RANDOM REFLECTIONS AFTER COMING HOME FROM CHIAPAS

Some random photos and random thoughts since I am home.   I am acclimating, but I am a bit distant, and my thoughts often stray to Chiapas.  I think of specific patients, like this little boy.  His osteochondroma may someday convert to malignant tumor.  We probably won't see him again.  There is not much we can do to change the course.  He has a loving family.  Did we make a little difference in his life?  I ponder this a lot.  

Another family, smiling, amiable.  Village people, no education, no health care, marginal living, all treated for worms and parasites, so common, robbing children of the joy of eating and developing normally.  Will they make any changes based on the hygiene and nutrition education we imparted?

Strong, older lady, trying to describe some daily, discomforting symptoms.  A bag of ibuprofen will help immensely.  We can walk to any of hundreds of stores with aisles and aisles of medications, for every ailment under the sun.  Is this a good thing?   Not sure.

We love the people who are trusting us, to come to the clinic, to believe what we say, to feel confident with our medical treatment.  A good feeling.

Another typical family happy with a toothbrush and a worm treatment.  When were you last happy with something so simple, so basic?  Have we become greedy?  Wanting more and more, without pleasure or satisfaction?

Children are the same everywhere!   That's my heart!

Dr. Bill Herring meets Dr. Gerardo Cruz Gomez.  He is bright and personable and I hope I was able to impart some love and wisdom on life and patient care.  What a miracle it was that he came to us, and that I could be there for some weeks of orientation.

Children next door to the clinic.  They live in a hut, there are 8 of them.  The baby has no name yet...the card is Josue.  They are clean and bright.  They would read books while there was no school for 3months due to the strike.  I shared apple slices with them.

This is one of many instances when I really wonder, "What have I done?"   I'm the one who is touched and blessed.  I don't remember her ailment, but she was so grateful she promised to make me a purse.  She returned with the purse several days later.

The next generation.  Maybe one by one we will show them God's love, and teach them good health practices for a better life

Nurse Lidia.   She too is a miraculous addition to the clinic.   What a privilege to mentor and orient her in the way she should go.  Old nurse imparts wisdom to new nurse!  Generous benefactors, friends of Hebron, provided her tuition thru school, and she now pays back by working in the clinic.  A win-win situation!

Village patients

Jose'    He has Down Syndrome.  He's done well with a lot of village support.  He's never received any education or special support services.  He works doing chores with the men.  I wrote an article about him many years ago when I was in his village and working in Zion for a facility for people with disabilities.   I wrote an update for the DD nursing newsletter.

He had some URI, but was up playing later!  He is attended by Dr. Jerry

Another sweet family of girls.  Treated, as well, for worms and parasites.  Stern, but loving hygiene advice given!

Another child with Down Symdrome.  Also with loving parents.  

You don't have to travel to contribute.  3 sisters in North Carolina got together and made 70 darling sundresses.   Nurse Penny carried them. They were distributed to 2 different villages.  The girls grinned, and laughed, as they tried them on and chose patterns.  The boys got balloons!

Sweet Margarita.  She is a good friend of the mission.  She comes and volunteers her time for every caravan.  It's all about relationships.  We have developed deep friendships over the years.  

Who says we don't like to see the doctors and nurses!

Nicolas translates the lady's symptoms from Tzeltal to Spanish for Dr. Bill.  We've been praying for Nicolas' wife, Margarita.  She has had severe, recurring "cysts" all over her abdomen.  They were trying  to raise money for surgery, a treacherous venture of its own

The 2 older ladies made friends while waiting.

Sights on my way to town.  It was extremely pleasant to walk every day.  It was time to stretch and breathe and take in the surroundings.  No cares other than to absorb and enjoy the environment: children playing ring around the rosy, flying hand made kites, and swinging on a rope over a garbage dump.  The steep hill was fraught with potholes, spontaneous construction, irregular cement and blocks and cobblestones.  The mountains in the background are stunning.  Everyone smiles and says Buenos Dias!  When have you last walked and had your senses so pleasantly bombarded?

And then there was a cattle drive right down the street just outside town.

There were so many signs during my time in Chiapas.  Don't forget to watch for them!

Nurse friends share the joy of Chiapas 

Home made swing over a garbage dump

Typical Tzeltal woman

Well, I told you that the sights were interesting....

Another chance to touch just one person.  Think of the people you might influence today.

A young mother with some unknown familial auto immune disease.  She was normal until age 20, when her limbs started to sclerose and become edematous and actually disintegrate.  She "walks" on her knees and actually came in for us to look at open wounds on her knees, not to evaluate the disease.  She was used to living with that.  She was very pleasant, smiling and was a huge role model for grace in the presence of adversity.  I've thought often of how we deal with challenges

A wonderful way to leave Chiapas, in good hands.  

Remember, the name of the clinic is Las Manos de Cristo, the hands of Christ.

More later.   I'll be reflecting for a very long time.  May you find the time and place to do the same.  It feels really good.

Carolyn