We will have our last clinic day tomorrow! It seems impossible in many ways that our time here is nearly finished. I was talking with Joey, my translator from Congo, he was sharing with me his experiences over the last few months, seeing teams come and go. When the first team had to leave, he was not prepared to say good-bye. He talked about how he wanted to "weep too much". He says he now knows that each time he meets someone new, that soon they will be leaving and he tries to remember that so it won't be so difficult. I hope that philosophy works for me tomorrow but I am certain I will weep too much.

Yesterday, we had a little accident on the way to Nakivale to the clinic. Apparently it was the day that many schools were resuming their session and the dirt road we travel was very busy. Many small cars that serve as taxis were on the road. They will cram 9-10 people in a Toyota Corolla!! A car like that came over on our side of the road hit the front of the Land Rover, then the back, which knocked us off the road. Peter, our driver, was very quick to recover and we were up on the road right away. Fortunately no one was injured, but the Toyota Corolla suffered serious injuries! These drivers are so careless. (not our Peter) So Ian and I were late for work!

I worked in the antenatal clinic with Loida, the midwife. Joey and I helped gather weights, BPs, and registered new patients. I also gave all the mamas their tetanus vaccine. There are so many mamas!!! Part of the antenatal program is to provide HIV testing for all the women so if they are positive they can be given the medications to help decrease the transmission of HIV to the baby. Unfortunately, yesterday a mother tested positive. Hakim, the nurse that does the testing, told me that each clinic (Monday & Friday) there has been at least one positive and sometimes 2-3) Sometimes the women will not return for follow up, which is so tragic because with the medication transmission to baby is very low.

Malaria is on the rise in Uganda. David Alula tells us that last year, in the months of June, July , and August, there was a 100% increase in the number of Malaria cases. Already this month the WHO is reporting a 65% increase. Money for testing kits which cost approximately $1.00 per kit, medications which cost $8.00 per treatment, and mosquito nets is needed. You can help by giving to Medical Teams International. Just visit their website: www.medicalteams.org. Okay that was my PSA!

This trip has been an amazing experience. I pray that I will use this time as God desires. Thank you to everyone for your prayer support, to my family for loving my kids while I am away, to my Ste. Genevieve OB buddies for their love and support, and to Jon for always letting me go where God leads me.

Mungu akubariki!

It is Sunday evening here, our day off from working. My time here is quickly passing, with only 3 more days of working in the clinic before starting the trek back home. I can hardly believe that one week from today I will be sitting in the comfort of my church, with my family! It is bittersweet, the time for leaving. I can hardly wait to see everyone but it is always difficult to leave behind new and some old friends. There is so much to be done here.

Speaking of new friends, our driver Peter, stoically informed us Saturday morning that he had received a phone call informing him that his wife had delivered a stillborn baby Friday night. He trusts in God, stating "it will be alright". He was unable to return to Lira, where his wife was because there was no replacement for him. Please pray for Peter and his wife Lydia.

I have struggled to write my feelings or experience adequately, or "creatively" enough to truly give to you this experience. It is really all I have wanted to do, to be a voice. A voice for the children, with chronic runny noses, rounded tummies, and dirty little bodies covered in thread bare clothing. To be a voice for the women who believe their worth is in childbearing, and after 10 babies, age well beyond their years....For the women who walk for miles with babies on their backs, to fill their gerry cans with clean water, only to carry that back on their head as well. I want to carry home the faith and spirit of hope of the MTI Uganda staff, as the work tirelessly everyday to care for people regardless of their tribe, language or religion.

Each day for the last several weeks, we have traveled the same bumpy, dusty road to the camp. Always, I am moved by the contrast before me. Tiny homes constructed of mud, sticks and tin dot the roadside, the background is incredible green hills, lush with banana trees. Uganda is truly a beautiful place. I watch the children, waving and shouting "Muzungu!" as we walk down the road. They giggle and ask "How are you?" (I think this is the only English many know) Always trusting enough to hold my hand. I can't help but think about the difference between the life of my grandaughter, Mia, and Zawa, the little girl with a dusty face and a smile that will melt your heart! Or Jibu, a little boy, wearing a month's worth of grime, a spark in his eyes, and a little swagger in his walk. He is absolutely adorable!

There are moments when all of this seems overwhelmingly sad, when it seems that nothing will change here. That the unfairness of the extreme poverty and constant threat of violence that many have lived with is never going to end. Just as these thoughts seep in, I see the excitement in David Alula (medical officer with MTI Uganda) as he talks about all the projects to improve child health, malaria prevention and treatment and clinic outreach for Medical Teams Intl. His enthusiasm is contagious and I find myself thinking about when I can come back!!

