The Travelers.....leaving Good Shepherd with a lifetime of memories.....

Maureen Reports:

"It’s been a busy half week as we wrap up in the clinic and begin our journey home. Monday was spent just treatingpatients. We visited the Bone Setter’s hospital in Puttur on Tuesday morning before clinic. In the evening we visited the HIV/AIDS care center again. Karen purchased a bicycle for a patient who lives at the care center, so her daughter can stay with her and ride the bike to and from school. We presented the bike to the woman and her daughter Tuesday evening, and enjoyed some time with the residents of the care center. Wednesday evening we served dinner to the children and elderly at the mission, and then had a program which included  string games via an object lesson by Diane, presentation of some gifts for the children, and our sad goodbying. We are on our way to Chennai tomorrow morning, and then to Delhi. Thank you again for your prayers and support. It’s been a wonderful experience.

The following are some of the people whose lives we’ve touched and been touched by.

Patient testimonials:

Amanda  with Honey – he is a 15 year old boy with cerebral palsy. He was challenging and fun to work with. Family support was great, and his parents were good to follow through with his exercises. He was always excited to participate in therapy. We worked on motor and oral motor activities. His father is an evangelist for the mission.

Diane  (Monisha) – she is a young girl with leg weakness and hypermobility. She was unable to climb stairs without help due to her problem, but we made gauze “orthotics” and taped them to her feet, and she was able to go up steps without help. We are looking forward to seeing what real orthotics in the US will do for her. Her family was very helpful with her exercises and very grateful for the therapy.

Stephanie  with Rani – she had had a stroke and was complaining of dropping things with her hand and having foot weakness with difficulty keeping her shoe on. She was very motivated, compliant, and eager to please. She could understand English very well, smiled all the time, and gave us a “thumbs up” when she was happy with her newfound ability.

Megan with Prasad – he had a problem with his vestibular system, and wouldn’t turn his head when he walked because he got dizzy. He would say “thank you” after every exercise. His comment every day was “much improvement”. By the end of our stay, he had no dizziness, and was walking and turning his head normally.

Karen  with Vijay Harish – he is a young man with a shortened leg and foot deformity. He is having quite a bit of pain when he walks, so he can’t play with his friends. We worked on stretching his foot and strengthening his hand.  We ended by casting his foot, to see if our orthotist friends in the US might have any suggestions for him. He and his father are hopeful for any help to relieve his pain, so that surgery can be avoided.

Rachel  with Sam – he is a young man with Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. We worked on strengthening of all his muscles, and stretching his trunk. He is an extremely polite and gracious man, and positive. Sam has maintained his strength over the last two years of being seen in the clinic in spite of his progressive disease. His father is very supportive of his son.

Maureen  with Job – he was a patient with shoulder problems on both sides. We stretched his shoulders and taught him exercises. As he left he said that the care he received from this team was such a blessing, and he prayed that God would “give you riches and long lives so that you can continue to bless the people of India.”

 The team now leaves for Chennai and Delhi to see more of this ancient country!!  Posts to follow!

We have made friends....last day at Good Shepherd

Amanda with friend

Presenting the bike

Karen with friend

Maureen and patient

Megan and patient

Monisha

Rachel

The spa day mentioned previously

Steph and patient

String success

Update from Puttur

Maureen reports:

"The good stuff continues for the PT team at Good Shepherd Mission. Friday we had a very busy day in the clinic, as each day more people hear about the work we are doing. Friday night we shared in the prayer service at the Ashram, and Diane gave an object lesson to the children. The object that she taught from was a Chinese jump rope, and she talked about jumping around in an effort to please God, when what He wants is for us to make a connnection with him, be in a relationship with Him (at which point she landed on the rope instead of jumping over and around it.) The kids enjoyed the lesson, and the perk at the end was that they all got Chinese jump ropes. Mary says the girls were using them the next morning.

 

Saturday we had a typical day in the clinic, but in the midday we visited a yarn factory. One of our patients is the factory manager, and he invited us to tour the factory. It was really amazing. This factory takes raw cotton and the end product is a very fine thread which is sold for creating cotton fabric.

 

Sunday morning we donned our new saris and attended the service at the Lutheran church across the street. After, many of the girls decided to just take the day to rest/recuperate/prepare for the coming week. But while fellow team members lounged on their cozy cots in an airconditioned room, Karen and Megan decided to pamper themselves with a "girl's day". This consisted of eyebrow plucking, 30 minute foot soaks, leg shaving, pedicures coconute oil massage to legs and feet, deep conditioning of their hair with coconut oil, facial masks, nail painting and day dreaming of cool drinks and soothing breezes.

