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Dominican Republic Medical Mission Trip
The first ever First Presbyterian Medical Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic was a terrific success! Members of our church family who unselfishly completed a week of service from July 23rd-31st were the following: Debra & Tyler Powell, David, Carolyn and Reid Hill, Dorothy, Jamie and James Pace, Deborah & Walter Choate, Carey Black, Erin Chaney, Charley Gill, Kathy Jones, Elizabeth McNeilly, Erica Oliver, Marcia Montgomery, Guv Pennington, Cindy Waller, and Jack Peebles.
We, like most of the team, did not really know what to expect. We were prepared to surrender the comforts of hot water, air conditioning, predictable schedules, and optimal working conditions. On the first day in San Juan, we took a walk through one of the local barrios, and were introduced to some of the worst living conditions imaginable. We also met and got to know some of the beautiful people who call the Dominican Republic home. The next day, we were challenged out of the gates with delayed luggage, interrupted power, and sporadic water supply at the compound. We quickly pulled together, organizing the clinic and operating room facilities and tackling the amazing task of serving endless lines of people waiting for care.
Cindy did a wonderful job allocating our human resources within the clinic and the OR. Everyone worked selflessly as a team to fill whatever spot that needed to be filled. Dr. Marcia Montgomery performed 10 gynecologic procedures, while Dr. David Hill did 15 hernia repairs. Dr. Jamie Pace treated hundreds of dental patients under huts in the barrios (while goats looked on). Dr. Charley Gill assisted in surgery, and in the barrios with Dr. Guv Pennington, seeing an average of over 70 patients per day. The eye clinic, manned by Dr.Walter Choate examined over 560 patients and dispensed new eyewear to over 550 patients.
The nurses and support crew in the OR were amazing! Deborah Choate, Erin Chaney, Erica Oliver, Elizabeth McNeilly, Kathy Jones, and Cindy Waller organized and supported, so that surgery could flow as smoothly as possible. We even saw Jack Peebles scrubbed in as a surgical assistant on occasions. Dorothy provided inspiration to all during the trying times, and helped Guv and Jamie see an amazing number of patients. Carolyn Hill served as a dental hygienist to the children of the barrios and did an amazing job. The eye clinic staff included Debra and Tyler Powell, Carey Black, Reid Hill and two interpreters. We could not have seen nearly 600 patients in four days without their dedicated support.
Touching and inspiring scenes on the trip were: seeing Reid serve as first surgical assistant to his dad, David; James assisting Jamie in the barrios; Guv using his Spanish to reach out to those in need; seeing the bright smiles of boys in recovery gripping their new baseballs; watching Tyler man the job of keeping the eye room efficient; the wonderful smiles of all those people seeing well for the first time; the inspiring daily devotionals with Jack; the wonderful meals that gathered us together for laughter and fellowship; the late-night gatherings under the hut; dancing at the fiesta; our imperfect days at the resort; and Guv's devotional regarding "touching souls."
God generously blessed all of our team and all of our patients in that very special week. What we all came back with was much more than we gave: new bonds with our church friends, a special appreciation for all of our blessings here in Nashville, a love for the warm and wonderful Dominican people, a warm heart that only comes from loving and caring for those most in need, and a sense of urgency to return. We all anxiously await next June when we can all return to minister to the people of the Dominican Republic in such a worthwhile medical facility. Dios te bendiga! (God Bless You )
—Walter and Deborah Choate
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Thursday, July 28
Today is the last day at the clinic. Even though many people have been
seen and treated, many more will go home without ever having seen a
doctor. Unfortunately, the next medical team won't be coming until
October, so these folks will have to wait until then.
I scrubbed in on Marcia's hysterectomy today and, yes, photos were taken!
I was in charge of the suction, held clamps in place, cut stitches, etc...
It was very interesting and all I have to say is thank God some people
are put on this earth to be doctors while others are put on this earth to
be ministers. Actually, our Dominican anaesthesiologist is both. Does
that mean I 'm a slacker?
Tonight, we will have a Fiesta and we head back to Santiago manana.
Adios!
Jack
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Wednesday, July 27
The word must have gone out because people were lined up outside the clinic
before the sun came up. More surgeries (we are getting into a groove now)
and hundreds of eye glasses have been given out. The supplies arrived on
Tuesday, so Jaime Pace was able to go out and do his dentistry thing. We
get done one day and the next, even more people show up. It is
never-ending. The Dominicans continue to be grateful!
Each morning we start the day with a devotional and people share about what
they have seen. It has been very affirming. It's just a great group of
people. Continue to pray for us!
Blessings from the DR!
Jack
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Monday, July 25
The second day is coming to an end. Many doctors and nurses saw many
patients. In fact, some are still in surgery. As of this writing, we have
not received the fifteen bags that were left in Newark (I don't think I
mentioned that in my first email). Unfortunately, those bags contained much
of our medical supplies. One of the things we are learning (although not by
choice) is to be flexible.
The people are very grateful for our being here. They have the option to go
to the local hospital for treatment, but opt for the clinic because it's fee
and the quality tends to be quite a bit better.
Let's see...some of the things I've heard about the day...
Over 100 people had their eyes checked.
One hysterectomy was performed.
Two hernias were repaired.
Many children had their teeth examined.
And that's just a taste of the first day!
Okay, please continue to pray for us! More tomorrow...
Blessings,
Jack
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Sunday, July 24
Hey all,
We were a little late, but we made it! Our plane was delayed and there was
an unruly passenger and, as result, we arrived at our hotel in Santo Domingo
around 3:00 am. We worshipped at a Evangelical Mennonite church this
morning and made our way via bus to the clinic. After some brief
instructions and a quick tour of the clinic, we headed out to the bario to
visit the people. They showered us with hospitality and kindness. We are
about to eat supper and then we will have some time to rest before we get
started in the morning.
Blessings!
Jack
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