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 Clamenciaｴ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