I have seen God working here, everyday. From truly live saving treatments to the hope given to a traumatized refugee by the kind touch of the staff, God is here. Much of the world may forget the incredibly difficult life these people face, but God is faithful. He has not forgotten them, He is just waiting for us to "pick up the towel". For me, He has allowed the hands of these children to grab hold of my heart. For this, I am greatly blessed. And I know I will not soon forget their precious faces.

Please pray for peace. Mungu akubariki!

It is Wednesday afternoon here, we just finished clinic, and came to town to try to email some pictures to MTI for a fundraiser they have coming up. No luck though.
We had the busiest day yet on Monday. I think we must have had over 300 patients, plus the antenatal clinic. We continue to see lots of children with malaria, babies with pneumonia and dehydration. This week it seems that there are so many newborns! Lots of women have their babies at home and then bring them to the clinic to be evaluated.

You cannot imagine the living conditions here, for the refugees. The tiny huts they make out of sticks, mud and the plastic tarp they are given from UNHCR looks to be about 5' x 4'. It is so tiny, with a dirt floor. The whole family stays in this tiny space. Often times, the crops they are trying to grow for food are right around the hut. This makes for a good environment for snakes. A Black Mamba crawled in the hut of one family and bit the 3 year old daughter on the arm. (this was in late February) This snake is extremely poisonous, people were amazed the little girl was still living when the parents brought her the MTI's clinic 8 hours later. She ended up being transferred to Kampala Hospital for surgery. They managed to save her arm, did some grafting, and now she has contractures, but can hopefully be surgically corrected. She came to the clinic this week for follow up. She looks great all things considered.

Each day, I am so touched by the patience of the people. We arrive to see a large crowd of people lined up at the entrance to our makeshift clinic. Women with babies on their backs, toddlers at their legs, wait patiently to describe what is wrong and hope that we have the answer to their problem. Some will wait for 6 hours or more, in the hot sun, never complaining. The children play in the dusty area around the clinic, with each other, because they have no toys. Yet you can here them laughing. Yesterday, I heard a sweet voice singing a song, Hallelujah, hallelujah, this little girl was singing. The smile on a face just because you greet them with a handshake and "Jambo", warms my heart. I wish you could see what I see, it really is amazing.

Mungu akubariki
Lisa

We have just finished week 2 in the camp. It has been fairly busy, seeing about 1,000 patients each week. We continue to see children with malaria, pneumonia, lots of diarrhea and dehydration, and many wounds. Wound care is an important part of the work we are doing here, due to poor sanitation and hygiene. Some patients walk each day for several miles to have their wound cleaned and dressed. Today, a little girl had smashed her middle finger of her left hand in the water pump at the well, getting water. Her injury was horrific, basically removing the skin and tissue down to the bone. We cleaned it up, gave her pain medication and sent her to Mbararra for further evaluation. I felt so bad for her, I know she was in so much pain.

Yesterday, I was talking with Micah, the new "clinical officer" for this project. ( similar to physician assistant in training). He is such a pleasant young man. I discovered that he is 23 years old and has been out of his training program for 7 months. I was asking him about his future plans for marriage and such. He told me that marriage would be difficult for him now, as he has 3 younger siblings. His mother died several years ago of AIDS and he is now responsible for the 3 younger children. He supports them financially so they may attend school. You would never know when interacting with Micah that he faces such hardship. He does so with grace.

Davis, a Ugandan nurse with MTI, will be providing community health in the refugee camp. He also is a fine young man, always smiling, pleasant, and so bright. He told me today about his belief that God is always faithful. He left his village when he was a young man, with a small suitcase, to go to the University in Kampala, many hours away. His family discouraged him, knowing he did not have enough money. He continued telling them that God would be faithful to him. He went to the University, managed to get free room and board from a professor, after telling the teacher about his faith. He tells of how each time he needed money for books or fees, it came through with support from many different people. He has such a heart for people. Davis's faith and perserverance is inspiring.

Since it is Saturday, when we finished with the patients, we walked from the clinic to the little church the Adventists have built in the camp. (I mentioned it before) Once again, we were welcomed with opened arms, beautiful singing and drums! This time it was Calla and Kathy's turn to address the people. They had two groups sing songs for us. I am always amazed at their ability to harmonize so beautifully, of course I find it amazing that others can carry a tune! (I can't) Once again, I was able to experience worship "unplugged". No lights, audio equipment, fancy windows, or special clothes, just praise for God. It was beautiful.

