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.

Ecuador Medical Mission 2018

We made it!

Last night we arrived very late into Quito. All of our bags and all of our team made it all in one piece.

Today we made the long treck to Riobamba. Approximatley a 5 hour drive. Since we are such a small team, we passed up on the tour bus and took the Tammy Van (One Heart's 15 passenger van).  Please exucse the typo's, no auto correct or spell check on this device. Also, I am a pharmacist. I can spell chlorpheniramine, but not normal words.

It was a record time of unpacking and then dividing everything up for the three villages. Currently as I am typing, the rest of the team is pre-packing medications.

The Last Few Days

7/27/17

As you all could guess we went out on the town last night. We took a few cars into town for ice cream and internet. I think everyone was more interested in the internet, but the ice cream wasn’t bad.

Today was our first day in Cebadas. We have spent a few years in this community. Since we have been here with a medical team multiple times before, people are much healthier. A stark contrast from Basan. We were able to see over 100 people today!

Every year my Mama makes a quilt for me to give to someone on the trip. I met a wonderful little girl named Lady Michelle. She has a heart defect requiring surgery. She was so excited when I asked if I could give her the quilt and would not let it go. Through the translator she was told all about the wonderful lady that made the quilt for her.

I met the future president of Ecuador at the end of the day. We see patients in family groups. This little boy marched right in and said “my name is Mateo but everyone calls me Matthew. I am top of my class.” He was so cute! Besides a bad tooth, he was perfectly healthy. We told him how important it was to brush his teeth twice a day. He said, “ok! I have it in my memory and will do it morning and night!” He was a very sweet boy.

7/28/17

Our last day in Cebadas was a good one. Again, we saw over 100 people.  They are working on expanding the church that we have worked in for a number of years. They currently cut the building in half. Even with half the size of normal we worked like a well-oiled machine. This team works so well together. I haven’t seen a hiccup yet!

During clinic we saw a man with his four children. Their health problems were not too troubling. Andrea felt the pull to ask the father if he knew the Lord. He said that he did not, but he thought he would be going to heaven because he was a good person. Through the spiritual bracelets that we give to all of the children, she shared the gospel with the family. In the end, they all accepted the Lord. As soon as we finished praying he asked if we could get him a bible.

It is such a humbling feeling to give a person something as simple as sunglasses or a blanket and have them be grateful to the point of tears.

7/29/17

We packed up our clinic and moved to the town of Jatar Campesino. Since we have done the set up a couple of times it took us no time at all. We saw 120 people by 3pm.  The set up was premo!

In clinic we saw a little boy with cancer. He had a tumor removed from his head. From what I have seen the Ecuadorians do not hold much stock in their suturing skills. Every person I have seen who has had surgery has a scar like Frankenstein.  Keeping in line with this, the little boy had a big scar across half his head.

After dinner we had a party for all five of our teammates who had birthdays during the trip: Jacqueline, Cheryl, Emma, Erik, and myself. It was a great time! There was food and dancing.

The Last Few Days

7/27/17

As you all could guess we went out on the town last night. We took a few cars into town for ice cream and internet. I think everyone was more interested in the internet, but the ice cream wasn’t bad.

Today was our first day in Cebadas. We have spent a few years in this community. Since we have been here with a medical team multiple times before, people are much healthier. A stark contrast from Basan. We were able to see over 100 people today!

Every year my Mama makes a quilt for me to give to someone on the trip. I met a wonderful little girl named Lady Michelle. She has a heart defect requiring surgery. She was so excited when I asked if I could give her the quilt and would not let it go. Through the translator she was told all about the wonderful lady that made the quilt for her.

I met the future president of Ecuador at the end of the day. We see patients in family groups. This little boy marched right in and said “my name is Mateo but everyone calls me Matthew. I am top of my class.” He was so cute! Besides a bad tooth, he was perfectly healthy. We told him how important it was to brush his teeth twice a day. He said, “ok! I have it in my memory and will do it morning and night!” He was a very sweet boy.

