Time continues to fly by here in Masindi and it is hard to believe it is time for another update. The construction process is going extremely well. We are making great progress on the outpatient clinic. The walls are up and the crew is scheduled to start working on the roof this month. The community is very pleased with how things are coming together and the speed at which we are moving forward to provide them with high quality medical care. Thanks to the help of Curt Berg and our architect here in Uganda, we have finalized the plans for the ward buildings. I will be meeting with town council the later this month to present our plans to them for approval. Thanks to all who continue to support and pray for Amanda and I as well as for the clinic.

-Michael O’Neal, PMI Project Director (Masindi, Uganda)

Check out photos below outpatient building construction progress – can’t wait to finished project this October!

Calling all PMI past volunteers, friends and family!

Please join us for a farewell party for Mandie Turner and Rachel Fuller. Both girls have just graduated from MUSC RN school and have committed to spending the next year in Masindi where they will help train clinic staff.Please join us to wish them well and show our support!

Where: Amy Marialke and Hannah Brearley’s house – 253 Coming Street

When: Friday, July 16th at 7 pm

More info and RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135593483135156

More info on how to support Mandie and Rachel: www.mandiejoy.com

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

It is our hope  that  you and your  colleagues  landed  safely  in the  beautiful  United states.

I wish  to extend  my sincere appreciations to you  and  the  entire  Team  for the  love you showed  us and  also  for the  donations you and your  colleagues  gave  to the Children , which  they  will  leave  to  remember.

Thank you  so much  and  we pray  that  this  relation ship  between  Family Spirit  and  Palmetto Medical Institute  is  Improved  much more  in order  to  serve  the  many disadvantaged children  in the  community.

God bless you and the entire Palmetto medical Institute. This  massage  also goes  to all  who have  ever  visited  or  heard  about  Family  Spirit plus  those  to  hear about it. We Love you very much.

Greetings from the children, staff and the Board members of family Spirit

Isaac

Isaac and Susan - Directors at Family Spirit Orphanage

The children love having PMI teams visit!

Fun with the parachute

Sweet twin girls at Family Spirit

Today we had two adventures. We visited a Family Life Program, which is a progressive group of people that have decided to learn and practice healthier ways of living. These include malaria prevention, building tight community relationships, improved sanitation, creating safe drinking water, hand washing, and conflict resolution. We then returned to Masindi Hotel for a wonderful lunch that included beef stew, potatoes, carrots, and Naan. After lunch we headed to the Family Spirit orphanage where over a hundred children board and there are about 80 day boarding students. As we drove up to the orphanage kids rushed and surrounded our vans overjoyed to see us. We were given a tour of the grounds and the children sang songs to us about their lives and how their lives have been changed by AIDS. We played with so many happy children, despite their disheartening situation. The experience was life changing and heartbreaking at the same time. We handed out toys, stickers, pens, bracelets, and even gave tattoos to a group of children. We also took donations to the orphanage due to the recent fire that burned a portion of their facility down. Overall, it was an amazing day. We ended the day with a great dinner (more Naan) and a talent show. It is so surreal that our time in Africa has come to an end. The experience will forever be in our hearts. God has worked in the hearts of our team and has blessed our relationships with the Masindi communities.

The team has packed and will be headed to Entebbe in the morning. The next time we talk to you will be in Charleston!

-Amanda, Kera, and Dana

Today was our last day of clinic. It was held at St. Matthew’s Church, the Cathedral of the Masindi-Kitara Diocese. We treated over 250 patients. The Cathedral is in town, within walking distance of our hotel and this fact meant that we saw a different type of patient than in our other, more rural sites. Today, I was a member of the set-up crew and we left ahead of the rest of the team to unload supplies, arrange benches for ‘exam rooms’ and organize the crowd. My assignment for the day was to work in triage. I saw mostly adults, most of whom brought substantial medical records (including several x-rays) with them. Many had received medical care quite recently at the local clinics or hospitals. It seemed that these people were seeking a 2^nd opinion, reassurance from U.S. physicians that they had received proper information and treatment. Others came for follow-up appointments from a previous PMI clinic, while some had old wounds or new, untreated problems. It was a beautiful, cool day and the attitude was helpful and energetic. The church was situated next to a primary school so there were many children around (Muzungu clinics tend to tempt children to play hooky). Translators, drivers, and church staff were eager to pitch in. By mid-day, clinic was rolling smoothly and triage had a tough time keeping enough patients on deck for the providers.

