Celebration

This picture was taken from the balcony of one of the ladies' room. Preparation for the big celebratory meal in which the role is reversed--we serve (over 200 people) rather than being served(even though the meal was prepared by staff). This practice has been occurring now for about 6 years. I have participated in 3 of those servings and it is truly a blessed feeling to give to those who have enjoyed giving to us this visit. The people at GSM are a true representation of what God's servant hood is all about. 

A pot of rice.  And Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed five thousand. 

We purchased gifts for the children and staff but Bro Henry presented all of us with a stole for our work this week at GSM. You just cannot fathom how rich one feels from serving at GSM. We all thought we would be the givers after working hard to raise money for free medicines, gifts, and food and receiving monetary donations but WE are the real recipients!! 

 Henry and Sue Yoch

Sis Sue presents Mary with her saree. The staff and evangelists all received clothing-shirt & pants for men and sarees for women. Mary prepared many of our meals. Anitha, Praveen's wife, prepared some lunch and evening meals. 

Sue Werner helped present a plate, cup, and blanket to the children. 

Dr Chad presents to some of the older boys. 

Sis Diane giving each person a large plate for their meal.

Sis Morgan fills cups with water.

Dedications

 Bro Henry stands between 2 cottages at the HIV/AIDS Center donated by Dr Phyllis Wintz.

The dedication of Peggy's Place donated by Dr Phyllis Wintz in memory of her mother. Everyone from the HIV/AIDS Center came to pray in the room with us. They are so thankful to have a refuge after being cast out of their village. Sponsorship for an HIV/AIDS patient is $40/month. 

We dedicated the refurbished Charlie van. This vehicle is used so hard to transport not just guests but people and staff. The van needed a new windshield, wipers, all windows needed to be fixed, the inside was replaced, and update on the engine functions. 

We dedicated the 3 wheeler. This vehicle is used to transport people from town to the hospital. The government has stopped working on the passageway for people from town to use (a tunnel under the railroad tracks). The passageway is open but has filled with deep standing water which makes the opening impassable for pedestrians and vehicles. This 3 wheeler saves wear and tear then on the Charlie van.

Friday at Good Shepherd Mission

 The picture of India. Let me introduce Noel. He is Praveen's and Anitha's son. Noel was very shy and scared of us but not last night.

We almost made it to the rock to see the sunrise but it didn't matter because what we saw was beautiful. 

Morgan captured the rising sun. One of the boys from the mission sits in the background on another rock. Three boys came along to help us fragile Americans up and then down the rock. 

 Even though we were tired from last night, we got up early to hike the rock!!  We had challenged Sagar last night to hike with us and he came-Praveen drove us to the start probably 3/10 of a mile away.  We are so delicate!!  We also had 3 boys from the mission to help us up and down. Unfortunately, we didn't have chai tea on the rock because the boys broke the thermos.

The hostel girls just love Stephanie!!

Sue gets a complete eye exam.

 Isn't this boy precious?  He was at the clinic today with his mother.

We knew the nurses were doing the shots because we could hear the children screaming. In fact one little girl screamed in the hallway each time one of us looked at her!!

 Diane & Sam keeping order in the Hep B vaccine room.

 People waiting to see the GP.

Dr Jay triages for a potential extraction but the man was not interested in any extraction.



Clothes

The tailor is measuring Jay for his shirt and pants. 

 John getting measured by the tailor.

All dressed up in our chuttidahs!!  Yup!  We were allowed to choose between a chuttidah or saree as our gift from GSM so we chose the chuttidah!!  Look at Steph's beautiful gagra (half saree).  We hosted a meal for the hospital doctors and their family at a hotel in Thiraputhi.

Thursday

We began our day with a trip to the Bone Setter's Hospital. This visit is a necessity for our groups as it was a visit to the Bone Setter's that precipitated the idea of a clean hospital for the poor at GSM. The running of the Bone Setter's is generational with the mixing of herbs a secret. It was amazing what we saw. This woman was treated for a hip fracture by splinting her leg, however, they showed us her X-ray which indicated a complete fracture in the neck of the femur. In our society, the head of the femur would be removed and replaced with a titanium head. 

 Dr Jill explains to Praveen this young lady's options so he can translate the information to her.

Dr Jay begins to anesthesize this lady for an extraction.

Several people watched surgeries!

Kolledam Continued

Pastor Bern is being interviewed by the newspaper. 

Dr Jill talks with a boy who is terrified and was too afraid of the dentists. 

Vicky holds a patient's head and Praveen shines a light while Dr Jill gets ready to extract a tooth. 

Dr Chad shows Morgan where this patient had to have the lidocaine. 

Diane is our Distribution Manager. She helped package meds for the patients and give away toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

After camp, we went to Kolladam where Prasad and his family made us a wonderful meal. Right now Prasad has 14 boys that stay at the hostel. We toured the village amongst a throng of children wanting to shake our hands. 

Vicky & Steph have been playing clapping games with the children. 

We found baby goats are our town tour. 

Morgan having a good time holding her goat. 

Steph attracts the children everywhere she goes!!! 

Steph and her latest friend

Dental/Medical Camp at Kolledam

 We had a dental/medical at Sathavedu  near Kolladam. More than 500 people came for treatment. Nurse Morgan & Sue were not too busy with Hep B vaccines but the dentists had a steady stream of extractions!!  Camp lasted almost 4 hours!!

 The Team prays before beginning work.

 Sue is holding an infant waiting for a shot. Everyone in the camp knows when the ladies Are working because we hear screaming!

 Sue & Morgan

 John is the headmaster of sterilizing the equipment. Sue also assisted.

 Dr Jill checking the sterilization containers.

 Dr J and Dr Chad set up equipment

Dr Jill preparing for extraction. Today the patients had to hold their supply tray. 

Dr Jay takes time to check Bro Henry's teeth.