Our medical team has just returned from the Kansa rural clinic where we saw over 300 + nomadic people. Women were dressed in such bright colors, bangles on their upper arms, wrists and ankles and had full nose and ear rings. We were greeted with many leis (again) and we were joined today by students from the nursing school working as translators and running the pharmacy.
The clinic is normally open everyday-the doctor only has about 15 patients/day, but the people heard that American docs were coming and the word must have spread!
Lots of ear infections,scabies,skin infections and joint pains. Fiona worked in the pharmacy and learned that if the patient did not get a "syrup"they didn't think they were getting "real medicine"! Glynn said in Africa they want a needle for "real medicine".
There was an Indian OB/GYN seeing the women while Glynn,Jason and Kevin saw the men.There were several cases of malaria, some requiring IV's.The kids were in the worst shape that we have seen yet. A good part of the morning was spent with a 3 year old little boy with a puncture wound in his heel.
It was VERY infected, starting to spread all over his foot and he had a fever. I (Stephanie)took he and his father to work on his foot....soaked it in peroxide and betadine, put on bacitracin and bandaged it with gauze and a good strong ace wrap ...I told his father that he had to get the boy to the CICM hospital in Damoh in 2 days..his son is very sick and could lose his foot. (He will need IV
antibiotics) When I told them they could leave, his father dropped to the ground and started kissing my shoes! I did so little, but they have nothing so everything is appreciated! I told him it was all for Jesus,
Fred and Julie saw about 15 dental patients-10 extractions, one lady came back 3 times to have 3 teeth pulled! We lost electric about 2 hours into the clinic so patients were seen in dark rooms with flashlights when needed-Fred and Julie didn't even have a window!
The people are all very stoic and not too much expression one way or the other.
Tomorrow we will be working at the CICM hospital , Emilee and Stephanie will be teaching in the nursing school. Long, hot days....but really good days!
Stephanie Harkins
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever present help in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not fear
though our world should change.
Psalm 46:1-2
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I praise God that Stephanie and the other team members were there to show the love of Jesus.
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