Hello everyone!
The team is wearing down some. We have been very busy the last 2 clinic days. We are traveling to Quito tomorrow for 1 1/2 day of clinic and then back to Otovalo. We are excited because we are going to get to come back for market day in Otovalo. It is the largest outdoor market in the world. Even though that is not why we come, it is a nice bonus.
The last two days were not as busy as Monday. We are seeing quite a bit of back pain. I have done a few trigger point injections (never did that before). The people are still very grateful. My brain is a little fried tonight, so I do not have much to say. I am starting to miss home alot. I have really enjoyed the time with the missionaries here this visit. Eva and Christian (married in April) are coming to the USA (Edingburg TX) for the Rio Grande Bible Institute beginning in October. I have invited them to KY for Thanksgiving. We have worked hard but the pastors and missionaries have worked hard, too to keep things running here and set up and take down.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. I hope just to be a little more awake tomorrow and maybe more stories.
Love, Kim
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Azaya community in Ibarra
Hello to everyone!
Today we went to Azaya which is a community in Ibarra. It is a community of many blacks that came from ancestors of a wrecked slave ship centuries ago.
It was a very poor community. I do not have any pictures from today, because the missionaries told us that it was a community known for theft and not to take anything that might get stolen. I would not of had time anyway to take pictures. There were guards there at the church to keep the peace. Nothing however happened.
It was a rather usual internal medicine day with similar problems and more: hypertension, diabetes, vaginal discharge, gastritis, abdominal pain, DVT (after pregnancy), depression, sinusitis, arthritis, and several others. The previous two days, I think there was a lot of tuberculosis that had not yet been diagnosed. Lots of cough with weight loss, coughing up blood, and sweats. If my PPD does not come back positive in 6 weeks, I will be really surprised. Lots of people today had problems and could not afford medications. The priority is on rent and food before meds. Sound similar to some of the concerns in the US, too.
I probably gave away at least 17-20 1 year each supply of medications for BP. I think we have given most of the blood pressure meds away, but we still have 4 days left to have clinic. Clinic was very busy today. We saw patients for approx. 9.5 hr today. The verse of the day was Matthew 6:34 -- So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. God will bring us more infections and less hypertension tomorrow if He is willing, but I am looking forward to what God sized task he has in store for us tomorrow. We are in Cotacochi tomorrow.
Some memories from today include the elderly couple I saw (husband 96 years old and wife 89 years old). He had fallen about a year ago and probably broke his knee. They were both in their Sunday best. His walker had a seat but was pulled behind him, but it was very difficult for them to walk at all. I met Wilmon and Clamenciaï½´s parents (ministers in Otovalo church helping the team).
There was a woman who had just lost her 17 year old son. Another was very tearful because she had a 13 year old and then an abortion, but had not been able to have another pregnancy to term. We prayed with her and spent time explaining that Jesus will make her whole again.
God just gave me a sense that He would take care of the situation, and she would again have a child. There were more elderly people at this clinic that any of the others that I have been at while in Ecuador this year or last year. It is quite amazing they survive to an elderly age in this environment. There were two brothers and one cousin who were late teens athletes who complained of weakness and shortness of breath during futbol. They appeared anemic. They probably had a hereditary anemia such as thalessemia or sickle cell.
Another woman in her 30's had retinitis (problem causing blindness) that started when she was 13 and completely blind by age 19. I have not figured that one out yet.
Despite all of the illness and poverty, they were overall very thankful and gracious.
Talk to you soon! Love , KIM
Today we went to Azaya which is a community in Ibarra. It is a community of many blacks that came from ancestors of a wrecked slave ship centuries ago.
It was a very poor community. I do not have any pictures from today, because the missionaries told us that it was a community known for theft and not to take anything that might get stolen. I would not of had time anyway to take pictures. There were guards there at the church to keep the peace. Nothing however happened.
It was a rather usual internal medicine day with similar problems and more: hypertension, diabetes, vaginal discharge, gastritis, abdominal pain, DVT (after pregnancy), depression, sinusitis, arthritis, and several others. The previous two days, I think there was a lot of tuberculosis that had not yet been diagnosed. Lots of cough with weight loss, coughing up blood, and sweats. If my PPD does not come back positive in 6 weeks, I will be really surprised. Lots of people today had problems and could not afford medications. The priority is on rent and food before meds. Sound similar to some of the concerns in the US, too.
