Today the team was back together again. We traveled out to Dr. Amadi’s home village of Imerienwe. The First Baptist Church facility was the site of our clinic. As we traveled down the road to this place, I can honestly say that a peace came over me – a peace that can only be from the Lord. The feeling was palpable as we entered the village. The people were waiting for us. We were greeted with great honor and respect.
Our medical team treated many people. There were cases of malaria, women with female issues, infections, a lot of arthritis, much high blood pressure, asthma and many other respiratory issues, infertility, fever, heart problems, cataracts, glaucoma, lung problems, dehydration and the list could go on and on. Our doctors (Kennedy, Felix, and Zach) lovingly treated each of these people with the precision and grace that God gave them. The task could be overwhelming – so much need and so little to throw at the need. You must remember that our medical equipment consists of what these guys bring in their hands as well as the medicine we bring. What we bring in the suitcases that must get through customs is very important. That is why we ask you to pray for the safe arrival of all that we bring. We can not afford to lose one bottle of medicine. That might be the bottle of amoxicillin that kills an infection and changes a person’s life.
The pharmacy is a work of art. The people bring the prescriptions that the doctors write and they are filled – if we have not run out of the medication. I know that we ran out of malaria medication several times. Somehow Dr. Okere and Ukpong (our pharmacist and prayer warrior) found and purchased more medication. It takes many hands to make the pharmacy work. It is intense because the people are waiting and sometimes they must wait a long time. As the day draws to a close it becomes more challenging. People will inevitably show up at the last minute and expect to get medication without being seen by a doctor. It is very difficult to stop and close the clinic. It hurts your heart, but it is necessary. James, Jonathan and C.Y. are the assistants to Ukpong. They worked very hard today. In some ways this work could seem a little mundane until you remember that the delivery of medication may be the lifeline for some of these people.
There was a large group of children for Megan to work with. Some of the children were out of school, but most of them were in school which was next door. Some of them would sneak out of their school to come over and be with Megan. A ball and a Frisbee are universal in drawing a crowd of children. Gary took an occasional break from pictures and video to play a little music and do some illusions for the kids.
The prayer and counseling room was busy today. Many diseases were prayed over. People came to faith in Christ. Spiritual bondage was broken and demons cast out. The power of God was evident in many instances. People received prayers of restoration and blessing. The pastor of the church, Rev. R.O. Alozie, was with me for most of the day. He is a very kind and compassionate man who walks in the love of Jesus. He knows the people of his village very well. He is man of prayer. Once you are in his presence, you can feel the anointing of God upon his life. Dr. Amadi also assisted us today as did C.Y. Each of these men adds his own Godly flavor to the prayer room. I enjoyed spending this time with God and these men as we prayed. My cup was full. At the same time, the Lord let me see a little bit of the great need of these people. The whole thing would be too much. Please pray for our Lord to continue to work in the lives of these people.
Today was the last day of the clinics. When I originally looked at the list while still in the US, I thought it would be an easy schedule, but several times it became a little overwhelming to the team. I underestimated the depth and breadth of the need. Even though I have been here and to other third world countries, I fell victim to looking at the situation only through the eyes of a westerner. How soon we forget! This is not the West.
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