A Doctor's Journey to Nicaragua

Amazing how refreshed I felt after these past two weeks away in Nicaragua – hard, tiring work but strangely stress free. Apart from deciding what medicine to prescribe no major decisions to make or difficult telephone conversations to handle.

We drove down our road and I marvelled at the difference in environments – opposites to the extreme! As I stepped into a lovely warm shower I was all the more grateful for the simple things we take for granted. We live in such a privileged “setting” and yet why are over half the patients I see in my surgery stressed, depressed or anxious? Those living in poverty have too much to worry about just surviving and yet they appear happy. It is those grateful smiles which will comfort me in those “testing moments” to come.

Lee Ann was a pleasure to be with (not many can say that about a hormonal 15 year old!) – she enjoyed the deworming, patient interaction and in the last two medical clinics helped most efficiently in the pharmacy actually dispensing drugs on her own. She enjoyed being with the team, making new friends and on stepping back onto UK soil declared what a shame it was to be back home!

A particular highlight was when Lee Ann actually volunteered to speak about Spiritual healing and go through the process of praying for the Sick in front of the host church congregation!

We witnessed many healings and I have included some below:

Memorable moments include:

1. A man in his 20s, who I personally saw in the medical clinic, with a damaged left shoulder which was most probably dislocated. He had been hit with an iron bar in an attack and could not lift his arm or take off his shirt without much help. I gave him strong painkillers but we could not sedate him to reduce the shoulder. During the evening open-air meeting I was thinking over the patients I had seen and was thinking two of the lads could have held him down and regretted not trying – so I prayed for healing for him in my mind anyway not realising he was in the meeting. A few minutes later I spotted him on the stage telling everyone that he had been healed and could raise his arm. He was weeping with joy and relief and full of repentance. Just before that moment when I was praying for him two of the young boys approx 20y (first for them) had prayed for him and witnessed the shoulder go back into its socket and him being able to lift his arm. They took a photo and kept talking about it all evening. It was so exciting for all of us as we had seen him definitely being unable to abduct his arm and then he was healed and praising God for this. I ran up to him to check he was indeed the man I saw earlier and re-examined his shoulder – it was indeed better. He had full movement. I was so excited as this was genuine that I rushed around showing him to the interpreter and the other doctor in the clinic who had seen him previously.
2. A Deaf man healed - this elderly man had been deaf for many years (said his daughter) and his disability was witnessed by Lee Ann who was in the frontline taking BPs and deworming. They had to shout at him to make themselves heard. Whilst he was in the "waiting to see a doctor queue" a couple of the lads assigned to this area prayed for him and were delighted to find he could then hear. Being young and sceptical they tested his hearing talking softly amidst the pandemonium around - and yes, his hearing was restored!
3. One lady had had a lump or growth on her abdomen for months and was standing in line to come in. Two of the girls prayed for her and the growth disappeared. She threw away her ticket number and declared she no longer needed to attend the clinic. Kelly, who is bilingual, was listening to her conversation with her husband (and checking) overhead him say to her " what do you mean the lump has gone?!"...
4. A lady in the last clinic presented with a 3 x 3 cm lump deep in her right thigh and eczema on her shin which was also felt by one of the Canadian students sitting with me. I treated the skin and told her that I could do nothing for her lump as it would need to be removed surgically but God could heal her. So I wrote on her treatment card – “please pray for lump in thigh and let me know when she has been healed”. A few minutes later the guys asked me to re-examine her as she said it had gone – and both Devon and I did so. What a delight - indeed it had disappeared!
5. We also cooked for and served 800 prisoners in the local jail as well as serving at the feeding centres for the children - so many happy faces! This was one of the only nutritious meals they received a week.

We worked with a wonderful team of 32 united focussed and positive people. Despite our natural differences we all got on amazingly well. We were all kept in good health also.

The Journey of Compassion (JOC) has changed my life. I was a Christian beforehand but the key things that have meant a lot to me have been:

The knowledge, without a shadow of doubt, that there is a God That God can and does heal - I have witnessed true miracles which as a doctor I will testify to The joy of working within a united and God focused group of people from all different backgrounds and cultures The reassurance that the money we give is going to well researched and worthy causes supervised by reputable local people. (We have given much money to other charities and have not always been convinced that it has been well administered. Others I know share this concern)

Wonderful memories, new friendships and a renewed respect for Impact Nations which is a great charity to support. Thankfulness for all the things around us we take so for granted. A love of Nicaragua with it’s friendly and hospitable people….though so pleased not to eat any more rice and beans! Most of all a deepening of our relationship with God as we witnessed first-hand healings which cannot otherwise be explained.

Great to feel we really can make a difference!

Already looking forward to the next trip!

Regards

Fui Mee