Unconventional Transportation

Crazy day!!!

We made it about half way down the teny-tiny switch back, single lane gravel road before the tire went flat. That was actually quite an awesome adventure. About ten of us decided that we would walk to the village. We were sure we could make it before the bus was even fixed. The down hill part of the walk was beautiful, easy, and wonderful. It was the uphill part was horrific. It was like the Spartan race all over again. The ten of us were a sweaty, hot mess. But, we did beat the bus! Also, Dan wanted to see a tiger. Thankfully we did not end up seeing one, so, I did not need to change my pantalones.

I spent the first part of the day in pharmacy. Fun as always. We got to see heart murmers, round worm, and congenitial corneal defects, along with the rest of the usual infections/what not. In all we saw 97 patients today!

Line for Clinic

The second half of my day was spent in children's clinic. Basically, you entertain the kids even though you cannot communicate with them...Lets be honest, I was not looking forward to that. At least in Africa they spoke a little English.It turned out to be a blast. The kids just love being loved on.We played musical chairs, soccer, coloring, and some random water game. Its a relay of filling up a liter bottle with a paper plate. Holy cow, it was entertaining!!! The little girls had be spinning them around in circle, up, and down, and all around. I was picking up the girls and throwing them over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. After a few times of that with two of the girls I got a little extra treat... a toot in the face. Completely and utterly exhausted. It was such a good time, even if I didn't understand what those cute little girls were saying.

One of the little girls that I spent most of the day with was a tough egg to crack. I spotted her right off the bat and tried talking to her with my very choppy and broker spanish, but she refused to say a word. Eventually, I was able to make her smile. Then... the ice broke! She was jabbering away. The cutie had a scar from top to bottom of her cheek.

 One of the other gals, the amazing Kalli, had another interesting experience similar to my toot-face incidence. She was working socks-and-shoes with Me. Kalli was holding the little ones while Meg washed their little feet. One of the girls was whaling the moment she got near the shoe clinic. Kalli was holding the screamer when she felt something warm coming. She quickly moved her legs out of the way just in time to avoid the pee. Except the splatter on her pants.
     Side note: Poor Meg cut both of her legs shaving and is still bleeding. We all fear she may bleed out.

I grabbed our big duffel bags from the other room to pack up the pharmacy. As I was just about to walk into the pharmacy, a giant spider crawled out of the bag and was coming at my hand. I almost died. IT WAS A MONSTER!!!!!!!

When it was time to leave, a handful of us got to ride in the back of the Army truck. It was such a dusty ride. We had medical masks on which made it bearable. It was such a great way to get back to the main road though. There is just something about the wind in your face with that gorgeous landscape. I am sad that we do not get another day of that beauty.

Dan made the very poor decision of sitting next to me two nights in a row on that terrible road where cars are passing three at a time in the dark around blind corners. I think there was only one time tonight that I jumped into his lap for fear of a collision. He will be scared for life by the time this trip is over. Sorry Dan!


We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28    (today was a coin day Khari)

Narrow Roads

Long, long day!

New village today, Malpote. This one is west and towards to coast. It is also located down in a valley so it was much warmer. I wore a tshirt and didn't put my sweatshirt number one or two on. Once we got off the highway (which is crazy in itself), the road was very narrow. There were only a few times that caused for anxiety. As we arrived all of the kiddo scurried to line up real fast. There were four communities there. Every one was told to wear there best. As if they were going to a party. We had a quick intro and it was straight to work.

On the road

The area for shoes and for medical was perfecto. Pharmacy, well that's another story. We operated out of a room the size of a closet. Made it work though! It was a wild. We saw 127 people. The Army helped with translating for pharmacy; they were amazing. The day flew by and we worked hard. Did not get home until about 8pm. The building is eerily quiet tonight since everyone is so tired.

From Riobamba With Love

Foot washing, socks and shoes is where I started today. What a humbling experience. It really reminded me of Pastor Betsy's Maunday Thursday service during holy week.One of the most gracious (and slightly uncomfortable) things you can do for a person is to clean their feet. A dirty, stinky, filthy part of the body. Especially in a community where water is sparse, along with bathing. I truly felt as if I was walking in the footsteps of Jesus. That sounds a bit corny, but washing someones feet in the United States is just not the same as washing the feet of the Ecuadorians.

