Finishing the Race: January 27, 2010

The lines coming from the clinic

Our third day of clinic started with some words from Lori Galuk. She compared our experience here to running a marathon. At this point, we feel like we’re at the 16 mile mark- we’ve got a lot of ground behind us but we still are pressing on toward what is ahead. Lori used Hebrews 12:1 to talk about our “great cloud of witnesses” as being our teammates; they will be the ones cheering us on to the finish line.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
-Hebrews 11:1

Dr. Gerry with a patient

With this analogy in mind, we laced up our shoes once again and headed to clinic. As we arrived, we were amazed to see the length of the line extending from the entrance had grown immensely. Word had got out and people were flocking to this mysterious medical clinic, hoping to receive care.

We set up in record time and started seeing patients. By the third day, we had the flow of the clinic down and were more efficient in our efforts. The Peruvian women running the check-in reported we saw over 400 patients, making the grand total of people served around 1,200. In years past, a clinic may have only served 1,000 people for the entire week…and we still have a day left! This number alone shows how Woodlands Medical Missions continues to grow and improve throughout the years.

A heart-wrenching story that came out of clinic yesterday was of a woman who had travelled from the northern most point of Peru to attend our clinic. The translators said it would be the equivalent to driving in a car for 20 hours, except this woman walked and took a bus in order to receive medical care. She was overjoyed to have new glasses and medications but now faces the harsh reality that she is out of money, has no food and must find a way to survive. Please pray for this woman, that she would place her hope and faith in Christ, not the medical clinic in Condevilla.

Scot and Dr. Doug operating on a patient

Another story from the day comes from Dr. Douglas (pronounced Dr. Doog-lass by the Peruvians). He treated a man who had previously been diagnosed with skin cancer. Instead of undergoing the prescribed surgery to remove the affected areas on his face, he opted for alternative treatment. This has lead to a large growth on his face, which is literally a ticking time bomb. Knowing there was little he could provide, Doug spent the time talking to this man about eternity. At the end of the conversation, Doug and Terry prayed for the man and it is believed that he accepted Christ as his Savior.

It’s amazing how much joy an ultrasound can bring! Angie and Jose are a young couple in the church that are pregnant with their second child. If you’ve been to Condevilla, I’m certain that you’ve met Ivana, their older daughter. A sweet moment happened when Angie was able to see her baby boy on the ultrasound machine with her mom, Juana standing right next to her. Juana then ran around the clinic showing everyone her new grandson, as any proud grandmother would do. It’s clear that the ultrasound machine was meant to be at the clinic…praise the Lord He passed it through customs!

Ivana, soon to be big sister

The rest of the night filled with fellowship through pizza, music and dancing. All of us gringos impressed the Peruvians with our moves, despite our “concrete hips.” We were humbled when the church gave us each a gift that was made in the mountains. I’m certain God must have been smiling as He looked down on His children, singing and dancing with so much joy!

The relationships we’ve made here is going to make it even harder to leave…

PRAYER REQUESTS:

*Continue to pray for energy and enthusiasm. We’re energized after the dance party but the reality of little sleep and long days are catching up.

*Pray we’d finish the race strong, encouraging our teammates to the end.

*Pray for the reunion Thursday at 3pm. We’ve invited all of the people attending the clinic to return for a time of worship and prayer. The Gospel will be clearly communicated at this celebration, pray it would not fall on deaf ears.