Please pray for the people of Uganda, and all the refugees struggling to exist here in Nakivale camp.
Mungu akubariki!
Lisa

It is now Wednescay evening as I write, we have just finished clinic and asked to be dropped off at the internet center. Our team is now 4, with Cathy and Calla Holmgren joining us on Monday evening. Poor Dr. Ian is surrounded by women, 2 of which work OB, Calla is an OB/GYN in Utah. We inconsiderately were talking of labors, and breastfeeding a large part of the time on the drive to the camp today. He is a pretty good sport though!
THe clinic has been busier the last few days, with seemingly more acute illnesses as well. I cared for 2 babies very sick with malaria yesterday and the mama tested positive also. Calla and I started the day off with a man with an incredible ulcer on his foot. We are hoping it is only related to an old burn from 2007, and not cancer. He went through a painful cleaning of the wound and then was referred and taken by our ambulance to the clinic in Nakivale for further treatment and evaluation.
At the end of the day, right as we were packing up, a bicycle brought a man to us. He was having an acute asthma attack, unable to breath. Quickly given steroids and aminophyline, he recovered. Upon feeling relief, he began dancing and praising God. Today he returned all smiles. Again, it is by the grace of God that MTI has been allowed to work here.
One of the refugees, working as a security guard for the clinic told us that in the last few days there has been more fighting in D.R. Congo. A village was looted and burned by the Mai Mai rebels. We are anticipating more refugees will be arriving to the Nakivale camp due to this outbreak. The Nakivale resettlement area was established by the UN in the 1950s. There are refugees from Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Eritea, Somalia, Congo, Rwanda, & Burundi. Just recently, the first group of refugees from Rwanda were transported back to their country to be repatriated. Many Rwandans do not want to return, as they fear they will be treated badly and have nothing to return to. Basically they will go from being a refugee to an internally displaced person (IDP).
I cannot describe adaquetly to you the incredibly sweet spirit of the Ugandan people we are working with. They are so patient with us, eager to work and serve, and do everything with a love for people and each other. I love watching them interact with one another. They often hold hands with each other, as friends, regardless of gender. What if we held hands a little more?
Tomorrow will be the first time in 19 years I have not celebrated my son's birthday with him. Happy birthday Ross! You know I am thinking about you!
Mungu akubariki!

Today we only worked a half day because it is Saturday. The clinic was fairly light so we were able to walk about the area and interact with the children. They love to have their picture taken and look at it on the screen on my camera. That sight would make a great picture, their smiling faces, giggles as they see themselves!

As I was walking a short distance from the clinic, I could hear this beautiful singing, and drums playing. I came upon a mud "building" with a tarp roof, the Adventist church built by refugees, in the camp. Inside this tiny space, there must have been at least 50 people singing and dancing, praising God. I am always humbled by the African spirit, their faith. It is truly inspiring. Immediately, a young man who could speak English, welcomed me. "Please come in and hear the word of God, I will translate for you", he offered. You rarely meet a stranger here. I slipped in the side door, to be discreet, but there was nothing to do about my glowing white skin! Ian joined me and soon we were clapping along with them. After the song, prayers followed, with all the women kneeling on the ground before us, babies on their backs. I cannot describe to you, accurately, the scene before me or the feelings it stirred. I found myself praying for the people before me, and that I would not soon forget them upon returning to the comfort of my American life. I prayed that I will be the hands and feet of Christ, an ambassador for them at home. And I thanked God for that moment in my life.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I will miss my mom and miss sharing the day with her, Bethany and my sisters. I am blessed to have such wonderful women in my life! Happy Mother's Day to all "mamas" everywhere. Mungu akubariki!

The past several days have been busy days. Today, the antenatal clinic was held, in addition to, the regular clinic. So many mamas and babies! I actually had a mother offer me her beautiful, cheerful, 4 month old! According to my translator, "she has many children, she thinks you should take this child to America". Of course, I was tempted, but checking a baby through Customs upon re-entry in the U.S. is unlikely. What a precious girl!

Yesterday, I met a woman that was at the clinic with complaint of chest pain, heart pounding, and headache. After talking with her a bit, we discovered she has been "seeing images that make my heart pound, then my head". She came to the refugee camp from Rwanda 3 years ago, where in the genocide, she lost 7 members of her family. She stated that when she feels this, "I have no hope of living", head hanging low. We prayed together, for resolution of her past, and hope in Christ for her future. (medicine for sleep too!) My heart aches for her.