 

Diane is working on her next object lesson, which will occur Wednesday evening. This week we'll begin the process of saying goodbye to many of our patients and friends at Good Shepherd. We will visit the HIV/AIDS care center, and the bone setter's hospital. We'll be on our way to Chennai on Thursday morning, and then flying out to Delhi/Agra on Saturday morning. 

 

Thank you for all your prayers and support back home.  We will blog one more time before we leave Puttur."

Most Recent Pictures

Diane prepares her lesson for the children

The boys get involved

The girls try it out

The Sari Wrapping Lessong

The team dressed in their Indian finest

Table Talk

Yarn Factory close to the mission

Report from Maureen....followed by photos :)

We continue to have a wonderful time at Good Shepherd Mission and in Puttur.  The clinic is running well and busy, which is what we prayed for!

Sunday morning we attended the local Lutheran church in Puttur, which is the church that was formative in Brother Henry’s spiritual life. The preacher and congregation welcomed us very warmly.  Sunday evening we visited GSM’s  HIV/AIDS/TB care center. We’ll attach pictures of this beautiful facility later, as it was very late and the pictures we took don’t do it justice. The last of 8 cottages is nearly complete, and will likely be completed on the outside before we leave. There are 8 people who are living at the care center now. This facility is evidence of the faith of Brother Henry and Praveen, and God’s work through GSM.

Monday we spent a busy day at the clinic, and then ate our evening meal outside, enjoying the cool breeze. (We eat dinner usually around 9 pm.) Afterward we sat around in a circle and talked and played games, which was really a great bonding time.

Tuesday morning we stood in and watched eye surgeries. Thirteen patients had cataract removal surgery that morning. Cataracts are a very big problem in India, and it’s fitting that GSM is restoring sight to so many people, helping them to spiritually and physically see the Light.

After the eye surgeries we had a busy clinic day, and during the midday when we often “take rest”, we opted instead to go to a nearby waterfall, which is considered a fertility waterfall. (Let it be said that TWO of us took rest several times throughout the morning this day, and were therefore well rested for the waterfall. Check out the blog pictures to find out who!) Karen and Stephanie decided to join the other Indian locals in the waterfall, and Karen said that it felt “amazing”. Anything wet and cool would HAVE to feel amazing! That night some of us had head and neck massages, compliments of one of the mission boys.

Amanda spent some time one morning teaching Diane some yoga stretches. After feeling so great (so the story goes!?!), Diane had an inspiration to have Amanda conduct a yoga group session at the clinic. Mary has also asked for Amanda to do some yoga with the girls in the morning before school, starting next week when the kids are all back.

Wednesday was Sam’s (Henry’s grandson) birthday. We were able to celebrate in traditional Indian custom by sharing cake and dinner (in that order – you have to love this country!) with the birthday child and family. This was also a going away celebration of sorts, as Sam will be attending a boarding school in Chennai and left the mission today.

Thursday we took the day off, and visited Tirumala, a pilgrimage site for Hindus.  Tirumala was interesting… a very crowded site, with scenic mountain views.  We appreciated the cool breeze on the mountain top. We had a very nice lunch in Tirupathi after our trip up the mountain. 

The bulk of our time in spent in the clinic; from 9 or 10 am to 2 or 2:30, then again from 5 to 8 pm. All of us are encouraged at the compliance of our patients with coming to therapy and also adhering to their home instructions. They are so appreciative, and we are encouraged at their progress, and their kind words. The next blog will include some of the patient testimonies, but as a teaser: several patients have said that they don’t see this type of care in Chennai or even anywhere in India.  We are abundantly blessed with good health, good resources, and each other.  Praise God!

A busy week!!

Sharing time in the evening

Sharing music

Being ministered to by GS staff

Cataract Patients

Flowers for all

Sharing the fun!

Maureen works with a patient

New friends

Taking rest

Down Time

Viewing the eye surgery

Fun in the falls

Yoga excercises

News from the Team!!

Maureen reports the following....then check out the pictures below this post!!  

"The PT team in India is doing well. Though we have only been here for four days, we have been in the clinic three days. The number of patients that we are seeing and treating is growing, and the clinic is bustling! We are working out the kinks in scheduling as we get busier, which is a wonderful problem. The students are doing very well...being creative, compassionate and flexible beyond all expectations in such a different environment.

 

Yesterday the girls played cricket with some of the young children. The kids appreciated having us play with them, and they taught us how cricket is played. Megan says now that she understands the rules, its a "whole lot more fun!" As it turns out, Karen is an excellent batter - just ask her!

