Our third day of clinic began with another 6:30 AM breakfast, loading the vans, and departing at 7:50 AM for Toavala.  It was a short drive of 45 minutes with less dust and bumps! The Malagasy people are so gracious, friendly, and kind. To drive up to the church and see hundreds of people including many families waiting for us is such a blessing!  Morning prayer and song outdoors on a beautiful Friday morning was led by the church’s pastor followed by an introduction by our team leader, Joanna, with Domoina (Dr. Harison’s wife) providing translation.  We love waving to the crowd as they wave back to us (Malagasy tradition instead of applause).

Besides the wonderful Malagasy medical staff from our host hospital and translators (some as young as 17) with us daily, we welcomed 3 Norwegian nursing students from the University of Stavanger who joined us today.  They are staying at the Norwegian Lovasoa (Norwegian Lutheran missionary complex) in Antsirabe for a 10 week clinical rotation.  We enjoyed having Jenny, Hen (AKA Henriette), and Eva in our van getting to know each other and then at the clinic for the day.  They all said it was a great experience and different than any other rotations they have had.  What a wonderful sharing of medical care  and experience among 3 countries at today’s clinic!

Today’s clinic was another busy day with a large turnout of 540 people with many children seen!  Prescriptions totaled 1434.  Hundreds of toothbrushes and small toothpaste were handed out again  with a great demo on technique by V (AKA Veronica) using our large teeth and toothbrush.

Following up on yesterday’s mission team introductions, here are our two teenage members who have been our vital signs checkers and toothbrush technique teachers – V (Veronica) and David!  Great job!

Our triage team of Amy, Erin, Grace (wound care/triage float) and Kris enjoyed the time spent with our Malagasy translators Vats, Pastor Tahiana, Fanasina, and Stephie as we interviewed all who came to the clinic, identifying primary medical problems and issues to help the healthcare providers treat them.

An update regarding the 16 month baby girl who had cyst removal surgery last evening … the first photo is of her at Wednesday’s clinic before surgery;  the second is after her surgery.  We were about to visit her and the parents today at the hospital and saw her holding her head up well; they will be discharged home tomorrow – thanks be to God!

The Lutheran Hospital of Antsirabe, our host,  accepts patients even if they are unable to pay, unlike Madagascar state hospitals who require payment for services.  Donations are crucial to the ability to provide care to so many of the Malagasy people unable to pay.  Earlier this week, we found out the air conditioning wall unit in one of the 2 operating rooms was broken (the other OR has no air conditioning).  Our mission team came together to donate $130 for a new unit. There is so much we take for granted living in the United States.  What an opportunity to share God’s love with the Malagasy by improving the hospital staff’s and patients’ comfort during surgery!

The Lutheran Hospital of Antsirabe is located on a gated compound that includes our mission guesthouse, Dr. Harison’s and Domoina’s house, staff housing, a dental clinic, housing for patients’ families, and more.  The staff’s children play outside in the later afternoon, and we see them and their parents throughout our time on the compound.  They played another lively game of corn hole with Dr. Harison this evening!

After yet another yummy dinner, we discussed our plans for tomorrow.  Unfortunately, our final medical clinic scheduled for tomorrow was cancelled, which was disappointing… but God had other plans!  We will be visiting a local school for the deaf to share toothbrushes, a local jail to provide medications, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, and then a stop at Dr. Harison’s and Domoina’s church.

Our evening devotion focused on praising the Lord in all we do (Psalm 150).  “There are hundreds of Bible verses that tell us different ways to PRAISE THE LORD!  You, too, were created for this, and it’s never too late to start singing.”