Day 10: Destination-Huisan Akha Village Church/Vientiane

February 24, 2008

So Long, But Not Good-bye

We said goodbye to Chiang Rai today, the 1^st leg of our journey. Last night, some went the night bazaar, others went to Swenson’s (the local hang out for the team), and some at the internet café. A few souvenirs for fun, but mostly fond memories are what we take home. Our hosts Luka and Ghan were unbelievable with the arrangements that they made and the food that she cooked for us, nearly 30 people each time. We are going to miss the food and water. We had our last breakfast at the Golden Triangle Inn. There was a bottle of water that we were given in the last few days: Yellow Surprise. Gail tasted it and said it tastes a little funny. Surprise! (Why do you think they call it Yellow?)

Reflections of Passion…Yanni

Our last meal was a time of devotion and reflection of the first week. We patted ourselves on the back for treating nearly 1200 patients. We are a Mean Team Machine. The following is the best accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dr. Chinn expressed his appreciation of Dr. Tajiri’s lens making machine and universal frames. Without it, it wouldn’t have turned out as good. “New eyes, what a gift.”

Andy Alejo felt that the trip was extraordinary. He expected to work (and he did) and enjoyed it. He felt everyone did his or her part. He said that we are like the body of Christ, like a body and the parts, are all necessary to work efficiently together. He gave a “2 thumbs up!”

Dr. Tajiri felt that “Pastor was a slave driver (and he is)” and chuckled. LOL. He felt that it was a wonderful experience and gratifying. He was grateful to be able to test his theory and invention in an actual setting. He never quit and hung in there. His stamina put a lot of younger members to shame.

Cindy Wu expressing herself with tears of joy felt that the children and the family live a simple life, yet are happy. They play and love each other and are happy. (What more do you need?)

Richard Bruce felt that he was not a significant part of the team since he didn’t have a health care background (a roar filled the air, commotion “That’s not true”, “You are equally equal”, “You’re our security.” See Andy above about body.)

Pastor Jack felt that we were here to serve the Lord. We were here not just for the physical healing but our presence and caring was equally important. We used skill, compassion and professionalism.

The dentists felt it was amazing how they, especially, the children were able to trust the dentists (considering the vulnerability they experience along with the painful injections).

Gail Ho said we served so many people and she was nervous not knowing if she could help since she was out of practice for so long. The fellowship was good.

Dr. Obregon felt that we had a great team to work with. We work well together.

CHURCH IN SESSION

We packed our bags and piled them into Mark’s room for convenience to pack later. I think that they were boxing me in on purpose. We headed to the Akha church that we worked previously in the week. We were greeted by the patients and the members of the church. Thank God, I mean it, thank God we did not have to sing this time. Pastor gave a nice sermon in which Luka translated. Sometimes it looked like Luka was giving his own sermon. Since there was a translation we had to sit through Pastor’s sermon TWICE! Brutal. The women gave their roses to the church and placed them in front, like Laura Lum used to do. After the service we went out and witnessed 6 baptisms. 1 girl and 5 boys, I think. The pastor was standing there in his own clothes that he wore to preach in this cement pool about 8’ by 6’ The baptismee kneeled in their regular clothes and the pastor prayed and then suddenly dunked. One after the others were baptized all the while the congregation was singing. It was quite an emotional sight. Then the Akha gave us another gift a gourd which we added to the collection of a cup made out of bamboo. Gi gave a cd of their Akha music that they recorded so that other Akha throughout the land could learn the music. Correction, there is no Akha in the Philippines that Luka knows of but the music is sent to the Philippines and broadcast out of their to Ahka populations. My betel nut partying partner gave me a bracelet that she made from shells from the river.

We made our long good-byes and hugs and well wishes. I took a picture with “A” and said good bye. I didn’t hug her because I don’t know if that would be forward. But as we were walking down the hill she reached out and she hugged me. That was some show of gratitude. Some of the team will be returning in the summer (Lucky Bill). The team headed back to town for a final lunch with Luka and Ghan. I was surprised that Luka was accompanying us to Vientiane. He wants to extend his ministry and get to know some of the people in Laos.

