Sangre.

This past Tuesday I gave blood. Now, giving blood in a third world country was most definitely NOT on my list of "things to do while in Paraguay". But here is what I have come to understand about the medical system here, whether right or wrong: Like most everything else here, it is just one more thing oppressed by the corrupt governmental system. Therefore, I want to do what is in my power to help, however small that is. For the majority of the country there are few options for medicine. Either go untreated or sit in a dark, old, and dirty hopsital with hundreds of others waiting for days to be seen. This is the scene I walked into on Tuesday.

First, you should know how I got to be in this situation! A girl from my church, Diana, who is also in our women's bible study, has an older brother who got in a motorcycle accident in October. (Motorcycle accidents are all too common here, as people drive like maniacs and no one wears helmets). I think what happened was he shattered his ankle and it was never set properly, so he has been hobbling around on crutches for months. He probably needed surgery then, but it's gotten infected and he definitely needs it now. Because there is such a severe shortage of blood, in order to get the blood you need to have surgery you have to bring people to give blood in your name. Thus, when we were both asked, Tim and I decided that there was no way we could say no.

This hospital's blood bank is the best one in the country. That's not saying a whole lot but it really wasn't that bad. Clean and well air conditioned, and everything sterile. But still a far cry from what you see in the states. We waited for about an hour, and all that was required was to fill out a questionnaire. There was a slight concern that they wouldn't let me give because I forgot my ID, but they never asked for it, all they wanted were the numbers. After getting that done we decided to go visit Diana's brother.

I wish I had pictures for you to see.

We walked through hallways filled with people. Sitting on the floor, sitting on wooden benches lining the walls. Plaster and paint are peeling off everywhere, people are just looking at you with stoic faces- broken bones, infections, who knows what else. Diana's brother had been sitting on half of a wooden bench on the second floor with no windows and his swollen, infected foot propped up, for a day and a half. There are food vendors lining the sidewalk in front of the hospital because people stay there for so long, and they have to have food. And apparently there are bigger, older, and dirtier hospitals. I had to keep myself in check not to start crying at these people's conditon that they have no choice but to accept.

You also have to go buy all your supplies for your surgery and bring them with you. You get a list of things you need and without all of them, they won't operate. I can't imagine being in charge of getting my own supplies for my own surgery- I would have no idea what things were, if I was being overcharged, and if I was missing something. Money is simply not being given to medical needs here. The medical problems of the poor are probably at the very bottom of a very long list. Last I heard, Diana's brother was supposed to finally have surgery Thursday and he was at home waiting instead of at the hospital- but that was after 2 days of exhausting disappointment.

This is a great reminder of just how important blood is for us- in surgery, in life, and most importantly- through Christ. Where would we be without it? What an awesome way to help minister to someone! I have always felt very strongly about giving blood- when I finally turned 17 and was able to give, I went to the first blood drive I could find and lied about my weight so they would let me donate! :) (Don't tell the Red Cross... or make fun of me for being really skinny!) But in all seriousness, how can we deny someone something so important that is so easily given? Especially when Christ gave His blood and His life to save us from receiving the same fate. He didn't make excuses, how can we?

Please pray for the medical system here and that somehow things will be able to improve. Pray for the people that need medical attention and have to sit on the floor of a dirty hospital for days. Pray for the corrupt government to end. Pray that we can somehow help, even if it is just giving blood for someone who needs it.

And go give some blood!!

Buses, Bottles, and Bags

Sorry it's been almost 2 weeks since I last posted! I've been busy and have been waiting for some good pictures to put up. But I'm back now!

This past Friday Escuela Nuevo Horizonte, the school that I am working at, closed for the day. In the previous week there had been reports that Dengue Fever had once again begun to spread through Lambare. Dengue Fever is a disease spread through mosquitoes, and has the potential to be fatal. Although it is fairly rare that it kills, apparently you at least feel like you want to die. There is no vaccine and no medicine that can prevent it or help stop it. Learn more about it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/americas/04paraguay.html and here: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/. If you look at the first article, you can see that 2 years ago it was a very serious problem. People are trying to keep it from getting to that point again. Therefore, when schools around the area heard of several new cases, many closed on Friday and sent students and teachers out to gather trash in the streets that could collect water and hand out information on this illness.

