Medical Outreach

The Village of Eden Medical Clinic partnered with a local sub-district medical center to do a Medical Outreach at a local village.

We provided the following services for free to the community:

• HIV testing
• Malaria testing
• Diabetes Screening
• Malnutrition screening
• Immunizations
• Counseling
• Medicines to treat HIV or malaria

We also shared the Gospel in small groups, individuals and to the crowds that were waiting to see the doctor.  

After a long, hot, dusty day in the sun, we had seen over 350 patients!  It was a wonderful way to help the people in need and to share the Gospel.

But, I know pictures say more than words, so check these out.

The village of Buduma B

They kept coming all day!

Preparation

I struggled all day to keep Anna dressed.

First, they received a sheet with a number

Then, they were checked in

The Gospel was shared with them while they waited to be checked in

Next they went to Lab

We had rapid diagnosis tests for HIV and malaria

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All the tests need are a drop of blood!

Some of the local kids - they hung around all day

We also had Immunizations

We weighed and measured the babies

If the patients needed meds, they went to see Dr. Henry

We also provided counseling

We also had a team giving away gifts

Toothpaste, shirts, shoes, necklaces, candy, bug spray, lotion, . . . .

This baby got new shoes!

Fred was sharing the Gospel with the kids

I was one of the coordinators or problem solvers.  This is the obligatory picture of me (for my mother)  

A sparkle to light up the night!

I am back in Uganda.  I arrived yesterday.  I missed Anna so much while I was gone.  I was not sure how she felt about my absence.

When I drove up, several kids came running up, hugging me and shouting my name.  I was happy to see them but was scanning the group for Anna.  One of the older resident girls brought her around the corner to me.  

The following is the journal entry I wrote about the rest of the evening:

She was low key.  She went straight to me but didn't laugh, smile or cheer.  I held her and talked to her. She stared at me, almost in disbelief. Was she wondering if this was real?

Then, I did what I do every night, I whispered in her ear, slowly, deliberately, one word at a time:  "I" "Love" "Anna".  She leaned in for a kiss then and that was the first smile, big and long but silent.  She reached up to touch my hair, almost as if to reassure herself I was really holding her.  A sparkle came into her eyes, faint, but it was there.

Low key was the nature for a long while.  2, 3 hours. Then, "meeeooow" and "hamachi" as she climbed in and out of my lap.  So out of character, this child who chatters and sings, was so quiet.  

We ate dinner.  She sat so big and tall feeding herself beans and rice.  Then, she got in my lap and fed me.  There was a sparkle in her eye and a smile on lips, but still silent.  

Bath time.  I put her in and stepped away.  She got out and followed, naked and dripping wet, pleading silently, "Don't leave me."

In her bed, "I" "Love" "Anna" over and over again. She leaned in each time her name was said, smiling, chuckling under her breath as I kissed her head.  

"Goodbye Anna, see you tomorrow"  Then, the sparkle that lit up the night.  She finally knew it was real!

Esangalo Choir - funny stories

As I was writing my last post about my week, I had that nagging feeling that I was forgetting something important.  Well, I was right.  I forgot to tell about my trip to see the Esangalo Children's choir!

On Wednesday, the choir performed at Woodstock Baptist church.  I got to ride along in the choir bus and hang out with the kids all afternoon/evening (perk of being a HH missionary).

The kids did such a great job!  

But enough of that!  Let's hear the funny stories!

I sat down with them at the table for dinner.  Woodstock had provided dinner.  It was baked chicken with herbs, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls with ice water.

I noticed that no one had touched the chicken. Now, this chicken was a little odd looking, nothing like the chicken they eat in Uganda.  It was very white, with different colored specks on top (herbs).

I picked up my knife and fork and started cutting my chicken.  All eight kids at the table started jabbering and picked up their knives and forks.

I said, "Chicken."  They looked confused but seemed to believe me.  (Chickens only come with bones in Uganda)

Several struggled to cut the bird, not because it was tough, it was actually very tender and moist; they struggled because I don't think they had every used a knife and fork before!

We struggled through the cutting of the bird.  Then they asked what the mashed potatoes were!

"Irish!" I exclaimed.

"Oh!" And they all started eating those too.  Potatoes are called Irish in Uganda and are not generally mashed, but rather boiled with a flavoring called Royco, which gives them a brown/gold color.

One child said, "This water is good!"  He liked the ice.

Dinner was done.  On to the bathrooms before performance.

As the girls formed a line outside the bathroom after doing their business, one of them took something from their coat pocket and popped it in their mouth.

One of the HH helpers said, "What was that?  Was that ice!?!"

Yes, yes it was! The child thought she could keep ice in her pocket for later!

These kids are experiencing so many new things!  So many things I take for granted and forget are new to a child who grew up in the Ugandan bush!

The performance was great and then we rode back to the choir house in Gainesville.

My last year. . . in the thirties that is!

I am 39 years old today!    No, I am not ashamed or embarrassed to tell my age.  I am actually thankful for every day I have and every year I have.  Life is such a blessing!  I love serving the Lord and am so privileged to be able to serve Him.

This week has been great!

Last Sunday, I spoke at New Clover Creek Baptist Church in Hardinsburg, Kentucky.  This is the first church my dad pastored.  We were there for three years, from when I was 2 years old to 5 years old.  Amazingly, the people that were there during that time still remember me!  The church is one of my most faithful supporters!  I am so amazed at  God's hand and how He works!

The fog on Sunday was so thick in Hardinsburg!

New Clover Creek Baptist

Dad and I drove up to Kentucky on Saturday and drove back on Sunday after church.  It was a great trip, I enjoyed seeing the people that know me.  But I was also able to meet some new people and make new friends!  It was a very encouraging  trip for me.