We loaded the trucks and said good-bye after a slight delay. Our flight route had to be from Chiang Rai to Bangkok to Vientiane. Delays and more delays. Going through customs was fairly easy. Dr. Patton got held up in the security check. He had his personal medication with him lined in a row of bottles. “Are you carrying drugs?”, the guard asked Jack. “Yes these are for personal use.” (I was thinking-you should see what we checked through). The young girl with authority seriously asked “Do you have Viagra?” We all kind of chuckled since she didn’t look like she needed it. Dr. Patton said “No.” Then she discovered 4 pocket knives. “Ahah! You can’t bring these onto the plane!” Scary since they already made it through one security check. These were Dr. Tajiri’s as he was using them for gifts. They confiscated them. We only wonder whether or not we could have got the knives through if we had the Viagra to barter with. We finally arrived at the hotel around 11:00 pm. We are at the Douang Duene Hotel. You did good Bill. One of the members pointed out that it reminded him of his name: DOU(g owyY)ANG. That was Laosy.

The days seem to get longer. It takes awhile to get the rooms settled and the 50 boxes and luggage organized. “All here!” says Richard. Bill assigns the rooms.

Good News! Andy and I are back together. (I knew he and Dr. O wouldn’t last). He has taken me back for a roommate. Funny, we went up to our hotel room and found a king sized-bed. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s take this slow.” So we exchanged rooms to a two full-sized beds. Later that evening, I hear a knock. I peek around the door, half naked, and see Pastor. I say “Yes?” “Oh, this is not working. “I’m looking for my wife!, he said with intimidating and suspicious eyes that were about to explode in a jealous rage (temper temper Pastor. Remember Commandment 6: Though shall not kill). I sheepishly pointed across the room (she’s the one we switched with) and whispered, “She’s over there.” “Oh.” Come on Pastor, I know Commandment 7: Do not commit adultery. Good night, Pastor, sweet dreams.

Day 9: Destination-Phamee Akha Village

FEBRUARY 23, 2008

Quote of the Day: Dr. Obregon had shirts made specifically for this mission. He had “T-AMF MMI” with logos on sky blue shirts (the color of the King Mother). T-AMF stands for Thai Akha Ministry Foundation Medical Ministries Incorporated. Bill noticed how well his shirt fit him. Bill sincerely asked if he had his shirt tailored. Ming replied, “I have a good body!”

Happy Birthday to Wu,

We’re glad you came too.

You’re laugh is infectious,

You look great, it’s true.

Happy Birthday Cindy Wu! You look great and haven’t changed as bit! (You haven’t had plastic surgery have you?) We’re glad you’re doing better and your flu is gone. (Mark doesn’t feel so guilty now.) We were afraid that you were going to pass the flu bug along but we found that only your laugh is infectious. It’s great to have you here and thanks for celebrating your with us birthday today. Thanks for sacrificing to be here with us on your special day. We love you and have missed you so it’s great to have you along for the ride…a long ride.

Love, FCBC Medical Mission Team…Now get back to work! Sorry.

SPANK YOU VERY MUCH

At breakfast time we wished Cindy a happy birthday one more time. Lester and Vicki surprised her with a digital keychain loaded with Cindy and Bob’s children in various stages of their growth. She was very touched. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to give her birthday spanking as anticipated because we really couldn’t figure out how old she really is because she looks so young.

A LONG TIME AGO...

