There was a rap on the gate at 5:30 this morning. It was the first patient for the clinic. As we all know...that's way too early to expect to see the doctor! By 7:00 there was a line outside the gate. By 7:30 we set up chairs in the yard for the patients to wait in. After devotions we opened the clinic. As the morning went on, the people kept coming. By mid-morning, it started to drizzle so the waiting room moved up on the veranda. Then it started raining and the people were moved inside the house and sat on the floor. Holly, Linda and Pat were given the task of crowd control. Elton and Warren went to visit Patrick, the Welder, at his shop while Paul and Pam ran errands. When they returned, Elton and Warren took over the crowd control. By this time, Linda was the Pharmacy Tech. Sera was here interpreting and the clinic was in peak operation.
Paul and Peter took Holly and Pat to the Children's Hospital to distribute blankets. The lady in charge took us through and told us which babies and mothers to give the blankets to as we did not have enough for everyone. She showed us how she determined the need. The first mother had a tattered piece of worn out sheet for a blanket. She would look at what they had for blankets and tell us who to give them to. The surroundings were very overwhelming. Crib after crib lined up with Mamas and their babies. You could hardly get through. Those who were blessed with a blanket were extremely grateful. The hardest part was turning down those who desired a blanket and we did not have nearly enough. Thank you Erna and Viola for the blankets. The Head Nurse said to tell the Great Grandmas to continue to make blankets because there is a great need.
After leaving the Children's Hospital, we took Jeff home and blessed Lyzette with a gift for her ministry to women who have lost their babies. Money was given from home by a mother who lost her son with instructions to "give it someone who needs it" along with a copy of the book "Heaven is for Real". It seems we always think of the orphans when we think of Africa. Lyzette opened our eyes and hearts to the women who have lost a child. She will be setting up a ministry to go to the hospital and provide comfort and care to these women. Lyzette shared that she had read the book in two days and it helped heal her heart.
When we returned to the house, the patients at the clinic had started to diminish. The Medical Staff had put in a very full day.
The Island Boys were the focus of the clinic today. Tonight they will be joining us for dinner. Pam, Grace and Sera are busy, busy, busy in the kitchen to serve 12 guests on top of the Team.
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