Notes from the Field

I have always wanted to be a doctor, and I have become one at our mission.

Actually, I am more like an Army medic, treating people with minor injuries and sicknesses, sending those with more serious illnesses to our hospital in Kenieba. 

Mostly, I treat laborers who are working in the fields around the mission when they cut themselves with their hoes. I also treat babies, making a rehydration drink for them to drink when they have “runny tummies” and giving children’s Tylenol to them when they have a fever.

My good friend Musa was the doctor until the first of the month. He is the day guard on the mission compound. He just joined a guard service from Bamako (the capital of Mali) and they requested that he only guard and stop doing first aid work. 

Musa is very knowledgeable about treating injuries and sicknesses. He is my teacher, helping me learn how to help people. He is especially good at treating burns.

A book entitled “Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook” is also my teacher.

Prayer for a Village

Dear Lord,

I wish I was a doctor. I would heal sick people. I would remove diseases from their bodies. I would prescribe medicines to help them feel better. Yes, I would heal and help.

I wish I was a farmer. I would grow peanuts, millet, corn and rice to give to hungry people to eat. I would teach people to work and care for the land and feed them for a lifetime as well as for a day. Yes, I would grow and teach.

I wish I was an engineer. I would dig deep wells and build big pumps so every person could have cool, clean water. Yes, I would dig and build.

But, I am not a doctor or a farmer or an engineer.

I am only myself.

Here is my heart. Please use it to love people.

Here is my soul. Please use it to befriend people.

Here is my mind. Please use it to teach people.

Here are my hands and feet. Please use them to serve people.

I am only myself, Lord. 

But here I am.