Wednesday

Today was a tough day and probably changed all of our lives. More people poured into the village community area today than we could ever see. David and Phyllis saw 141 people today, some with aches and pains, many with eye problems, many with malaria, and many dehydrated and malnourished children. There were 150 people waiting when we closed down at 3:30 who are supposed to come back tomorrow to a new clinic site not far from today's. Then we will also have the people from the new area coming. We did see all of the children and mothers though. The children are so beautiful and trusting. Their mothers love them so much, just like we love our children. We had so much help that was there from Pastor Odai's church. It was such a huge blessing. Milt preached a sermon to those waiting using the new megaphones that Pastor's church bought. God even provided those when they were needed. Belinda and the staff prayed for patients, Chase and Cary did intakes and Nicole kept everyone outside on the porch and those doing intakes organized. Clara, Heather, Charlotte, and Felicity did blood pressures and temperatures. Dani took care of heart rates, weights, malaria tests, blood sugar tests, wound care (for the man who fell in the gutter), blood pressure, and took care of the babies vitals. Rebecca did case histories, triage, helped with medications, and as Jr. said was the "senior nurse". Kathryn and Rev. Mary were the awesome pharmacists. All of the girls learned how to do finger sticks and collect blood drops for the malaria tests. Not a squeamish one in the bunch. Charlie, Skip, and Andrew did micro-financing with about 60 people. Milt hung out with Pastor Odai. Everyone had at least one interpreter to help them. It was a well-oiled machine. We were physically and emotionally exhausted when it was over. But God is good and He will give us rest tonite.

We gave out many mosquitoe nets and the packaged food that we brought. Kathryn brought cloth bags and every one wanted one. Tootsie Roll Pops worked miracles.

We have already been rejuvenated at church tonight. Charlotte gave her testimony and talked about her " bad patch or period or time". The interpreter just kept looking at her like , What? Heather also gave her testimony and did a great job. Pastor Odai took something from each of their testimonies and gave a sermon in between.

The food has been plentiful and even better than described by those who came last year. We love that pineapple and papaya!

Well, as we continue to count pills at 11:30 p.m. we covet your prayers for rest tonight, strength for tomorrow, enough medicine to go around to everyone who needs it, especially the Children's Chewable Tylenol for which David is trying to locate more of in the pharmacies tomorrow. Pastor Odai's voice, although it was a little stronger tonight. Maybe he listened to his resident Speech Pathologist. God has protected us from evil, even the village chief came today. He was seen first.
Continue to pray for God's hand to go before us. Some of the men will go to see the breaking ground for the water well in the bush village. We will all see it later this week. Then the men will visit some of the businesses of the people they met with today.

We love you all so much and wish you could each be here with us.
Al, I especially miss you. Clara sends her love. We have an amazing daughter.

All our love,
Rebecca