Day 8 - Giving much from very little

The Day 7 Blog post "Day 7 (whatever it was) contained several factual errors. First, the word nanook is not the one for chicken, it is manook. I must have had Mork and Mindy on my mind or something when I wrote this.
Due to the insult to the local townsfolk, this will be my last blog. I am to be boiled with seasoned spices and served to the tiger sharks, in the way that the local squid are served to us.
Secondly, We did not treat and minister to 60 people, it was 90. So again, my apologies go out to anyone that may have been offended by my remarks. Please not, this is a blog of opinion and the facts may not always be perfect, but the quips and quirks, observations and personal experiences are very much from the heart.
Today we visited Barangay Tiana, which is the town that sits directly next to the one we were in yesterday.  Many of the 89 people we treated had the same types of chronic health problems we have been seeing on Limasawa - goiters, diabetes, high blood pressure and others. We've speculated the cause is genetic and not diet so there isn't a lot we can recommend on diet and lifestyle, however we have been able to give them medications that would have cost them several months wages to buy on their own.
The good news for those mothers out there, is that the baby boy is on the path of healing. Don's treatment yesterday and today has made a very noticable difference and we believe a third treatment tomorrow will have it well under control.
Speaking earlier of heart, I have failed to mention the people we are serving with. Out team is composed of six volunteers from Oregon and nine volunteers from the Philippines. This does not include the scores of people who live on Limasawa who have blessed us with their time and talents.

Pastor Wen and Orlun

I'll start with Pastor Wen. He is a traveling missionary who founded the Nazarene Church in Tacloban. He now spends his time traveling across the Philippines reaching out to the tribal regions to bring Christ's love. His heart and focus on who he serves are incredible and I am blessed to work with him.
Pastor Wen's wife Inday (pronounced N-dye) is working with her sister, Phebe.

Phebe

Phebe checks people into the clinic and to keep an orderly flow while Inday is working with Don as an interpreter.

Inday

Elena is working with Lea, pronounced like Princess Lea, as her interpreter to start a chart on patients.

Lea

Amber's nursing team of Shyne, Sherds and Wendy are a wonder to watch in action. You can see their confidence grow every day and their smiles are contagious.

Carol, Leslei and Jade

Leslei and Jade

In the pharmacy, Carol's team of Jade (the Cake Boss) and Leslei have been keeping the meds intact and delivered using full health standards. They are often the last faces people will see before they leave the clinic and have such a heart for the people. Leslei was great as she took a woman's baby and just walked around the clinic with her today.

Mary and Pastor Ruben

Mary and her team of Pastor Ruben, Anianito, Rei and Wen (today) and Pastor Glen (Monday and Tuesday) may pretend they are bringing the gift of sight, but they are our front line soldiers against the enemy. Together they have prayed for many people and brought several into new relationships with Christ. Even today, they prayed for more than one hour over a very ill woman who was dabbling in witchcraft. She gave her life to Christ and we hope that a spiritual healing will develop as well as a physical healing.

Lemuel

Lemuel has been my personal assistant and photography student. When he isn't following my various whims and playing goiofy games, he is learning the art of photography in order to take better photos when he is on missions in this country. Our jack of all trades is Orlun, who when not flashing a great smile at everyone is praying with people, interpreting, keeping the crowds orderly  or serving in any other role he is able. Juliana has been our prayer support team leader and like you, has faithfully prayed for our day-to-day missions and safety.
Last but definitely not least, there are those who prepare our very tasty meals and even spend their days fanning the medical staff to keep them as cool as humanly possible. They will do this for hours every day without pay - it's simply amazing!
Tomorrow we will hold our last clinic. The reality of this is setting in as we see our supplies dwindling and suitcases that are starting to be given away. We will return with very little if anything. Most of what we don't use will be donated to a local doctor who will distribute them among barangay (town) health workers to be given to the people.
Just so you know, it won't mean the blog will end on Saturday. I will take a day off and then start on my second mission in the Philippines as I work with Jim and Allene Latzko, Western Baptist Bible College, now Corban University, graduates, '77, who have spent 30 years in the Philippines helping establish   new church plants around Tacloban. My hope is to capture their work and through the power of visual communications, be able to spread the news about the good work they are doing with others in this nation.
I've gotta get some sleep, but before I do I'd like to make a few prayer requests. First, please continue to pray for our safety and health. We are all strong and would like to finish that way. Please pray for my family at home. Maddy had a bit of an emergency today. She's doing fine now, but just lift them up as you are able.
Please pray for me as I make the transition from one mission to the next.  Help me identify the best ways I can use my gifts and talents serve the Latzko's and their call to full-time missions.
God bless,
Sheldon