Everyone has a story. I am constantly amazed at the strength and resilience of the African people. Peter, our driver to the clinic each day, told me this morning that he and his family lived in an IDP camp in northern Uganda from 2003 thru 2006 due to the conflict with the rebel Lord's Resistance Army. He is currently trying to get his land back. When the refugees or IDPs are away due to the fighting, they often return to find they have lost their homes and land to someone. They start over.

We are running out of some staple drugs. Please pray that the much needed medications will arrive very soon. It is very difficult to tell someone that has waited for hours to be seen that we don't have what they need!

On a lighter note....this is the one month each year that these huge green grasshoppers come to Mbarrara. The local people gather in the lot next to our team house and pick up grasshoppers every morning, and snatch them from the air near a light every evening. Meanwhile, Ian and I are killing dozens in the house. They have invaded our space! We must be a sight, swatting bugs left and right each evening. Normally I would catch and release, but these things are everywhere!!! The Ugandans fry them up and eat them. I've never been that hungry.

Anyway, I feel very blessed to be here. Thanks to all for the prayers. Until next time!
Mungu akubariki!!!

Jambo! Bonjour! Hello!

What a mixture of languages we are hearing! We arrived safely to the MTI team house on Saturday night in Mbarara town. There we are well cared for by Opio and Sheila, who cook for us. It is like a Walk to Emmaeus, their service is very Christ like. I am teamed up with a wonderful physician from D.C., Ian Shenk. He is an MTI veteran, so I am great company.

We travel each day about 1 hour to the Nakivale resettlement area, where the refugees are living. Upon our arrival the "clinic", we are greeted by the sweet faces of women, babies on their backs, children, and men of all ages, patiently waiting to be seen. I am working with a translator, Joey, a young Congolese man. He was a teacher in North Kivu, DRC, before fleeing due to the war in his area. Now he makes $2.00 as a translator, for this Muzungu woman, who often realizes that a medication is not going to heal the trauma the patient before has experienced.

Today, a woman sat before me, with a history of asthma. She reported feeling as if her heart was "pounding", and had difficulty sleeping at night. Upon further conversation, she told us that her husband had been killed in the fighting in Congo. She was 8 months pregnant when she crossed the border into Uganda, and became a refugee. She became ill during the journey with vomiting, and diarrhea, and she delivered a stillborn baby. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but prayed instead that God will wrap her in comfort and grace. Please pray for Rebeka.

There is a Save the Children "school" behind the area where we are working. The laughter of the children soothes my heart as I fumble at times to say the right thing, or provide an answer to the patient before me. The children are amazing little souls, so resilient and happy! Domeson, the teacher, fled the Congo where he was a teacher in December. Now, he teaches the refugee children in a makeshift school. I am impressed that an education is being provided.

Yesterday, we sent a young woman, first pregnancy, to the referral hospital in Nakivale for a cesarean section. She had been laboring for 3 days. Upon exam her pelvis appeared to be too small to deliver the baby. However, using the doppler that MTI had sent with me, I was able to get fetal heart tones! We were told today, that the Nakivale hospital did not do a cesarean, and the baby died.

We have seen many sick babies, lots of pneumonia, some malaria, and always diarrhea. Moses the IV master, can get an IV in almost anyone! He is a Ugandan nurse working with MTI and he is amazing! I cannot imagine what would be happening here if not by the grace of God, that MTI has been allowed to work here.

Mungu akubariki!

Congo Disaster Response in Uganda

I am preparing to leave this morning for Uganda with Medical Teams International. We will be working in a "clinic" in the Nakivale Resettlement Area in southwestern Uganda, where the Congolese refugees are living. We will be working in Juru B refugee camp, established by the UNHCR. I am told that approximately 40,000 people are living in this zone.

The people we will be serving have fled their home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo, due to the war. They have left with few belongings, walking sometimes for weeks to reach the Ugandan border. They were transported to the refugee camp in the back of cattle trucks. After registering with the UNHCR, each family is given a 25 meter plot of land, a hoe, seeds, a small cooking pot, a jerry can for water, and a plastic tarp for shelter. Food and drinking water have been in short supply, and malaria is a significant health problem.

Medical Teams International sent a team to this area, after I returned from Congo last December. They have since received a grant to provide primary health care to this area for one year. Every 4 weeks a team of 3-4 volunteers will be sent by MTI to work with their Ugandan health staff.

How did I come to be going to Africa again so soon? A month ago, my nurse friend and fellow team member in 2006, Janey Pineo, called with an urgent plea. She needed someone to go in her place, due to a family health crisis. Having faced similar situation upon my return last December, when my mother fell, broke her femur, and was hospitalized for a month, my heart felt her pain. Add my love of the African people, the sense that work was left "undone", and the heart of my husband, in a few hours I will board a plane to Uganda. Really....it truly is a God thing.