At lunch, we enjoyed a delicious pasta and freshly baked rolls from our hotel, with soda to drink – a special treat! Local artists had set up their paintings, sculptures and carvings for sale (actually even before clinic set up arrived). There were even books for sale by the church and some food vendors. I tried a homemade chapati bread with egg, onions, and tomatoes – for only 500 shillings, that’s $0.25!

Perhaps the highlight of my day was receiving my Empako or ‘pet name’ from one of my patients. After introducing myself, my patient asked for my empako. Upon learning that I did not yet have one, she instantly said ‘you look like Abwooli – you are round!’ Later, when talking with the Vicar, we tried to ascertain the meaning of our different pet names. Reverend Francis told me that pet names are sort of a concept, they don’t have direct translation. ‘Abwooli’ usually goes to someone who is polite, disciplined, humble – in short, “like a cat.” (?)

At the close of the day, we offered treatment to our translators and van drivers. A small group of us walked home to the hotel. The walk took us through one of the ‘residential neighborhoods’ and was quite breathtaking. We enjoyed taking pictures, practicing our Runyoro, and even made a few friends along our way. From the cool weather and positive energy, to the relationships built and connections fostered, our walk home through town seemed a fitting end to our 2 successful weeks of clinic.

Finally, the ladies of Room 7 at Masindi Hotel in Uganda send out a big hello to Rita McNeill-Allen!!

Sarah-Wade Boatwright

College of Medicine, Class of 2013

There were a few things that made our last day of clinic unique and exciting. We were able to house our entire clinic inside of the St. Matthew’s sanctuary which was quite possibly the nicest building we’ve been in since the trip began. The facility was bustling from beginning to end. Our pharmacy was manned by all first year medical students today. For those readers who are non-medical: first year medical students know nothing at all about drugs or the pharmacy in general! Pharmacology comes second year! However our team was flexible and we made it work. It has truly been a privilege to serve the Ugandans for the past two weeks!

Thomas Tyner

College of Medicine, Class of 2013

If I had to describe this mission trip in one word it would have to be “amazing.”  Not only have we seen the healing power of God through all of the work done in the clinics, but God has been gracious enough to allow us the opportunity to see his goodness and grace through interactions with Ugandans outside of clinic as well.  Everyday, we get to experience small and large miracles, and we very often see active answers to prayers.  I would like to share one of the many stories of encouragement that we have experienced so far, and please do not doubt that there are many more stories like this one that many people on this trip could share.

Every day as we arrive to the clinic location, whether it be St. Matthew’s church, the Kinyara Sugar Plantation, or the town of Bweyale, there are a multitude of people who want and need to be seen by a medical professional, and each day, not only do we have medical teams, but also a dedicated evangelism team on site. Last week, I had the opportunity to be on the evangelism team.  Early that morning, our coordinator approached the team and pointed out that the line of patients waiting for care extended far beyond the capacity of the clinic to see that day.  She asked if we would go out into the line and tell those people (who had been waiting for many hours for us to arrive) that they would not be seen that day, but that we could pray with them if they would like.  Four 3-person teams (including 2 students and 1 translator) went out to the line and spoke with the people, explaining our unhappiness that they could not be seen that day, but also offering them the opportunity to be prayed over.  As one of the groups, Addie, John (our translator), and myself went out into the middle portion of the line, and I asked John to tell the people why we were there and that we wanted to pray for them.  The first group we approached numbered approximately 30 people who were very willing to be prayed over.

