|
|
|
Monday, October 7,
2002 9:26AM
Dear St. Paul Missions Friends,
How very good to be
back among you! This was undoubtedly the most challenging medical mission we
have experienced in our five year history! But Richard and I are amazed at how
each 'potential' problem was blessed beyond our expectations. For the first
time we were unable to get on the flight out of Houston . . . as you recall we
fly on buddy passes or space available. However, that night in Houston gave us
a wonderful time to get to know each other (We had two people fly in from
other states.) and have a real focus on our mission since we were now away
from home, families, phones ringing, etc. A similar situation occurred in
Quito and we were surprisingly 'bumped' during the brief stop at 1AM en route
to Guayaquil. God provided a lone reservationist who said her parents had a
nearby hotel with just enough room for us! They really indulged us in Latino
love and hospitality!
Our actual four day medical mission was held in two new areas that Rosa and Pedro have been working, Geraneo is just outside of Manta and Canitas is about an hour drive. Geraneo was very poor . . . no paved streets . . . no vegetation . . . . A coat of dust on everything including us by the end of the day. However, the people were obviously very happy to have us and the new pastor and wife eager to assist us in anyway they could. As typical to previous trips EVERYONE needed parasite medication and other medical problems were manageable. Also, I want to add that we were blessed to have Dr. Apolos Landa and his wife Pilar from the Luke Society in Quito join us for three days. (Dr. Landa is in charge of all Latino missions that partner with the Luke Society. Prior to our trip I had contacted him for assistance in locating a physician for the Buen Samaritano Hospital . . . Thus, he ask if we would like to meet while in Ecuador. What an asset this couple was to our mission! Both rolled up their sleeves and pitched in with our clinics. Pilar also informed me that Community Bible Studies(CBS) - a very in-depth, non-denominational Bible Study (similar to Bible Fellowship) -- in the USA is now translated and growing incredibly in Quito. Thus, we are exploring this possibility with Rosa and Pedro. We then spend two days in Canitas . . . an isolated village much larger than Geraneo and again, with no running water and cows being herded up and down the unpaved street leaving a constant veil of dust. These two days were a challenge . . . Not only was it very warm but the people had heart wrenching disabilities such as an adult with a severely deformed skull and little five year old Maria who had a club foot. Over and above this was a pervasive depression and sense of futility lurking in this community. We had given out "Jesus Loves You" bubbles to the children and "Jesus Loves You" visors to the adults . . . As we completed our work two team members wanted to give out candy which ended in a total mob scene and had to be stopped . . . We all certainly pray for the people of Canitas and see an incredible need for Christ's love among them. We hope to assist in that need. (I might also share that Pedro has attempted to dig wells and bring running water to this and two other nearby communities. This project was abandoned due to lack of funds . . . I think it was about $12,000 more needed. I would like to look into us helping once our commitment to the hospital is established.) We treated 837 people in both communities. This was incredible and due to a very hard working team and extra assistance by Dr. Landa and also Jose, the new graduated medical resident who grew up in one of the impoverished communities that Rosa and Pedro have served over the years. During our absence our family grew and we now have been blessed with a second grandson, Caston Allen born to our daughter Kara and husband Nathan. This was rather difficult to be absent but I was thankful our daughter Anna flew back and was there as well as our son Nate. (I tried to tell our daughter to be sure to wait until we got back . . . But, nobody listens to me!) Each trip we grow to lean less on our own understanding and covet your prayers and support more. I will return tomorrow to Guayaquil for only a few days. Our intentions were to bring back Carmen, the housekeeper of Rosa and Pedro, who humbly meets our every need over the past five years. Her hearing has noticeably declined and we have volunteer services in Boulder that would run a battery of hearing tests. However, the US Consulate would not grant a VISA; thus, I will go with Carmen and Rosa for their next meeting on Thursday, October 10 . . . Please pray we are granted the VISA. Carmen and I will them return to the States . . . Her English is as 'excellent' as my Spanish. This will be a major event in her life and we are praying it will bless her as she has blessed all our past team members with her humble presence to meet our every need and her fantastic cooking!! Love, prayers and thanksgiving in Christ, Richard and
Elizabeth |
|
Send mail to
webmaster@stpaulnj.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
