No one here wants it to be Wednesday. Wednesday (or commonly, “Hump Day”) is usually one of the harder days in terms of work load since we have already been in country since Saturday and everyone is feeling fatigued due to the hard work we are doing. Wednesday also means that we only have two more days in clinic to serve the people of Brazil on this trip.
Since we are not the only team that comes down during the summer to help with medical clinics, the local missionaries, Ray and Sharon, have implemented a short day for Wednesdays in order to give everyone a chance to recharge and relax a little while. This sounded like a really good idea since we saw a lot of patients and have all been working very hard so far this week.
Good idea, right? Well, the Lord had a different, perfect, plan for us that resulted in one of the best days we have had in a single clinic in quite a while. We planned on being on the bus by 3:00 p.m., shortened our lunch break, and were working diligently on the lines when it suddenly occurred to us that no one wanted to turn a patient away simply because WE were tired. Our team has a comfortable hotel and nice restaurants to return to in the evening and will soon be headed back in good health to our comfortable homes and livings in the United States. The people we are helping will return to homes of necessity, not luxury or comfort, and some will return to worrying whether they will have a meal tonight or medicine once we leave the favela this week. Somehow, I think this reality compelled us to work even harder this afternoon to serve more people than anyone thought possible in what ultimately was a short day (we left about 45 minutes early) and one that left everyone with a smile on their face.
Jamie Shandy, a first time Rio team member, shared this experience with me. It shows how not only does God work through us to provide joy, but that even the people of Rio are working to increase the territory of our team members.
Today was a very awesome day at the clinic. Not only was the line outside the church enormous, but the people we saw in the eye clinic were absolutely some of the most appreciative people I have ever met. One elderly lady, 83 yoa, put on her glasses and her entire face lit up. She said “perfect”, and thanked us so much for the work we are doing at the church here, hugs and kisses galore. I could certainly feel the Holy Spirit in the clinic today.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”"
Isaiah 52:7
Since I missed posting our numbers for Tuesday, I am placing both days’ information on this page. God has seen fit to bless us with many gifts and talents and we are all glad that He has allowed us the opportunity to serve here in Brazil.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Total
Clinic
Adult 53 103 96 252
Pediatric 24 68 78 170
Dental
Patients 26 39 28 93
Extractions 35 41 48 124
Cleanings 20 23 18 61
Pharmacy
Rx 232 671 598 1501
Optical
Patients 87 122 123 332
Evangelism
Decisions 51 63 58 172
Hello,
I am a friend of Ann Graves and have been checking the site each day. I am so thrilled with the work you are doing and more importantly with the work God is doing. May God bless you all. Take care and may you all return safely and well in body and spirity.
Marilyn
We missed hearing from you yesterday. What an incredible couple of days. Thinking of all the people you are reaching who will in turn reach others and so on – the process is amazing!!! Great job everyone!
We have been praying for all of you. It really sounds like God is doing amazing ministry through all of you. I thank God for the work you are doing!
We look forward to every message and thank you all for what you are doing. Please tell Perry that Cason’s team won big in both of the first two games on Friday. See you Sunday!
Carol
Arrived at your blog in a round-about way, blog hopping when I couldn’t sleep.
We leave in less than 4 weeks.
What a wonderful experience! It’s always exciting to hear what God is doing through both long-term and short-term missions. We’ve done the short (2 weeks to one year terms) but now are getting ready to do it full-time. Right next door to Brazil, in Argentina
I can personally attest to what a blessing the teams are to the missionaries. During our year in Uganda we had a number of teams come to help out for 2 week stints. They blessed us with encouragement, lifting some of the load, and by bringing some things we couldn’t get in country.
And they went home changed by what God did in and through them. Another big plus: they were able to pray more effectively for the missionaries because they understand better what life is like “on the field”. And prayer is the life-line for missionaries. We need God’s people praying faithfully!
So thanks for your part in what God is doing in the world!!!