I truly appreciate all the support and prayers from my family, friends & coworkers at Ste. Genevieve Co. Memorial Hospital, The Bridge Community Church, and Medical Teams International. I hope to have an opportunity to keep you posted. Of course internet access is always a challenge. Mungu akubariki!

Clinic Pictures

Tuesday - Dec 16

We have successfully made our way to the airport in Kigali tonight, awaiting our departure. Yes, I do have a seat on the plane! We had been told yesterday that during my efforts to leave early due to the loss of Jon's sister, my original ticket had been "cancelled". I thought for a day that I might be spending Christmas in the Congo.

We visited the Genocide museum in Kigali today. This represents the loss of over a million lives in Rwanda in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi people. It is so difficult to imagine that just 14 years ago the very city we were in was covered in bloodshed. People fled to churches as a safe haven, only to be slaughtered while inside. Women, men and children known to be of the Tutsi clan were killed by Hutu militia, neighbors and government troops. It is felt that the rest of the world did nothing to stop this from happening even though UN peacekeeping troops had predicted a large scale tragedy would occur without intervention. The room dedicated to the lives of children lost during the genocide is of course, especially heart wrenching. The children were killed to stop the "next generation" of Tutsis. There were over 300,000 orphans due to the killing of their Tutsi parents.

Rwanda seems to have made great strides in physically recovering from the devastation of the genocide. Kigali is a beautiful city, schools, roads and other infrastructure have been rebuilt. The lives shattered are still recovering. The purpose of the genocide museum is to create awareness of genocide, honor the lives lost, and prevent genocide from happening anywhere in the future. As I think about the conflict in Congo, I fear that the DRC could be heading in a similar direction. The conflict is supposedly related to land disputes and tribal differences between the Tutsis, and the Hutus that fled into the DRC after the killing in Rwanda. The rebel leader, Laurent Nkunda, is a Tutsi.

In the museum, this was written:
There will be no humanity without forgiveness,
There will be no forgiveness without justice,
But justice will be impossible without humanity.
Yolande Mulcagasana

The plane is now boarding, safe journey.
Mungu akubariki-
Lisa

Monday - Dec 15th

We worked at the prison in Goma today, our last official work day here. This prison seems like such a "hopeless" place. Over and over again, we hear stories of injustice. A young man has been there for 10 months because he owed someone $50. Of course, he was put in prison without a trial or any representation. We have a list of at least 10 people who are in need of hospitalization, and this is only scratching the surface. (We have provided the names and conditions to a legal advocacy group) The conditions are unimaginable. Very little food, unclean water, extreme overcrowding, sickness and corruption. Yet before we left today, we went into the center of the prison with Pastor Bhita, the Congolese minister with Prison Fellowship Ministry. An enormous crowd of men gathered around us, (a little unnerving) with Pastor Bhita in the center, shouting words of encouragement and support to them. He led us all in prayer and his words seemed to bring them such comfort. Please pray for all the prisoners and Pastor Bhita. He brings them the much needed hope found in Christ alone.

Sat. Dec 13th
This is our last day at the clinic, leaving is bittersweet. Of course, I look forward to seeing my family and friends, yet I have made new ones here. Also, it feels as if we have not done enough, that there are things unfinished. Samy, the 8 year old boy who we referred to HEAL Africa for surgery on his bilateral club feet, will he get his surgery and recover well? Chobole, the 7 year old girl that I accompanied to HEAL Africa yesterday with an intestinal perforation from Typhoid fever, will she live? Will the fighting, raping, and looting end?
(8hours later)
We have just finished our time at the clinic. Today I accompanied a man to HEAL Africa hospital from the clinic. Upon arriving, as we pulled through the gates, I saw the mother of Chobole, she died this morning at about 1 am. Ten hours had past but still the family was there. They had no money to transport the body or for a funeral. This family had fled from Masisi to Goma ecuasde of the war, and now they have lost their 7 year old daughter. Thankfully, we were able to provide them with funds. I pray chobole's sweet soul is at peace, no more suffering for that precious girl and that her mohter's broken heart will someday mend.
Mungu akubariki-
Lisa

Wednesday Dec 10

The last 2 days have been a harsh reminder, that while I am away, life at home goes on. Diana, Jon's sister died suddenly at her home, near Independence, MO. She was loved and will be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. And an incredible genealogist. I am so sorry I am unable to be there with you, Jon. I have tried, but as Christmas is quickly approaching, all the aide workers must be going home for a holiday, as all the flights are full. I can't help but think of a line from a song about Africa...."Do they know it's Christmas time at all?"

