Swaziland Day 5 wrap up

We did it. Final day of rain, wind and cold, over 150 patients seen in about 4 hours and things buzzing with activity. We finished the week seeing 1111 patients in 5 days many of which were cut short or started late because of the weather. After all was said and done we saw who we needed to see and more. The team worked tirelessly and we saw children with illnesses ranging from pneumonia, simply infections, to complex illnesses, and some significant illnesses which required referrals to advanced healthcare facilities. There was one day when we came across children who had no shoes and had no decent clothing who were shivering in the cold and the rain and wind and team members took off their own socks and gave them to the children in addition to shoes that have been brought over by a team member. Any clothes that we had on were also given to the children that we thought would help with the cold. The team members were servants above all. This trip that was not meant to be for Swaziland but Zimbabwe, turned out to be one of the most powerful trips that we have done in a long time. The children needed us, we needed them, and without the incredible help, guidance and support from the Swaziland home team we would not of been able to do this. Our thanks to them. Internet has been lacking and again I can only post a short message with one picture. I am currently on my way to Mozambique to see how our almost 700 children are doing there, to be followed in two days by a trip to Zimbabwe. As for the team we parted ways this morning with their return to the US and my utmost gratitude and thanks for their sacrifice for all that they did. The stories that they have, the relationships that they developed with the children, the things they saw, the things they heard, and the things they did will stay with them and with the children to whom we came to serve for a very long time. There's nothing more rewarding than following God's will.

In all things give thanks,

David

Swaziland day 4

About 2.5 hrs north of Mbabane, is a small project, isolated, on the border of Swaziland and Mozambique. Rain continues to disrupt an even flow of children in the clinic, but we manage. Poor is poor. The children are well cared for but still are in need of more. Barefoot, cold and in tattered clothes, they come. They come for their meal that sustains them for another day, and a night of sleep. I wonder how 1 billion dollars is spent on a presidential campaign, most of which is donated money, when that 1 billion dollars could make a difference in these childrens lives or in the lives of the many children who are homeless in the US. I see the faces as they look at me, and wonder what they are thinking. I hope it is a thought of comfort knowing that we are there for them.
Internet service is out so a short blog and pictures. I know you understand.
In all things give thanks,
David

Swaziland day three.

Rain. Lots of it. We were in a remote area, working under a big tent, and the rain came. And the thunder. And the lightening. Metal poles were not our friend. We collapsed the tent, ran for shelter, kept seeing patients under flashlights and in a crowded room. About 100 people in there. We did what we could. Medical Mercy at work because one child matters. (Internet out. Still using my BB)
In all things give thanks,
David

Swaziland day 2

A place far from the main city finds a small project with 150 children. A somewhat slow day, leaves us moving through the patient load easily without stress and able to spend time with our patients. The children are anxious for attention, going from one of us to another, looking for and receiving hugs. We look to their faces as they sing, seeing happiness despite the lack of comforts as we know them, and I wonder if we should look at ourselves once in awhile and see if we truly need all that we have.
Internet service is lacking still so a single picture and a small token of an update typed on my BB. All is well. The team is cohesive and working in unison, the purpose evident.
In all things give thanks,
David

Swaziland Day 1

No internet service. I'm emailing this from my BB to my blog address so it is short and limited. Not even sure this will get out. We went to the very first project ever opened years ago and where we had built out medical clinic over 5 years ago. 307 patients were seen after a late start. A few very sick children, one who was sent to a hospital and one child who was severely neurologically devastated from birth. One who need her foot amputated due to progressive gangrene. All that in addition to 5 hours of lectures to the HCWs, nutritional assessments, dental hygiene, VBS, spiritual counseling, pharmacy, all patients entered into our database using bar codes, reading glasses for the elderly and more. The team didn't blink an eye. For now, everyone here sends hello to their loved ones. We were promised a working internet server tomorrow. We'll see. Tomorrow is another day, another test of our endurance and a test of faith.
In all things give thanks,
David

Tomorrow we leave - Swaziland

We leave tomorrow....