Outreach to Africa

Something to think about

medic5150 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 04:57:54 +0000

Even now, months after I have returned from Uganda I still have moments when a certain event comes flooding back to me with the trigger being a certain word, smell, voice, or scripture. Today I was fortunate enough to be able to celebrate the life of a fallen Paramedic, Lori Mayfield. During this service I was able to see the life of an outstanding person who chose to spend her life in the service of others. As the memorial came to a close the church pastor read from the book of Matthew Chapter 6 19-21.

…Do not lay up for yourself treasures on the earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also…

In this scripture I was reminded of a lesson learned in Uganda. How the many things I have been blessed with could never bring me the joy and love I encountered with people who had nothing but the worn shirt on their back, yet rejoicing in their faith. I am as guilty as the next person of having the mentality that if I could just have this one thing I would be happy. But when I get that one thing there is always a next item that possesses my thoughts. When I was taken out of my element, away from the safety of the US, traveling abroad for the first time and away from all the earthly possessions I had accumulated in my home, I began to find myself calling on the one thing I had all along. This thing was still new in the wrapper and even had that new item smell. It was the love, and guidance of the Holy Trinity.

Walking in to an Arab country during call to prayer looking like a typical american tourist was the first and only time I was scared on my trip. I paused, looked around and realized I could not read a single sign since there were no english translations. I closed my eyes, turned my palms up and quietly said a prayer.

Coming back to the US it was easy to be swallowed by the materialism and commercialism of this economic driven society, But when was the last time you took all your items and accomplishments and weighed them with the treasures that lay before you in heaven created with your selfless actions here on earth?

Hear the stories from the author.

medic5150 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:39:15 +0000

The wait is over! Join me on February 19th at 8:15am or 11:00am at Emanuel Lutheran Church located at 1540 West Lodi Avenue, Lodi CA 95242, for the story of my mission trip to Uganda. By the grace of God I was able to touch the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe. Even though I will never be able to say thank you enough to all who made it possible, I encourage all to come and listen as Pastor Chris Townsend and I, Matthew Bitz, indulge in your adventurous spirit with pictures, videos, and personal stories of an international mission trip – a trip filled with hardships, and spiritual growth, in the beautiful continent of Africa, with its grateful and amazing people. So bring your friends and family to share in this opportunity to behold the grace of God through your brother in Christ.

medic5150 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:59:51 +0000

Outreach to Africa Medical Team. From the left DeeAnn: Physician, Cara Lovell: Physical therapist, Eva: Pastor and clinic owner, Michele Davis: Dental Hygienist, Patty Andes: RN, Caitlyn Walker: EMT, Daniel Riley: EMT (not in photo due to illness)

Coming home I am starting to realize the impact that Uganda and all the team members had on me. We experienced illness, hardships, Riots, and long days full of hard travel for the opportunity to serve GOD. Now that I am home all I can think about is going back and finishing what I have started. The medical team has already talked about returning for 2013 with various guest homes opening up to welcome us and Emirates Airlines offering up the tickets through the Emirates Foundation. Now is the time for me to take advantage of being home in America. Tho the first trip is considered by many as complete, not me. A part of me is still in Africa looking into the eyes of those loving children who hold your hand and only ask for love in return. This has helped me to realize the power of medicine in its entirety. Not just handing out medication but holding the hand of a dying man who just wants his last rites before he passes on, or being able to give hope to someone who walked miles for the chance to see a Muzungu who has offered to help. I can still remember the sound of those few hundred people who we had to turn away that day in the village. Out of all the people we helped, it is those who I was not able to help that motivates me now. It was the pain and suffering on this trip that has made me realize the power of having nothing but the LORD to call on. When a small child who is on the verge of death looks you in the eye and tells you that you are the answer to his prayer you soon realize GOD’s plan. Yesterday was a day where depression turned into anger. Today Anger has turned into motivation. It took traveling to the other side of the world for me to realize what I could do here at home, and take back to Uganda.