We continue our work in the clinic, this Saturday will e our last day, and we will finish in the prison Monday. I have so much respect and admiration for the nurses and Dr. Albert. They work with so few resources. No gloves, except for surgery. Not electricity, so no lights even for surgery because their generator is beyond repair, no latest technology or even "old technology". Just compassion, skill and love for their neighbors. Before we came, the doctor had not been paid for 2 months, and his salary is only a tiny fraction of what you might expect, yet they persevere. It is the Congolese way.

Each day, as we bounce down the road towards the clinic, (Goma is under the shadow of an active volcano which last erupted in 2002) the roads are rough due to the "lava rock". I try to take in the scene before me. Women with dark skin offset by beautiful brightly colored wraps, sitting along the side of the road. babies snuggly wrapped on their mama's backs, while she tried to sell bananas, peanuts, or mangoes. Children walking, playing with a hoop and stick, cheerfully shouting "Muzungu!". Shelters made of old wood, tin metal and plastic sheeting, dot the roadside, nut cannot keep our the daily evening storms of the rainy season. We drive through the gates of the clinic to a sea of dark, beautiful faces, with soulful eyes. "Jambo!" we say, and always there are smiles. For hours they will wait to see the muzungus. Some will be told to come back tomorrow. The babies and small children take priority. We try our best to triage so the sickest have their needs met.

Each day we work through lunch, and we are hungry by the time we eat dinner at 7pm, but we have a wonderful, carb-filled meal waiting for us. The women I see each day are hungry. They ask for food for their children. They are diagnosed with illnesses and prescribed medications, and instructed to "take with food and drink plenty of water", yet most have very little of both. It is my hope that I never forget what it feels like to be hungry for a day, or thirsty because there was no water. As I try to prepare myself for "re-entry" next week, I pray for the people who have too little, and for those of us that have too much.

Mungu adubariki!!

Lisa

Sunday Dec 7th

Last Thursday, Dr. Bob and I held our clinic at the central Prison of Goma. This "famility" was built to house 150 men and now approximately 700 people are living there. The youngest prisoner is 10 years old! We have not met him yet. Our first obstacel, (after hours of Congolese red tape) was persuading the "nurse" of the prison that we were prescribing medicines to the prisoners, rather than leaving our entire duffel bag of drugs with him. This whole discussion was taking place in front of our first patient. He quietly and patiently waited, holding a small jar with a lid. It looked like a jar that face cream had once came i. He carried this with him everywhere, to spit the blood in that he continually produced when he coughed. (TB) And the argument went on. As I sat there, I could not help but think what an example this ws of the injustice in the world. A person with power only thinking of the advantage he could have (with our drugs to sell) while completely ifnoring the human suffering right before him. We won the "fight" but the real battle continues.

Throughout the day, we treated men with gunshot wounds, burns, pneumonia, and a variety of other illnesses. We met another child soldier. he was abducted at the age of 14 and is now 18 years old, the age of my son, Ross. What a different life they lead. "There but by the grace of God goes I"

We treated several women prisoners and their babies as well. To keep the women from the men, they are in tiny quarters, about the size of a "living room" in the U.S. Fifteen women and their babies share this space. There are no meals served by prison. Several are provided by charities, and the rest are left up to family. Most prisoners are not fortunate enough to have the means or support of family.

The news that Dr. Bob and I were working at the prison traveled to the United Nations "people" quickly. A reporter for the UN radio came to do an interview during the middle of an exam. A representative from the UN came to "thank" us, we think. We are still wondering the real reason for all the hoopla.

Friday and Saturday were clinic days. We have been seeing more displaced people from fleeing the war in the north. There are so many women and children. Ltos of really sick babies, pneumonia is quite common. I had a 3 year old boy brought to see me by his 9 years old sister. He was very geverish and lethargic, he could hardly hold his little head up. Upon consulting Dr. Albert, he informed the brave big sister that we must admit her baby brother for IV therapy. She began to cry, and so did I. While most 9 year old girls I know are making Christmas lists, this precious girl was trying her best to care for this sick boy. Her mother was too sick herself to come with them. The girl stayed with her brother for the next 2 nights, we have no idea if their mother knew where they were. The little boy is getting better!

