Day One, Nymbatala

Well! we survived Day One of our clinic in Nymbatala - a rural region south of Nygezi.  There were 500 people registered and today we managed to see 200 of them, within 6 hours.  We didn't get there until about 1100.  We had three Dr's with us today:  Dr. Ikoko, Dr. Mukulla, and Dr. Dany.  The Urafiki staff present were: Matari, Edah, Aron, Kimath, Mary and Pastor Julius was around too.  There was a very good set up for clinic and I was so impressed by their organization and preparation - from the registration, to the small detail of cloths on the tables, in a dirt floored, empty building.

I am tired and so my thoughts may jump around as I write this....very tired.

It took us a bit to find our rhythm in Pharmacy, but we made it.  We had so many cards coming in to us!  Each card has the patient's name and consult info from the Dr., including the prescription.  Edah was invaluable in the Pharmacy - her health teaching, script interpretations, and guidance with meds - many of the medications are unfamiliar to us - treatments for parasites, malaria, worms, etc.  What a blessing Edah was to us today and will be very day!

Sara Jane and Ellen did a great job of doing anything and everything!  So grateful for them both.  Sara Jane became the BP woman!  Gisela, Dallas and I battled it out in the the "cage" (Pharmacy), while Marilyn used her remarkable gifts in Triage.  In the Pharmacy, we were in a small room with a window with bars on it - people lined up outside for their medicines.  We only saw the outside of those walls twice today - at the beginning and at the end.  Despite the challenges, we were a great team!  We had some good debriefing tonight and will find our way even better tomorrow.

Memories from today (shared by the team):

• The Grandmother, raising 7 orphans - unable to feed them all and caring for a 4 year old who was particularly malnourished.  The plan is to work with the local church and the Urafiki Medical Centre to help provide for this family - the involvement of the local community is so key.
• The response of people to the word "AIDS" - people backing awsay from someone when the question was asked of them.  The hesitancy of the Tanzanian people to talk about AIDS is quite remarkable.
• The young woman, Vulinia, freed from spiritural bondages, that Ellen and Julius prayed for - a physical transformation in her appearance - joy and peace in the place of darkness.
• The young man with an inguinal hernia that will be followed for surgical intervention.
• The many elderly people present - the first to be seen.  Lots of "shikamoo" greetings :)
• Babies being weighed  - all the Mom's and babes/tots we saw when we arrived - all gathered outside a tin building.
• The agricultural area we drove through to get to Nyambatala - fields of kasava and various plants growing in the dry ground.
• The outhouse! (choo) - the door frame that kept falling out!! 
• The reactions of people when you describe winter!  They are amazed at the concept of snow and such cold temperatures - their jaws just drop as we talk about it.
• The highest hypertension we saw: 223/116 - how this person hasn't had a stroke is a mystery.
• The "Local Healer" (Witchdoctor) settlements we saw along the road - distinctive because of the small huts on their land.
• Aron and Mary saying how cold it was at night! HA! We found it quite refreshing :)

I am sure there was so much more!  We will return tomorrow and press through the remainder of the people.  Lord, continue to expand our medications and supplies, I pray.  Grant us all deep rest and healing to our bodies.

p.s. I am wearing flip flops (in my room) for the first time ever in my life and it is true....I can't stand the feeling between my toes!!!!