Soarde Village- Reaching the Lowest of the Low

Buna Seara,

Day two of medical clinics is complete! It's been so much fun and I'll try my best to explain how it all works. One point to mention right away is that although medical clinics are the tool used to engage with the people the overall aim is to share the Gospel. So many opportunities have opened up and a prayer station is there for the locals to spend time at during their visit. So relationships begin and the long term workers are able to follow up with the people after the clinics are finished.

So start to finish...in theory....the locals arrive and are assigned a number, they go to triage to give basic information, have vital signs taken and give a history. Then they go to see the doctor. They collect what they have been prescribed from pharmacy. And then there is wound care, opticians and dentistry for those who need it. They finish at the prayer station where a local Romanian from the village church is there to speak with them about the main purpose of the team being there.




 
Hot rooms. Buzzing Flies. Sticky everything. Dirty Surroundings. Limited resources. Time-pressured Clinics. Arguing Villagers. Crying babies. Sweaty just sitting down. Babbling locals. Tired staff. Hungry staff. Thirsty staff. And yet here we are working in the strength of the Lord to show His love to the Romanians. And it's totally worth it!!!




I've had the opportunity to assist/scribe in a clinic and also to run a triage station. It's tiring but really good fun too. There are a lot of moments that it is heartbreaking. From today...there was a man came in holding his face, quite clearly in a lot of pain. He had noticed a tumour 7 months ago and had gone to the hospital who had initialy refused to see him. After some time they did and he was given a prescription for the drug medication. However he couldn't afford it and just continued without taking anything. Two months ago he returned to the hospital with loss of vision in one eye and bleeding from his mouth due to the size of the tumour. They gave him a report and a list of medications. Same situation again. His wife walked him to the clinic today and brought the report with them asking if we would be willing to help them. Immediately he was shown love and compassion. he was given a number and shown into the waiting area. I brought him into triage and took a history from him. It broke my heart to hear the wife telling of what happened. I then managed to bump him up the queue a little and straight to one of our doctors to get looked at. Although what we did as a team today wasn't much, his wife left with a smile. I ask that you would pray with me that they would see and understand that only temporary healing can come from medication and long term restoration comes from the Lord.

Natalie and I with Rosie a translator

We also were able to go on a house visit this evening after clinic finished at 7pm. Yes, that's right. We were still going until then. Such a needy community. Doctors don't want to treat them because of their ethnicity as gypsies. Others cannot afford the cost of it. We freely offer the treatment. Anyhow, went to visit a family and it was difficult to see their house and where they lived. The conditions were poor and there were many people crammed into such a small space. They were so warm and hospitable and it really was encouraging.

I must go to bed now though....Day 2 of 9 clinics and I'm already shattered!

Prayer Points...

• That the focus would remain on giving the glory to God
• that the Gospel would be clearly proclaimed at the village medical clinics
• that the villagers would be hungry and desperate for something more than medical treatment
• we would be willing servants
• energy and enthusiasm for what are long, tough days

Sunset on the way home from clinics

Sarah