The Poor You'll Always Have With You!

These pictures are reversed in relation to the story. I apologize.

In 2007, our second trip to Uganda, we did our first medical clinic. When we arrived the first day, there weren't a huge number of people. Pastor Agnatius said, "The people don't believe me when I say people are coming to help them and bring free medical supplies". (In Pallisa, there is an old hospital, but very few medicines (which have to be bought, when available, by the patient). The next day, the crowd was larger, and even more came the next day. We began to have to give out a "yellow slip" with the ability to return the next day and get in first. The second to the last day, the crowd was so large, we had to give out about 200 slips. I thought, "That will be most of our patient load for tomorrow." As we arrived the next day, there were bicycles everywhere (the main method of transportation besides walking). We were informed people had walked for hours to get there. We immediately set to work, but by noon it was obvious that we would run out of medicines that day and have none for the next (and last) scheduled day of clinics. As I walked outside, I tried to explain to the people that we were so sorry that we were running out of medicines (hoping that we would at least get through that day). As I looked to the right, a huge number of people began to show me their "yellow return slip". I had assumed they had been first in line! Yikes! I had forgotten to tell the "crowd control/line handlers" to let them in BEFORE new people there for the first time. I prayed and, expectantly, told all the people (apologizing again) that we would only be able to see people with yellow slips (explaining the reason), and that they should just go ahead and return home. They just sat! And looked at me! And motioned to me of all their aches and pains and illnesses and hurting children. We continued to hurriedly see patients, but it seemed impossible as those without slips pushed to the front, no longer patiently waiting in line. Finally, I decided that we would take those with slips to the church building and only allow those in. So those with slips, accompanied by everyone else (of course), walked to the church, and we only allowed the many with slips in. We had very limited medicines left. We separated those who needed treatment for malaria and the doctor helped them. I stood in the middle of the others who were lined along the walls. I asked who needed pain meds, raise your hand. After explaining the usage, we started at the middle, working both ways to the outside and every person with their hand raised received medicine and there was none left. I went to the middle again and asked about general weakness (vitamins), did the same thing. All with their hands raised received medicine and there was none left. I did the same with coughs - same results! Over & over, we had just the right amount of medicines. Each time, every need was met (but not 12 basketfuls of leftovers!) Mike, outside, had decided to mix up some vitamin mix we had with water and later reported that everyone waiting OUTSIDE had reeived a cup of vitamin drink. To the last drop of our supply! God is good!! People began to come to the door and say they just wanted to hear the Gospel. As the numbers increased, I asked Hugh to just go outside and present the Gospel. He did, and between them, the conseling, and preaching that day, HUNDREDS of people were added to the Kingdom! Praise the Lord for His bountiful goodness!