7/28/17

Our last day in Cebadas was a good one. Again, we saw over 100 people.  They are working on expanding the church that we have worked in for a number of years. They currently cut the building in half. Even with half the size of normal we worked like a well-oiled machine. This team works so well together. I haven’t seen a hiccup yet!

During clinic we saw a man with his four children. Their health problems were not too troubling. Andrea felt the pull to ask the father if he knew the Lord. He said that he did not, but he thought he would be going to heaven because he was a good person. Through the spiritual bracelets that we give to all of the children, she shared the gospel with the family. In the end, they all accepted the Lord. As soon as we finished praying he asked if we could get him a bible.

It is such a humbling feeling to give a person something as simple as sunglasses or a blanket and have them be grateful to the point of tears.

7/29/17

We packed up our clinic and moved to the town of Jatar Campesino. Since we have done the set up a couple of times it took us no time at all. We saw 120 people by 3pm.  The set up was premo!

In clinic we saw a little boy with cancer. He had a tumor removed from his head. From what I have seen the Ecuadorians do not hold much stock in their suturing skills. Every person I have seen who has had surgery has a scar like Frankenstein.  Keeping in line with this, the little boy had a big scar across half his head.

After dinner we had a party for all five of our teammates who had birthdays during the trip: Jacqueline, Cheryl, Emma, Erik, and myself. It was a great time! There was food and dancing.

Three Posts In One (no internet)

Blog

7/23/17

Off we go! The team met at the airport at 3:45am. SpokaneàSeattleàAtlantaàQuito. All of the bags made it.

7/24/17

We stayed the night in Quito since we got in so late and the drive to Riobamba is so long.

In the morning a group went for a stroll to the big park in Quito. Then it was on the bus for the long journey to Riobamba. Not too long distance wise, but still takes forever. Once we got to the new casa of One Heart Global Ministries, we began unpacking. It took us many many hours to get everything unpacked and repacked.

The new one heart building is beautiful! It is only partially finished but great already! I cannot wait to see the final building.

7/25/17

Up early for the journey to Basan. This village in between Basan Grande and Cebadas; villages we have been to in years past.  Set up was seamless. We were able to see over 60 patients in our short day.

Cheryl has been teaching the women how to crochet rugs out of plastic bags. She told the ladies that she would be back next year and give a prize to the person who had the best one. She asked what they would want if they won the prize for best rug. One said a bible, one said a cell phone, and one said a gringo husband.

7/26/17

Today was our second day is Basan we were able to see over 100 patients today.

I had Andrea as a translator again today in clinic. She is a rock star. She has a nursing background. When I teach her something, like why it is important to drink more than 1 glass of water in a day, she picks it up and is able to teach people without me needing to tell her again. It would surprise most people that we taught almost everyone why it is important to eat and why it is important to drink water.

We were able to pray for a number a people that we saw in clinic. It was extremely touching and powerful.

Currently, we have bombarded a small sandwich shop to pirate their internet.  Naturally, with 25 people all jumping on the internet at the same time we killed it. We are now working in shifts to use the internet.

Also, sorry for no pictures in the blog. The internet is too slow...

Are you ready?

Here we go! Less than a week until we leave for the beautiful country of Ecuador. We will have 17 U.S. team members. Ranging from three states and 5 cities.  Our team is made up of students, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, flight attendants, pharmacy technicians, retired veterinarians, and MRI technicians. Quite a diverse crew! Once we arrive in country our numbers will double. We will acquire translators, the military, Ecuadorian doctors, cooks, and family of our Ecuadorian friends.

We will be in three different villages and plan to see over 600 people.

Thank you all who have donated to our trip already! Your school supplies, socks, undies, coats (so many coats), towel, monetary donations, and your prayers are so very appreciated! If you still want to give we always need prayer.

Please pray for travel mercies. Please pray for the work we are setting out to do. Please pray that the Ecuadorian hearts and the hearts of our team will be open to what the Lord has planned for each and every one.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Back to Quito

Back to Quito!!! Our group gets smaller and smaller with each hour that goes by. Most of the military has left us. Only a few remain. Translators are dropping left and right. Soon there will be no one left!

