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Feb 26, 2016
By Nancy Linder Behind every face is a story waiting to be told……… Every day we come upon a patient or a family member with a facial expression that you can just tell has a story behind it. Many of our patients present to clinic with chronic pain, skin problems, acute illness and chronic medical problems related to poverty. After these problems have been addressed, we sometimes see in their eyes and facial expression a potential problem, sadness, loss, or personal problem that they feel is insignificant. There is often a story that may be related to the medical problems they present with, or a personal experience that that burdens them day to day. For example, we heard the stories from many mothers who lost an infant during the first days or months of life many times due to home deliveries or lack of health care. The 65 year old women we took care of who was suffering from paralysis, and an inability to talk , the loss of independence and the frustration of her life as the result of a stroke eight years prior. On a cold day in clinic, a 60 year old woman was noted to be bare footed, and in further discussion, she told the doctor she has never owned a pair of shoes. The widowed women working in the fields because they lost their husbands prematurely and but need to support their children. Yes, every face has a story. Many times we just need let them tell us their story… Feb 27, 2016 By Carol Ries A forgotten village… full of gratitude. Los Llanos sits in a beautiful valley surrounded by majestic, rugged mountains. The lovely surroundings provide a stark contrast to the abject poverty and isolation of the people who live there. Many members of this community speak Tzotzil, so individuals from the community who could speak Spanish and Tzotzil volunteered to interpret for our team’s Spanish interpreters. Maria, a volunteer from Caritas, has graciously volunteered for several days to interpret from Tzotzil to Spanish and has worked side by side with our MDP team - often working long hours on her arthritic knees - but always with a cheerful countenance and a spirit of solidarity with the people in the communities we have served. At the end of our clinic today, the community leader of Los Llanos spoke to our team in gratitude for our service. He reminded us not to forget them and shared his hope that MDP would return to Los Llanos again and again to help their community members. MDP team members were grateful for the opportunity to once again serve the people of Los Llanos and continue to be reminded of the face of God in each individual we encounter on this mission trip. Feb 23, 2016
by Carol Ries, Colette Miedinger and Nancy Linder Today was truly a display of how determination, patience and persistence over the past three years has positively impacted a young widowed father and his two young girls. As many of you know, Don Layo was the past recipient of a new arm prosthesis last year with the help of MDP and a generous donation from Prosthetic Laboratories and the assistance of Mike Schulenberg from Mankato, MN. Don Layo visited our team the night of our arrival at Coapilla. With a big smile on his face, proudly sporting his new prosthesis on his left arm ,he reported to us how well it has been working for him this past year. The prosthesis fits well, he has no skin irritation and it functions very well for him. It’s wonderful to see his gratitude and how he is “Paying It Forward” by volunteering his time to help MDP all day during some of clinics in the Coapilla area. Today reminds us of a saying by Mother Theresa: “ Good works are links that form a chain of love….” February 24, 2016 By Lauren Stevermer I was asked to go on an MDP trip in December and I jumped at the opportunity to go. My Aunt Nancy has gone on many previous trips and is always talking about how wonderful they are. I was happy to be in a place where in my life that allowed me to be part of this team. It’s amazing how much 11 people can do in one day; There have been days where we have served over 100 people and everyone still has a smile on their face at the end of the day. This trip has been an unforgettable experience and it’s great to see the difference we are able to make in a community in one day. Today we were fortunate enough to wake up in the beautiful and vibrant city of San Cristobal. After a few days in a remote, little village it was a nice change of pace. For clinic today, we traveled for about an hour until we reached a village in the mountains with a population of approximately 130 people. Even though it was a small community, when we arrived we were greeted with an already formed line of patients eagerly waiting to be seen by our providers. This was the first time MDP has visited and done a clinic in the community of Manzanillo. This clinic day tested the patience of many as we had to translate from English to Spanish to Tzotzile and then back to English again. Sometimes one has to wonder if we lose any information in any of the translations. This remote area was certainly an area with a lot of need due to a very limited access to health care. Day 1 Chiapas- February 19, 2016 by By Nancy Linder Today began the journey of another eager MDP Mission Group, prepared and ready to serve the people of Chiapas, Mexico. Many of us left our homes and families very early this morning- some as early as 1:30 am, coming from Chisholm in northern Minnesota, Winnebago, Easton, Mankato, and