While Dr. Bob and I worked in Goma, Kris and Dr. Steve spent time conducting a needs assessment north of Goma, near Kanyabayanga. They visited several "clinics". All have been previously looted by soldiers so they have no supplies. The staff have not been paid for months, but they stay, hoping it will get better. Along the road, Steve & Kris had to pay "taxes" to get past the checkpoints. A loaf of bread, a box of juice, a dollar, and a can of sardines, do you think our IRS would be satisfied come April 15th?

Seriously, boys wielding guns stopped the HEAL Africa car at checkpoints, and thanfully with a small tax gift and prayer, let them pass. Needless to say we were happy to see them return!

Today's sermon topic was "unity". Dr. Jo translated the Swahili for me. The message to the Congolese people was they are one country, one people, one language, with one God. All created in His image. Tomorrow I believe there are to be peace talks for Congo in Nairobi, Kenya. Please pray for the unity and peace the people so desperately need. We are truly one world, one people, created in the image of our God.

Mungu adubariki!!

Lisa

Light in the Dark

While I continue to observe and hear of the unbelievable evil that man is capable of, I also see amazing people demonstrating the love of Christ everyday. Yesterday, I met Father Bhita, with the Brotherhood of Prison fellowship ministries. Dr. Bob and I went to one of the prisons in Goma, where we had heard there was no real medical care. The most intense fighting here in Goma was Oct 29th. Stray bullets injured prisoners and they have yet to receive care, also suffering from tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria and variety of infections. Father Bhita has such a sweet spirit about him. He provides food, clothing and love to those who have been forgotten. One young man, Jimi, is a 15 year old child soldier, abducted by one of the rebel groups when he was only 12 years old. He has been in the prison for almost 1 year. His family most likely has no idea that he is still alive since he has been gone for 3 years. He is just a boy. We hope to learn more about him and try to find a way to help him. ( I believe it is illegal to imprison child soldiers) We will be returning to the prison to hold a full day of clinic to provide wound care and medications for those illnesses we can treat, on Thursday. Maybe a partner GAP ministry in the making for my friends at The Bridge?
Dr. Steve and Kris have been conducting assessments in the area north of Goma the past few days. In most of the communities, the clinics are still standing and have adequate staff but all of their supplies have been used or taken during the looting. One clinic reported that in the most recent attack, over 70 women were raped. Rape is the 3rd most common diagnosis in the clinic. Some say that the DRC is the worst place in the world to be a woman. However, the work on behalf of women that is taking place at HEAL Africa is so inspiring. It offers physical healing, spiritual growth, and a means to learn a skill to generate income once the women move back to their villages. I cannot sing their praises enough. God is truly doing amazing work here.
Two days ago, I met a woman, a patient in the clinic where we are working. She would not really make eye contact, was feverish, had intense pain and was informed one month ago that she has AIDS. She had no medications since her diagnosis and no support. HEAL Africa offers assistance to people with HIV/AIDS with medications, home support and spiritual support. We prayed with her then took her to HEAL Africa. Yesterday, our translator, Zico, saw the woman while at HEAL Africa. He said she was talking and smiling! Sometimes, just knowing that someone cares is good medicine.
As always, continue to pray for the people of the DRC, all the workers here facing incredible obstacles, our team, and for Peace. Mungu akubariki!

We have just finished the week of work at the clinic at the edge of Goma. Many displaced people, refugees, are living near this clinic in churches, schools and with families. so although we are not working in an IDP camp, we are seeing those who have fled the war. Everyday there are unbelievable stories of tragedy and hope. A 10 year old girl from North Kivu, where the fighting has been, was raped by soldiers and lost her family in the attack. She walked for two days to get to Goma, on the way was raped again. Fi nally a woman picked her up and brought her to HEAL Africa. With the love and support of the "mammas" living in the transitional housing, the medical care from the staff, and the grace of God, she has started her long journey of healing.
It was an especially difficult day at the clinic today. I was called to the labor room where 3 women were laboring. One woman was bleeding and there seemed to be no movement of the baby. After relaying my findings to Jonas in English, who relayed them to jDr. Albert in French, Dr. Albert agrred to do a cesarean delivery. Lost in translation was that he would do it after he returned from a meeting! With the help of Jonas, the doctor was called back to the clinic, as the mother had continued to bleed. Sadly, a perfect baby boy was born dead. I cried.....much to the surprise of the Congolese workers. It is the African way. Suffering seems to be part of every moment of everyday. Life is so difficult here. Truly about survival. Please pray the woman and her husband feel God's comfort and love as they grieve the loss of their son.
Upon arring for church this morning at HEAL Africa, we were greeted by the sweet faces of the chilren. I held the hands of a boy on my right and a girl on my left, probably each 4 or 5 yrs old. Sitting on my lap during the service, they continually held or rubbed my hands. Their precious tiny, dark hands were dwarfed by my large "muzungu" (white) hands, yet they trusted me. I pray for that short time, the tragedy that has brought them to the compound of HEAL Africa was forgotten.
Mungu akubariki!
(God bless you in Swahili)