As I raised my voice and asked the Lord to listen to our prayers and heal these people with their various afflictions, I felt this amazing, indescribable feeling of love for these people, and a knowledge that God was listening to our corporate supplications.  As we asked if people wanted individual prayers, we received an overwhelming response.  People lined up to tell us their medical problems with the faith that God would heal them.  It was so refreshing and humbling to see the mighty faith that these people had in their God.  One young man, dressing in a blue collared shirt with a small silver cross hanging around his neck, told us that he had been afflicted by “fits” for many years and often, he would feel very weak and lose consciousness during these fits.  As we prayed together, and I laid my hand on his shoulders, I knew that this man had great faith and love for our God.  He thanked us after the prayer, and we moved on to pray for others.

Several hours later, under the evangelism tent outside, we had several native Ugandan instruments and a prayer team leading an impromptu worship service.  There was absolutely joyous singing, dancing, and praising the Lord.  As I was caught up the the feeling that the Holy Spirit was a tangible presence in the tent, I noticed who the amateur worship dance leader was… it was the same man in the blue shirt and with the silver cross who had complained of fits and weakness.  He was dancing and singing praise to the Almighty God with unabashed joy.  His fruits of the spirit didn’t end there either.  Although he didn’t speak any English, later that day, he helped me explain the gospel (through the help of multi-colored beaded gospel bracelets) to a group of Ugandan youth.  It was such a meaningful experience.

This is but one of the many amazing stories that have happened here in the last 2 weeks.  As we get continuous reminders that God is the Ultimate Healer, I know that He is alive and working here, and it has been the most tremendous blessing to me to be here experiencing it day-by-day.

Valerie Kirkland

Hello friends and family,

Sorry for not updating the blog for the past few nights; we have been very busy. For a quick update, Sunday we split up into 3 groups and went to different churches nearby for Sunday morning service. The rest of the day we were able to relax, play games, etc. Monday we started at a new clinic location and have plans to see people there through Wednesday.  This new location, Bwayale (sp?), is a community in great need as it is near refugee camps for people from Congo and Sudan.

As far as today, we have a few aspects we can tell you about, evangelism, children’s ministry, and PT/OT Rehab.

Evangelism and children’s ministry was full of singing and dancing. It’s so much fun, especially with all the cute little children.  They enjoy playing soccer and other games, and even small things like blowing bubbles is entertaining for them.  Today we even had a limbo contest which was quite popular with the natives.  We are able to pray over all the people waiting in line before seeing the doctors as well as after. Even though we may not be able to physically see and treat all of them, we are at least able to offer something to everyone.

The Rehab team saw a myriad of conditions today.  There were patients with extensive wounds, previous strokes, spinal cord injuries, hydrocephalus, and the usual low back pain with a side of shoulder pain…and every other joint that could possibly hurt. We were able to give walkers and gait train those who have not taken many steps, if any, on their own in years.  We have given shoes off the feet of our team daily as well as other devices and education to those who work long hard days in pain.  Perhaps one of the most inspiring stories that unfolded today came to Occupational Therapy.  She was a 15 year old girl who suffered from meningitis at the age of 3. Since then she has been unable to speak, and therefore unable to attend school and play with other children.  Even though speech is out of the realm of occupational or physical therapy, a small OT team took on this large task.  OT used the small amount of training that they have in facial motor skills to begin to help her in even making a few sounds in a few short hours.  Despite the translation barriers, they were able to work with her and were successful in not only a few sounds, but a few words.  Her grandmother, supportive and enthusiastic, became quickly dedicated to her regaining her confidence and ability to speak.  We have high hopes that she will continue to progress toward a more active life and will over time be able to return to school and play.

We hope this finds you all well and we look forward to seeing everyone soon.  In the meantime we will continue to try and make as big of an impact as we can.

