Meet Derartu.
Derartu (29) walked for over an hour to get to our Woliso medical mission in Ethiopia. She came with four of her six children, Daniel (9), Diribu (6), Megersa (5), and Ezekiel (2 months). Her husband and two older sons, ages 10 and 12, were working and unable to come to the clinic with the rest of the family.
Derartu came to us because she has not felt well for a long time, and three of her children have fevers. Six-year-old Diribu also has a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
Entering the medical mission clinic
At the entrance, Derartu and her children receive wristbands from one of our volunteers. The bands identify which department of the clinic they will visit.
In such poverty, children are often dressed in whatever clothing a family can come by, regardless of the fit or condition.
Triage
The first stop inside the clinic is the Triage station where each patient’s blood pressure and temperature are taken. The information is recorded on medical record cards that Derartu and the children will carry with them throughout their clinic visit. These cards are the “patient chart,” providing medical personnel with vital information in order to give the best possible care.
Waiting "room"
After Triage, the family waits in a department-specific area for the next available doctor. The wait can be 20-30 minutes. Considering the hundreds of patients seen each day, it is remarkably brief!
Exam "room"
Once patients reach an examination “room,” the doctor and assistant review the medical cards, talk with the family, and check each patient.
The doctor examines the children and listens to their breathing. He writes prescriptions for each of them and orders lab work for Derartu to test for some possible concerns.
Lab work
At the lab, Derartu gives her blood for testing. We have worked hard to streamline the typically slow process of acquiring lab results. Our on-site lab provides quick results, helping us treat as many patients as possible during the one-week medical mission.
After the doctor sees the report, he prescribes medication to help Derartu fight the chronic issues she has endured. He suspects that the cause is related to unclean water and the lack of proper nutrition.
Pharmacy
Next, Derartu and her family go to the pharmacy to have their prescriptions filled. In addition to the free medication, the pharmacy gives each of them daily multi-vitamins and the children receive toys.
Water education
After going to the pharmacy, the family attends a water education class held in another tent. The leaders give a 15-20 minute presentation, accompanied by translators and pictures. The family learns the importance of clean drinking water and washing of hands and face to prevent disease.
Teachers introduce them to the LifeStraw®, an incredible, personal water filtration device that removes 99.999 percent of bacteria that can cause illnesses similar to Derartu’s. Teachers demonstrate how to use the LifeStraw® with a glass of dirty water. They simply place the straw into dirty water and drink through it to get clean and safe water. Each person who attends the class receives a LifeStraw® of their own for almost four years worth of healthy drinking water.
Prayer tent
The family’s final stop is the prayer tent. Here, compassionate team members pray for Derartu and the children. Volunteers show love and give encouragement. Often they are led to share a particular message for those over whom they pray. Through translators, our prayer team members also share the Good News of Yeshua, offering the eternal hope and peace that He alone can provide. Miraculous healings can also occur in this tent. Modern medicine and the scope of our medical mission have limits, but we have seen God do wonders of healing before our very eyes inside these prayer rooms.
A long walk
And now it is time for Derartu and her family to make their way back home. Their bare feet walk for more than an hour over rocks, hills, and rough terrain.
Home
Home for Derartu and her family is a circular hut with a thatched roof, dirt floors, and rotting boards. It is dark inside as there is no electricity, nor is there any plumbing. Clothes and blankets hang on a dividing wall, and the family has a small collection of pots and pans for cooking and cleaning.
Curious neighbors stop by to hear about the clinic and to meet the strangers who came back with Derartu and the children. They hope to make the trek to the clinic themselves before the week is out.
Strengthened and encouraged
It is time to say goodbye to Derartu and her family. We leave them strengthened and encouraged by the love and care they received from our medical mission. Derartu gives her thanks to everyone at the clinic for helping her family, and she hopes we will come back soon for her husband and two other children to receive care.
Thank you
If you prayed for us, or if you have given financially to Jewish Voice, you were a part of helping Derartu and her children this week. You have helped bring healing, comfort, and hope to this dear family. They are grateful. When Derartu thanks us, she is thanking you, because you stand behind us, sending us off and enabling us to go.
Yeshua said that when we help even the “least of these” in need, it’s as if we are helping Him (see Matthew 25:34-40). Come with us and be a part of this life-changing ministry!
Join us for our upcoming trip to Mberengwa, Zimbabwe and make a side trip with Jonathan Bernis to world-famous Victoria Falls. The Zambezi River is over a mile wide where it falls over a 350-foot drop to form one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Space is limited for this exciting excursion, so sign up today!
Or consider being a part of another upcoming mission trip. We are in need of both medical and non-medical participants. Visit our website and take a look at our 2015 Medical Outreach schedule.
The need is great and beckons us from a continent away. Join us and answer the call!
