Monday in Bowe

Today Ray and John went into Lilongwe on Orant business while Grace, Mel, Haley and I ran the clinic here in Bowe with the help of Timeyo, Moses, Stefano and Steven, our translators. All four of these men have been helping the community here by helping the priests with their work for quite some time - as long as 5 years I would say.

Most of the patients today had relatively minor problems or were there to follow up. We did not see the welding instructor with the hand injury so I will have to ask Father Emmanuel how to find him. Grace did see a 9 year old boy with the most advanced scoliosis I believe I've ever seen. His torso was so contorted I'm sure at least one of his lungs can no longer fill completely. We will have to brainstorm on how to network and possibly find funding and care for him.

In addition to holding our last clinic, we had to inventory the medications in our pharmacy so the next team can order. Haley and Mel got a headstart on that after lunch so things were pretty much wrapped up by 5:00 pm.

We were enjoying a cold beer and sharing photos when the power went out for the second time of the day. Then, when it was almost too dark for me to be able to recognize them, in walk Fathers Levinius and Joseph. I had given up on seeing them this trip since we leave on Tuesday. They had come for a meeting with the priests here to plan for the dedication of the new mission in Kelembe. The dedication is planned for the end of the month and folks are coming from far and wide.

In addition, they surprised us with an 11 year old patient and his mother. Apparently, Father Levinius had seen him playing outside the other day and stopped to meet him and his family. This child has a growth the size of a softball in his right cheek. They said it had been growing since he was 3. Grace and I are pretty sure it is benign, but a referral to the hospital in Lilongwe will be needed for imaging and treatment. They were given food, and a place to sleep and will be taken home early in the morning when the priests return to Kelembe.

This is our last night here at the mission. Tuesday morning we leave for some shopping and a night at a hotel near Lake Malawi. This will be the first time I have not worked up until the last minute while here. Ray says we will not have internet again until the airport in Nairobi Wednesday afternoon. Our layover there is several hours before our overnight flight to London.

Will update then.