Local Medicine causes much pain

There have been several cases since I have been here where the local medicine (witch doctor) has caused pain, severe infections, need for amputations and even death.   Because the parents believe the local medicine man knows what he is doing, the patient is not brought to us until their health is in really bad shape.  Most of the time I don't share the stories because they are so sad and the pictures so devastating.  However, I have permission to share this one with you.
 
When I walked into the room to see this 4 month old baby, I was shocked and horrified.


 
I was informed that this is the local treatment when a child is suspected to have pneumonia.  The local medicine man takes a razor and performs all these cuts on the body to let the infection out.  I could not count the number of cuts because all I could think of was this 4 month old baby screaming while it was tortured in this horrific way.  Now this precious little one has a deep neck infection/abcess which we had to cut open to drain.

 
She also has horrible skin infections all over her neck, sholders and head.  We have placed her on antibiotics and are praying for her rapid and complete recovery.

 
It is my prayer that with the increase in the number of mobile medical clinicss we are starting, we will have the opportunity to teach mothers about appropriate treatments.  And these clinics will also offer us the opportunity to identify some of these cases before the reach this advanced state. 
 
In order for me to continue assisting the Chimala Mission Hospital in making improvements and to perform mobile medical clinics, I will continue to need the assistance from everyone who can possibly help with financial assistance.  The total of funds I need each month for my personal expenses and the expenses of the mobile clinics in is the range of $3,500/month.  At this current time, I am living here month to month.  Some months the money is adequate, other months I wonder if I will be able to continue to stay here and work.  I pray that more of you will find it in your hearts to help me continue to help those in need.  No amount is too small or too large....haha.  If you can help in this much needed work, please send your donation to Chimala Mission, 5371 New York Avenue, Arlington, TX 76018 with a note indicating your donation is for the Cheryl Bode support or workfund.  Thanking you in advance.
 
 
 
 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OC Students leave their "mark".....

Image
On May 4th, nine students from Oklahoma Christain University (OC) in Oklahoma City, OK arrived here in Chimala.  Three of these students have been here before, but the rest were newbies.  It was very exciting for me to see the returning students and to meet and get to know the new comers. The students always bring a sense of excitement and adventure with them when they come.  The goals were for the students to get to know a little about the culture, become familiar with all the works of the mission, hold VBS at several of the small village churches and complete a project which would help one of the works at the mission.  The bus ride from Dar Es Salaam to Chimala Mission is a hard 12-14 hour drive by bus.  We left Dar at 5am and arrived at the mission around 7:30pm.  During the trip, the students were able to see miles of plains, mountains and small villages.  They also had a small glimpse of some of the animals of Tanzania as we drove through Mikumi National Park.  This time o
Read more

From Tanzania to Oregon

Image
The support for the work I do at Chimala Mission comes from many people and many places in the United States.  Most of those who send financial support do not know me personally and neither do I know them.  There is one person who sends support from Oregon.  Just before I left to come visit the states, this lady contacted me to see if I would be interested in visiting her in Oregon.  She told me that she would like to help me raise support by setting me up with places to speak. At first, I didn't think I could make the time to go all the way to Oregon...I have family to spend time with, I am already making two trip to Texas to meet people and speak, I have several presentations to do in Oklahoma City/Edmond.  There just wouldn't be time.....or would there? God puts people in our lives for different reasons.  Could this be a door He is opening for me and the Chimala work?  I spend 11 months away from my family, but my dad sat down with me and told me he didn't think I sh
Read more

The Coffee Plantation and Lodge

Image
On both Thursday and Friday mornings, I attended morning devo at CBI (Chimala Bible Institute), aka the "preachers' training school".  On Thursday, we had a great lesson over Matt. 21-24.  This was Part 1 of a 3 part lesson.  I sure hope I am able to attend the next two lessons. On Friday, CBI has a praise devo where they sing songs of praise in both English and Swahili.  The majority of those present are men and I am telling you what....the singing is something wonderful to hear, esp. when they are singing in Swahili.  I could listen all day  .It really lifts you up and starts your day off right. This is one of the largest classes of students at CBI for many years with 30 students, I believe.   This morning, all of the missionaries here at Chimala got together for a day of relaxation.  We took a trip to a Coffee Plantation and Lodge about 90 minutes from Chimala.  I had planned to take pictures of the entire team to introduce to you, however, 3 of our member
Read more