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The sound of saccade pierces the evening air. It is high pitched, almost a shrill scream calling out as they rub their wings together. Then suddenly it is silent. The air is heavy with pungent humidity. The geckos scurry to grab a mosquito as it flies dangerously close to the geckos’ waiting pounce. For sure the phrase, ‘hot summer night’ takes on a new meaning when experiencing summer in Vietnam. Slowly, I drift off to sleep to the music of motorcycles whizzing by and young people in small groups musically talking and laughing in the ‘cool’ of the night by the Perfume River. In the early morning hours I am jolted from slumber by laughter and splashes as young boys jump into the lazy Perfume River to cool and wash themselves’ before the heat becomes too intense. The morning bird's chirp and the saccade start their piercing cry again. It is 5 A.M., another day has started in the tropics. It is time for me to crawl out from under my mosquito net. It is another day for the MEDRIX team to work at the hospital, and the health station in the neighboring village. It is time for MEDRIX volunteers to work with contractors in monitoring the installation of three water systems in three villages. Two villages are within thirty minutes by paved road, and one, a hot hour long trip by dirt road, where some stretches are washed out by floods. It is the day for one doctor to lecture in the medical university and the other to remove a tumor from a young mother’s face. The nurses on the team will be teaching medical terminology in English (a favorite class) and a variety of other health courses. All in all there will be over 500 students in the MEDRIX classes. And the film crew will be following each of us around, capturing “moments with MEDRIX.” Looking ahead to October: As I look forward to the MEDRIX October 2004 Trip: The intense heat of summer has become moderately bearable, it is now Autumn. Once again I will find myself under the same mosquito net, in the same room, revisiting the projects listed above. However, in October I will not only visit the villages and the sights of the last safe water projects, I will also visit the village of the woman who had her tumor removed. I will ask her how she is feeling and see first hand how her life has changed since her major surgery in May. I will also arrange for my travel to Hanoi to meet with our licensing board and pick up the permits to continue our work in Vietnam.
Each day, will hold new ventures and give opportunity to evaluate the projects of “hot summer days” and nights around the lazy Perfume River. Each day will hold new challenges and help solidify established partnerships with our colleagues in Vietnam. Time will be spent with our partners determining what requested projects have priority and which ones will need to wait. All are so worthy, all so important to the requesting parties. It is so difficult for us to make decisions that will be life changing for many people.
My husband, Bob, along with other MEDRIX Safe Water Volunteers has been testing an innovative ultra-violet safe water system. It is now in Phase Four. Bob has been working with the district’s water department in Hue, Vietnam for about four years. He too, will be working hard to implement Phase Four of the "Ultra-violet, Safe Water System" that is affordable, sustainable and can be built in Vietnam.
How can you partner with MEDRIX in the upcoming October 7-30? Pray for us while we are engaged in this important work and meet with our partners in Vietnam. Contribute financially as you are able, toward the cost of the progress of MEDRIX educational programs and safe water development programs. Join a MEDRIX Volunteer Team
Thank your for sending your contributions to MEDRIX. Please note that you can use credit card, internet banking, checks or cash to financially support us. We will send you a tax deductible receipt. MEDRIX PO Box 2588 Woodinville, WA 98072 Thank you for your gracious prayers and financial partnership on our behalf. Blessings, See you in November with a report from our October 2004 MEDRIX Team.
Sincerely, LaRelle Catherman
P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendars for November 12th benefit and event. Dinner is on us, come and join us!
MEDRIX can make it easy for you to donate a one-time contribution,
monthly, quarterly, or yearly. MEDRIX now has the capability to
accept contributions through your credit card and will provide a statement for your tax records. |