On Africa Time

We have just finished visiting clinic at the edge of Goma, where we will work tomorrow. Let me bring you up to date. We made it into the DRC on Friday afternoon. The HEAL Africa guest house has been our home the last few days, as we wait to get final word on our projects. I had no idea that humanitarian aid is so bogged down in governmental red tape, turf wars, all the while the people in need are left unattended. MTI hopes to be the NGO awarded the camp called Mubungo 3. This is a IDP camp with approximately 20,000 displaced persons with no health care, shelter, food and water. MTI hopes to provide the health portion of this project but we are in "competition" with other NGOs. Humantarian aide is big business. So we wait patiently, trying to meet with the right people, organize our supplies, and secure what we are lacking.

I have met some incredible people already on this journey. Joe DiCarlo, with MTI met us when we arrived in the DRC. He had been working on assessing the needs and what role MTI would play. What an incredible story he has! In the 1980's, he was a bible smuggler, living in Austria, smuggling bibles into Russia. He and a fellow Christian would drive a specially equipped car over the border, with bibles stored in a secret compartment in the trunk. One trip, they were questioned at the border, the car was stripped of parts for 6 hours and eventually they found the bibles. Joe and his partner were taken in for interrogation for 18 hours. Joe spoke Russsian, but did not let them know this. Each time they would question him, he would tell them about the Gospel and what Christ did for them. One young man that Joe remembers well was Igor. He was 21 and believed that he needed nothing the Bible had to offer. Joe talked with him, and just encouraged Igor to take a Bible and read it. Joe was finally released, never knowing what happened to the Bibles. One year later, another person from Joe's group was caught at the border of Russia, smuggling in Bibles. He went through a similar experience with interrogation. After he was released, he returned to the hotel where he was awaked at 3:00 in the morning. It was Igor, thanking them for the Bible and his new life in Christ.

So far, we have felt very safe. UN tanks are around, government soldiers have a presence in Goma, but no fighting that we have heard of lately. Each morning there is a security briefing with the UN, we plan to attend tomorrow. We hope to get permission to travel north to a camp that has no help and has an outbreak of Cholera. Please pray that doors will be opened so the people may be served. It is frustrating to "hurry up and wait' when there is so much need.

Oh yes, the highlight of yesterday was attending church service at HEAL africa. A choir of women, who are all survivors of sexual assault and surgical fistula repair sang. Their beautiful, sweet voices, praising God, was an experience I hope is seared in my memory. What a testimony to the resilience and hope of the human spirit when they have the love of God in their hearts. It was such a blessing to witness, inspiring.

Breakfast in Rwanda

I just finished breakfast looking out over the hillsides of Kigali, Rwanda. It is so beautiful this morning. We are trying to arrange transport to the DRC for today, apparently there has been a little mix up. We expect to be leaving today to drive to border of DRC where we will obtain our visa for the month, then head to HEAL Africa hospital and guest house. They have a website, healafrica.org, check out the amazing work they are doing.
All is well here, just waiting to head out.

God bless each of you. Thank you for your prayerful support of our team!

17 Hours & Counting Down

By this time tomorrow, I will be almost half way to my destination of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I will spend approximately 20 hours in the air, with a few hours in the airports of St. Louis, Newark, Brussels and finally, Kigali, Rwanda. Our team will be representing Medical Teams International in this disaster response effort. We will drive into the DRC from Rwanda on Friday, where we will be working for the next month.

I have a multitude of emotions running full tilt tonight. Of course I am in overdrive panic mode due to waiting until the last minute to pack, but those of you that know me well would expect nothing less! I am excited to be going, as odd as that may sound. Not excited to see the horror of what men will do to one another, but excited to be going where God is leading me. It is my Great Adventure! Praying that the healthcare we will offer will provide some relief and hope in the lives of the refugees, and knowing that we will be touched far more than we can ever imagine.

It is my hope that through this blog and hopefully some photos, a few people will learn more about the tragedy of the DRC, and tell a few people, who will tell a few more.....you get the picture. Too many lives have been lost with little attention by the western world.

My bags are awaiting, I must finish packing. God bless my family, friends @ Ste.
Genevieve Co. Memorial Hospital, Medical Teams International and The Bridge Community Church. Thank you for your prayers & support.