All in a day's work

Hello, hello

I just realized there's been no blog entry in this whole year. Sorry! I'm still here though, and we're busy as ever.

This week we have an American team of 10 people here, so when they asked if I needed anything done at the clinic, I came up with quite a list. They are a team of hard working people, and our clinic looks much better. They painted the inside of one building and the next day we moved our whole pharmacy in there while they painted all the shelves in the pharmacy. Wow! Does it ever look much better! We continued seeing patients, but it was in slower motion. Thankfully the two days weren't busy ones and now we're almost back to normal. Doors and tables, file cabinets and chairs got their rust spots covered as well. Tin roofs won't flap anymore and my stand table is back on 4 wheels instead of 3. We've also been enjoying seeing the foundation of the new clinic get started and reinforced. Yea! And today we saw two guys (guards) moving in down there. That'll be needed especially once construction gets more under way. This team is leaving on Sat, and another one arriving the same day. That is happening each Sat. for the rest of this month. A lot of projects are to be finally finished, including a dorm for the young boys. And hopefully P. Henri's house will be closer to done.

Oh and these aren't the only visitors this year! My pastor from Canada, as well as S. Gladys and P. Henri's pastor, came for like two days. The special occasion??? Sister Gladys and Pastor got married last Saturday!!! This came in a very busy time for them, since a pastor that they work with very closely died last week and the funeral (that S. Gladys had to officiate) was the day after their wedding.

I continue seeing lots of people with malaria and typhoid. That seems to be almost the most common problems, and honestly, the easiest to diagnose. Then we have days (like today) when I don't know what to do for almost any of them - one lady got bit by a dog 1 1/2 months ago and now says is getting leg cramps from it; a belly that for about 2 years gets big and small whenever and is painful; a guy with problems; someone needing a prescription refill for antibiotics the way I never heard of them used and totally wrong in my knowledge; a 10 year old with an x-ray showing a lung full of fluids (probably has Tuberculosis). The last has me asking why some things hit certain people in a tidal wave. This family (Pierre family) is the one that has the 2 yr old Maikel that is in our malnutrition program, who came with a belly bigger than I knew could be possible (pictures in blogs past) and who also has two leaking heart valves. Last week the mother died giving birth to the 8th child (the oldest is 16). Now they have a newborn with no milk as well. Earlier this week the dad brought a 6 year old with a fever of almost 104; Now this girl, whom I sent to a hospital. And the mother's funeral is on Friday.

The malnutrition program is still going good. It seems every week we admit more children to the program - especially in Arcahaia. The problem we have is getting there. We never know if there'll be a vehicle to go with . It's about 45 minutes from here and public transportation is just not a real option for us, since we have to haul about 100 kg of Mamba, as well as scales, measuring board, water, and other supplies, plus change tap taps at least once. We see the need for a Medika Mamba vehicle as essential for the ongoing of the program. There are so many towns and village we could reach if we had transportation. Without it, we can't go there. There are some desperate women that will walk 3-5 hours for it. How many need it that can't come?
So if you are able and want to help us, we would be so appreciative. Enough small amounts would make it possible! Chris Hlavacek is collecting the money and you can either send it to him by mail (cheque or cash) or go to his Canaan website and pay it online. http://www.canaanorphanage.org/ All of it is tax deductible. Just let him know it's for the vehicle fund, since he's also the one that receives the money for the actual Mamba. Any questions, feel free to ask me.

And now, may God bless you, be in you, and flow out through you!
Elsie Kornelsen