Bush Clinic Day Four

This blog describes the final bush clinic provided by the Medical Team, on August 24th. Even though the team is safely home, they wanted to share this day's adventures with you....

Once again we were up early and ready to go, anticipating another great day for our final clinic. We took group pictures at the Vanderwals, then for our last time did our customary hand holding in a big circle, singing to the Lord and then praying. Just as sports teams get into a circle and put their hands together, we did the same each morning with a zealous “TO THE WORK!”.

The sky was overcast and the temperature was a bit chillier today as we headed out. We were on a tar road for about 1 ¼ hours then on a dirt/sandy/bumpy/washboarded/hilly/rutted road for ¾ hour. There are not many named roads, so how people get to where they are going is amazing. When we were about ½ hour away from the school we met up with the pastor from the area who, on a motorcycle, led us on a shortcut, fording a stream and over rough terrain. When we arrived at the school there were about 400 people awaiting our visit.

The people were gathered together and listened intently as Harry spoke and Sipho interpreted into Siswati. They clapped as Harry talked about Jesus then at the end of Harry’s message sang a beautiful song. Their language is very melodic and lovely to listen to. As the medical stations were being set up we unloaded Operation Christmas Child boxes. The children were all assembled under a tree and Harry (and Sipho) explained how the free gift of the boxes is like the free gift that Jesus gives us with eternal life. We had the honor of distributing them and sharing the joy as they opened their boxes.

The bush wheelchairs were assembled and 3 of these were distributed to the disabled. One of the mothers of a child with cerebral palsy cried because she was so thankful to Jesus and rededicated her life to Him. Over 300 patients were seen for medical evaluation and treatment, over 60 HIV tests done, blood pressures checked, 30 bad teeth pulled and about 100 eye glasses were provided.

After the clinic, people lined up to receive Bibles in Siswati or English. They were very grateful. Those with new eyeglasses could now to see to read! Everything was packed into the trailers and we headed back on the bumpy road towards home, having finished the clinic by 7:30 -earlier than anticipated. Echo, the boys and some of the Swazis headed for home around 6:30 to prepare dinner; she had a flat tire along the way so did not get back much earlier than the rest of the group.

Harry, Jim and the Swazis were in the lead van pulling a trailer as Sipho was driving behind with the CLC team. As the lead van was barreling along the sand and gravel road, all at once there was a loud noise and they stopped -abruptly. It was as if they were in a plane, landing on an aircraft carrier that had just hit the arresting hook! They all looked at each other in disbelief when to their amazement, the wheel that had just broken off from the trailer passed them on the right –rolling down the road, disappearing into the night. The Swazis ran down the road and proudly recovered the tire and wheel. Everyone got out and stared at the trailer sitting lopsided in the sand. After sorting out the situation, the CLC team headed back in one van while Harry and the Swazis waited for the tow truck. Harry did not get back until three-thirty am. So much for the early evening we thought we would have to share with each other! But God was gracious to all. If the wheel had been on the tar road the wheel may have not been able to be found and the trailer would have crashed down onto a hard road rather than landing in sand.

We returned to Echo and Harry’s house for a delicious dinner that was previously prepared. By now we had become quite comfortable with mealtime routines which allowed Echo to take care of everything for Harry and the trailer.

Although this was the end of our bush clinics and our mission to Africa was rapidly coming to a close, it was only the beginning of our true mission. We all are in unity to help The Luke Commission by procuring equipment, supplies and financial support, in order to share the love and compassion of Christ with the Swazi people. We have all had our heart strings pulled and have developed a great love, admiration and caring for the VanderWals and The Luke Commission. Their mission has become our mission to assist them in any way we can. Having had the opportunity to serve them has been an honor and huge blessing to each of us. Words cannot express what all we experienced. We felt God’s presence throughout all the work that was done and are called to continue His work in Dayton.

Even though CLC does not have a medical team currently in Swaziland, you can continue to hear the stories of The Luke Commission by visiting their website:

www.lukecommission.org