Shaking It Up

El Campeonato (The Champion)

Hola, amigos! Apologies for the break in blog posts, as I have been away from the clinic on return back to the United States to spend Christmas with my family and the New Year with friends. This time back home was such a blessing, and I was extremely refreshed in the newfound realization of strong familial ties and friendships. However, I can genuinely say that I am very glad to be back in Trujillo and working at Bethesda once again. The new year has added on to the substantial period of transition, as Dr. Julton Tomanguillo has left to pursue his medical career in the United States. Although we were very sad to see him go, he knows that we wish him the very best in the challenges he now faces to attain his goal.

With his exit, we have been blessed to receive the know-how of a new face in the clinic, Dr. Jose Reyes. Dr. Jose has willfully taken on the bulk of the work in the consultorio, seeing as many as 20-25 patients a day. Dr. Julton's shoes were big ones to fill but, as I have gotten to work closely with Dr. Reyes over the past few weeks, I can say that he brings just as much compassion, empathy, and skill to his work as Julton did with his. As a result, patient volume has remained at a manageable pace, and the clinic is now set to receive Mr. Dale Ellison, fresh from the United States, back through its doors and straight to work.

Exciting times are ahead for the staff at Bethesda, as Dale will provide fresh perspective and vision as we continue to serve the community of Trujillo by the grace of God. I look forward to keeping you updated!

Christmas in July

This week at Bethesda has been an interesting one for me as a foreigner. With the month of December determined to bring us to the new year, Christmas decorations began going up around the clinic. Doctor Angel Flores, the dentist at Bethesda, began to sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas," in English mind you, incessantly. (It should be noted here that Dr. Angel is currently taking English classes and has a long face each Tuesday morning after his weekly exam on account of the fact that, according to him, his, "English is very bad, man.") However, Christamas in Peru is akin to a fun American pastime, Christmas in July. The weather isn't cooling down, it's warming up. Christmas and its meaning don't find themselves in conversation quite as often as I am used to. I have tried to sing Christmas songs to myself on the way to work a few mornings, but that gets even more strange looks. Not only am I a crazy-haired gringo with scrubs on, I am a crazy-haired gringo with scrubs on who is singing to himself.

With this is mind, the spirit is still evident at Bethesda in the form of a toy drive and gift donation. All week at the clinic, nurses Cynthia, Melizza, and MaryLou have been wrapping, taping, and addressing gifts to young boys and girls (like those pictured below) who would undoubtedly have nothing to open on Christmas day were it not for the nurses' efforts. I was able to talk with a woman in her late sixties who was symptomatic for appendicitis. She was later diagnosed with it, and through tears she told me that her family was on its way to take her to the ER. The pain she was experiencing was all too evident, and I realized at that moment that, days later, this lady would most likely spend Christmas just trying to get by. It would be another day - no turkey, no gifts, no family. This realization made me feel so small, and although I wish that I could empathize with her, I can't truly.

This is significant for two reasons. First, we should all take this holiday season to thank God above for what we have. We will all celebrate Christmas, in some form or fashion, indoors and with family who loves us. Shouldn't that be enough? God has blessed each and every one of us beyond any degree of merit that we have ever attained on our own, an ode to His grace and mercy. Second, keep those in mind who aren't as fortunate, like the lady I mentioned above. Significant work is being done in Bethesda each day to give people like her a quality of life that they otherwise may never be able to find, but it doesn't stop there. She will go home, and to what we do not know, but it serves as a striking reminder of the blessings that we should stop and thank God for on a daily basis.

Community Outreach in Wichanzao

Buenas Tardes! Last week was met with quite a lot of excitement, as the massage campaign got under way and dozens of patients were seen and treated. As the week drew to a close, Karina Narva, the administrative accountant, Meliza and I were able to find time to make home visits, a common occurrence within the activity at Bethesda. As some patients are not physically able to come to the clinic, the medical staff considers it a privelege to take its know-how to them. With that in mind, the three of us made the walk to the home of Mr. Francisco, or Don Pachito, as he is called by those with whom he is close. Don Pachito, pictured, is a resident of Wichanzao whose home consists solely of brick and a tin roof. The floor occupies approximately 50 square feet, and Don Pachito, who makes a living by selling recyclable materials for small amounts of money, lives there alone. The "merchandise" is stored in his house, and we found him crammed inside sorting through the material in order to better organize it for sale.

Despite harsh living conditions, Don Pachito was a delight. We were met with a huge grin, and he proceeded to give us the impression that he was getting along just fine. This was quite a unique circumstance for me to be able to take part in. Mr. Pachito has suffered from hypertension for years, only requesting aid when he becomes symptomatic, as he lacks the means to afford a lifestyle by which he may significantly improve his health. He lives in a space that can barely accommodate one, let alone the massive amount of material he collects with which he is able to make a living. The attitude he possessed and the warmth with which we were greeted was the greatest encouragement to me, and a bolster to the efforts of the Bethesda to give the people of Wichanzao access to relief from maladies which many of them never knew they had.

Raising Awareness for Bethesda

Greetings from Wichanzao, outside of inner-city Trujillo. My name is Grant Robinson, and I'll be posting updates on this blog during my time with Peru Mission. As the new intern at the Bethesda Clinic in Wichanzao, I have been genuinely encouraged by the learning experience which I have been a part of during the last two weeks. It has been a blessing to work with the staff, getting to know each of them, and working with them to find my role as I look to make an impact over the next several months in the most effective way possible. Significant things are happening every day, as I quickly found out upon my arrival.

The last month or so has been a substantial time of transition in the Clinic, as a new head nurse, Meliza, has assumed a huge role of responsibility in the everyday patient interaction that is so important to the ministry of Bethesda to the people of Wichanzao. She has fulfilled her role admirably, ensuring that the patients, often at their most vulnerable, are as comfortable as possible. In addition, the departure of Dr. Marcus Ueltschey has taken some adjustment, as his hard work and know-how will be missed, both among patients and staff. However, he leaves behind him a seasoned staff, better for their interactions with him, and the clinic has not suffered for it.

This week, we look to raise awareness for the clinic in the form of a massage therapy campaign. The fact that the clinic is in the middle of Wichanzao is substantial. However, in order to maintain a steady stream of patients, getting the word out is perhaps the most important element of success to the clinic. In order to do this, Yvette Bedrossian, a nurse at Bethesda, and I have volunteered our expertise (or amateur zeal, whichever way you'd like to put it) in the form of two massage therapy days. The first will be held this Thursday, November 24th and the second immediately following on Saturday morning, the 26th. We hope that by offering this service, the people of Wichanzao will voluntarily spread the word, enabling new patients who had not otherwise heard about the clinic a chance to see it for themselves.

Goodbye, Hello!

Well while we are very sad about the departure of our dear Dr. Marcus , a new co-worker and friend has joined us at the Bethesda Clinic!  Meliza is serving with us now as our head nurse. A Trujillo native, Meliza came to know Christ at the age of ten, graduated from nursing school one year ago, and was just married this September.  Her career until now has consisted of caring for terminal patients in their homes, and oncology is what she would like to specialize in.  In her brief time working with us, Meliza has already shown a very hard-working, caring, patient and kind attitude that has blessed our team greatly.  We hope that she stays with us for a very long time!