Explorers from Alabama

 By Jerome Adams

During October, 2009, a very special group composed of DCH employees and others paid $2100 plus spending money and gave eight days of their lives five of which were full working days of 8am to 5pm exploring Joao Pessoa, Brazil, as unpaid, nongovernmental ambassadors of spiritual and medical goodwill from Alabama. If “Faith without works is dead” these unofficial representatives from our state demonstrated their living spiritual nature through medically helping and interacting with people of another culture and country who lacked the financial ability and knowledge to help themselves. Explorers from Alabama shared their spiritual generosity and came away with pictures, journals, and memories that will remain the rest of their lives. The pictures, journals and stories told by the participants may inspire others to lend a helping hand to those in need. Those helped in Brazil will also remember the words and especially the deeds of the little group from Alabama. who medically examined, dispensed worm pills, other medications, reading glasses and instructions to a small segment of the population of Brazil and wanted nothing in returned but who received more than money can purchase.  True goodwill cannot be bought or sold.

  In addition to the clinical objectives the participants also interacted with good citizens of Brazil in a social nature. Meetings were held where discussions and religious services were conducted. Several of the DCH volunteers and some of the local volunteers did entertaining activities with the children through games, face painting and music. Though translators were needed often for medical information and instructions little translation was required for the fun stuff. “Seeds” were planted in the youth that could “germinate” and “grow” in a positive manner benefiting all. Many of the children were happy to simply touch the volunteers as they went about the activities.

  Sherry Roberts, a business woman in Tuscaloosa, and Janet Canty, an x ray technician at DCH, led Bible study, organized games and skits, and interacted with children in many entertaining activities. Though the ladies readily admit their artistic limitations in face painting the children loved the attention. Sherry related that the game most enjoyed was “pin the tail on the donkey” purchased only at the last moment as an after thought. Simple activities were well received by the children.

  While the DCH team was conducting their medical mission a mobile Brazilian dental lab joined the group. The first patient was George Hodgson, a DCH employee, who had a problem with a tooth. The dental team composed of a young female dentist and two assistants saw many of the citizens. Toothbrushes were distributed and children were taught the importance of brushing, how to do it correctly, to do so twice each day and were given fluoride treatments.

  Larry Handley, Leigh Lang, and Dan Shay, pharmacists, filled prescriptions and gave detailed instructions at the end of the process after patients had seen a doctor. The process was slow because of having to use translators but the pharmacists were professional and patient.

  Many of us wear simple reading glasses and think little of going into a Dollar General, a pharmacy, Wal Mart, grocery store, etc. if we need a pair. The cost is such that we tend to have several pair in different locations. We have extras. The effect on some of the Brazilians was rather dramatic. Many had not been able to see clearly for a long time. All of a sudden they could see well enough to read and details of the faces of their children, grandchildren, spouses, and friends! Many wept! Imagine the effect on Tom Lang and Justin Marlowe who had just presented these simple reading glasses and had observed the result!

  A couple of teenage sisters were very helpful with paper work. Names, addresses, and other information were taken for follow up later and they were very diligent in the task.

  Preparation for the Brazil trip occurred over a period of months. Medicines were packaged, paperwork was arranged, Bible story cloths were made, and participants were informed about the customs in Brazil. The DCH team was instructed about how to dress while not at the clinic, what to expect at the airport terminals, and the subjects to avoid discussing such as anything political.

  Beth Dunn, nurse practitioner from DCH, Janet Canty, x ray technician from DCH, and Garlette Jackson, nurse practitioner from Pickens County, and Sierra Fladstol, nurse from Birmingham, assessed patients before sending them to a physician. The language barrier made the task challenging even with a translator but the group persevered.

  It was Dr. Tom Farmer’s first time on a medical mission. He was very patient with children who made noise and ran a round some as children do. He saw many children and also did some home followup visits.

  Dr. Earl Glenn, a retired physician who had made several other trips, was also patient and saw many children and did home visits. He and Dr. Farmer sometimes had to team up to conduct examinations of reluctant children.

  Sierra Fladstol and Justin Marlowe related well with children and young adults after clinic and during breaks. They organized and played games and other entertaining events.

  I probably have missed some people in attempting to describe the activities of the DCH team. For as many as there were directly involved I know there were many others who who helped there and back in the states and supported the efforts of the group.

  In conclusion, a small group of dedicated medical missionaries planted the “seeds” and helped people they had never seen or knew of before and may never see again. They used their own money and time to travel to Joao Pessoa, Brazil, the closest point in the Americas to Africa where ancient Egyptian sailors may have once landed after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The event will never be forgotten by the Explorers from Alabama.