The trip home is not yet complete.

medic5150 — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 01:52:02 +0000

A transition back into my regular life has shown to be more difficult than I thought. The flight home yielded many hours of solitude and time for prayer and meditation. Landing at San Francisco International I found myself looking for the armed guards that I had grown accustom to seeing in Uganda. My thoughts are still that of survival and knowing my exits. Even as I went through customs I could not shake the feeling that I was not home but on my next mission. Walking out of customs and meeting with my father and family friend it began to sink in that I could relax and take it easy but I still had my wall erect. Walking into my house I wondered who must have lived here to have all these useless material possessions. Even now I look around the house thinking to myself, “do I really need this?” It was not until I was ready to go to bed, in my own bed that it hit me. The emotions flowed out of me like broken damn in the middle of a hurricane. For the first time in three weeks I completely let my guard down and was able to take everything in. The next morning, meeting with my girlfriend for breakfast I found myself disgusted with all the choices on the menu. The best part of the entire meal was the feeling of ice water hitting my lips. Ice, I never thought something so simple could be so satisfying. I am still adjusting to the time change and jet lag but today was able to attend my church. I was greeted with such love and I soon found out that my story has already touched the hearts of people I don’t even know. Throughout the service there were times when all I could do was think back to Uganda. Part of me is screaming to go back yet I can’t help but feel completely depressed and useless. After church I forced myself to go outside and accompany my parents while shopping. Looking back I should have stayed home. I will continue to update this blog with stories once I am strong enough to tell them.

Airport

medic5150 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:09:44 +0000

Hello everyone. I am feeling better and we are all sitting around waiting to board the plane. I will soon be in the air working on the 10,000 plus photos in my collection. I will update again in Dubai if I can. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayer

November 15th

medic5150 — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:39:48 +0000

There are some days that start out slow, some fast. Today was slow. We were all allowed to sleep in until 9am after the events of the previous day and the spread of Malaria through the team. I took full advantage and during a small breakfast I talked with some British safari guides of my age that had been in Uganda for the last year. Cara, our physical therapist told me the team was leaving and would be back to get me. I knew better than that. Maybe at the earliest they would get me after lunch to let my medication do its work. Physically I was feeling better, my fever had broken and not returned, yet. However the side effects of this medication are not something I would wish on anyone. Nevertheless I took advantage and enjoy a long overdue shower and was able to update this blog. Unfortunately, like most of Uganda there is limited power, water, and even more limited internet for the nonpaying visitor. The stack of finished entries has piled up and I just wait for the opportunity to post. Now that I have some time to myself, without a fever, I have begun to think of home and how much I miss my family, friends and loved one. Right now I would love to be able to just wash my clothing. The familiar smell of clean clothes would up lift me even more. I know this trip has changed me. Some aspects I can see others I will realize when I return but a lot of what happens here is not able to be written down in a blog or captured by a camera. The smells, people, and atmosphere is something you just have to feel and absorbed for yourself, I would highly recommend it to anyone. I can honestly say I now know that they mean when they say “Africa doesn’t need me, I need Africa”. I was right about them returning to get me. It was after lunch and just in time to assist with minor surgery. The remainder of the day at the clinic was a steady with minor patients coming in just as fast as we were able to get them out. Assisting in the lab I was able to perfect testing for Malaria, typhoid and AIDS/HIV. During the last few hours I found myself changing light bulbs and using what the local reception called “good American height” to reach the light fixtures that had not been used in months. The day concluded just in time for my symptoms to return.