Julie Bolt, Alyson Rathge, Katie Green

Today, after a long and fulfilling week in the clinic, we were rewarded with an excursion to Murchinson Falls. The alarm rang at 5:00am and we left the hotel before dawn. We were soon greeted with a beautiful Ugandan sunrise on our way to the National Park, which somewhat distracted us from the very bumpy ride. During the two and a half hour trek, we encountered cows, goats, chickens, and the ever-present tse-tse flies. Oh, what an African surprise! For those not in the know, this lovely creature can carry African sleeping sickness. Don’t be alarmed, because by the end of the day, we were professional fly-swatters. We finally arrived at the boat dock on the Nile River, where we loaded up five boats and traveled to the falls. Along the way, we spotted pods of hippos, known to the locals as water horses. African eagles, elephants, cranes, water bucks, water buffaloes, crocodiles, and warthogs also lined the riverbanks. We arrived at the bottom of the falls to take scenic pictures on a rock near the spot where Hemingway crashed his plane. We made our way back to the dock and hopped on the buses to drive to the top of the falls. As we drove through swarms of tse-tse flies, our van was again invaded. We armed ourselves against the insects with water bottle weapons and girly shrieks. Our initial tactic was to close the windows, turning the van into a sweat-box and frustrating our driver. As if the flies weren’t enough, we then found African roaches crawling on the floor. When we finally spilled out of the van, drenched in sweat and covered in dirt, the spray from the falls was very refreshing. Murchinson Falls, one of the largest in the world, is the narrowest point of the Nile River, measuring just 7 meters across. This bottleneck effect creates a powerful cascade over the rocks. It is a breathtaking view of the Nile and is the perfect spot for taking photos. We traveled home with a new strategy for fighting the relentless flies: windows wide open and hands constantly swatting. Hours later, we arrived, grateful for a lukewarm military shower and a hot meal from the amazing staff at the Masindi Hotel. We truly appreciate this weekend of rest, and we look forward to another week of working with the rehab team in the clinic.

Signed: Addie L., Kristen M., Meghan V., Jill P., Tara W., Monica R., Aly R. (PT students)

T.I.A. . . .This is Africa . . .and more than any day of the trip so far, today really felt like we were in a place that most of us have only seen in TV and movies (the T.I.A. thing was from Blood Diamond BTW)). First of all, today was the first day that really felt “Africa hot.” Our third clinic site of the week was at the diocese of Reverend Francis, a great man who has helped tremendously as a translator at other sites. Where other clinic locations had lots of shade trees, this site was an open field that left little areas for patients and providers to escape the oppressive African sun. As hot as it was, our setting was gorgeous as always as the sky seemed especially sprawling and expansive, as one would imagine a typical African sky would be. The mountains on the horizon, the storm clouds in the distance rolling across the plain, and the colors the sun devised to bathe the evening sky were all blessings returned from the country we had come to serve. I spent my day in the clinic, but I occasionally would glance out the window to see a new addition to the evangelism tent – a worship and prayer group from the local church playing traditional African music on stringed “lute-like” instruments and drums. The clinic day was set to an incredible soundtrack of children clapping, singing, and dancing . . . it felt like a scene from The Lion King.

