saturday, about 50 students at the school on Tuesday, and 325-350 patients on Saturday, for a grand total of over 650 patients. YESSSSSSS! God is good.
(Note from La Ne') You should have heard the cheer from the team when we finished treating the last patient! The team was exhausted- but excited and silly with laughter. What inexpressible joy to know what God can do through his people, if they are willing.
Sunday 3-07-10 (Note from Jeff)
I preached a wicked awesome sermon. Not bad for the first time! Unlike Steve, they let me have the mic for as long as I wanted:) I reminded them all about the miracles that God has done with patients, vitamins that never ended, packing our bags with everything that we needed, and of the abundant and overflowing love that you all sent with us. Your letters and your prayers were well received. The church, the staff and the children have been greatly encouraged by your love and your generosity. Thank you church, you ROCK!
(Note from La Ne') What my crazy, silly, and amazing husband really meant to say is that God spoke through him mightily today. He and Kuya David tag teamed the sermon and translation like old pros (which I guess they are after treating so many patients together these last two years!) Pastor Bernard and his little church, The Lord of the Harvest, got to hear how their incredible service to their community as inspired us, half way around the world, to join them in their efforts of touching lives and hearts. We are all one body working together and holding one another up in prayer.
(Note from Jeff) In the afternoon, we had halo halo, played frisbee, and prepared for a feast. During the great farewell party, we laughed, ate, and as a team we performed two impromptu special numbers. Rich played the drums, Randy played the bass, Joyce played the electric guitar, Jeff, La Ne', and Kurt played the tambourine and did interpretive dance, and Colemen played his famous "wooga wooga" horn. Needless to say, we were a great hit!
(Note from La Ne') We also had a wonderful surprise from the staff- they finished the mural and had it hung for the banquet! There is a map of the states, with San Jose and Kalispell marked with stars!
We also said our hard good byes to the kids and the staff tonight. Our hearts were overflowing with love for these amazing, wonderful people. Please pray for our team as we leave this place- we have all been changed, and healed, and broken again these past two weeks. We want to take our love and our experiences back to our families and friends back home- but please be patient with us! What has happened here is so hard to express in words.
Remember too that you all helped make this trip possible. It was your prayers and support that carried us through and allowed us all to love abundantly and exuberantly.