After a bit I was able to go back to clinic and help with prescribing. It is difficult but a lot of fun being able to use my knowledge so practically! I then got the chance to work in triage with Lorna. Cleaning ears... not my favorite. The first big chunk that flew out nearly made me loose it. Blap! We worked together wonderfully though; saw lots and lots of patients. We had a few rough patients that broke my little heart. There was a wonderful one though. This 47 year old mother of nine came in complaining of a stomach ache. After asking some questions we decided to do a pregnancy test. When we told her that she was pregnant with her tenth child her face filled with joy! In a community with so little and a family that is already pretty full, it was so so heart warming to see the love, joy, and excitement in this woman's face. In the last hour the line for clinic became PACKED!!! We stayed and saw people almost two hours past when we were supposed to stop. It got to the point that we had to choose who was going to be seen and who had to be turned away. That was so hard :(

After dinner we had a big debrief/vent session. People shared about their difficult moments, along with their happy moments. Alex, one of the Army people shared a story about heating water. For washing feet we need warm water. The community had provided a stove, which didn't work. So, water has to be heated the old fashioned way, by fire! The problem is that up in Pachancho there are no trees or wood. She asked the kids to gather up sticks for her to build a fire. They were taking such a long time, so, naturally, she went looking for them. When she finally found the children they were out by the cemetery trying to drag a whole tree. HAHA, so big that she had to get two other Army people to help carry the tree! Oh my gosh we laughed and laughed..

Another great story from the day, Pastor Ramon worked in spirtual clinic all day. He said the entire day was packed to the max. Many of the community members accepted Christ today. One gal was only 17 years old with a brand new baby boy. The father was totally out of the picture. Pastor shared the gospel with her and she was moved to tears. They spent over an hour together. By the end of their time together she had accepted Christ.

Tomorrow we go to a new town that is not as far up the mountain, it should be warmer! Yea!

Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32

Broken Buses and Healing Bodies

Early morning and a quick start. We did not need to pack up everything today since it was left on site. Jumped on the bus after breakfast and worship!

Chimbaroza was clear this morning, so, we all scurried off the bus to take a picture "waving the flag." For all of you non-coug fans that is where you take a picture some place totally awesome waving the WSU Cougar flag. Now you have been educated! Well, as soon as we got back on the bus to head to the clinic, the bus wouldn't start. At least we had a good view of the mountain! We did some briefing for the day and prayed a little... and the bus started!!! YEA!

With everything left from the day before already set up we started clinic early! Today was crazy busy compared to yesterday. I worked in the pharmacy the first part of the day and in the clinic prescribing the second half of the day. It was so interesting and amazing putting all of my pharmacy skills to work. You really have to ask the right questions to get the information that you need. We saw people with all kinds of infections, ruptured ear drums, told a women she was pregnant, and saw a man who was mauled by a bull. I was able to hear the sound of a heart murmer. Swish swish swish swish. It was crazy! This is not like school at all. At the drop of a hat you need to be able to answer any question about any disease state. The nurses are super patient about  letting us look things up. So sweet!

Pharmacy Set Up!

The Waiting Line

Beautiful Woman Waiting For Clinic To Open

In total we saw fifty five people today. It felt like we saw one hundred fifty five.

At dinner tonight, Nancy shared a conversation she had with the pastor of the community we have been in. He had been there for a number of years and was recently driven out of the community. Due to the hard times they have come upon they have pushed God away. This man set up a church in a neighboring community about a forty five minute walk away. Some people from the community we are serving in make the trek to attend church but most do not. He has also set up a cheese factory in our community as well as the one where his church is located. He is planning on also setting up a bakery too! Nancy was telling him that her concern is that the even though we are doing a huge thing for these people, the pills will only last so long and the people will get sick again. She wants to make it clear to the people that the reason we are here is Jesus. That because he loves them we cam to serve them. His response was that the people do know that and because of what we are doing the church is going to make another attempt at establishing in the community. Wow! Doing big thangs!

Gloria our cook at the monastery feeds us too well! We ate until we rolled out of the dining hall. Yum yum yum.

Christ is Life
1 John 5:12

Clinic Day in Pachancho

Early morning start and a long drive out to the community of Pachancho. We had a touristy pit stop so that the gringos (white people) could take pictures in front of Chimbaroza. This is the highest point in the whole wide world! The mountain itself is not as impressive as say Everest in height, however, it is still the winner of the highest point in the world.

Chimbaroza From The Valley

We also caught a glimpse of the vicunas. These are wild lamas! They look like a cross between a regular lama and a deer.

Welcome Sign

 
Our final destination was reached at an elevation of 12,000 ft. This lead to a few bouts of altitude sickness in our group. Our group quickly got to work setting up and getting organized. People began to trickle in. The day flew by after that! We had so many interesting cases, collaborations, and just showing the love of the Lord to people. It was told to us that these people have never had Americans to their village and for most this was the first health care they would have ever received. Doing big things!!!

