We bumped and rolled for several miles down a dirty road outside Mbabane, Swaziland for the first Luke Commission Clinic of 2013. The bus was quiet with prayerful meditation as each of us gazed out the window anticipating the day.
As we arrived—the TLC team greeted the school principal and proceeded to survey what rooms would be set up for each of the clinic stations. The school campus soon became a flurry of activity as the Swazi leadership team gathered all that had assembled to begin education and registration. This team is well organized and methodical in compassionate care to each and every one who had come.
Brian, Katie, Peyton and I did our best to quickly learn the triage station. With many, many patients and hours of practice-we found ourselves getting into a rhythm of greeting the patient and kindly, carefully getting all of their vital information.
As our work continued throughout the day in triage; medical ministry was taking place all over the campus. Each one who came received the gospel and prayer. The medical team attended every need, from the smallest to the greatest that could be fulfilled. Dr. Harry prescribed medications that could be filled immediately, and the surgery team performed many procedures, even late into the night. In all, over 400 patients came thru the first clinic.
400 opportunities for this team to love people by meeting their immediate physical needs in the name of Jesus Christ.
Near the close of the first clinic; we met a woman with a significantly sized tumor on her arm. The tumor had been considered a curse against her. She had scarring on her arm where she had seen the witch doctor, and an attempt had been made to cut the tumor off. The TLC team took great care in removing this tumor and with it, lifting the curse.
After everyone had been seen-we packed and loaded the trucks with the same great care and diligence that had been shown throughout the day. Each one doing his or her part--completely the tasks and closing the clinic.
The rains had come during the evening and brought more and more mud! As we approached the dirt road--sliding away we went and then....stuck. It was decided that we should wait it out through the night because it would not be safe to try and push the trucks and trailers on the side of these mountainous roads. Pretty soon---along came a tractor. The biggest tractor that has ever been seen in Swaziland! God had provided and each of the vehicles were hitched up and safely pulled thru the mud. Soon, we were headed home. Bumping and sliding along--onto the dirt roads we went, back the same roads we came--but we were changed by the touch of His Hand with us, healing and caring for those in need, as well as for us!
We look forward to His provision, guidance and care for many more clinic days of His healing touch in 2013!
