Ct loved this lil' ol' lady.
Saturday Clinic
I was soooo excited to be given the opportunity to use my nursing skills here. But I was really nervous because I thought they would laugh at me. I heard stories about how the nurses here know how to deliver babies and suture people... they probably do surgery too. So I was sure they'd laugh at the white girl trying to get in on the action by saying "I have a nursing license in America. I can crush pills to give in apple sauce, help do a c-scope, and change adult briefs." (Please picture me holding up my license like that guy in multiplicity...b/c I know my brother is.) At any rate, I was totally welcomed when I got there. They explained everything to me and then gave me the option as to where I wanted to go. I definitely didn't want to help the dentist or eye doc b/c I would have yaked. I chose triage b/c I knew I could do that. (In triage you get their Name, age, residence, vital signs, and chief complaint(s)). CT was a big help too. (Yea, I know. Can you believe he came to a medical place on purpose? He didn't want to just dump me off my first time- so he directed people to the triage area and played paparazzi. I met a few friends that helped me when I couldn't understand their mother tongue. We saw a lot of people from Gichagi and Mathare slums. One small boy was telling me he walked about an hour... alone. He had a cough and congestion. There, of course, were a ton of patients to see. THEN, it was tea time. In India- I learned that the Country stops for tea. In Africa, I learned that the WORLD actually stops for tea. It really flew all over Chris and I that the volunteers that were doing triage just up and left when it was tea time. There are a ton of patients still to see and it's only 10:30! People you've only been working an hour and a half! Then they want to harrass me about why I'm not taking tea. So - to hush em' up, I had them bring it to me. Becky Helsby helped us realize something though. That all those people sitting in line waiting, would have done the same thing. They don't care that they stopped to take tea b/c that's just what they do here! So, we're cool now. No hard feelings... any more.
The most pitiful patient(s) I saw was a 13 year old girl with a huge swollen jaw. I bet she had like 4 abscessed teeth. I almost cried just sitting there talking to her. She wouldn't even move her mouth. I really think that when God gave me compassion for people... in this weird way (I know you think I'm crazy) I feel like I am in pain with some people. Oh I just hurt so bad for her. And to think simple hygiene could save her so much pain. All of her teeth were so bad. I felt God telling me He really needed me to pray with this one. I don't know her outcome. I don't know if they pulled any teeth.... but I hurt just thinking about her having to open her mouth. I wish I could have held her hand... but I really don't think I could have handled it. The other one was a little 6 year old girl. I knew she was sick as soon as I laid my eyes on her. Her hair had this whitish color to it and if you barely pulled on it- it fell out into your hands. When I put the stethoscope down her shirt I could already hear her heart beating so fast without putting it to her skin. Her little belly was full of worms I'm sure. Thankfully they deworm all the children. Again, I don't know the outcome... but I'm used to that from the ER.
Ester, Anna, and I waiting on another patient.
Oh yea and apparently several of the mercury thermometers had broken on my table before I arrived. Thanks the my horrible posture I realized I had my hands and arms all in it. My Mama always told me never to touch it. Am I gonna die? What does it do to you? I called it to Ester's attention and she said "Don't worry Auntie, God loves you and is glad you are here. He will take care of you."
Lots of sick people!
You know what was so cool? CT told me that under one of the tents they had several guys that were couseling and sharing Christ. I was so glad to hear that b/c I always struggle with the fact that I don't get to pray with every patient of tell them about my Jesus' love. Some would been seen to get their physical needs met. I LOVE our church here!
I love this song by David Crowder. It's definitely on my top 10 all time fav's. It's just screaming missions. Here are some snippets. You're gonna love it:
"... When all the love in the world is right here among us and hatred too. So we must choose what our hands will do. Where there is pain... let there be grace. Where there is suffering... bring serenity. For those afraid (this is where I think of Sudan) ...help them be brave. Where there is misery... bring expectancy. And surely we can change, surely we can change.... something"
"When all the love in the world is right here among us and hatred too. WE MUST choose what our hands will do. Where there is pain... LET US bring grace. Where there is suffering... bring serenity. For those those afraid... LET US be brave (and go to Darfur!). Where there is misery... LET US bring relief!!. Surely we can change... surely we can change... something.
The whole world's about to change..."
What will you choose your hands to do?