 

The team was part of a very heartwarming story that has recently unfolded at GSM. There is a young girl named Vani who has been living at the orphanage for 7 years. She had slowly been providing details of a past that involved living with her parents in a village hundreds of kilometers away. She apparently was chased by thieves and hopped on a bus to Tirupati. The woman who helped her there brought her to GSM many years ago. As the details emerged about her past, Brother Henry sent people from the mission to accompany Vani as they traveled back to her home town. Vani and her mother enjoyed a happy and tearful reunion. On Friday, Vani and her mother and uncle traveled back to Puttur and GSM to thank Henry for his care. It was wonderful to see her back here again, even temporarily.

 

Friday night we attended prayer in the Ashram (chapel). Although many of the children are still gone for summer vacation, we still raised our voices in a LOUD and joyful chorus! Afterward the children and the team danced in a circle that grew to include all the children in the Ashram. It was a wonderfully big circle with Brother Henry in the middle celebrating with us!

 

Saturday we went into Puttur to buy material for saris, chuddidhars and some souvenirs. Mary was ever-patient as we made and changed our minds many times. Rachel helped the storekeeper by pulling the best choices off the shelves as he watched on. They were glad to see us come... and glad to see us go!

 

This week we are looking forward sharing our stories after six days of treatment in the clinic, a trip to Tirumala, and the Bone Setters Hospital in Puttur. The mission will become a bit more active as the rest of the children come back from summer break."

Hard at work and play at Good Shepherd Mission

Air Conditioner Maintenance

In the Ashram

Working in the PT Clinic

The Good Shepherd Cricket Team

Time to relax

Measuring for Chuddidahs and Saris

With the children

Shopping Indian Style

Maureen with Vani and her mother

News from the Traveling Team

Dr. Maureen Raffensperger leads a team of three physical therapist assistant students to complete their final clinicals in the field at Good Shepherd Mission.  The team arrived safely on Thursday night and is busy working.  Maureen reports :

"A team of seven PTs, PTAs and student PTAs from Missouri Western arrived Wednesday night to Good Shepherd Mission. After a brief nap, we were up and running (mostly!) and evaluated and treated 12 patients. Praise God!! Brother Henry has advertised "free physical therapy" in the local newspaper, so we expect to be VERY busy from today forward. The physical therapy department has moved into the old maternity building, and is very spacious and nicely equipped.

 

We were welcomed in traditional Indian fashion with flower leis everywhere we went. The team got a taste of fresh mangos, with lessons from Henry on how to eat them "Indian style".

 

So far the patients are diverse, everything from young children to very old with a lot of variety in complaints. We are learning to communicate in one of the most difficult settings, due to the language and cultural barriers. We are hopeful for this experience to to be enlightening...socially, educationally, culturally and spiritually" 

 

Pictures below of their arrival.  More to follow in the next few weeks as they travel and serve and learn together about our friends in India.

Summer 2011 Physical Therapist Assistant Trip

Departing for India

Midnight Welcome in Madras

Welcome India Style

The PTA's get ready for the day!

Home away from home

Mango season

Welcome to Good Shepherd Mission

Violent weather at Good Shepherd Mission April 2011

Severe Weather and Damage at Mission!

We received word yesterday, April 5, 2011, that there had been an extremely violent storm in Puttur, Andra Pradesh where Good Shepherd is located. The damage to buildings, trees, power, and water is quit severe. There appears to be extensive damage to trees and consequently to power lines. No one at the mission was hurt, although quit shaken. We are encouraging our friends and the friends of Good Shepherd to consider making an extra gift to the mission for the purpose of repairs to the mission buildings and infrastructure. If you have any questions please call Wyatt Park Christian Church in St Joseph, MO.  As always, 100 percent of all gifts will go directly to the misison. I will attach the email that I received from Henry. Pictures are below.

Dear Brothers and sisters, Blessings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,I wish to inform you of an incident that happened yesterday Monday 4th April.we had very severe and heavy Rain and Winds. At the mission we had SEVERE WINDS/RAIN and caused much damage to the hospital, Van (Dr.Charles), mission house, girls home etc;

1.The front portion of the Van ha been damaged…

2. Part of the hospital in patient’s ward has been damaged, the doors , Windows were broken because of the severe wind and fall down and brokenToilet door broken, dental room door broken and clapsed.
3.In the mission House upstairs roof/ceiling and rooms damaged.
4.No electricity….No water….some cell phone towers not in use.
5.A big neem tree in front of girls’s home fall down.
6.The newly repaired toilets and bath room roof at girls home fall down due to wind
7.Everyone is safe by the GRACE of God.This is for your kind information
Please keep us in Prayers.
God Bless you
Yours in Christ,
Bro.Henry

Pictures of Mission and Hospital Damage

The 100 year old mission house took a beating as did the hosptial.

Downed Power Lines and Trees

 

Damage to the roof of the Dining Porch and Water Tank