This is the last day in Misi village, tomorrow we head to St. John's Bible College for two days of clinic there. We also hope to do a little shopping, I would love to get a shirt made for me! Trying not to think about this being the last day and just focusing on getting as many prescriptions as I can filled. Today, Nola asked me to help with the HIV/AIDS class with Bishop, Alisha and mom. I am nervous but as a teacher, I am prepared!
WELL ... that didn't go as expected. When we talked about monogamy and how that can reduce the risk and infection of HIV/AIDS, there was a ripple of laughter that ran through the crowd. Kind of feeling like the elephant in the room, I tried not to take it personally and to realize that polygamy is part of their culture (as weird as that sounds, I know) so although it was not as successful as some classes, they still had some great questions at the end. That last part gave me hope that maybe in the next generation, their children's generation, this could actually work. For now, time to start up clinic.
Today, it was a little heartbreaking because a blind boy about 13 or 14 came to see us. Seeing the hope in his face that we could do something to help me overwhelmed me because after we examined him (lesions on his eyes which is common because they do not wear sunglasses and some kind of infection or disease was causing him to lose his eyesight and making it very painful for him), all we could do was pray for him and recommend him to the hospital (which is 30 km away). Tears sprung to my eyes and knowing we wouldn't be able to help him makes days like these hard, I had to step away for a second. After a minute or two I returned to the little boy and just held his hand and not knowing that else to do, I said a silent prayer for him while Nola and his parents continued to talk. Sarah was there and I could tell she was emotional too, she was rubbing his back and trying to comfort him and it's just difficult to turn these people away, knowing that they probably won't make it to the hospital. I pray for him and his family and for God to grant me the strength to continue and know that while we can't help every person but those we do help is done with the grace of God.
SOOOOOO ...
We helped over 230 people which seeing that written on paper made my heart swell with warmth and gratification that God gave us the patience, resources, and stamina to reach out to that many patients! Time for dinner and then bed time. Early start tomorrow to depart for St. John's!
(P.S. Will come back later to post pictures, don't have all of them but will post them at a later date!)
