Mobile Clinic Part I

Katrina Padgett leads a mobile clinic effort on 3 Thursdays of every month. They have chosen 3 villages within driving distance that they will serve with medical care for the next year. It's an incredible way to get into the community and talk to them about the gospel as well as basic health safety skills. I had kept Sophis the previous week so Natasha could go, but this week Katrina asked if I wanted to join her. I'm so thankful I did. This was an inredible day for me in Togo. I was able to immerse myself in the culture for a full day, and I think I received a great deal more than I could have ever given.

 We left the compound around 7 am and headed north into the mountains above where the hospital is located. There is a team of about 8 people- a mix of nurses, preachers, pharmacists, etc- who are involved in the mobile clinic.

I was unsure of what to expect. My one day of being scrubbed in surprisingly did not get me any closer to being of any assistance in the area of medical exams, but Katrina assured me that many kids would come to where the clinic was housed. She was right. Within minutes of arriving, groups of kids started sheepishly inching their way towards the yobos! Some were fascinated, while others seemed skeptical. I knew I would have a purpose.

This northern village is incredibly poverty-stricken. They were fairly cut off from resources, but the land is fairly fertile, so it seems that some basic nutritional needs are being met. Some cases of malaria were found in visiting patients, but overall there was mainly a viral chest infection that had many of the villagers coughing.

After reading the bible, singing together, and praying for a while, our work began. Curtains are hung for "privacy" in this abandoned building.

Many of the children came in groups of two or three and stared. When we tried to approach them, I think it frightened them. I stayed back for a while and let them warm up to us. Before long, smiles became our mutual exchange.

Two of the pastors, Katrina, Shannon, and I decided to go visit some of the patients who have been treated at the clinic in earlier months. We decided this would be good for building relationships but also for letting the people know we were there for the day. This was the highlight of my trip. We just started walking, and before I knew it, I was interacting with Togolese men and women in a meaningful way.

 A little girl pounding fufu

In Togo, there is a large amount of fetish worship. This is the "god" (made of mud) that protects the village. It is someone's responsibility in the village to maintain the "god" and ensure that it can be visited by all villagers.

 This lady was a riot! Her friend (in yellow) goes to the church the pastors have started in this village. I asked her about going, and she was so cute. She tried to teach me some efe. This gave them a real laugh, but she said I should keep practicing.

Below is the "store" for the village. It's smaller than my kitchen...talk about a reality check.

Katrina is such an awesome woman of God. She has four kids herself, but she never seems run down or too tired to give of herself. I learned a great deal from her during my time in Togo. Watching her interact with the villagers was really powerful.

The "real" Adeta

Andy and Dr. Peterson worked so well together. We were so blessed to have such a phenomenal couple mentor us through our time in Togo. Ken was an excellent, kind teacher. Carol was a patient, loving friend. For all of their clinic hours, Andy & Ken had an incredible translator. Sato (pronounced Say-toe) was a strong believer who advocated for the patients. She invited Ken, Carol, Andy, & me over for a meal in her home. She lived a ways off the road, so we had to take a taxi. At one point during the ride, we were in the middle of a cornfield. Her land was breath-taking.

                                                                       Their garden

It was an incredible night. We listened to their stories and learned about their family. They do not have a kitchen, just these "stoves." Cooking is an exhausting progress for this Togolese family. She brings safe water from the well at the hospital each day. Sato also brings the wood for cooking, so even after she leaves working, she's not done.

We shared prayer requests. They expressed their desire for an indoor kitchen in the future. Some of their children sang for us, and it was really a special evening. We rode home under one of the brightest moonlit nights I've ever experienced.

Saying Goodbye

After having the pleasure of seeing Andy operate, we faced a series of goodbyes. Irving was headed back to England, Alta & Keith to Michigan, and the Nattiers were headed to Ohio to start their new life.

Irving is on the left.                       Shannon, Natasha, & I

                                                       Here is Alta, Natasha, & her daughter, Elli

 It was a true joy to get so close to so many amazing people so quickly. I learned servanthood from Alta, sacrifice from Natasha, and family from the Padgetts. There's so much truth to the concept of "iron sharpening iron." I felt encouraged, challenged, & uplifted. Saying goodbye was not the highlight of the week.

 The Padgetts have been on the field for a year, and will be here

for at least another year. They have four amazing kids.

One of the cooks has a niece that sells her material. Her daughter offered assistance as I finally made my material purchase so that Patience could make me a purse. She was an absolute doll.

Newlyweds in the OR...

Tuesday was an incedible day as I was afforded the opportunity to scrub in and watch Andy work. I was given the, "if you feel light-headed" talk by at least 6 people on the compound before the surgery began. I am not going to act like I wasn't nervous of having my head hit the ground, but once I entered the room, it was the calmest experience I have had in a while. I had many moments of pride as I watched my best friend use the skill he's been learning and help deliver a new life. It sounds cheesy, but I found myself in awe of his demeanor, as well as his confidence. I felt equally blessed to have an opportunity that I simply would not have here in America.

I almost look the part...

Dr. Moore, Dr. Peterson, and Dr. Woo

This is where the doctors "scrub in." Let's just say there is a communal bar of hand soap.

Preparing to make the first cut...

 Watching this little guy fight was nothing short of inspiring. We gave a collective cheer after hearing him belt out a cry. It's beautifully frustrating, though, as the hospital lacks many of the staples needed to sustain life at this early stage. Although we were excited to see a living baby, we were simultaneously aware that his chances of survival were minimal. These ten minutes gave me a new appreciation for life that I cannot fully express in words.

The 28 weeker managed to hold his own for a bit.

The glow after a successful surgery!

Monday morning

On Monday morning after the devotional, I headed to Bea's house to sort teaching materials. Alta and I were put to work starting to gather materials for the fourteen newest graduates. One of our tasks included creating calendar numbers for pocket calendars that would be posted in the classroom. This assignment made me grow in respect for all you elementary teachers out there...the preparation you put in year after year is impressive to say the least.

Although this task looks pretty quick and painless, I spent the entire afternoon working on these sets. My goal was 48 sets; I think I made it to 29.

The Start to Our Second Week

We started our second week at the Adeta church. Kelly was kind enough to sit beside us and translate the message from french to english. The message came out of Revelation, and it centered on the idea of a healthy church. The pastor focused on the verses, "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first..." Rev. 2:4-5 He talked about how the church had many ministries, but that love was not at the center of those ministries, so sin was creeping into the local body. It was good to think about the times when loving others has come without struggle, and then to think about where I've been as of late spiritually...I need to get back to the basics and just love the people in my path. The choir did an awesome job...

After church and lunch, we decided to join Kimberly, Bryce, Irving, Keith, and Peter for a hike to the waterfall. I have to be honest and admit that I was "snake weary", if you will. Peter had a machete to lead the way, and I told myself he would take care of it should a slithery guy make his way in our path. It was a bit cooler today, so the walk seemed tempted.

The scenery was gorgeous. We passed through villages and bush. We saw a few young children who yelled "Yobo" and giggled as we passed by. 

About 45 minutes into our hike, the skies opened and a relentless rain poured down on us. This was no real surprise, as it rains daily during July in Togo. The surprise was that it di not let up, and soon our path looked much more like a creek. We were soaked to the bone. I had on shoes that were lacking in tread. Irving decided to turn back, and Andy and I followed.

I had to put the camera away after this shot. The walk back was quiet, wet, and focused as we tried not to sink in the mud. We ended the evening with Kimberly's powerful testimony and then a church service about God speaking to people through dreams.