Almost Done

Despite being short one doctor, we successfully completed the final two days of the clinic. We really did not have any sick people, only minor complaints. What I see most here is that the people need to be educated in taking care of themselves. There really is limited common sense when it comes to doing things that are harmful to their body. They don't seem to think that there may be simple things that they could do to improve the quality of their life. The older people seem to complain less and are just happy that we can give them medicine for their body aches.

Tomorrow we are going back to the church to finish the drug inventory. I don't know how we will spend the afternoon. We leave friday morning for Lilongwe to begin the long journey home.

I am tired but the clinic went well. In some ways it was the best clinic I have helped at. We were a small team and the volunteers worked hard and we didn't "sweat the small stuff." We have had a lot of laughs at the strange complaints. The translation adds to the humor.

As always the AIDS epidemic and the treatment of AIDS was represented in many of those who came to the clinic. Many were just people getting a second opinion on the care they are getting here. There is medical care here, but I think there is little focus on the education of the people of their care, no followup, no blood pressure follow up. People go on and off their blood pressure medications. They die young here, the average age is in the 40's. If they don't die of AIDS, they must die of strokes.

The fuel shortage has given me an interesting look into how it can affect a country. It just isn't waiting in line for fuel. It affects everything.

We have been having a lot of rain and the nights are cool. It was really cold last night and I got a blanket out of the closet, as I snuggled in it, I was reminded of how fortunate I was to have warmth. Being here reminds me of how blessed I am.

In all we have seen God's grace upon us. I doubt any of us would fare too well without our dependence on Him.