Happy birthday, Dr. Joe

Today is the birthday of a very gracious and dedicated man.  Dr. Joe has made the very best of this ride.  Since he first set foot in the Fish Town Medical Clinic he has been the happiest, most fulfilled man imaginable.  He has met people and treated patients and had his world rocked not only by the poverty and resource shortage but also by the amazing people he has met.  One is Rose.  Rose is a certified midwife who runs the maternal health program at the clinic.  She's been there about 4 years and has delivered 1000 babies.  She is also the leader of the local Planned Parenthood and a person of authority at her church.  Like Dr. Joe, Rose takes life by the horns.  

Today four of us went down the hill to play frisbee.  We couldn't use the town soccer field as there was a game going on, so we took the disc to another open space and befor we had thrown it to each other even once there were 50 kids gathered trying to join.  It became an exercise in crowd control as the kids piled on top of each other for a chance to throw.  Then all 50 walked and ran back up the hill with us.  We organized them in a rough semblance of a line and had them wash their hands.  Why not?  We had to wash to get back in the gate and they wanted to wash as well.  Never too many hand washings.  We bid them good bye and disappeared in the gate.

Tomorrow we officially start going to the clinics.  Freelancing stops and we are now scheduled.  It should be interesting.  

Dr. Joe at Christmas.