Escuela Nuevo Horizonte brought all of its 7th and 8th graders out and broke everyone up into groups. Each teacher had about 3 or 4 students in their group and an area of the neighborhood they were assigned to visit. The picture on the left shows 4 of the groups sent out. Raul is the teacher on the bottom left, he does something in Administration, Perla is in the middle and Andrea is on the far right. They are the secretaries at the school. Marlena is on the left of Andrea, she is the fifth grade teacher.

As you can see in the first picture, we took the bus! Some other teachers made fun of us, but we had to go to the back of the neighborhood and it was HOT. :) And they let us on for free. Tough decision? I think not. We split up when we got to our stop and I went with Perla's group and played photographer. I wish I had a picture of some of the houses we stopped at, but I didn't want people to feel I was making a show of their way of life.

This was an area of the San Antonio neighborhood that I had not been to before. I am slowly making my rounds and seeing places, but it's a process! Some of these houses were in true third world condition. San Antonio is such a strange mix of middle class and extreme poverty. On one corner you see a house that you think, ok that's not so bad. Then you turn around and you see a shanty made of splinting wood that's about the size of a slightly-bigger-than-average bedroom in the United States. The amount of trash is unreal to me. People in the states get so angry about litter, but here people just don't understand the concept. You sit on the bus and watch people drink and coke then casually dump their bottle out the window.

It was sad because we picked up SO much trash- bottles, cans, jars, etc- but had to leave more than I think all the students in the school could handle. There are certain roads that seem to be the trash dump. Trash was piled up everywhere, some places we just didn't even get near. I can't wrap my mind around people simply dumping bags of garbage on the street around the corner, and not thinking twice about it. *In the picture above, you can see Enzo, a 7th grader that had the misfortune of being stuck with 4 girls. :)

Fortunately, as we were walking around and speaking with people, several were in the process of cleaning. Nothing can stir a cleaning spree in your front yard like the threat of a potentially fatal disease... The kids that came along were amazing and handled everything like pros. Not once did anyone in our group complain, even though it was about 90 degrees, 95% humidity, they had their hands in other people's trash, and had to carry a heavy bag of garbage around. I continue to be more impressed with the school and the students. And here you can see Andrea, oh-so-proud with her groups bag, that was literally trying to burst open.

So please pray against another Dengue outbreak, and pray for the ones that already have it. I went with Carol and Zuny to a student's house last week who they believe has Dengue and we prayed with them. Let's hope we won't have anymore.

Fuerza!

Things I Love About Paraguay...

1. Cows. In my front yard. When I walk outside to go to work. Buen dia, vaca!
2. The people. Never have I met so many people who genuinly care about everyone around them. Not just me. They'll help anyone out!
3. The air conditioning unit in my bedroom. I don't think there's a day that I don't thank the Good Lord Above for it. True story. May be slightly selfish of me, but you can't make me feel bad about it!
4. The buses. Many people are terrified of them, as they roar through streets barely pausing to pick people up and let people off. I think it's kind of fun. Like a really cheap amusement park ride. It does often hurt the bum, however.
5. The green. Yes, there IS a lot of brown. But the green is unbelievably green. The trees are incredible. Even the grass. If I wasn't scared of what had just pooped in it, I would lay down in it every day.
6. Their history! Yes, I am part nerd. This country has some amazing history, much of it tragic. It's fascinating to learn about!
7. The electricity that randomly turns off when it gets too hot. Yes, it scared me today when I thought I would have no air circulation. But it keeps things interesting.
8. Their yogurt. People- I am obsessed with this stuff. You buy it in a bag, cut the edge, and put it in a pitcher. It's like a delicious drink! USA-where has this BEEN all my life??? I currently have three in my fridge. It will not last long.
9. The way that God obviously has such a hand here. People are trying to change things. Churches aren't just sitting around watching. Everyone is INVOLVED in the COMMUNITY. Not always an easy task. But God is kicking some butt around here and it is awesome to watch!
10. Lastly, empanadas. Fried bread with meat inside is a VERY important part of a balanced diet around here. And I AM trying to be a local......

Sending love and 100 degree heat your way!