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I walked from the heat into the plane where the air was very cool. Kellie
and I snapped on our seat belts and settled back into our seats. We would
continue our discussions with our Vietnamese consultant and partner in the
air. This was the 6th plane to three cities. By the end of our travels
we visited 4 villages, completed 33 meetings, 5 dinner parties, and three
business breakfasts. We had been on the ground and in the air in Vietnam.
We met with high-level government officials and humble village people. We
visited several former MEDRIX project sights. On one occasion we visited
gracious Sisters who fed the poor, clothed orphans and were opening a new
charity clinic for the terminally ill. We had dined in a world-class
restaurant, and stoked the fire in a smoked-filled village kitchen with
the pigs snorting over a concrete barrier.
What was the outcome of the 10-day business trip? This was a business
trip designed to set up and prepare for the April Team and complete the
many requirements in order for us to work in SE Asia.
- We prepared for the April Team and confirmed the work of 2004.
- The extension on our working license has been delayed. When we
return in April we must set up an office in the country, and hire a
staff member and then reapply for our extension.
We know the April team, of twelve travelers, will be quite busy. There
will be two medical doctors, four nurses, one medical student, and three
on a film documentary team. Team members will teach in the hospitals and
two universities, attend and present at one Medical Conference, perform a
number of life changing operations, remodel two clinics, rebuild 2 water
systems, which may involve digging one new well and establishing a safe
water system for one cistern.
The work of the April Team will directly affect the lives of 8,000
children and numerous other villagers.
The temperature will be 90 to 104 degrees daily, and the humidity will be
in the 90's, sometimes reaching the point of raining. Then there will be
brief moments of refreshment before the sun again comes out and the
intensity of the heat and humidity becomes stifling. No shorts or
sleeveless dress are appropriate and bottled water will be consumed by the
mega liters.
Why do we do this, you ask? Is the work of MEDRIX worth the effort? We
ask ourselves the same question. Then we remember that when we give a cup
of cold water or when we speak up for the rights of the poor and destitute
we are doing the work we have been called to.
Thank you for your support and for your ongoing encouragement of the
work of MEDRIX.
Larelle Catherman
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