Hope Clinic Update

Marc sent this to me to post. Meghan

Its hard to believe that it has been 3 weeks already. All of us remain fairly healthy, or at least not seriously ill. Jeff and I have been busy with clinic 2 days a week and 3 days of surgery. Its been amazing to see how we are able to do so much (surgically) in an area where the town has no running water or electricity. The people here are so resilient. Unfortunately, poverty, lack of education etc mean that people tend to come in late - with metastatic cancer, in urinary retention with possible kidney damage. The local government run hospital, if you can call it that, doesn't even have X-ray, and it is unclear what they are doing there when it comes to treatment. People often come to us after that has failed. Very interesting compared to our system. In addition to the medical aspects we have all had time in the evening to read and reflect on life. How we are living life. Seeing how people here can be so friendly, generous and seemingly happy, without any of the "Things" that we would consider necessary for happiness such as plumbing, electricity, kitchens in our house, internet, computers, tv, DSI, Xbox, playstation, gym memberships, eating out, ice to only name a few really makes you realize how fortunate and blessed you are and to ask yourself how I define happiness or contentment. It also makes me want to simplify and to stop and smell the roses. We leave in 1 week from Hope to go to Monrovia. Keep praying for safety, health and for continued blessings and strength for us and for those we are trying to help/reach. Marc.