Medical mission camp hits the spot

Six days helping out in Vanuatu? What's not to like!

"Vanuatu again!? Didn't you do that last year?"

When I talk about a six-day Medical Mission Camp to Vanuatu, I understand the reaction. The person is thinking exactly as I thought the first time I was approached to participate in such a mission.

Handing over a health vehicle to the community of Tongoa.

What can you possibly achieve in six days? Mid­wifery is a minimum journey of nine months with an expectant mother and her partner and family. What can I possibly offer as a midwife? The ni-Vanuatuan midwives are far more skilled than I.

It sounds a lot like when Jesus feeds the five thousand, and what Andrew the disciple said: "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" (John 6:9)

Dr Bijay Pandey and Lily-May Molisa (MCH Nurse from Sanma island) with patient.

But with God in charge, with prayer, multi-skilling, flexibility, and adaptability, it's amazing what can be achieved through team work.

The 2008 camp was not for the faint hearted. From the word go, there were disrupted flights and frantic phone calls to rearrange accommodation. We were a mixed group from WA, NSW, Victoria, and New Zealand, matched by an equal number from Vanuatu, some from the capital Vila and others from outlying islands. Yet the hospitality was second to none, the people friendly, helpful, approachable, and incredibly tolerant. The Lumbukuti village women did an excep­tional job in providing us with an incredible array and variety of meals for lunch and dinner every day of our visit.

Dentist Dr Graham McLennan and Pam McLennan.

The work itself was also challenging. On Satur­day October 18, the Director General of Health in Vanuatu conducted the opening ceremony for the camp, and a new Health Committee vehicle was handed over to the community of Tongoa island. Sunday morning saw a combined service in the Presbyterian Church. And then Monday through Thursday the medical work was on in earnest, starting early with the howling of dogs outside our window at 2.30 in the morning! Then came a prayer service, and the day's medical consulting, finishing with a crusade meeting hosted by a different denomination each night.

David, Richard Thatwin, Oscar.

Leaving Tongoa presented yet another challenge: the waterlogged paddock prevented anything but a helicopter from landing. Those without travel insurance but with flights the next day were ferried out, while the rest of the team took advantage of an extra night's stay and the opportunity to debrief as a group at a final prayer meeting before flying out Saturday.

Overall this was an awesome experi­ence, and I loved every minute of it! If I was asked to go back and do it all over again I would say "Yes" in a heart­beat. I was also blessed to have my wonderful Christian friends and col­leagues as travelling companions. I'm sure people must have been convinced we had our own private supply of "laughing gas." We had so much fun and laughed so much that we spent most of the day and night high on natural endorphins. Who needs kava?

Valua Lamb and Sanny Marafi with patient.

From a personal perspective, this trip reinforced my awareness that God is truly in my life and always has been, continually travelling along with and guiding me through life's profound journey, strengthening my faith and acceptance of God's will and his ways.

There is a desperate need for pre­scription and reading glasses, as well as sunglasses. I understand that the team optometrist, Richard Thatwin (centre in picture 4 on page 1), will be in Melbourne in December and can take delivery of any supplies we might be able to provide. If you feel inclined to assist, please contact me (I'm in the congregational directory).

Did we make a difference?

About 700 people [about 20% of the island's population] registered to see the doctors, dentist, or optometrist in the four working days. Counselling and pharmacy were also available.

Medical team: Three doctors, with three registered nurses (RN) translating, saw 510 patients for at least a dozen different kinds of problem. Of these, 71 were referred for futher care.

Dental team: One dentist with RN, two dental nurses, and one dental hygenist gave primary school children 400 sets of tooth­brush and paste. About 400 ex­tractions were performed, and 10 patients were referred for further care. The team also visited schools for dental education.

Optometrist team: Optometrist and RN distributed 184 pairs of glasses after testing over 300 pa­tients. A total of 91 patients need opthalmic surgery.

Counselling team: Three lay people combined with local pas­tors to talk with 392 visitors, many of them wanting to re­commit their lives to Christ.

Pharmacist: All patients received iron tablets, multi­vitamins, and worming medicines, as well as any relevant prescription medicines that were available.

"I am thankful to God that the Medical Camp could happen here this time. It is a real blessing to us [the people of Tongoa]. It reminds me of the 'missionary days' where the missionaries not only came here to share the Gospel but were able to provide medical services as well."

Lay Pastor, Tongoa, 70 years old

"I learn a lot from the visiting doctors in terms of diagnosing patients and other medical procedures."

Nurse, Lolowai Hospital

"People were dying and we thought it was witchcraft, but most was due to NCDs as shown in the Medical Camp clinics."

Woman of 45 years, Tongoa

"Thank you for the great work done this week. I wish we have this more often and get doctors visiting us every now and then."

Chief Tom Tipoloamata, Itakoma Village, Tongoa

Prayer Points

The Board for Mission of the LCA this month invites us to pray for:

• Seminary students studying at the seminaries of our overseas partner churches, that they will continue to grow in wisdom and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ
• Students studying at Australian Lutheran College, that they will con­tinue to grow in the joy of serving Jesus Christ wherever he may call
• Lecturers who teach and train the stu­dents preparing to serve as pastors and lay workers
• God to continue to open our eyes to see where He is working, and to know that wherever He calls us, He also provides for our needs (Philippians 4:19)

The Healthcare Christian Fellowship (HCF) Medical Camp was made possible by the cooperation of:

• The Ministry of Health Vanuatu
• The Chiefs of Tongoa Island
• The Christian Churches of Tongoa Island
• The Shefa Provincial Government Representatives
• The Shefa Provincial Health Team
• The Chief & People of Lumbukuti Village Tongoa Island.
• The HCF Vanuatu Team – from Shefa, Sanma & Penama
• The HCF Oceania Team – from Australia & New Zealand
• Government workers active in Tongoa like Teachers and Police Officers.

by Judy Pedersen (with Joe Kalo, Adolescent Health & Development Coordinator)