IN A GALAXY (seems like a different world) FAR, FAR AWAY…G. Lucas

Somewhere back in time in some distant land the Akha tribe was formed. There are three main Akha tribes: Ulo Akha, Lomisa Akha, and Phamee Akha. We are at Phamee Akha village where Ghan grew up and Luka Cherumin is from the Lomisa Akha tribe. Here’s a little history on Phamee. If you look at this village and contrast it to the typical villages that we have encountered, it is modern and seems like a lot more affluent here. Now, there’s no corner Starbuck’s, or 7-11, or KFC, or Nordstrom’s Rack but it is nicer than most. There are homes along the mountain with great views of the valley and just over the hilltop is Burma, now known as Myanmar. (After the name change it seems like it is always referred to as Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Kind of how Prince is “The Artist Formerly Known as Prince” which is now “Prince, the Artist Formerly Known As The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.” Can’t they just go back to Burma?) It’s quite a contrast from some of the other Akha tribes. Quickly, opium was abundant in the hills of the Phamee and there was money to be made. The King’s Mother (I’m not sure what her name is but Ming says it is “So Long”) recently past away (so long) had an interest in the Akha and wanted to subsidize them and develop the King’s Mother Project. So she said, my children, NO GROWING OPIUM. Instead, I’ll give you money and build you houses and give you land to grow other things, such as leeche, tobacco, coffee, etc. but NO OPIUM. (Do you think that if we tried that in the States our kids would say, “What ever you say mommy.” Doubt it.) And you have to work. So the Phamee honored the King’s Mother and as a result…BINGO! (Commandment 5: Honor thy Mother and Father, here that kids!) I think that was decades ago so now the forest has come back and is lush and the Akha have flourished, at least for the Phamee who are now in the “high rent district.” Interestingly, even in the States, we still have our areas of slums and low rent districts. We may not be that far ahead of Thailand as we think. Unfortunately, those who are born in the villages have no where to go. They are stuck there if they have no “papers”, no birth certificate since there is no paper trail of whom you are or where you belong. No paper, no money from the government, no access to medical care. For those of you who are wondering “why are they there?” THAT’S WHY WE ARE HERE!” Many of the tribes people, not only the Akha, but maybe a eight hill side tribes don’t have access to medical, dental, or eye care. They can’t even come down the mountain or they might be deported if they don’t have ID. So they live and die in the mountains. That is their only existence for some. So “we boldly go, where no man has gone before, to seek out new worlds” (plagiarized that from Star Trek) to offer health care and also to spread the Good News. It will take time. Thank you God for creating eternity.

TWIN PEAKS

Okay we have to get there first. We travel toward the Burma border out west. If we go too far we will be in Burma which is currently, with the political uproar is nick named the “Wild Wild West.” We see the “Lady in the hills” as we approach the Phamee village. As you recall, it is a mountain range and it appears that the there is a lady lying on her back. You can make out the face, nose, lips, and neck sweeping down her breasts. Curiously, this year, she looks like the breast portion is higher. Did she have something done? There seems to be an eruption of mountainous proportions.

WE ARE FAM-I-LY

We arrive to a very modern looking “village”, more like a town with well paved, buildings throughout, with water overflow plant. Every one in the village is wearing smiles when we arrive. It appears that they are “One big happy Phamee.” The crowd is growing quickly. They arrive before we even have time to set up, similar to a garage or yard sale in the a.m. Triage is very busy directing traffic to the various clinics. We’re generally set up in about 30 minutes and the first patient is ready to go. We set up shop on the school floor. There is a nicely tiled floor with different elevations. Actually too nice since, Dr. Obregon tripped, I tripped and someone else tripped since the steps blended in so well. Maybe we need new glasses.

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH

We see a variety of injuries and illnesses. The docs see a lot of repetitive stress injuries. The Akha are very hard working people. They’re muscles are naturally ripped from repeated use of the muscles. However, although they are strong, after years of abuse, it does take its toll on the body. Many have tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and musculoskeletal pain. This would be a worker’s comp nightmare. They have no choice to work so they live with their aches and pains. We can only hope to alleviate their symptoms for a short time and give trigger point injections and anti-inflammatory injections and teach them ergonomic postions and strengthening techniques.

