Visions come fast and unfold slowly; God is faithful with both. I am thankful for the long history of Tennessee teams that have established relationships, schools, clinics and churches in this area. And I am deeply grateful that new people continue to rise up and meet needs.
This is this team’s first “medical mission” together. It has been 8 years since our church was involved in a medical mission beyond dental care. We got our feet wet by setting up a clinic in the community of La Mantanita in an Evangelical Pentecostal church building. Pastor Nicholas has been serving there for 28 years. We set up reception, triage, two exam rooms, a pharmacy and waiting area. In our two days there we triaged and treated about 140 patients. Jose and the Salud y Paz team were fantastic with us. Pastor Nicolas is the father-in-law of Pastor Manuel at San Antonio so it was nice to make the connection. It is humbling always to discover how welcoming everyone is to allow us to be in their communities and in their lives.
Our third medical mission day took us to familiar ground. The John Wesley clinic building in San Antonio received fresh paint, a thorough cleaning and general attentive care to prepare for the medical team’s arrival. Adolfo helped prior to the prep team and Steve, Joe, Rachel and Adam followed. When we set up yesterday we are blessed to have this great space!
The front yard of the clinic was full when we arrived on Saturday. And it continued to be full as we treated 91 patients. Many will wait to be seen on Monday. This mission team is working as if they have been together for years. I am reminded of how it works when following Christ is the common thread running through a gathered group of people; it is different: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yoruself with sober judgement, in accordance with the faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to te grace given us….” (Romans 12:3-6a).
It amuses me how quick we have all become to “specialize” and forget that God uses our gifts in a variety of ways; some of which will surprise us. Gretchen’s chemistry background has been awesome for the pharmacy, while her expertise as a mom has been calming for many mothers who bring their children. Jenny being an Urologist has still prepared her well for general medical. Annie B.’s interest in medicine allows her to float from triage to assisting docs to pharmacy with ease. Lori’s attention to detail make setting up pharmacy a joy….the list goes on and on. I am loving doing vital signs and triage all over again! Mitzi emerges from her exam room each day with a look of pure joy.
The medical team saw 91 patients on Saturday. God is so good!
- Jenny &Mitz, our medical providers with Ricardo getting ready for the day
- Clean; Freshly painted; ready to be used!
- Pharmacy team in action!
- Pharmacy in action
The miracles happening through Lalgadh are too great to capture. We are seeing and sharing glimpses; it is only a tiny part of what has happened since Eileen Lodge felt “called” to build a leprosy hospital on this 100 acre ground. Each day of our time here has added to the story being shared. It is a story of redemption, a story of grace….a story of miracles. Yesterday several of the staff shared testimonies of how they came to Christ through their work here. What powerful witnesses they are to God’s amazing grace!
The Self Care Training Center is more than occupational therapy. It is life coaching, it is restoration, it is where the “untouchables” find out they are worthy, loved and able to have full life. It is a place where Hope begins to emerge. Clients stay here two weeks in dormitory accommodations. They learn to cook without burning their hands that have often lost all feeling from the nerve damage or may have fingers missing. They learn exercises to help their various conditions. They learn how to prevent foot ulcers by taking care of their feet. They learn how to love themselves after having been told they are untouchable. The words of Jesus shout, “you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!” The program, called RECLAIM, begins at the Self Training Center.
This is the scripture (Duet. 6) chosen by Dr.Daniel and Mary Ann McGinley for thier wedding This past June. I remember being so blessed by this during the months we prepared for their wedding covenant. As we walked through the village to see the wells this scripture was in my heart and mind. A couple of generations from now people will be drinking from these wells that didn’t dig them. They will have water because this generation rose up and did something as a community. The fruits of their courage, unity, sacrifice and hard work will bless thousands and ten thousands yet to come.
I wonder if heaven might be full of these wells? The places where God did amazing work through people of faith so that others could have life. As we walk through the village and down paths of water flow I have a sneaking feeling Christ is walking with us.
Life in the Deep End 