But with some of our positive conceptions about Africa coming to fruition, today saw some of the negatives become realities as well. We knew that Uganda would be a country with great needs and great suffering, but today we were all forced to come to terms with this as we had to turn away almost as many patients as we were able to see. We were able to triage some of the patients with immediately apparent needs, but a large group of people would not be seen by our group since we are not returning to this site next week. There were so many other sad sights, like a baby brought into our clinic room that was born with HIV and more cases of protein and general malnutrition than we could count. This all hung heavy over the team today and was a topic of conversation at many small group sessions tonight. We must all come to terms with suffering in this world, and ultimately we must trust in a sovereign God with a perfect plan that we ay not always be able to understand. Our evangelism team was able to pray over many of the people who were not able to be seen, and we would appreciate all of your prayers for people at today’s clinic that were turned away. Even with this, we were truly blessed by the Lord today to bring physical and spiritual healing to many Ugandans and leave this place better than when we came. Today, I worked with Dr. Rick Bolt, and it was a joy to learn so much from such as patient, effective teacher and compassionate physician. Dr. Bolt is in family medicine and was a resource for everyone at the clinic with his knowledge in so many areas. Today in clinic, I saw a perforated eardrum, heard the rare egophony sign associated with consolidated pneumonia, witnessed a dermatologic surgery, listened to a baby’s heartbeat through its pregnant mother’s belly, and saw that same baby wave at me through a portable ultrasound machine. At one point, we sat down with our translator and a new female patient. As we were talking to this new patient, we realized that she happened to be the mother of our translator. Later on in the visit, we had the joy of letting the translator know that he would be getting a new baby sibling and the mother a new son or daughter! We diagnosed cases of malaria numbering well into the double digits and were able to provide medicines that would save so many young lives. I was also encouraged by the opportunity to ask all of our patients’ permission to pray for them and the affirmative responses from everyone we asked. In all, our clinic was able to see and provide medications for well over 200 people and translators. The team worked so well, so unselfishly together to provide a source of hope in lives that might otherwise have none. It was a physically and emotionally taxing day, but what a joy to be used by the Lord to show his love to others through all of our unique gifts and talents! Once we returned to our incredible hotel accommodations, which now seem so excessive in light of what we just witnessed, we all were treated to an incredible buffet on “Indian food night.” For those of you who know me, you know that I take food way too seriously to dole out empty praise for a meal. Let me just say, tonight’s food was legit! Over the meal, as is our custom, stories from the day were shared from anyone who wanted to stand and speak. This was when I heard what might have been the greatest triumph at the clinic that day. An older gentleman had been brought to the clinic that had suffered a right middle cerebral artery stroke with complete paralysis on the left half of his body. For two years he had been left to lie down on his side all day, only being lifted up a few times a day to eat. While almost no help could be offered on our medical side of things, the physical therapists, occupational therapists (a.k.a. “McGuyver therapists” after watching them make so many things out of water bottles, duct tape, and ace bandages this week), and students really shined through. By the end of their short time working with this man, he could dress himself and unbelievably walked almost 20 steps! What a testament to God’s love as demonstrated through these incredible gifted therapists! Well, as I sit in the courtyard of this beautiful hotel/resort we are disproportionately blessed to stay in, I am happy to be listening to a Bela Fleck album – Tales from the Acoustic Planet Volume III: Throw Down Your Heart. This latest offering from the incredible virtuoso’s quest to trace the roots of the banjo throughout Africa has been inspiring me with a perfectly fitting musical accompaniment to my surroundings (he even enlists the help of a few Ugandan musicians.) Tomorrow (specifically in 4 and a half hours . . . yikes!) we will be arising early to take our safari and Nile river cruise to Murchison Falls, where we will be sure to see some of the incredible flora and fauna that are unique to this amazing country in which we were all called to serve. Please pray for a fun and restful weekend that will energize us to finish strong in our last week of clinics. Today was filled with sickness and healing, joy and sorrow, devastation and beauty, tears and laughter, struggles and encouragements, but this is to be expected . . . after all, T.I.A.

Today we visited a new site today at Kimengo. Approximately 200 patients were seen and treated.

