Medical Clinic - Thanks to Resurrection Lutheran Church in Monticello!

I want to give a special thanks to Resurrection Lutheran Church and the five individuals they sent to the Dominican Republic for a vision trip: Pastor Jedidiah, Jill, Tim, Sara and Sandy.  They were here August 17-22 and were a blessing in many ways! 

In the beginning stages of our planning, we talked about doing a medical clinic.  The doctors we normally work with were not available during the time they were here, so the plans for our trip were filled with other things:  visiting La Victoria prison, visiting the orphanage in Guerra, visiting some of the people and communities where the ImpactLives food will be distributed, getting to know Pastor Carlos and his church and, what I think turned out to be their favorite part, working with the young adult leaders from Hato Mayor and Guerra!  The medical clinic would have to wait for another trip.

When the team arrived at the airport, I didn't say anything but, I was a little surprised at all the luggage they brought for just a six day trip.  Pastor Jedidiah commented about it, too.  I don't remember exactly how he put it, but he said something about how he instructed his team members to bring plenty of clothes -- if they couldn't decide what shirt to bring, he told them to just bring them both.  I thought it was a little strange, but decided to just let it go.  

We arrived to the mission compound in Hato Mayor, had dinner, orientation, got to know each other a bit and discussed the plans for the next day.   I was about to leave for the evening when they said they had a surprise for me.  When Pastor Jedidiah and I SKYPED before they arrived, he asked if I had any special requests.  I asked him to bring a little chocolate and a pot holder, so I thought that was what the surprise would be. 

I went out to the basketball court and there were three or four suitcases spread on the ground.  They told me I had to "hunt" for my chocolate!  I opened the suitcases and found so many other wonderful surprises:  medical supplies, children's clothing, a LAPTOP, evangelism tracts, chocolate, potholders, cards and notes from friends and homemade jam from Chantelle Kiphuth!!  Wow!  I couldn't believe it!  I'm still praising the Lord for their generosity! 

We've already begun using the laptop to teach the leaders how to make a spreadsheet and keep track of their expenses in Excel.  A couple of  our English teachers are also using it to improve their own English with a language learning program. 

In the future, I hope we can also teach them how to make powerpoints, videos and other documents that they can use for teaching and to market their ministry.  We are SO thankful fro the laptop!!!

While the team was here, we delivered the children's clothing to a couple of families that we knew had a need....single mothers with six or seven children each!

MEDICAL SUPPLIES 

We used/donated all the medical supplies on September 12th when we did a clinic in Batey Mamey near Guerra. 

The clinic was truly a TEAM effort.  It's neat to see all the different people/ministries who came together for this event.  Resurrection Lutheran Church started it by donating the supplies.  I knew we could count on our young adult leaders from Iglesia Nueva Jerusalem here in the Dominican Republic to help us run the whole event.  Of course, we worked with the pastor of the community and leaders from his church, Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia.  The doctors were Diane and Fran Sabado who have their own medical ministry called Corozon del Siervo.  Our pharmacy team consisted of three women: two who were visiting from Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Albany (Kaye and Shannon Schmainda), and Sandee Walden from M.O.T.E. here in the Dominican Republic joined us for the day as well.  Including me, there were seven different ministries represented!!  I think that's cool -- the body of Christ working together to help people in need!



This is the church where the clinic was held. 





The Guerra youth worked "triage" asking people their names, ages and chief complaint,

and helping the patients to the waiting area.



It was a pretty big church.  There were people lined up at the door waiting for us when we got there. 

Batey Mamey is a small rural community with a lot of poverty.  It is far away from the main roads and from the town.  There is a small elementary school in the community, but the nearest high school is pretty far away.  If students want to continue their studies after 7th grade, they have to walk to the main road and pay the fare for the public bus each day or find their own means of transportation which isn't easy.  Many of them do not have education past 7th grade.  

Most of the medications that people received were very basic.  Things that most of us keep on hand in the house - like pain medicine and cold/allergy medicine.  Many patients also received medication for high blood pressure, parasites, diabetes, different rashes and fungus, among many other things.

 

This man's leg was deformed, and from what I understood it has been this way for years.
He went to see the doctors at the public hospital years ago, but instead of correcting it
 (because he was poor and he wouldn't be able to afford it), they just gave him pain medication and sent him home.
Quality and affordable medical attention is a need all over the country. 

Kaye Schmainda filling a prescription.

Sandee Walden, Dr. Diane Sabado, Kaye Schmainda and Shannon Schmainda.
The pharmacy!



After people received their medication, there were members of the team available to
pray with each patient who wanted it.



It was a great day, sharing the gospel with our words AND actions.  When Jeus ministered to people, He did not only preach and teach.  He fed people, healed the sick and attended to the physical needs of people as well as their spiritual needs.  We continue to pray that through our ministry people experience the love of Jesus and turn their lives over to Him.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this day possible!!  Gloria a Dios!