Madison Lake in southern Minnesota, Muscatine, Iowa and from Petatlan, Guerrero, Mexico. We have left behind our families, work, co-workers and the comfort of our homes out of love and willingness to serve God’s people. Notwo No two groups are ever the same. This team has a variety several returning volunteers and with four new members who will be embarking on their first journey with MDP. Meet the Team: Lia Price- Co-leader and Board Member of MDP Nancy Linder- Co-leader, Nurse Practitioner Mayra Taylor- Interpreter Lauren Stevermer- Interpreter Chaz Brown- Interpreter Colette Meidinger- Lab tech/nursing assistant Sherry Bobich- Nurse Dr Rich Peller, M.D. Dr Bob Christiansen, M.D. Carol Ries- Pharmacy tech Kyle Meidinger- Pharmacy tech Our flights from Minneapolis to Tuxla, Mexico were uneventful with a smooth transition through customs in Mexico City prior to our last flight to Tuxla.. By 8:00 pm we safely arrived at our final destination of the day- The Retreat Home in Tuxla. The staff there was ready for us, with a warm, home cooked meal. For those of us returning to this place, we immediately felt we were “home again”. We are ready to care for the people of Chiapas, and pray we are able to see those who need our care most. Please keep us in your prayers as we begin this ten day journey! Day 2, Feb. 20, 2016 By Nancy Linder After breakfast we headed to our first clinic in Llano Grande , population 800, near Coapilla. MDP has been at this location in the past. A line of patients awaited our arrival. One elderly gentleman with very arthritic knees proudly reported he had seen our providers three years ago, and was given a cortisone injection in both knees that gave him relief from his chronic pain for six months. Today he asked if we could once again give him an injection in both knees to help him with his arthritic pain. He was a living reminder of how one small intervention can make such impact on ones’ quality of life. Day 3, Feb. 21, 2016 By Carol Ries and Colette Meidinger We arrived at clinic today on a warm, sunny day to an inviting community. Clinic was held at a remote village, Morelia. This is the first time MDP has been to this village. The nurses did intake outside of a very small clinic, with 1/2 of the clinic structure having dirt floors. There are reminders all around clinic today of the need for basic health care. For example an elderly woman visited clinic today with chronic pain. She had fallen two years ago injuring her elbow. It was evident that she had suffered from a broken elbow as a result of her fall. She was not able to get medical attention. As a result, she now has a very deformed elbow joint and unable to extend her arm. After clinic, we attended evening mass in Coapilla. This Mass intention was for our MDP team. We were introduced to the congregation during mass. The atmosphere overwhelmed us with feeling of humility, love and appreciation. Following mass, we enjoyed a late supper prepared by the nuns while being entertained by a marimba band. Singing and dancing commenced after supper in honor of Nancy’s birthday. The parish priests and visiting seminarians joined us for dinner. The Marimba band and the seminarians serenaded Nancy with the Mexican birthday song and a few other special songs. What a special way to celebrate a birthday! (Nancy decided she would like to be here again next year to celebrate!) Day 4, Feb. 22, 2016 by Rich Peller We woke today to a beautiful sunny cool day and had another wonderful meal prepared by the sisters. Clinic today was at a town named Morelos. It was not far from Coapilla. We drove about 10 minutes on the main road and when we turned off we could see Morelos in the distance several hilltops away. We still needed to bump our way for 40 more minutes up and down the valleys to get to this beautiful town. The views on the way were extraordinary! The way way back with the fog rolling in was even better. The clinic was a one room cement building with 3 beds and sheets dividing them into 3 different semiprivate areas. The town leaders were ready for us and with our third day of clinic we were a well oiled machine getting set up. Also, now that we have worked together for a few days and feeling a bit more comfortable with each other we began teasing each other a bit more. :) The nurses were outside for check in and the rest of us were inside. We served approximately 107 people today and all went smoothly. Nancy and Myra did a home visit on a pt with a hip fracture 4 weeks ago that was healing in place without being set. The patient felt she was progressing well… She could stand with significant pain while holding on to a chair and hopping to the bathroom!!! Every clinic teaches me more about how tough and resilient these people are and reminds me to continue to be thankful for all I have been given by God’s grace and blessings. This is also the first town I was able to do one of my most treasured things on these trips. Play with the kids. There was a basketball court close by and I played a little before and after clinic. The kids are always a load of fun and laugh at the uncoordinated old gringo trying to hang with them. Thank you to all our family members picking up the slack at home and to all of you praying us through. We will see you soon. Previous | Next Our team headed out early this morning for Chiapas! Look for messages from them soon!
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en Lia Price, Co-Team Leader and Interpreter ArchivesCategories |