In our last newsletter we wrote about the importance of purchasing a new vehicle to safely transport our team to the remote areas in the Andes, Amazon and Guarani regions. Our two 4x4 Land Cruisers of 18 years old (2006) and 24 years old (1998) have had their best days, and their poor condition makes driving on hundreds of kilometers of unpaved roads too risky.
To reach our stated goal, an event had been set up in the spring by friends from my doctoral year (1988) while studying medicine in Leuven, Belgium. It is partly thanks to this action, and to countless other wonderful donations, that we were able to raise the US$ 53,775.00 to purchase our brand new “Doctors On Mission” vehicle!
Getting the money to Bolivia
With the current political and economic crisis in Bolivia - accompanied by endless corruption - millions and millions of dollars have disappeared “into thin air.” So the two months we had to wait to get the money from the Bolivian bank made our fears very great. Fortunately, we were spared this tragedy, and we thank God for His guidance through the challenging administration work with the local bank.
Meanwhile, we also witnessed a “failed” coup. Several reliable sources tell us that this was a deliberately, orchestrated coup to hide their own corruption. We ask your prayers that our medical-pastoral work can continue.
In the Andes
For our most recent Andean medical expeditions, we set out from our high Andean base (11,000 feet) to small mountain villages such as Molle Punku and Pampa Yampári. The populations we assist mostly live in rural areas and are mainly farmers (campesinos) or laborers who help cultivate the scarce fertile land.
Every morning, after the blessing of the local pastor, our logistics team, our creative team (led by Carolien), our MD's and our dentist Dr. Fernando get to work with great enthusiasm. Very patiently, our dentist takes the time to examine and treat the children's teeth, and with didactic material and humor he explains to them and their parents the necessity of brushing and flossing. It is no exception that many children in the villages have never seen a toothbrush, so we always give them a new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
In the village of Molle Punku it was very touching to see how excited the children were when they learned from Carolien that they were all entitled to a painting on the hand or arm after having been to the dentist. Those who were first to complete her homemade puzzle and memorize the corresponding Bible verse received a full face painting.
Down to the Chiquitanía
After the Andes we descended to the remote small villages in the Amazon basin “Chiquitanía”, the eastern part of Bolivia against the Brazilian border. We return there regularly, know the villagers personally and see their children growing up. In the village of Quitunuquiña we saw a young woman again (Juanita) whom Carolien remembered well because of her mischievous and playful character. She now has an 18-month-old son and is doing very well.
One of the biggest challenges remains providing the necessary medication to adequately serve everyone. We strive to continue to offer all consultations and medication free of charge. Each expedition easily costs around 2,000 US$. Currently, we still have a shortfall of US$6,620 to make up, but we are confident that we will come soon in financial balance.
It is a blessing that this fire of serving is still going on since 1990 (34 years) within our “Doctors On Mission” ministry.
Our youngest doctor
News that also gives us great joy is the graduation of our youngest doctor Enrique Iglesias (also known as Kike). He is the son of our local accountant, Mr. Sandro Iglesias, and graduated this year as a Medical Doctor. Increasingly, Dr. Enrique accompanies us on the medical trips, as well as Sandro his two daughters Fabiana (fourth year medical student) and Cielo (accounting graduate), Briana, daughter of Dr. Sheryl and Dr. Julio, and Laetitia, daughter of our pharmacist Jorge, who very much wishes to study dentistry.
Together with our established team, such as Dr. Julio and his wife Dr. Sheryl, we form a close-knit medical team. All too many doctors leave abroad after completing their studies while there are so many shortages in their own homeland. Dr. Enrique also wants to specialize in Argentina (Cardiology) but reassured his family that he will return to put his knowledge fully into practice in his own country. He'll certainly be missed!