We see a victim of stroke we cannot help but give aspirin to prevent another. I think they just want the American doctors say that he will be okay. We see burn scar contractures making a 3 year-old’s left hand almost useless. Three fingers are literally welded to his palm in a flexion contracture and he has barely a pincher function with his index finger and thumb. He needs surgical release that I cannot do here. There is a lady with neurofibromatosis (Elephant Man’s disease) with multiple nodules that can’t be removed. There is a child with a 5 day old wound packed with chewed betel nuts placed there by his mother to relieve the pain. It’s impractical to teach her wound care so her technique may be as good as anything I can teach her. I tell her not to chew the nuts, rather crush them. That’s a novel idea. There is an elderly man with a draining wound, probable chronic bone infection. On closer inspection one leg is shorter than the other and a bone is bulging to the side. It represents an old fracture he sustained when shrapnel tore through him in the war as a soldier serving the Americans. They wanted to amputate both legs. He wanted to die whole. So he lived but the bones healed crooked. He was only able to stand a few years ago and he is grateful that he has the strength and courage to do so. He was also sporting new glasses that Dr. Chinn and Dr. Tajiri made. We may not be able to offer a cure or treatment for the patients but as Pastor says, maybe just being here, caring is equally important to them.

HI HO, HI HO (and Larry, Lester, Rachel, Richard) IT’S OFF TO WORK YOU GO!

Again there is a power struggle for the 220 volt outlets by the dentists and optometrists. The dentists try to get some outlets from the optometrists but it’s like pulling teeth. “How many outlets are you going to use?” asked the DDS’s. The optometrists replied, “You’ll see!” The docs get the desks no one else wants and make do. I can’t stress the success that the optometrists achieve with their lens making machine. The dentists are extracting left and right. I see one time there were 3 dentists, Larry, Bill, and Rachel. I think they found a gold mine with all the restoration needed. There was Richard with his apron (I thought it was a large bib at first) and dishwashing gloves. Nannette would be proud to see him so domesticated. Is he like this at home? Does he do windows?

MISSION: mmm(definitely)POSSIBLE

Kudos and props to the Mission Team. In the past 6 days we have seen and treated over 1194 patients vs. nearly 900 in 8 days at the first Thailand mission trip. The estimated distribution 595 medical, 339 dental, and 260 optometic patients treated in Chiang Rai. The eye clinic really made an impact on the patients bringing clear vision for the first time. What a wonder gift of sight. The dentists relieved pain and halitosis and removed teeth in the wrong places with their portable dental chair. The medical team improved the quality of a patient’s life by either curing their infection or palliating chronic problems. We showed patience, understanding, and compassion. Most of all we demonstrated sacrifice from ourselves, our family, and our employment and pocket book. Today’s devotion by Pastor Jack stressed sacrifice and service. I believe Dr. Owyang said it last trip: “It is easier to give money than to give of oneself.”

PATIENT QUOTES OF THE WEEK (from Pastor’s private collection):

“DO YOU REMBER ME?” (Three girls looking at Pastor Jack.)

“SOME DAY I WILL BE A DOCTOR” (Little girl in the clinic.)

“YOU CHRISTIANS SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONES THAT CARE”

(Norwegian prisoner.)

“LOOK I HAVE NEW EYES” (Patient with new glasses.)

“YOU ARE MY LAST CHANCE” (Prisoner who needed surgery)

“PASTOR WE ARE CHRISTIANS, AREN’T YOU PROUD” (results of prior

Baptist missionaries year before us. Yes, Pastor is proud!)

“WE REMEMBER YOU” (interpreted as a surprisingly “You came back”)

LAST SUPPER

We had our last supper together at a local Chiang Rai restaurant hosted by Luka and his wife, Ghan. All the members of the team including the interpreters were there. We had an assortment of food, seafood (langostino) soup (spicy), string beans (spicy), cashew chicken, fried fish, shrimp balls, We were at an American disco type restaurant playing the popular hits of the 70’s. It’s sad that I recognized so many of them. We just needed the disco mirror ball. There was a game show in the background on TV called Dear or No Dear. Forgive my accent. Dr. Obregon presented a bouquet of roses to all of the women helpers and team members. What a nice gesture. They were all deeply touched and we expressed our sincere gratitudes.

Congregation, we know you remember us in your thoughts and prayers and we feel the support for our well being as well as for the success of the mission trip. Please pray for the patients that we treat so that our presence has an impact on their health, well being, and spiritual growth. Thank you so much for allowing us to help serve people in need and by teaching as an example of God’s love for us.