"For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name."
Psalm 33:21
I should have known it was going to be a a joy filled day when I awoke to this little baby cow (vaca) outside my house......
First stop was a colmado (a small roadside convenient mart) to talk with Dominicans about their ailments and life. To listen to them. To love them. To share with them about my clinic that's held every week in their town. Then, in normal Dominican fashion we were invited to an elderly woman's house for some morning "cafe."
And outside there were these two bright eyed, beautiful children of God playing. Without much clothing, they were tickled to be playing in the dirt together climbing up a pole and on top of two broken plastic chairs. Both kids had pretty impressive fungal infections of their scalp. You can already see this little girl is suffering with alopecia (hair loss) from the disease. And the little boy has multiple white lesions covering his head. They both also have scabies. Shortly after joining their game, I was introduced to their Mom who couldn't have been more then 20.
I was so blessed to have the ability to communicate in Spanish with their mother. I still continue to be amazed that after almost four years of doing missions in the DR I can love on my patients with my own words! And not in English! Anyways, I spent time talking to their Mom about the importance of treatment. They both will lose all their hair if we don't start medications. The tricky thing is this medicine costs half of a months salary for the full treatment (8 weeks) and compliance is low. But, thanks to a recent donation I have money to buy the medication. I am so excited to work with this precious family and teach this loving Mom how to better care for her little ones.
This is probably the most exciting part of my job. As a community health leader I can visit my patients weekly and make sure they not only are taking their medicine but understand how to and the importance of compliance. It is amazing to see how much confusion there is for patients in regards to the dosage of medicines. But, if you've grown up un-educated, you just don't think the way we do. I love trying to meet the challenge of helping my patients understand better!
These adorable children are Haitian and live in Saboneta. They are unable to go to school because their birth certificates were lost in the Haitian earthquake. Every Friday morning, Yvenor and I spend time teaching about God and health care prevention. Today was just a play day and clearly they wanted to be models for the camera! So fun! Each of them have scabies and fungal infections as well bc they live in such crowded conditions and usually sleep on the floor.
This is a snapshot of a typical morning for me. Why was it more joy filled than normal? Because I took the time to remember that today is a gift from God. That he orchestrated every encounter I had with my patients. That He loves each of us the same. That He has given me the means, through many of you, to help these people. And that is incredible.
I wish I could say I start off every morning like today. That my heart is always one hundred percent open and my smile is huge with every patient I see. I wish I could say I always remember what a blessing every breathe we take is. But, unfortunately, as so often happens in the states, my life at times becomes a bit routine.
But, then a day like today happens. When I see Jesus in every smile. When a woman calls me their "Doctora." When God opens opportunities to teach people how to care for themselves. And then I remember how fulfilled I am by the joy Christ has given me. I pray that we can all remember to find His joy in all that we do....even in the mundane, "normalcy" of life. And that as we are filled with that joy it shines through every pore in our bodies!
Dios te bendiga!
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