We made a stop at the middle of the earth, the center of the world, 0' 0' 0'
I think it was a great time had by all. WIth a couple of mesumes and lots of interactive displays, we all had fun.

Dinner was at a Waffle House tonight. Oh my... We all rolled back to the hotel because our bellies were so full!!!

Pachancho

Oh Pachancho my love!!! So good to be back. We have been in in this community for 5 years now. The change that I have seen in my time is staggering. Selfishly, I am sad that they do not need the medical team as much in years past.

It was a super speedy set up. Even for the veterans, this was the first time any of us have been in the new church. Oh my goodness, flushing toilets that you would actually want to sit on. It is such a beautiful structure. Well designed and nicely insulated.

Pachancho is about 14,000 ft above sea level. That means that even though we have been here for 10 days, it is still difficult to breath that high up. The wind is whiping. It is super cold. But, we have this amazing church to keep us warm.

It is such a blessing to see the transformation of this community from surviving to thriving.

Cebadas Day 3

Our last day in the village of Cebadas. It was an extremely busy day all around. This was hands down our largest group of people yet. AND! The best part, we did not have to turn anyone away.

Many people were able to see providers, many children were taught about nutrition/hand washing, and many people were prayed for/ministered to.

There were two patients today who's ears were so impacted an otoscope wouldn't fit into the ear. You would not believe how much stuff, smelly stuff, came out of their ears.
    ****Side note - Aparently, the pictures I have been posting here are not appearing. Once I get back
             Into the U.S.A I will repost with pictures for your enjoyment

Our surgeon, nurse anesthetist, and the amazing assistants were able to fix a very large hernia on Pastor Aurelio. It took quite a while. He was awake for the entire procedure and prayed blessings over all the helpful hands after the surgery. Even though I was not apart of the procedure in any way, it warms my heart that we were able to serve someone who gives every part of his life in service. Pastor Aurelio and his wife are amazing and inspiring!

Two more birthdays today! And, since there were so many on our team this year, we had a party tonight. Piñata's, cake, confetti, and dancing. It was so much fun!!

Cebadas Day 2

Here is a quick update from one of yesterday's stories. The woman who had the skin cancer removed from her face came back. She wanted to speak with the pastor in Cebadas to see if she could come on Sunday to speak to the congregation. She said that in the attempt to get the cancer removed, she spent over $300. That is literally an Ecuadorian fortune! She heard the ad on the radio that we would be coming. Her family discouraged her from coming since all of those other doctors told her no. She came into the clinic a non believer and left as a Christian. She said it was a blessing from the Lord that we were here and able to help her.

Cebadas Day 1

Short bus ride this morning; only one hour! The past few days we have been stopping in this village to switch buses. It is very nice to have a shorter drive. Set up was easy today since everyone has had one set up under their belts. Plus, this church is a bit bigger, making everything a little better.

There were three surgeries today: a hernia repair, skin cancer removal, and removal of a rotten tooth.
The woman with the skin cancer was so greatful. She had gone to three doctors but none would remove it.

In pharmacy this morning, the soldiers learned how to counsel on vitamins and deworming medicine. They were so excited that it was funny.

I find it amazing how little things can make such an impact on people. A woman with vericose veins came into clinic today. I gave her a pair of compression socks to help with the pain and swelling. It made such a hughe impact on her; she was so very greatful and so very happy.


Miss Randi celebrated her birthday today! Luckly for her she did not get the traditional face cake :)

Tonight Ecuador plays Columbia. Most nights at this time, the noise level is silent. Tonight the living room is filled with screams and screeching.

Bazan Grande Day Tres

Our last day at the community of Bazan Grande. We saw a ton of patients today! The clinic ran very well. Like a well oiled machine.

There were orignally two surgeries planned. But, during the prepo it was discovered that one of the patients did not actually have a hernia. Fret not! We were able to find another person who needed a cyst removed.

Spiritual was rocking again.

H. Pylori was rocking again.

Pharmacy was rocking again.

