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The toasts continued for almost two hours, as more food came forward: eels, and odorous sea cucumbers. I eagerly looked for the rice, but none was served in this wheat belt. “Gambay!” another official would shout and intertwine arms to guzzle with a friend. Laughter filled the room as inebriated faces flushed bright red. Then would come more fermented and soured tofu, donkey meat, and deep fried whole small birds. The generosity of our hosts was unparalleled. One asked, “If you don't drink, how do you express friendship?” Drinking together was friendship, they explained. Then they jokingly said that in order to be a governor, one had to be able to drink a whole bottle without becoming drunk. Our interpreter remarked, “Obviously, I'll never become a Governor!” Then it was time
to move on with our tour. The medical facilities (or rather lack of) remains
my most reoccurring memories. Roof sagging hospitals like those seen in
Sang Ting, Xuzhuang, and Xuzhuang served communities of over 80,000 each,
with no university trained doctors. Acupuncture needles were used repeatedly.
No information about sterilization. No first aid skills. No bandages –
the patient's clothing was ripped off to secure a dressing. No knowledge
of emergency treatment.
In one location, loose coal was stored under the only examination cot. Everywhere were unchanged dirty pillowcases, unwashed floors, and ancient X-ray machines that haven't worked for twenty years.
In Sang Ting, a young woman with a puffy face lay unconscious on a cot in a below freezing room, her family stood around her weeping as I entered. The mother grabbed me, as if hoping that I could help. The dad clutched his throat, choking himself, to indicate that the husband had strangled her. Then, the Dad acted out how she tried to commit suicide with poison. Unfortunately, the hospital had no knowledge of poison antidotes. The mom moaned and beat her chest, and then she beat on me, on my back, then on my legs, and then my feet – tearfully pleading for help that I couldn't give. “In Jesus Name” I whispered while laying hands on the daughter. My knees buckled as I walked away. Seeing these facilities made me realize that neither I nor most of my family would be alive today if we lived here. After meeting these
special people who know enough to realize their lack, one must pause to
wonder, “Why were some born there while others enjoyed comfort and blue
sky? Can I take my advantage and use it to make a difference for others?”
More images from this trip:
back to Part One Pastor
Kluane Simonds Spake Ph. D.
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