I probably gave away at least 17-20 1 year each supply of medications for BP. I think we have given most of the blood pressure meds away, but we still have 4 days left to have clinic. Clinic was very busy today. We saw patients for approx. 9.5 hr today. The verse of the day was Matthew 6:34 -- So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. God will bring us more infections and less hypertension tomorrow if He is willing, but I am looking forward to what God sized task he has in store for us tomorrow. We are in Cotacochi tomorrow.
Some memories from today include the elderly couple I saw (husband 96 years old and wife 89 years old). He had fallen about a year ago and probably broke his knee. They were both in their Sunday best. His walker had a seat but was pulled behind him, but it was very difficult for them to walk at all. I met Wilmon and Clamenciaï½´s parents (ministers in Otovalo church helping the team).
There was a woman who had just lost her 17 year old son. Another was very tearful because she had a 13 year old and then an abortion, but had not been able to have another pregnancy to term. We prayed with her and spent time explaining that Jesus will make her whole again.
God just gave me a sense that He would take care of the situation, and she would again have a child. There were more elderly people at this clinic that any of the others that I have been at while in Ecuador this year or last year. It is quite amazing they survive to an elderly age in this environment. There were two brothers and one cousin who were late teens athletes who complained of weakness and shortness of breath during futbol. They appeared anemic. They probably had a hereditary anemia such as thalessemia or sickle cell.
Another woman in her 30's had retinitis (problem causing blindness) that started when she was 13 and completely blind by age 19. I have not figured that one out yet.
Despite all of the illness and poverty, they were overall very thankful and gracious.
Talk to you soon! Love , KIM
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Dr. Kim has returned to Ecuador Safely
Letter from Kim (the veteran):
Hello to everyone!
We arrived safely in Ecuador early Fri am. We spent the night in Quito and went directly to Lita on Fri (later that morning). Lots of prayers were answered again on Thurs/Fri re. getting trunks and supplies through customs in Ecuador. We again did not even have the trunks opened after we claimed them.
God continues to watch over us here. The first task for Him was when I dropped my passport in the airport. Someone pointed out that I had dropped it, and I picked it up. I may want to stay longer in Ecuador but not at the embassy getting a new passport. Thank God He watches over the little things.
The missionaries are for the most part well. Long clinic days Sat and Sun in Lita and seeing 100 or 125 per day. (There are 2 physicians this year and 1 dentist). They are very glad to have the dentist. I met the infamous Gloria with scleroderma who had to have a finger amputation 2 years ago when the team saw her with an ulcer on her hand. (Ask Tim Scott, he can tell you more.) I gave another pair of shoes away to a woman who had none. She is probably the only native Ecuador person with a pair of crocks!
As usual, I am receiveing more blessing than what I am giving.
Sorry, this is short, but have to go.
Love, Kim
Hello to everyone!
We arrived safely in Ecuador early Fri am. We spent the night in Quito and went directly to Lita on Fri (later that morning). Lots of prayers were answered again on Thurs/Fri re. getting trunks and supplies through customs in Ecuador. We again did not even have the trunks opened after we claimed them.
God continues to watch over us here. The first task for Him was when I dropped my passport in the airport. Someone pointed out that I had dropped it, and I picked it up. I may want to stay longer in Ecuador but not at the embassy getting a new passport. Thank God He watches over the little things.
The missionaries are for the most part well. Long clinic days Sat and Sun in Lita and seeing 100 or 125 per day. (There are 2 physicians this year and 1 dentist). They are very glad to have the dentist. I met the infamous Gloria with scleroderma who had to have a finger amputation 2 years ago when the team saw her with an ulcer on her hand. (Ask Tim Scott, he can tell you more.) I gave another pair of shoes away to a woman who had none. She is probably the only native Ecuador person with a pair of crocks!
As usual, I am receiveing more blessing than what I am giving.
Sorry, this is short, but have to go.
Love, Kim
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