Uganda Margaret and Kate style

Day 3 of clinic (who knows how many days we lost in traveling here because it seemed like 100)

In the eyes of Kate:

We woke to the ever faithful roosters who begin their duty around 0430. We then attempt to sleep til just before 0615 when we roll out of bed to make it to morning singing and quiet time. The set-up team leaves early and we sit down to another incredible meal of no less than: coffee, tea, oatmeal, french toast and fresh bananas. The added bonus to the breakfast experience was thousands of bees who were very interested in sharing our honey and jelly. As far as I know, no one was stung. They were well-mannered bees. Because the clinic site was only 15minutes driving time from the amazing Hotel Masindi Hotel Sherief was able to give a lecture on cardiovascular related stuff. Jamie gave a lecture on lower back. The lectures were informative and interesting and well received by all. Thank you Sherief and Jamie! We then all packed into our lovely white herd of vans and ventured to the next clinic site. We are quite a site for the Ugandan population. Just picture 90 Americans (fondly referred to as muzungus) crammed into what reminds me of the old VW vans driving down African roads all in a line. We don’t exactly fit in. Upon arrival at clinic the familiar site of hundred of people in a line greeted us. But after two days experience we are a well oiled machine. We moved right into clinic and got to work. Things from my view seemed to be great….

In the eyes of Margaret:

So that noise I kept hearing this morning were roosters?!?! They sound exactly like my alarm back at home, but alas, no snooze. The morning was beautiful and cool for our pre-breakfast gathering. Kate, Babs, and Mackeenzie did a great job leading us. We were then fed a delicious breakfast of french toast and porridge in addition to the daily banana. II will say that the food here in Masindi has been amazing. I managed to avoid all of the buzzing honeybees….easy to do if you do not get honey. After the lectures, we piled into out vans to visit our new site at Kimengo. A line of new patients, both old and young, were lined up waiting on us. Everything was set to go, except for the strange disappearance of the OB-GYN bag……

Back to Kate:

My assignment to day was in the evangelism tent. Any patient wishing to talk to us about God or have us pray for them was welcome to come by after visiting the pharmacy. What a stretching experience! We told the gospel message to old and young. My favorite experience was sharing the story of the “Gospel Bracelets” to around 30 children. They started the experience by singing several songs led by a local pastor and then one of the children, a girl of around 12 years old, translated as I explained the different colored beads. I figured that most the kids were there because they just wanted a bracelet. At the end of the talk I asked if they had any questions and they immediately said, “What do you believe and why do you share this?” What an incredible opportunity to tell these children about who Jesus is in my life and why I came to Africa to talk to them. Kid of all shapes and cultures can ask the most incredible and insightful questions. After clinic it was back to our wonderful hotel for a little down time and then Italian night! Can I just say again how much I enjoy this amazing hotel? Wade gave his testimony and Dana taught us about Plumpy Nut which is a food supplement designed for malnourished children between the ages of 1 and 5. There is a great need here for such nourishment and apparently making the Plumpy Nut was quite an experience. You will have to ask about it when we get back… Thank you God for another incredible day…

Back to Margaret:

The day started off great! I had two medical students working with me in clinic and a very good translator. My team saw many children and mothers with a variety of medical complaints. The patients were always very grateful and happy to see us. Despite what we would consider poor living conditions, the people of Uganda seem so rich in spirit. We also have an ultrasound machine on this trip, and with intensive training back at home, we have really been able to make use of it. We have been able to reassure pregnant women that their baby is doing well and look at hearts to help diagnose different medical conditions. Wonderful learning opportunities and cases. The Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists have done an amazing job creating ways to help those with difficulty walking or low back pain from a day in the fields. The nurses here also did an amazing job, they really are what keeps the clinic running and allow patients to be seen (except that they keep giving me the OB-GYN patients…hmmm…..)

After we finished we piled into the old VW vans again and enjoyed some easy listening as we drove past one of the most beautiful landscapes. We then settled in for yummy Italian food and talks from fellow team members. I cannot say enough about Uganda – the hotel is amazing, the food delicious, the land rich, and the people so hospitable!

Today we visited a new site today at Kimengo. Approximately 200 patients were seen and treated.

