House Calls
The team has been engaged in a variety of activities this week, in service to the community of El Progresso ... construction, of course, but also faith and fellowhip, music and education ... and medicine.
Over the past two days, team member Dr. Greg Bartha has been making house calls around El Progresso, visiting with the people of the community, doing basic check-ups and interviewing each of them about their general health, what problems they might have, and what medicines they may - or may not - be taking for those problems. The process has been more effective, in part because of Greg's command of Spanish, which has allowed him to visit one-on-one with his patients, rather than relying upon an interpreter. This has come in handy since many patients speak Spanish only, while others speak both English and Spanish.
Whatever the language, the tone of the visit is measured and conversational as Dr. Bartha visits with each of the patients, finding out more about them with each question. Sometimes the answers to those questions might lead to a new set of questions, and narrow the possibilities for what might be troubling the patient, and what course might best address those troubles. At the same time, we learn more about the patients, their family, their place in the community. Pastor Victor has been especially helpful with these visits, introducing us and sharing with us insights into the patients and their lives, drawing from his longtime contact with them, and service to them.
Over the past two days, team member Dr. Greg Bartha has been making house calls around El Progresso, visiting with the people of the community, doing basic check-ups and interviewing each of them about their general health, what problems they might have, and what medicines they may - or may not - be taking for those problems. The process has been more effective, in part because of Greg's command of Spanish, which has allowed him to visit one-on-one with his patients, rather than relying upon an interpreter. This has come in handy since many patients speak Spanish only, while others speak both English and Spanish.
Whatever the language, the tone of the visit is measured and conversational as Dr. Bartha visits with each of the patients, finding out more about them with each question. Sometimes the answers to those questions might lead to a new set of questions, and narrow the possibilities for what might be troubling the patient, and what course might best address those troubles. At the same time, we learn more about the patients, their family, their place in the community. Pastor Victor has been especially helpful with these visits, introducing us and sharing with us insights into the patients and their lives, drawing from his longtime contact with them, and service to them.
Tim Tam, who heads-up The Word At Work (our mission partner here in Belize) is also on hand for the house calls. Following each visit, there is a discussion among Greg, Victor and Tam about what - if anything - the patient might need. It might be medication for a woman's hypertension, or something that would help a diabetic man better monitor his sugar.
For some patients, there might be something for the short term, and something for the long term. One man has bad knees. Over the short-term, he could use a better walker and anti-inflammatory medication, maybe even cortisone shots. Over the long term, he could use knee replacement surgery ... not possible in his current circumstances ... but maybe possible in the future through some of the partnerships that The Word At Work has formed both in and out of Belize.
Others are more challenging. The last house call of the day was to a woman whose health problems (following a difficult birth) have been exacerbated by several factors ... she is homeless, with no possessions, following the flooding of the home she and her husband were renting ... she is a single mother following problems the husband had, which prompted his leaving for El Salvador ... contributions of food provides some relief, but malnutrition is still a problem for her and her children.
But even following s visit that revealed some troubling problems, there was a conference, ideas were tossed around, and solutions - both short-term and long, involving both the local community and TWAW partners - were being explored.
Would you please add Eva and her family to your prayer list, asking comfort and relief, and healing in body and spirit. And maybe a prayer of encouragement for those seeking ways to get this family therough these very difficult times.
But even following s visit that revealed some troubling problems, there was a conference, ideas were tossed around, and solutions - both short-term and long, involving both the local community and TWAW partners - were being explored.
Would you please add Eva and her family to your prayer list, asking comfort and relief, and healing in body and spirit. And maybe a prayer of encouragement for those seeking ways to get this family therough these very difficult times.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Is there something you'd like to ask any of our mission team members, or our pastor?
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