A dog was even saved today! He had fallen into a deep hole full of water and sewage and was drowning. A few members of our team were trying to save it when the soldiers saw what was happening. They ran over, threw a board down, shimmied down the hole, and flung the dog out. Totally awesome.

A Regular Lama On A Leash

Lindsey asked me on the way home, "what about Ecuador do you think is similar to home?" uuuuuuuhhhhh.... nothing. Everything about Ecuador is different but beautiful.
Also on the way home, Kalli taught me about all kinds of different plants and trees!

Two Girls Waiting To Be Seen In Clinic

The whole team is totally beat from such a long and eventful day!

Quito to Rio Bamba - Flight + Day Uno (1)

What an awesome way to say farewell (for now) to the U.S. Amazingly fabulous date followed by hanging out with my Sis, Big B (Bryan), and Mr. B (Bentley). In case anyone was wondering, I have the best sister in the whole wide world. She slept only one hour so that she could take Lindsey and I to the airport at 3am!

We were a sight to see with out 44 bags of shoes and meds packed to the fifty pound limit lined up at the ticket counter. In all, getting out of Spokane was easy.                                     Spokane ----------> Denver

Denver was a beautiful city from the airport :) A very short layover.                  Denver ----------> Huston

Worst turbulence of my life. It woke me from my mild lapse of coma that I had lapsed into. Also a rough landing too, but we made it. Long layover.                                                       Huston ----------> Quito

The "long flight" of 5hrs was easy-peasy! I sat smack in the middle of another mission group from Waco Texas. Neat getting  to talk to them.                                                                 Quito!!!

Our fearless leader Nancy told us as soon as we get our checked bags to head through customs and that most of us would get pulled for inspection and questioning... No stress... Yea, do you know who you are talking to?!? I happened to be the first one to make it to the machine that decides your fate. I put my hand up the scanner... IT TURNED GREEN! I did not have to put my bag or myself through the x-ray machine, I did not have to get inspected, and I did not get questioned in a language I hardly know!!! Alicia was the only other person who made it through without trouble. The other twenty, not so lucky. We waited over an hour for them to make it through. Very heart racing ride to the hotel and then we crashed.

Great devotion by Nancy this morning. Awesome music by Bob and Cheryl. Wish I could carry a tune in a bucket though. First experience with Ecuador breakfast: interesting. Turkey and swiss sandwich on white bread, fruit, granola, and instant coffee. It is halarious that a country that produceses coffee drinks instant. Ha!
 Lindsey enlightened our group on a new and now favorite term: Bosom buddies. Now, it is not what you might be thinking. It is not a booty call or someone who puts their facial parts in your bosom parts. A bosom buddy is someone you keep close to your heart! Oooooooooohhhhh! We had a tremendous laugh.

The military came, we loaded up the truck and bus and away we went! Drove drove drove. The ceiling emergency exit cover flew off while driving! Not a big deal, except that it started raining! Minor flooding in the back of the bus.Boxed lunch from "GUS." Made me smile! Thanks buddy for looking out for me even in Ecuador; you da best! Drove drove drove.
Arrived at Sebad Seminary which will serve as our home base for the next week plus. We are able to go out onto the roof and have a birds eye view of the city. It is spectacular! Did some pharmacy labeling at prep for tomorrow. We will be getting an early start tomorrow in order to set up our site!

Final Prep For Ecuador

Today is a beautiful day in Spokane! Sunny and warm with a little breeze. My last morning at home

I am praying for my Kenya team members that are in Haiti (or still in transit). The Lord is doing BIG THANGS!

It has been so wonderful to get to see so many people before leaving on this new adventure. Last night I was able to see my Grammy, Grampy, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Mama, and Papa. Lunch yesterday I had with a good friend that was in a very bad car accident a few months ago. The more she tells me about the accident the more I am sure it was a complete act of God that she is alive! She is such an amazing gal! So strong!

Ssssoooo, Last minute chores and things that I have forgotten to pack. I am in a bit of a frenzy as I type this because I cannot find my camera charger (aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!). I finished my fifth and final repacking of my bags and I think we are good to go (besides the camera charger).

Alicia (my partner in crime for the post mission exploration) has finished up our itenerary. We are going to have an amazing time!

Our team is needing a bit of extra prayer today though. We just received word that the government is giving us a bit of trouble. They want all of our official documents translated into Spanish and re-notarized before they will allow us into the country. Hopefully this process will go quickly and easily. It would be a shame to loose a couple of days out in the field (aka saving the world) due to politics.

If you live in Spokane, I would really appreciate it if you had sister over for dinner while I am gone. Don't want that poor girl to starve while I am gone.