Uganda Margaret and Kate style

Day 3 of clinic (who knows how many days we lost in traveling here because it seemed like 100)

In the eyes of Kate:

We woke to the ever faithful roosters who begin their duty around 0430. We then attempt to sleep til just before 0615 when we roll out of bed to make it to morning singing and quiet time. The set-up team leaves early and we sit down to another incredible meal of no less than: coffee, tea, oatmeal, french toast and fresh bananas. The added bonus to the breakfast experience was thousands of bees who were very interested in sharing our honey and jelly. As far as I know, no one was stung. They were well-mannered bees. Because the clinic site was only 15minutes driving time from the amazing Hotel Masindi Hotel Sherief was able to give a lecture on cardiovascular related stuff. Jamie gave a lecture on lower back. The lectures were informative and interesting and well received by all. Thank you Sherief and Jamie! We then all packed into our lovely white herd of vans and ventured to the next clinic site. We are quite a site for the Ugandan population. Just picture 90 Americans (fondly referred to as muzungus) crammed into what reminds me of the old VW vans driving down African roads all in a line. We don’t exactly fit in. Upon arrival at clinic the familiar site of hundred of people in a line greeted us. But after two days experience we are a well oiled machine. We moved right into clinic and got to work. Things from my view seemed to be great….

In the eyes of Margaret:

So that noise I kept hearing this morning were roosters?!?! They sound exactly like my alarm back at home, but alas, no snooze. The morning was beautiful and cool for our pre-breakfast gathering. Kate, Babs, and Mackeenzie did a great job leading us. We were then fed a delicious breakfast of french toast and porridge in addition to the daily banana. II will say that the food here in Masindi has been amazing. I managed to avoid all of the buzzing honeybees….easy to do if you do not get honey. After the lectures, we piled into out vans to visit our new site at Kimengo. A line of new patients, both old and young, were lined up waiting on us. Everything was set to go, except for the strange disappearance of the OB-GYN bag……

Back to Kate:

My assignment to day was in the evangelism tent. Any patient wishing to talk to us about God or have us pray for them was welcome to come by after visiting the pharmacy. What a stretching experience! We told the gospel message to old and young. My favorite experience was sharing the story of the “Gospel Bracelets” to around 30 children. They started the experience by singing several songs led by a local pastor and then one of the children, a girl of around 12 years old, translated as I explained the different colored beads. I figured that most the kids were there because they just wanted a bracelet. At the end of the talk I asked if they had any questions and they immediately said, “What do you believe and why do you share this?” What an incredible opportunity to tell these children about who Jesus is in my life and why I came to Africa to talk to them. Kid of all shapes and cultures can ask the most incredible and insightful questions. After clinic it was back to our wonderful hotel for a little down time and then Italian night! Can I just say again how much I enjoy this amazing hotel? Wade gave his testimony and Dana taught us about Plumpy Nut which is a food supplement designed for malnourished children between the ages of 1 and 5. There is a great need here for such nourishment and apparently making the Plumpy Nut was quite an experience. You will have to ask about it when we get back… Thank you God for another incredible day…

Back to Margaret:

The day started off great! I had two medical students working with me in clinic and a very good translator. My team saw many children and mothers with a variety of medical complaints. The patients were always very grateful and happy to see us. Despite what we would consider poor living conditions, the people of Uganda seem so rich in spirit. We also have an ultrasound machine on this trip, and with intensive training back at home, we have really been able to make use of it. We have been able to reassure pregnant women that their baby is doing well and look at hearts to help diagnose different medical conditions. Wonderful learning opportunities and cases. The Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists have done an amazing job creating ways to help those with difficulty walking or low back pain from a day in the fields. The nurses here also did an amazing job, they really are what keeps the clinic running and allow patients to be seen (except that they keep giving me the OB-GYN patients…hmmm…..)

After we finished we piled into the old VW vans again and enjoyed some easy listening as we drove past one of the most beautiful landscapes. We then settled in for yummy Italian food and talks from fellow team members. I cannot say enough about Uganda – the hotel is amazing, the food delicious, the land rich, and the people so hospitable!