The Congo

medic5150 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:15:54 +0000

After waking up from my rough night I was surprised to feel better and even able to eat a little. But that was about this best it would be for me that day. Today was an outreach to a clinic on the boarder of Uganda and the Congo. The Congo is a place you can’t let your guard down as the rebels are very unpredictable. It would be a two hour bus ride through hills and rock slides like I have never seen. About an hour into the trip I began to notice I was getting the same stomach pains I heard from other patients the day before. I didn’t say anything. What was the point, we were out in the middle of nowhere and nothing we can do now. About a half hour later we stopped for a short call. I guess I looked like I felt. The physician, DeeAnn, Offered me some pepto and the RN, Patty offered me Tylenol for the returning fever. After a prayer we departed back on the road. The local RN took me into the lab and immediately did a test for typhoid and malaria. The rest of the team took this as a chance for a photo op and practice for what was to come. They departed before the results for the boarder to take pictures and meet any patients fleeing from the rebels. They were greeted by the Uganda Army and began treating them for various injuries and sicknesses. As I sat in the chair waiting to see the results I noticed my fever had indeed returned. I found it hard to sit up in the chair and soon found myself lying in a bed wet with sweat. A patient in a clinic I was due to work at. The local medical assistant and jack of all trades soon had the results. Typhoid: negative Malaria: Positive. I couldn’t believe it. I looked at the microscope and saw the parasite and burst red blood cells myself. I lay back down and waited for the team to return about three hours later. The local RN decided there was no place for me to work today and I needed rest, medication, and lots of water. Her uncle escorted me to his home where I was greeted by numerous children and young adults. He showed me to a quiet room with a real bathroom. I was set. Later that day my roommate showed up to the house telling me he too was positive but I could tell he was still in the early stages. We rested and waited for the rest of the team to join us. By the end of the day four of the seven were positive for Malaria in various stages. I was the lucky first. According to the RN Malaria has an incubation period meaning I contracted it back in Tororo, on the East side of Uganda. Before we departed two young teenage girls prepared food for a very hungry team. I asked about all the children and if they were any relation. That’s when I got the gut check of the day. Every child in that home was abandoned, either in the Congo or near the border. There were abandoned and taken in like stray animals. It was at that moment in my fever confusion I began to clearly see the true result of the fighting. I have been told that American Soldiers are known to be in the Congo and I could not be more proud to be an American.

What’s Next?

panzer — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:26:50 +0000

Well, Matt was having some issues getting logged into here, so his postings have been few. I will share what I do know.

Friday he left Tororo for a (10 hours?) road trip to Fort Portal (East to West) and checked into the luxurious Mountains of the Moon hotel, where they stayed Friday and Saturday nights. He leaves Fort Portal today for his medical outreach.

Matt is having the time of his life! Saturday was his Safari day! His safari was at the Queen Elizabeth National Game Park. He used up both camera batteries and shot like 800 photos! He had that camera smoking! He said it was awesome!

At some point he also got to visit the Equator, as you can see:

Part of the team leaves today for home. The medical team will be doing ALOT of medical work today thru Wednesday, the 16th. They will be in some remote areas and Matt will most likely not be able to communicate to us until he gets to an airport. Thursday he starts his journey back to the USA and is due to arrive mid-day Friday. Like all of you, I cannot wait to hear his stories. And I imagine I will do my part in “processing” his photographs. I will be setting up his own gallery on my website to share with you. We will post a link here when it’s ready.

Keep checking back, I may be able to do some updating. Also, don’t be surprised if Matthew posts some new entries to fill in the blanks after he returns! We will need an extra dose of patience as he recovers from jetlag and re-adjusts to the world he left.

**If you “follow” this blog, you will automatically get an email when there is an update.

A bad heart for a loving kid

medic5150 — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 16:15:14 +0000

Today was the start of the medical outreach portion of this mission. After we said our goodbye to the rest of the team filled up a taxi with only luggage and sent him off to our fourth and final hotel/guest home of the trip. Before we left I was starting to notice that some of the team was getting home sick and were grateful to be going home yet at the same time telling us they wish they could stay to help us for the medical portion. Over the last few weeks this group of strangers from various parts of the United States, and Canada had grown into more of a family and grown to trust even depend on each other.

Our taxi arrived after our group picture and we departed the enjoyable 20 minute ride. I hardly even unpack anymore since I know we will only be here for a few days. Right away we were greeted by the woman who organized our outreach. Her name was Eva, a local pastor who owned two clinics and an elementary school. The elementary school also doubled as a church, and today, even as a medical clinic. After going into town to haggle with the shops for supplies we were on our way out to the school. The road was defiantly the path less traveled as were learned the skill of our driver avoiding getting stuck in the mud with a minivan better than most people in a modified jeep. I was thankful I didn’t have to get out and push in flip-flops.

After listening to the remainder of the church sermon (since we were late) we were given a brief tour. However no matter what they showed us the view surrounding this place was astonishing. Mountains with cloud covered tops and not a house to be seen for miles. The silence was only cut by the sound of children laughing as they played and waited for us to begin attending to them.

The medical assessments were starting to all look the same. Stomach pain, Diarrhea, headache followed by either worm or malaria medication. Then comes in a 17 year old boy who was dizzy and shy, I sat down with him and his friend to translate and began my assessment. I noticed right away this was not the normal area specific problem. He was having problems standing with fainting spells and moments of weakness. I wanted an EKG but settled for my stethoscope. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This 17 year old kid’s heart sounded like an 80’s year old male. Irregularly irregular with moments of PVC’s (for my medical friends) I stopped my assessment and pulled our physician from another patient. She concurred and we brought it to our guides attention. She was surprised as she knew this boy and was never told he had a complaint.

