Posted 21 Sept 2016
Hello Colleagues and Partners:
Great to be back after a very rewarding project in South Trinidad. Thanks to the leadership of the Agards and Horrells, with their families, whose energy and positive influence gave impetus to the mission in the first place and, under God, made it possible. Thanks to the 70 other physicians, physician's assistants, nurses, the pharmacist, and the medical students and other skilled professionals and unskilled volunteers, who undertook the selfless midnight flight from the USA to Port of Spain, and the journey from Port-of-Spain to San Fernando, and from San Fernando to Point Fortin deep in the Southwestern peninsular of the island nation. Thanks also to the scores of local partners - from the Defense Force and the Ministry of Health to the Pathfinder bands parading through the town and to local church members and community leaders - who gave so much to make the project a truly outstanding event. The ethnic and cultural mixture of the team was a sight to behold, a thing of beauty. Indians, Pakistanis, a Filipino nurse, an African cardiologist, Americans of America, a Laotian, blacks, whites, browns, yellows - all in one common cause, vividly exemplifying what the world needs most in our time, namely, harmony in diversity. Whew!!
Every morning we assembled to board the military buses or maxi taxis that took us on the 40 mile journey from the Palms Hotel in the city of San Fernando to the under-served Borough of Point Fortin, deep in the southwestern peninsular where the project was located. Pleasant countryside; the La Brea pitch lake made famous by Sir Walter Raleigh; signs along the way of the American fast food industry cashing in and extracting whatever they could get for themselves; signs of some wealth hidden in some exclusive places; but, the deeper we went in the southland, signs of under-development and neglect.
Arriving in Point Fortin after one hour travel, we immediately encounter the reason we had come - the crowds, with all their multiple felt and un-felt needs, their unfulfilled dreams -- waiting from as early as six in the morning, waiting in the church and the church yard, waiting under the dozen tents set up for the various clinics, waiting with their individual stories, waiting with patience, waiting with expectancy etched on their faces, waiting perhaps for miraculous cures.
I would give thanks especially because, once again the divine hand came through in support of his continuing healing ministry and ministers - no accidents, no incident beyond our capacity to cope with or resolve. In one long weekend (Friday through Monday) over 2000 patients were attended to, including an amputee and a few other surgeries performed at the local hospital. Orphanages and homes for the abused were not neglected. Many others were ministered to in various ways, including those attending the seminar (Forgiveness and Wellness) I had the privilege to conduct on Saturday. The Saturday night birthday celebration with the Bradshaw-Edmund clan, courtesy the Mariners Club, added a warm glow and a lighter touch to the heavy overall program and reminded us of the importance of family solidarity.
So much more to report, but enough said to give you just a peek. The contributions of those who could not personally go on the mission, but who gave of their means to assist aspects of the project, are deeply valued. Many volunteers are already gearing up for upcoming projects. Stay tuned
Blessings
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