Hello Friends

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