pastoral visits

Today I went to visit some patients at their homes with our new clinic chaplain, Percy Padilla. We have a policy that those without income who live in extreme poverty can get discounted or free visits with our doctors. They patient fills out an economic survey, and later the clinic administrator is supposed to visit the home to verify the information. So today Percy and I went to make some visits. One of the ladies we found at home is called Maria, and she lives in a partial house with 6 children. She is a diabetic and has visited us for many years. The house has few walls, with a mud brick enclosure and tin roof. The kitchen is open and there were ducks and chickens all around. Percy presented the gospel to her and her husband and we encouraged to visit the clinic when they we in need. My impression of her husband is that he probably does not work, as he was still in bed when we arrived, and he looked like an alcoholic. She undoubtedly has a very difficult life, with very little income.
Also Christy, our clinic psychologist, told me that this week she had some very troublesome cases, some involving sexual abuse. It's sad to see the despair on some of the faces, but I know God alone can provide relief in such dire circumstances.

Busy February

We have been working hard this month, today ending a two week medical tour.
The week of 16-20 we hosted 22 folks from Independent Pres. in Memphis. They consisted of MD, nurses, dentists, and support staff and we spent each day offering free health care in various part of Trujillo. Each day about 50 people in all would work together to attend the medical needs and also the spiritual needs of the needy here in Peru.
This week, the 23-27 we have had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Ron Morton and Pam and Cassie Doolittle. We have spent most of the time in our clinic, with one day out on a campaign, and Dr. Morton today is at Belen hospital seeing outpatients and will give a lecture on asthma also.

Thanks to all involved, and let's pray God uses these times to grow his church.
Another plug for our family, we are collecting money to buy a vehicle. All interested parties please make your donations to CMS and specify that it's for the car fund.
All seven of us in a taxi can be quite uncomfortable.

Rain in Trujillo

Last weekend we visited Cajamarca, a large city in the mountains, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Second Presbyterian church, or Los Rosales church. It rained everyday, but we were expecting that because it is the time of year. We adjusted quickly to the altitude, and took some entertaining side trips to some farms and archaeological sites. However, upon returning to Trujillo we found it had been raining for four days, a very unusual event. Thankfully our home held up fine in the rain, and nothing was damaged.

We hope all of you had a wonderful holiday, and are enjoying the new year. We are busy now getting back to home schooling, pushing ahead in the work in the clinic, and planning for future teams to come and work with us. My dad and stepmom are coming in a few weeks, along with my uncle Ralph. In December my mom came for a brief visit, that was nice. Another bit of news, we have opened a seperate account at CMS for a vehicle fund. If interested please note in your giving that the money is for the Ellison car fund. Thanks!

We are encouraged now with the ministry here. All of our fellow missionaries are back after some traveling over the break. Also Twin Lakes team from Jackson came and had a great week of summer camp for about 130 Peruvian children from our churches. Our kids went also and had a blast. Thanks Twin Lakes and First PCA in Jackson!
Remember to check out our photos at www.picaseweb.google.com/daleinperu
blessings,

a day away

 
 
 
 
Monday the 8th of December, was a national holiday in Peru. So our clinic staff went to a small
village a few miles out of town, where there are some places to eat and swim. It's a little hotter and brighter there, getting away from the coast some changes things a lot. We played volleyball then had lunch, climbed a hill, then came back to town. I was pretty sun-burned and covered in dust. But we had a good time.

Thanks Orland Park crew

Last week the folks from Chicago came down to build some more on the pastoral house for Wichanzao church, and also Dr. Dave Beezhold helped us in the clinic and one day we went to a community named Palmeras I. We worked several hours and the good doctor may have set a record, seeing 42 patients in about 4 and a half hours. (most of the kids had the same symptoms, some type of virus going around, he said)
Here is a photo of Elizabeth, who helped us in triage, and Dr Beezhold with Lora seeing patients.

Another day in Clementina

Last Saturday the youth and young adults of the three churches organized an afternoon in Clementina doing outreach. It is great because this was not the mission's idea, and we had hardly any involvement. They had a young medical student( in his last year) seeing patients with mild complaints, they passed out clothes and shoes which had been collected weeks before, and played games with the kids. Here are some photos. God is blessing out folks with vision and zeal for reaching out to others.

Jail time

Yesterday I went with another missionary, not part of Peru Mission, to visit the women
prison here in Trujillo. It is located a few miles past our clinic in an area called Milagro. Micah Tuttle goes every Wed. to teach a bible study along with some women of his church. I was surprised at how small it seemed. There were about 10 ladies, mostly middle aged, who came to sing a few songs and listen and participate in the study of Mark. Afterward I briefly shared my testimony along with two other Americans. It was a very low security facility, and the inmates were wearing street clothes. But everyone was friendly and welcoming. Next door is the men's prison, which Micah says is very different. Much larger and more hostile. However, one of the ladies expressed the desire to visit our clinic, and it seems when they need medical attention they just tell the guards and one of them accompanies her to the health care facility. So, perhaps we can become the clinic of choice for these inmates one day.
We will see.
Otherwise things are well. Susan is teaching again after a brief hiatus while her parents were here. The kids are doing good with school, and enjoying Dorcas, our Pervian helper who teaches them Spanish, art and music.