A fun story from my time in primary care. I had been moved to another providers room, since surgery needed a room for preop. A family of three came in. Papa first. Itchy feet. I had to run around to find a pair of gloves. Found gloves, examined his feet, good to go, throw away gloves. Mama next. Itching and swelling in both legs. Turns out she has vericose veins. Fantastic, we have compression stockings to help with that! Well, typically I would put gloves on to help a patient put on compression stockings for the first time, but I did not want to run out of the exam room again. Fine, done, I touched stinky feet. Finally, the little girl. Main complaints, rash. I looked at the rash and touched it. Could have been an infection or it could be sensitive skin. Since we have a lab with a microscope I had a sample taken... It turned out that is was scabies. Scabies that I touched without gloves. EEEEWWW!

This evening, Katty gave her testimony to the team. Along with some sharing from other team members it was a very emotional night.

Bazan Grande Day 2

First full day of clinic. Wow! We hit the ground running and worked the whole day through. Even with lunch time, there were people always working. We never really shut down at all.

Brynn and Andrew (med students) are collecting data for a poster presentation on H. Pylori (a gastro intentional bacterial infection that can cause ulcers). So far, every patient that we have seen has conceited to be tested. Great data for their project!

Cheryl and Paris spent the entire day in spiritual clinic. They had an opportunity to pray for Pastor Arillio and his wife. Pastor Arillio has approximately 20 churches in the rual area that he presides over; he is a busy man. They also shared the story of our spiritual braclets to adults and children and shared the gospel.

Spiritual Braclets:
     Black - Represents sin. You sin, I sin, we all sin
     Red - Represents the lood of Jesus. Jesus died for you and for me
     White - Jesus blood clean us from our sins
     Blue - Represents baptism. Baptism is an external example of what Jesus has done to us internally
     Green - Represents growth; growth in spirit
     Yellow - Represents heaven. One day we will go to heaven, to be with the Lord and Jesus

Clinic had some interesting cases today. Renae had a patient who had been diagnosed with H. Pylori in the hospital but could not afford the $40 is cost for treatment. He was elated when we were able to treat him at no cost. In the same family, the daughter was diagnosed with a terminal heart murmur. The family was told to expect her to turn blue in 4 to 6 months and die. Renae checked the girl out. With her super smarts she discovered a faint murmur, caused by anemia! A simple fix!!!

Andrew had a couple, both with the same STI (sexually transmitted infection). He came to pharmacy for a recommendation on treatment. Together we gave tandem ceftriaxone shots (in the butt muscle).  It was so so so funny because the woman took the shot without batting an eye, while the man was shaking like a leaf. When he was walking around the church waiting for his medications, he was holding his rear the entire time! We also taught them how to use condoms using the base of an otoscope. When in Ecuador it is appropriate to improvise! Later in pharmacy, I helped counsel the same couple. There were a number of one time medications which we administered right away. Again, the woman threw those pills back no problem. Her husband... Well, he winced and grimaced and choked. It was so difficult not to laugh at him.

Unfortunately, we had to turn people away today. The hope is that we will see everyone tomorrow before leaving for the next village.

Sunday Funday

Not much happens in Ecuador on Sunday's. Therefore, we are not able to hold clinics, even if we wanted to.

We took a trip into Riobamba. Katty led us on a scavenger hunt in the market. We were divided into small groups (with a translator in each team) and given a list of fruits/veggies to bring back to the hacienda. It was a fun adventure! Even though most of the market was shut down, because it was Sunday, the market was still brimming with color and full of fruit. Beautiful!

Erika, Eric, Paris, and I went for a run. Erika is training for an Iron Man and desperately wanted to go for a run. I blamed my sucking air on the altitude.... Not on the fact that I haven't been running in weeks....

We had a wonderful devotional time after dinner lead by Randy. Followed by introductions of the translators(and Eric). We were able to hear a little bit about their stories and where they are at in life.

Post dinner and devo was prep for tomorrow. Every single person on the team helped with pre packing medications and making bracelets. It was amazing. The work went quickly and we really bonded. What a great team!!!

Tomorrow we are expecting approximately 200 people to be seen at clinic. Wish us luck!