Screening Day!

On our Arrival into Mpanda We were greeted by local young men who were dancing to drummers at the edge of the runway. It was amazing to see their excitement. We were then whist off to the hotel, where we are staying for an opportunity to rest after lengthy travel.

I got to see the hospital for the first time today. It is humbling in every respect. There are separate buildings for the operating area, men’s ward, women’s ward, outpatient areas, x-rays and diagnostics. There are newly laid concrete pads that were not there as recently as five months ago. Prior to that, it was dirt paths and muddy walkways that connected the buildings. To say that the facilities are limited is a gross understatement. Friends, you have no idea just how privileged you truly are.

While the doctors and residence were busy screening patients that showed up for surgery, the rest of the team was preparing the OR and patient areas for the procedures to take place. The storage room was a complete disaster, and we had to completely empty it, re-organize, and put everything back in addition to all of the, approximately 10 to 15 large suitcases of equipment and supplies that were brought with this team. It took three of us the better part of three hours just to empty and clean the supply room, and then I moved my attention into my work area while the other two finished up. 

 This is a small glimpse of one of the shelves before and it hardly does justice to the magnitude of this project:

Here is the after of just the suture organization:

The operating rooms are stark with minimal equipments or location for equipment. When we entered, there was a table and an anesthesia machine. There are two tables and two anesthesia machines in each room. This is something that is nearly unheard of in the United States. I cannot recall anytime when to operations would be occurring in the same room at the same time in the United States and that is how we will perform every single surgery that happens here. 

The PACU area is very small. There are two PACU nurses, and we have equipped our area as safely and efficiently as we know how. Patients will be on small stretcher for the duration of their stay and then will be escorted back to the hospital via an outdoor concrete path. 

I’m not certain how many patients showed up for surgery screenings, but I do know that about 60 have been selected for surgeries to take place this week. After the team finished for the day, we returned for an opportunity to enjoy each other‘s company, rest up, eat dinner, and we look forward with anxious anticipation, the start of surgeries tomorrow.

 

Tanzania day1

I linked up with two other team members in Chicago and together we arrived into Dar es Salaam in the mid afternoon and met by a former mission colleague. Great reunion! We travel to a local hotel, dropped our stuff, and proceeded into town to obtain equipment that was needed for the remainder of the mission. After all the work was done, it was time for dinner. We had a fantastic waterfront restaurant and enjoyed an opportunity to get to know one another And a little bit of downtime after almost 30 hours of travel. 

The rest of the team arrived later that night, but I was already asleep by the time they got there. I got . to meet all of them early in the morning as we headed out to Mpanda on the final leg of our journey.

Time to Fly!

 Finishing up the last bits for the Team Manhattan trip to Tanzania!  Passports, visas, and shot cards, oh my! I have around 20 hours of air time and about 40 hours of total travel time ahead of me.  I have my comfy travel clothes and I'm ready to go!

You can keep up with the team and what we are doing easily via the Operation International website and Facebook page.  I will be updating as much as I can but wifi and cellular service are not always reliable.

I covet your prayers as we move forward in an effort to care for all of God's children.  Access to care is a critical issue globally and I am honored to help to bridge the gap.

Gearing up for Tanzania!

I am thrilled to (re)announce that I was invited to be a part of Team Manhattan with Operation International!  I will be traveling in October to western Tanzania.  Posted below is the video from Team Chicago that went to this same facility.  I will be again working with Dr. Fernando Almas (featured in this video) who I also worked with on board the Global Mercy.  It is baffling to me how the same faces surface again and again.  The call to love and serve the children of the world doesn't seem to have an end point.

I am asked to do my very best to raise the funds that it requires to transport and house me while we are in country.  This link takes you to a GoFundMe where all donations are tax deductible and go directly to Operation International on my behalf.  I am approximately 20% of the way to my goal of $2500 for this trip across the globe.

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to serve the children of the world once again and earnestly covet your support.  

Asante! 

Team Chicago in Tanzania - Operation International

Team Chicago Tanzania 2024

Next Stop...

 

Coming Fall 2024.  Stay tuned!

Horqueta, Paraguay April 2024

 

If you take nothing else from my stories, please know that if you are reading this you fully embrace the very real truth that we are so incredibly fortunate.

Our team departed DFW on a 10 hour flight to Sao Paolo, Brazil.  Sadly, our flight had mechanical issues prior to take off and we were delayed causing us to be waylaid in Brazil for a day.  This caused our already limited 4-day clinic to be shortened to only 3 days.  

As my mind wanders, my thoughts dwell on the tertiary events of our jobs and interactions.  It astounds and baffles me sometimes.  I have no idea what it is that caused the delay with the aircraft however I can't help but wonder if it was due to someone's laziness or negligence.  I wonder if those involved will ever understand the far reaching consequences of this situation; people who have next to nothing had their nearly non-existent medical care taken from them.  Not everyone travels for holiday or business.  Often those crafts carry precious cargo in the form of resources that we take for granted on a daily basis.  

We landed in Asuncion, Paraguay and saw a brief tour of the city as well as our partner hospital.  We then embarked on a 7 hour bus journey to Horqueta arriving late at night and up early the next morning for our first day of clinic. 

General Treatment Area

Upon our arrival to our clinic site we were met with an open air, covered soccer stadium.  Tables and chairs were set up and we made due with the environment and supplies we had.  

Clinics provided included Family Practice/Internal Medicine, Cariology, Urology, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics/Gynecology.  We had supplies for basic wound care and limited medications provided by our Paraguayan sister facility. 

I had the privilege of being teamed with a gifted OB/GYN and together we saw approximately 100 women.  We saw untreated sexually transmitted diseases, cancer, pregnancy, postpartum, fertility, menopause, polycystic ovaries, genetic disorders, and an array of conditions in between in addition to well woman exams and general wellness checks.  

GYN Exam Room

Pictured above is the side room of the stadium that Dr. April and I made into a make shift exam room.  It was about 95 degrees F everyday with no air conditioning and no fans.  This room was stifling by midday.  We kept it as clean as we could.  We did cervical vinegar washings as a make shift colposcopy and ultrasounds on anyone who could potentially benefit.  Each woman got 100% of our attention and faces of gratitude will never be lost on me.  

After talking to our host, I learned that most of the patients that we saw came from 100-150km (60-90mi) away.  I recall one woman in particular who traveled 10 hours to get an EKG and collapsed in tears when she believe that this wasn't something we could accommodate.  The sheer joy that erupted from her as she was escorted to the EKG room was enough to make this entire trip worth it. 

Dr. April, Tamara (Paraguayan ED Nurse), Me

In 3 days our team saw 792 patients.  We weighed babies, cared for the elderly, educated, and loved on the people of Paraguay.  We gave out toothbrushes, toothpaste, soccer balls, and lots of hugs.

Me & Dr. April - We were a great team!

This sweet one ran up to me and grabbed ahold of my legs in the biggest hug!

This woman insisted on photos and came to the clinic everyday!  When I told her we had come from Texas to care for her, she cried. 

Our International Care Team