Final Clinic Day in Tazania

Word of day: Creative

God makes a way where there is no way. He is creative and we are like Him. He gives us Hope.

I have become Mama Annay to Dr. Victor and his family. This causes my heart to leap as my fondest wish comes to me. They have claimed me as their own. This is the family of God as it is designed by Him.

By necessity, today we move our clinic to a future, unfinished hospital building. It is open aired, breezy and spacious. We give out numbers to 100 to the waiting locals which we see by lunch so we give out another 100 for the afternoon.  

I am delighted to see patients today. My first is a 48yo man with abdominal pain. Typically, I do not do urine tests on men but today I am prompted within. His tests lead me to others and we land on a referral for Diabetes.

I see multiple small ones and relish in their sweetness and the sweetness of their parents. Usually, little ones are brought in by their mothers but today I am touched by a doting  Dad and Mom. Dad is obviously so tenderhearted toward both Mama and baby. It is lovely.

I also have the privilege of caring for one of the several centagenerians. She has a wide grin as she holds my hand and the hand of her youngest daughter. Her daughter smiles warmly. I thank her for caring well for her Mama and they both thank me with words, laughter and joy.

I am called away to attend a small 2 yo darling who grabbed a carafe of boiling water from the fire and spilled it on himself.  He has extensive burns on his armpit and leg and has been sitting in his Mama’s lap while numbing medicine was left to work. It is time for a dressing when I arrive. I am grateful that he is sleeping and continues to sleep for most of our work. It is a daunting task but a necessary one as I teach Mama to change the dressing at home. 

The final hour of clinic is spent finding creative ways to see the unnumbered crowds still at the door. After prayer for a spirit of calm, we give vitamins and toothbrushes to 100 or so and do rapid triage for another 100. Our day’s total approaches 400.

It is a flurry activity but we accomplish it all and our spirit of calm prevails.

We end our clinic with joyful, grateful good-byes. It has been a God centered week of trusting and blessing. 

TanzaniaAnne

November, 2021