Clinic Day 7 - Gramapamba

Last clinic day! This year we added an extra clinic day and an extra tourist day. Back when I decided this was a good idea I wasn't remembering how exhausted the team gets by the end of 6 clinic days. I can definitely say this was our most difficult day so far. We made it through though!

In total we saw 300 people at Gramapamba! Again,  no one was turned away! It warms my heart when we get to see everyone.

At the end of the day one of the people from the community told Dr. Harris that they no longer thought we were evil. Naturally that sparked some questions. It turns out that when One Heart started working in the community there were only three Christian families. The community had been against Christianity; thinking that Christians were evil. After two days of our team being in the community they saw that Christians are not evil. They expressed that we brought peace and healing to the community and they felt the presence of God under the tent. I can't remember if I mentioned that we are working in a circus type tent. They decided to hold a big community worship service after we left. It is amazing what two days can do!

It has truly been a blessing to serve the people of Ecuador. With all the gifts the Lord has given to me, it is awesome to be able to give back.

Clinic Day 6 - Gramapamba

Today was our first day in the village of Gramapamba. This village was about an hour and a half from the One Heart Center, but these were the worst roads we have seen thus far. A few times we got the van stuck. I am so thankful for Steven's expert driving!

Fun fact: the village of Gramapamba is at 12,225 ft elevation.

We are holding clinic in a big tent. Circus style. Suprisingly it is a great set up! The tent is huge. It traps in the heat, which is so nice, but none of us expected. We have all been dressed for the freezing weather.

There was a beautiful young girl with Vitiligo (pigmentation disorder affecting patches of skin/hair). She had blonde hair, blue eyes, mostly white skin, and could not hear. She knew a few pharases in sign language, but otherwise could not communicate. It turns out that one of our translators is fluent in sighn language. She sat down with the family and began signing. Her face lit up when she realized that someone else knew how to communicate with her. The rest of our time today they sat together learning new words. They have commited to meeting once a month for family lessons. Another example of the Lord knowing the needs and meeting them!

We saw about 200 people today and expect to see about that many tomorrrow!

Since there were so many people, we pushed it to the limit. We left about 2 hours late. The usual sketchy Ecuadorian driving was amplified in the darkness. People will still walking their cows down the middle of the road without lights. People were riding their bike in the middle of the raod without lights. People were driving their cars without lights. A cow almost ran us over. Really, we were stopped. She was the one that almost hit us. An adventure for sure!

Clinic Day 5 - Tibal Ichbamba Community

Our final day in the community of Tibal Ichubamba. From the begning of the day it was a bit iffy if we would be able to see everyone in clinic. One of my most traumatic moments of a previous trip was deciding who would be seen and who would be turned away when we ran out of time. Thankfully we were able to see everyone! Not one person turned away!!!

Yesterday my translator Andrea and I saw a very nice couple. They asked for hearing aid batteries. My jaw just about bounced off the floor. On Monday when we were unpacking all of our supplies, there was a big package of hearing aid batteries. I remember saying, "hhhmmmm well thats interesting. I wonder why we wasted that space on hearing aid batteies." Here was the reason why. Even though I could not see the plan the Lord knew the need. So they came back to clinic today. When I put the battery in the hearing aid, it didn't work. Cue heartbreaking music. I figured the thing was broken. It was extreamly dirty and all of the writing was worn off. In a last ditch effort I tore the thing apart; cleaning it inside and out. When he put it back into his ear his face lit up. He could hear again! It was an awesome moment for all of us.

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knows, the door will be opened.
                                                                                                                                Matthew 7:8

I have worked with Andrea as my translator for the last few years. It has been a blast to grow with her.  For many of the common things, she will know exactly the words and questions I want to ask before I even speak. The things that used to make her blush or cringe are now old hat for her. So cool! We are a great team. Another thing we have brought in more and more to our time in clinic is prayer. I can say that there are very few times that there are not tears. As in so many other moments, it seems to the simple things like batteries, washing hands, and prayer that can be the most powerful gifts given. These trips to Ecuador never cease to humble me.

Clinic Day 4 - Tibal Ichbamba Community

Today we held clinic in a new village. The community of Tibal Ichubamba. This community is only an hour from the One Heart Center. Makes for a quick trip!

This is the first time our medical team has been to this village. I had no idea what to expect. It turned out to be perfect! We have one big building for all of  our clinics. It is so nice having everything in one spot. We saw over 100 patients today!

At our debrief tonight every English speaking person on our team shared something form our time together. It is an awesome set up.

As we were wrapping up clinic for the day I was wipping my hands with a wet wipe. A little girl was watching. Her face and hands were so dirty.  I called her over and cleaned her face and hands. It was such a special moment. I spent so much time before the trip packing, repacking. Stressing about things that were not going to make it into the bags. Then, with a single wet wipe, I have such an amazing moment with this girl. There were no translators around, so we had no way to communicate.  Even without understanding eachother it was so special.

Clinic Day 3 - Palmira Community

What a great day! Today was our last day in the community of Palmira. We were able to see everyone who came to be seen in clinic. Praise the Lord! As we were packing up a couple of kids showed up to be seen. We managed to squeeze them in and get them their medicaitons and kids packs even though everything was mostly put away.

My mom is a quilter. Every year that I come to Ecuador she make a quilt for me to give to someone that I feel really needs it. Today I felt the need ot give the quilt to a beautiful young lady named Carmen. She plans to be a doctor when she grows up. Overall she was a very healthy young lady. She soaked up everything we were trying to teach her. Before she left, she asked if we cold pray for her sister who is going through some nasty relationship problems. She was very moved after I prayed for her. When I gave her the quilt tears were rolling down her face. She was so thankful and in awe that my mom would make a quilt and that I would choose her to have it. What a special experience.

The women's clinic was still rocking when the medical clinic was all packed up. I took a journey up the steps to see what was going on. Even though it is only 20 stairs to get from one spot to the next, at 12,000 feet it is a breath taking (literally )  journey!  There were about 40 women crocheting away. Cheryl has been teaching the women to crochet rugs, mats, and bags out of old plastic bags. These things are beautiful! The Ecuadorian ladies catch on quickly too. They are able to improvise and make each project their own. Very cool to see.

Clinic Day 2 - Palmira Community

Today was a packed day! We saw twice as many patients as yesterday. A few were turned away, but given the  first spot in line tomorrow.

In all of my years coming to Ecuador I have never seen twins. Today in clinic guess what I saw? TWINS!? They were the most beautiful and healthy babies. It was amazing to see.

The pharmacy is running like a well oiled machine. Iam so proud of my students

Clinic Day 1 - Palmira Community

Today was our first clinic day! What a blast. This community is about 1 hour 45 minutes away from the One Heart Center. Overall the roads a better than communities we have been to in the past, but... I am so thankful we are in the smaller van, rather than a tour bus. There were many switch backs, washborads, and "slender" parts of the road. One of Katty's nephews is the driver of the van. He is so good! He makes it a very smooth ride.

The community has an excellent set up for us. There is more than enough room for all that we need. It is just a bit cold. We were able to see all of the patients that came to clinic today and expect the number of people to be substantially higher tomorrow.