NEW ‘MOZMED’ SERVICE | FORGING TRUST WITH A NEW COMMUNITY

God’s favour paves the way as we touch down for the first time in a remote muslim village of Mozambique.

Early morning 24 April found our Cessna Grand Caravan dodging clouds as the MozMed medical team slept for much of the 1.5 hour journey to Matondavela, Mozambique. I was a bit apprehensive for this first MozMed visit to Matondavela since we were not acquainted with this local administration, police, military and clinic technician. The people are almost entirely Muslim and animist and our Portuguese language will be uncommon to most. ISIS insurgents are threatening not so far away causing heightened security awareness by all. Will this very remote community welcome and trust us? Would we see God bless them and work in them through our efforts?

A helpful hunting concession operator had made initial negotiations for MozMed to serve in Matondavela each month, and they prepared the disused airstrip. Maneuvering overhead amidst the small mountains, the airstrip was determined to be in excellent condition and landing on the long dirt airstrip was not difficult. Hundreds of people respectfully lined the airstrip and we exited the plane. We were greeted by smiles and warm handshakes from the leaders and we were grateful.

Th e doctor, dentist, ophthalmologist, national missionary and the MozMed director, loaded their gear and made their way to the local clinic. There was a speech to the growing crowd that ended with -- “If you are not here to visit the clinic go away”. We were concerned that the clinic technician was absent but the concession operator had a trained medical assistant who obtained the keys and helped the doctor.

Doctor Preciosa worked tirelessly with 78 patients. I saw many young mothers with small children waiting to see her. Dentist Claudio pulled many teeth from 27 grateful suffering patients. Ophthalmologist Basilio cared for 17 patients (34 eyes). We offered to bring one person back for cataract surgery but the offer was declined. Like at our other locations, it will take some time, and small successes, to gain trust.

Late afternoon we flew to Lugenda Airstrip. Another concession operator fed and lodged us for the night, along the banks of the Lugenda River -- with occasional sounds of lions, elephants and hippos in the distance.

The next day was work again for the MozMed Team as they tended to the camp staff and others. Again Preciosa had the bulk of patients treating 33, Claudio treated 7, and Basilio 24 patients.

It was an honor to serve these extremely remote people - especially after praying, hoping and waiting for maybe 4 years. It is so very difficult for them to receive any medical care. We will bring caring Christian medical workers once per month April to December (avoiding the rainy season). We hope they see Jesus in how we love them. We will build relationships and earn trust and look for opportunities to speak to hearts.