Landed in Maputo and Already Running

We were greeting by a great sign on the gate of our house. We slept one night in our new home! Off we went the next day with the medical team from First Baptist, Salem, Oregon to a town further north called Manhica. For three days we held one-day medical and dental clinics in three different churches.

Ken interpreted for Nurse Terry who screened the patients to see the Doctor. I interpreted for Dr. Paul. I was amazed at the Portuguese medical terminology that I was able to recall. We averaged between 55 to 70 patients per day. Most of our patients were women complaining of skeletal problems due to carrying heavy loads on their heads. We also saw patients that were HIV positive, had TB, and had stomach problems. We dispensed most Tylenol, vitamins, antacids.

Corinne Thorp interpreted for the dentist, Dr. Kinley. With the simple setup, he mainly pulled decayed teeth and handed out toothbrushes. Jim Thorp oversaw crowd control and tried to resolve problems like a broken down truck. He also had the privilege of preaching during the Saturday evening celebration service. We enjoyed the beautiful singing, words of thanks to the team and the fellowship.

Sunday we walked from the church to the river while the church sang songs of adoration to the Lord. We joyfully watched as 15 were baptized by Pastor Luiz and Pastor Jim. Returning to the church, we had a service of thanksgiving with singing and dancing and God's word. The First Baptist team held the children spell bound with their puppets, skits and the wordless book.

The weekend ended with the team cramming into the VW bus as Rodger Schmidt with Ken's help towed Jim's truck to Maputo. The saga of the truck continues. . .!