WOW. Today was amazing. Our team, Medical Team 4, also known as “Wandering ROCKers” and “Medical Migrators”, went to Salt Spring Baptist. We also had the pleasure of welcoming a new member, Tiffany Scott. When we arrived at the site, we were welcomed by worship songs and cheers of joy. The congregation had arrived early and organized themselves in the church “waiting room.” This was such a contrast to what we saw yesterday. Today we had patients waiting and already checked in. We just had to set up and get started. We were welcomed by Deacon Garfield and assisted by Joanna, Anne Marie and Charles. They helped keep the patients organized and made sure we had everything we needed to ensure a successful mission.
Many of the patients today needed to see Optometry. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the equipment to take care of them. Dr. Clifford made a quick call to St. John’s and a couple hours later, God sent Katie Venittelli and Ariana Valasquez. These two wonderful women made a huge difference in the lives of our patients. They brought the gift of clear site. Once again Med Team 4 worked like a well-oiled machine and saw close to 200 people! We saw everything from the common cold to scabies to bacterial and virus infections. It was a busy and frenzied day indeed.
We had a special treat today from the local Jamaicans. They brought us a wonderful lunch of fried chicken, fish, red beans and rice, and coleslaw. To wash that down, we had homemade chocolate cake and casava loaf. Yummy - a nice welcome from the PB&J, although we LOVE our PB&J made with love and prayer by the Hospitality Ministry. THANK YOU - we love you!
One of the most touching stories today was from Sean and Danielle. A 60 year-old man with one leg came to visit the clinic after we were closed. He was told, “we are sorry sir, we won’t be able to see you.” He said, “OK, no problem, I understand.” He stayed in the church for a few hours with a huge smile on his face and approached Sean and Danielle to let them know how blessed he felt that we came all this way to help the people of Jamaica. He had so much joy and couldn’t stop thanking the team for all we’ve done. He said, “You have come here just for me.” This exact quote was mentioned by Sean at the first meeting with the medical team last fall. He said that we’d meet someone who would say, “you have come here just for me.” God works in mysterious ways. Sean just knew what the Lord had in store for us.
Danielle asked the man if he had a chance to see the doctor. He said no because he came late. Here was a man who was simply happy to be part of the experience, even if he didn’t have a chance to see the doctor. After a prayer was said with him, we were able to fit him in with an appointment. Sometimes we can learn a lot about gratitude by just watching simple examples from those around us. God shows us the goodness all around, we just need to open our hearts and allow Him to do His work.
We are looking for a wonderful day tomorrow at Church on the Rock. We can’t wait to share our new experiences with you.
God bless and good night!
Love, Medical Team 4
Today is Tuesday, April 29 and Medical Team 4 is sharing our experiences from today at Webster Church. We started out with no patients and by the end of the day, we served over 150 people! We were first met by a bright smile from a 7 year old boy named Nicholas. He loved to help us all day and had a chance to see the doctor with his mother, Genieve. Thank the Lord they are both healthy! Our next two local Jamaican helpers were Otis and his girlfriend, Odiesha. Otis helped us get our first patients by driving around the neighborhood with hand-made signs taped to his car advertising our medical clinic. He shared with Sean Burgess that he and his mother were in a fight this morning. Otis stormed out of the house and began walking down the street when he came upon Webster Church and the Pastor. Suddenly he was overcome with a feeling of conviction and said “I want to serve today.” From that point on he became part of Medical Team 4. We are looking forward to seeing Otis tomorrow at our new site, Salt Spring Baptist and helping him to continue his walk with the Lord.
Joining us in the afternoon was a man from Kingston named Gawayne. He helped our triage techs, Brian and Justin with translating Pitua (local Jamaican spoken language). From triage, patients went to see Aubrey for vitals. Aubrey can now take blood pressure in her sleep! Way to go Aubrey.
Once the Team got into the groove, we met lots of God’s children, both young and old. Millicent came for pain in her hands. As Millicent and Pascale got to know each other, they prayed for her recent job interview and the pain in her hands so she can continue her passion - cooking. (May God continue to bless her and her husband so she can carry out the Lord’s plan for her and continue to provide nourishment for her family.)
During the visit with Millicent, Grandville School for all ages came for a visit. We met LOTS of smiling faces and many who loved capturing those faces on camera (see the photo link!). Christina, Jade, Regina, Shanice and Fenisha like apples, net ball, Disney TV, the color yellow and their favorite subjects are math and languages. They also enjoy braiding hair - Pascale and Danielle walked away with new hairstyles! Ya mon! These children are amazing! They are obedient and very polite and always say “Yes Miss” and ” Yes Sir.” I think we can learn a lot from them - we need to have the same attitude and obedience with God.
All the children especially enjoyed when the Deaf Ministry came to join us. Jesse and Michelle entertained them with songs and stories from the Bible - many of which they already knew! They especially enjoyed the children’s vitamins administered by Nancy and prescribed by Dr. Javier Rodriguez. Michelle was able to assist us with a deaf patient who desperately needed medical attention. Through her patience and communication, Dr. John Clifford was able to diagnose the problem and source of pain. The patient’s knee was drained and the pain went away.
While all of this was going on, Dr. Clifford’s wife, Nanci was performing miracles of her own. A man came to the clinic who could not walk. His legs were stiff and rigid. Nanci laid her hands on him and began to pray. She administered some physical therapy and shortly thereafter, the man was able to get up and take a few steps! Praise the Lord!
After a “fuel not flavor” lunch of PB&J (thank you Hospitality Ministry for staying up until 1:00 am to make these!), a young mother came to see Dr. Camille Tabor. She was in so much pain from two abscesses under her arm and unable to move. Dr. Tabor was able to make an incision, drain the fluid and take away the pain.
As the day grew longer and our bodies grew hot and tired, we heard a wonderful and uplifting voice. It was Desmond singing a song about Christ to Petra. Desmond came in with complaints of lower abdominal pain. He saw the doctor and finished with powerful prayer with Petra. This prayer was so blessed from the purist form. Both Petra and Desmond felt Jesus with them and began to cry tears of joy. Petra encouraged him to share Jesus with someone everyday. He asked, “how?” Divine intervention took over and he began to sing. At the same time, a group of school girls were also inspired to sing. Petra knew right away that this was how Desmond would share his faith with others. Desmond agrees.
As our day came to an end and it grew close to 6:00 pm, our last patient, a 6 year old boy, grew very nervous and anxious. We wondered why and he told us that everyday after 6:00 pm, he hears gun shots and every week someone dies. He was afraid that if he didn’t walk home soon, he might be killed. Dr. Sonia Miranda prayed for the child and his family and created peace, calm and a place for God to guide them safely home.
I can’t imagine how this child could live with this intense feeling of fear. We pray that he will find peace with Jesus Chris and that God will protect him always. This day has been amazing and we are truly blessed. These memories will be with us forever and we can’t wait until tomorrow to see what the Lord has in store for us.
To our new brothers and sisters of Jamaica - we love you in the Lord and pray for your safety and continued faith in the Holy Spirit. We look forward to seeing you again at the Crusade this weekend!
Good night and God bless!
Medical Team 4
