The medical caravan saw and treated over 400 people in the three days that we attended the people here in Rio Verde. From a tiny newborn baby, suffering from congestion, to several old grandmas with painful joints, the doctors and nurses poured out their love and care to each and every one. It never fails to surprise me that Shelia and her crew are able to love these people—literally, holding the kids on their laps and even hugging each one—as they arrive one by one. While we have come to love this people over the years, we realize that many of the Awa come from miles away, and they are often dirty and sweaty, not necessarily easy to get close to. As each one took their turn on the examining table, I could see the muddy black boots sticking out at various angles. And yet, during the days of the Caravan, I believe each one felt the mercy and love that flowed from the hands of His servants.
Teresa came from the other side of the Lita River, with her small son who was sick with pneumonia and barely breathing. Those who were doing the reception area saw how sick the little boy was and moved them into the front of the line. Dr. Tim was worried the little guy would breathe his last right there on his examining table. He worked quickly to put an i.v. in him and give him antibiotics. Then Kevin quickly drove Teresa and little Benin and one of the nurses down to Lita to the small health clinic. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we heard that Benin was still breathing when he arrived in Lita, after an hour of driving on the rough road. Later he was taken to the hospital in Ibarra and spent several days in the children’s ward in the social hospital there. This week Teresa was able to bring him home again.
Even as the caravan days ended, we heard the tragic news that a relative of Milton’s wife had been knifed and killed in a drunken fight in a community west of here. Another fellow was shot in the same fight. And we are reminded that most of the Awa live in a very dark world, without the light that comes from knowing God.
So we thank the Lord for the opportunity to shed His Light here in Rio Verde, and we pray for that Light to spread into the many Awa communities in the mountains around us.
in HIS grip, Kevin & Kathy Bruce
PS - for those of you praying for Agustin, he is still in the hospital in Ibarra. They operated on his broken leg, but I wasn't able to get able to any news as to how long they expected his recovery to take when I visited yesterday. He is suffering, and once this week pulled out the iv with his teath (he has no hands), so they've tied one arm down. Please pray for him to be able to rest peacefully and heal. Most of all pray for him and his family to rest in the grace of Jesus!