Our options were limited. With no cardiac intervention in the area I began to contemplate using the Dental Hygenist medication (Lidocaine) to calm his heart and to find some aspirin. We had no aspirin and the Dental hygienic just used the last of her medication for a tooth removal. Our only option was to get this tough kid to Kampala. The concern was getting him to Kampala then treating him and having enough money to cover the treatment and medication. Even when they get there he is looking at a 200,000 Schilling ($100 US) bill.

Between all of us in the team we have spent almost every Schilling in our pockets but decided to make sure this child gets to Kampala and the treatment he needs with the help of his family, local ministries and GODs good grace. I left the school intrigued by him, and shocked of the price difference compared to a cardiologist in the US.

RN Patty confirming the irregular heart beat

Once back to the hotel we found ourselves welcomed with an abundance of food. I had felt achy all day and decided first it was time for a nap. That did me in. I awoke in a cold sweat and when I went to eat could hardly stomach the food. The other team members realized there was something wrong when I didn’t even stay for dessert. I was in for a rough night. After taking some muscle relaxers and pain killers for my back pain my roommate said I sounded like a sleeping train. The last thing I remember is another hard rain storm hitting us and the power going out while the rest of the team prepped for the next day’s outreach to the Congo border at candle light. I didn’t know it but throughout the night they checked on me and realized my fever was spiking. They let me sleep and I awoke the next morning in a water bed, having sweated it out but feeling better and ready for the day. Little did I know that this was only the beginning.

Uganda Tsunami

medic5150 — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:14:37 +0000

Starting out the day was like prying teeth from child. A lot of complaining and pain involved. My back has taken a turn and I realized that having a physical therapist on the medical team is a blessing all its own. Nevertheless today was a day to relax and enjoy the sites of wild Africa. We departed in two busses, three hours later we found ourselves approaching Queen Elizabeth National Park.

We were greeted by an off duty park ranger who promised to get us some sites not normally seen. Once we entered the park and visited the visitor office we were placed on one large two story boat for the first part of the Safari. I was kicking myself for not brining a zoom lens. It was not long before we were deep in the wild. Eagles and other wild birds hunting fish, Hippos fighting for territory in the water, crocodiles enjoying the sun and even a female lion taking up the little shade under a tree. The guide tells us that one lion is always in sight to keep the prey on them and not on hunting lion.

Once the boat ride was finished our road safari began. We must have driven for what seemed like hours but at the very last moment our tour guide (the off duty park ranger) took us off road, which is a fine of $150 US toward a known spot for a lion family. We all joked about gathering $150 between us all to pay for the ticket. But the laughter soon turned to a massive sound of amazement and shutters. We soon rolled up on not one but two lion families. One of the female lions was pregnant and we didn’t see any babies but the sight of those powerful animals in their own environment was something I will never forget. We departed back for the road after one of the male lions began to mark his territory and standoff with the bus I was in. The euphoric atmosphere in the bus was unmatched to any other safari our leader had ever been on. It was only to be matched by what was to come.

We bypassed the matting grounds and headed straight for the elephants. About two hours across this massive park we found elephants indeed, an entire herd. We thought that would be it, we headed for the equator for photos and the ride home when we were greeted by another family at the road ride taking advantage of the overgrown grass. I must have taken over 800 pictures that day and as we headed for home there were yet more surprises in store. Our bus was almost struck by lightning as a heavy downpour crippled drivers and brought the area to a stop for a few moments. Once it cleared up we were once again taking pictures but not of animals or the safari.

Once we got back into town we realized that the heavy downpour caused a massive mud slide that over took road in front of us. Of course I got out and started taking more pictures with a battery about dead in the rain. A local who was next to me, he said this was a Uganda Tsunami with a puffed out chest and a proud smile. After the mud slide passed our busses were heavy enough to get through “the river”. Progressing through town we could see this mud slide had taken out homes and business, cars and generators. Later we could see the hillside of two mountains gave way. There was little we could do or anything the locals expected us to do so we headed home for our “luxury” hotel.