Beautiful!

During the week, I really ran around trying to get things accomplished and checked off before time to leave.  I was also able to have lunch with several friends and co-workers.  Each visit was so encouraging to me.

One great time was have a video call with Anna and Heather!  I love that baby!  She go so excited to see me and I was just as happy too see her too!

Finally, tonight we had a birthday party for me and Jayden, my nephew.  We share the same birthday, just a few years apart. . .

It was a great night with friends and family.  I should really do things like this even when there is not a special occasion! I loved being able to visit and fellowship with everyone.  All of them have been important parts of my life through the years. Even though they didn't all know each other well, they all found common ground and the night was so pleasant. We had the Broussards, the Kennedy's, the Bells, the Halls and the Matthews (David and Jeremy's families)!  I forgot to get pictures of everyone but they were there!  It really was great!

Jayden is a big Gator fan.  I am a big icing fan!

MaryJane and her boys.

The Kennedys

The birthday "kids"

Stacy and me

I did it! First Half Marathon in the books!

I have finally reached one of my goals!  I began training 4 times for a half marathon and was unable to actually make it to race day three of those times but on my fourth attempt I made it!

On Sunday, I ran the Clearwater Distance Classic in Clearwater, Florida.  I completed the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 30 minutes and 28 seconds.  I know that is rather slow but I am so pleased that I actually completed the training and made it to the starting line and then the finishing line!  I have had so many setbacks I was beginning to believe it was not possible with my current life situation.

My first attempt,  back in 2012, I got a severe case of malaria so training was over.  Then, I tried again, and a combo of malaria and Typhoid Fever.  Third time, a stress fracture in my right foot!

But, my perseverance pushed me through!  12 weeks of focused half marathon training and a good 8 weeks before that took me to the Clearwater starting line feeling calm, confident and excited.

There were a lot of people at the race and the event was actually a 5K, 5 miler, half, full and ultra all in one!

We all lined up for a 7:05 start.  Someone sang the national anthem and my eyes filled with tears. I love to hear the national anthem.  It fills me with such pride to be an American and to appreciate all that this country offers.  Living in 3rd world countries for over 12 years makes you see your own country with more appreciation.

The course went over two bridges which provided the only 4 hills. But they were steep and long!  But the views from the top were beautiful.

"Remember the this seemed impossible?"  Yes, yes I do.

The first bridge was a breeze.

At mile 3 I had the biggest cheering squad of anyone on the course!  Jayden, Kelon, Braeleigh, Mom and Dad were there with posters cheering me on!

Braeleigh, Jayden (behind sign) and Kelon

 It was so great!  I felt like a celebrity!  Mom kept taking my picture and the kids were giving me high fives.

I continued on, crossing another bridge. I turned on some music at that point and danced along (my head bobbing really) as I ran.  At the turn around point I felt great and began thanking the Lord out loud for the blessings He has given me.

Crossed the bridge again around mile 9, it got me a bit winded this time and had to walk a bit.

I found my cheering squad again at mile 11 and Dad tried to run with me a bit -I pushed him away.

I always run with a thumbs up  - not sure why.

Dad came up and said, "I am going to run with you."  I laughed and said, "No, you're not."

I crossed the final bridge with tired legs but feeling strong.

One mile to go!

Running up that last hill (bridge)

When I crossed the finish line, they announced, "Jessica Matthews from Gainesville, GA. Welcome to Florida."

Mom, Dad and the kids found me soon after and congratulated me.  The kids were very excited and asked all kinds of questions.

Kelon:  "What place were you in?"

Me:  "I don't know."

Kelon:  "You were high because you did really good."

I have always heard that these races are not really for winning, except the elite runners, but more for reaching personal goals and your own self satisfaction.  But how do you explain that to children that have been taught that they must be 1st to be a winner?

Before the race:

Braeleigh:  "Jessie, are you gonna win?"

Me:  "No, I will not will the race."

Jayden:  "You don't know that!"

Me:  "Actually I do."

Kelon:  "I think you could win."

(Glad they believe in me so much!)

I am really very proud and satisfied with the race.  I was thinking that the race itself would give me more satisfaction but I think the entire process was where the satisfaction came from.  I loved training.  I loved having a set schedule that told me what to do each day.  I loved knowing when I could run and knowing it was okay to rest on certain days.  I love the entire process and I am going to start it again as soon as I get back to Uganda and talk to my training partner, Heather.  In the meantime, I am running every other day to maintain and not gain too much weight here in America.

One of my motivations for beginning this journey of health and fitness is my mother.  She has always been so strong despite her many health issues.  She would like to do more exercise and be healthier overall but she is not able to do that on a regular basis because of her type 1 Diabetes.  I decided that I was dishonoring her by being overweight and out of shape when I had a body that was capable of being fit.  So, I began dieting and exercise as a way to honor her.

Mama and me

Already failed

Well, I wanted to post a blog every week this year and I have  already failed!  Is a weekly update so difficult?

In my defense or as an excuse, I am in the USA now.  I arrived here on the 11th of January.  My daily schedule is not the same here as in Uganda, obviously.  So, I struggle to maintain the same routines.

I arrived on Thursday and then spoke at Tallapoosa First Baptist on Sunday morning and evening.  This is my grandmother's church and the church I grew up in.

Then, we went back to Gainesville and I planned to speak at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, but it snowed!

Then, we left on Thursday for Florida!  (See the next post about that trip).  The point of all this is that it always seems to be a whirlwind within a tornado that was just hit by a hurricane whenever I arrive in the US.

That is my story and I am sticking to it!