Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine’s Day, and here we are in the beautiful country of Nicaragua. Fortunately Chris and her magic SKYPE allowed us to call our loved ones for a short visit. Others in our group, Peggy and Janice, thoughtfully had brought valentines to share. There are always those in a group who think ahead.

It had been a day of LOVE, both philos and agape. Dr. David (Parajon) had lovingly dedicated his time to us as he introduced us to hospitals in Managua. Health is a constitutional right in Nicaragua but that does not mean that health care is always available, especially in rural areas. Our first visit was to a government hospital, (Roberto Calderon) one which serves all people, whether or not they can pay. The paint was peeling and the facilities were not what we would expect in the US. However, we found something that made up for any lack, nurses and doctors who cared deeply about their patients. We visited with an intern in his last year and two young women who were finishing their specialty in radiology.

As we visited the rooms we saw many sick patients with families sitting nearby. There are no facilities for families who come from a distance. Some sleep on the floor, others bring in a chair in which they will sleep all night. Various social agencies provide the families with food. This hospital is a center for HIV patients, many who will be treated and able to leave. Others will die there. We had prayer with some of the patients who asked. One young man had suffered from a stroke, the result of his disease and he could not move or talk. His brother sat by him weeping as we prayed. It broke my heart. We entered the male cancer ward, noting the amazing number of young men. The main kinds of cancer being treated there were lymphoma (growing phenomena), leukemia and colon. There is also a growing concern over the number of children diagnosed with leukemia. The cardiac center had all much older patients. The nurse was deeply concerned because they had only one monitor which had to be shared by all of the patients.

We saw many examples of our White Cross funds at work. Previously, patients had been on beds without sheets. In many of the wards there is a shortage because of the need for sheets to be washed several times a day and making them last only than a few months. White Cross had also helped with the drastic need of medicines for opportunistic diseases. Last year 940 patients had been treated in the outpatient clinic. Anti-virals provided by White Cross were given to 480 patients. Education is also being provided for them and their families.

We also visited the hospital Bautista which is a private hospital still owned by the Baptist Convention of Nicaragua. It is beautiful and modern with sophisticated equipment. Dr. David once directed this hospital which was established in 1930.

We had lunch with the Nicaraguan Baptist Convention women who are now celebrating their 40th anniversary. We were impressed with their mission statement, “Each Woman an Evangelist.” Several of their national officers shared with us what they are doing. They are preparing for their women’s conference which will include praise, worship, testimonies, dialog and fellowship. We were thrilled to hear they support a missionary on the coast who is working with groups of different dialects. Our women were also given an opportunity to share what is happening with American Baptist Women in the United States and Puerto Rico. We ended with a circle of prayer.

In the afternoon we visited an active volcano, did a bit of shopping, and ended up with a fun time at a local Nicaraguan Restaurant.