|
View the Operation San Andreas Facebook Albums!
October 13, 2011
Medical Clinic
 I’ve been working in the clinic for the past week here in Collique. I was paired with a Nurse Practitioner, whom I’m very familiar with and close to, and we’ve met very wonderful people. There’s an innate beauty in a slum like Collique, a scene and landscape some may think is a blemish on this Lima canvas. It’s something many people probably tend to oversee. There is a natural beauty to the urban landscape, the amount of colors and hues a person can see, really is quite a site to see.
Watching the sunset over the mountainside covering this area of Lima, is as natural to this area as the mist which covers the valley. When you first arrive you immediately see the economic division between this part of the city and where we have been sleeping and staying. Mira Flores represents most of what Lima wants and aspires to be; a burgeioning metropolitan that can be compared to its more notable rivals here in South America. Like most major cities in the world, there is a class division and within that division there is an area most people choose to ignore, and don’t bother to see. This is where OSA has chosen to work in, the part of Lima that is for the most part ignored.
In this part of Lima, if you can look past the conditions and take a deeper look, there is a gorgeous view. The urban landscape shows many different landscapes, each having its own unique and distinct characteristic. Since I’ve been here, I’ve really grown to appreciate this part of the trip; the recognition of what urban sprawl produces. Everyone focus on the ugly side of this phenomenon, but all it takes is a look at the top, seeing what people try to do for survival and looking over a scenery that is part of this world.
We’ve seen children, we’ve seen women, and we’ve seen entire families come to the clinic. They’re all part of this urban fabric, the identity Lima hopes to become. With urban sprawl comes problems, it comes with the territory. But looking within that sprawl you can find a scenic panoramic that can stay with you as much as any natural view.
-Mario Guandique, Memorial City ER
OSA Rookie
 As an OSA rookie, I came not knowing what to expect of the people of Collique and the conditions in which they live. Today is Friday, and I can tell you that these are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. It blows me away how warm and embracing the people, and the children in particular, are here. I was reminded of the extent of their poverty when I saw the photos we took of the kids earlier in the week, many of them are still wearing the same clothes several days later. For most of them, this is the first photo of themselves they have! On Thursday we decorated picture frames for the photos and the kids were so proud of their creations, they kept saying "mira hermana, mira!" or "look sister, look!". We also made colorful bead necklaces earlier in the week that the kids are still wearing proudly. One of the 6th graders, Anne, gave me and the other craft leader (Anne also) the necklaces and bracelets she had created. It is difficult to express the extent of our gratitude to her with our limited Spanish vocabulary, but the kids seem to be more than satisfied with a big warm hug.
For the first graders, this is their first year in the OSA program. We quickly learned that the first graders, both boys and girls alike, also just want to be held and hugged. They plop down in our laps for story time, listening attentively to Dolores and the translator (although with Dolores' wonderful expressions, a translator is almost not necessary), and quietly repeat the prayer in unison after the Bible story. My other favorite image this week was when Seoungue, one of our former SMILE friends from South Korea, was singing to the kids in Korean. Finally, the kids joined in singing in Spanish, the other adults in English, and you had a pretty amazing experience in 3 languages with lots of smiles.
The kids make it easy to understand, despite the language barriers, they just want to love and be loved.
- Elizabeth Schorman, South Main Baptist Church
October 12, 2011
VBS Music
 We are mid-week of our time in Collique. In past years I have been on the construction crew, but this year I am doing Vacation Bible School with the children. Diane Smith and I are in charge of the singing although Diane can’t sing right now because she lost her voice Monday night. I told the children her voice has escaped her. One said maybe her voice ran off to play in the park. She is playing the piano and autoharp and teaching the children to play handbells.
We have around 55 children each day ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old. We sing with each small group for about 30 minutes at a time. It is very fun because we do all the hand signals. I especially enjoy singing Father Abraham with them because there is a lot going on and you get to turn around at the same time. Kum Ba Ya is another favorite. It is a peaceful song. The children are all good sports and enjoy the singing and bell ringing and sticker giving.
I have asked all of the children how many siblings they have. Only one child was an only child. Most have at least 2 siblings and at least one had 6 brothers and sisters.
They are happy, sweet, intelligent, engaging children. I have also been asking them what they want to be when they grow up. They have told me they want to be police, doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, and nurses. One 6 year old boy Owen wants to be President. One little girl told me she wants to be a doctor. When I asked this 6 year old what kind of doctor; she said she wants to be a gynecologist. I told her we have one of those on our trip, Dr. Sam Law.
In the devotional this morning Dr. Todd Price said that it is our duty to minister to those who are less fortunate than us. He said that we “could be helping the next Einstein.” Dr. Price has been to over 60 countries to do mission work.
We have Bible story time with the children and they also do art and science projects. We play soccer, basketball, and volleyball during recess. They are fed a healthy lunch. I have enjoyed getting to know the children better. They call me Hermano Roberto. I like the sound of that.
-Rob Campos
Medical Clinic
 I have Diabetes, she said, her face round and sad. How long, he asked. Two years. But I have never taken medicine. Your blood sugar today is very high, he said. You must take medications for Diabetes! It is a dangerous disease! No tengo plata para comprar medicina! I have no money to buy medicine! Her eyes were now red and filled with tears. It's okay, he explained, we have medications from the US. Christians there donate money to show that God is Love and that they want to help their neighbor. She clutched his hands and kissed them, her face filled with hope. Don't eat sweets, lose weight, and take these vitamins, he instructed. Take this prescription to the pharmacy for your Diabetes medicine. Pero no tengo plata!! She cried out in frustration. Her eyes, still red, filled again with tears. You don't understand, he explained. The pharmacy is HERE! The medicine is FREE! The pharmacist will give you enough pills for six months until we return. It is a GIFT from God who is merciful and loves you! Here is an appointment to see me then.
-Ray Verm
Greetings from Peru!
I’m Kris Kaiser Olson from Waco, Texas, a newbie to this OSA group and privileged to be in the Bible School group. Please allow me to share a few observations of my time with this group.
All who are interested in OSA need to know that you have much to be proud of in the people who do this work. On Monday I saw priceless hugs, smiles and greetings shared between American adults and Peruvian children. Obviously deep and special relationships have developed through the years. At these first moments of hello the miles between our nations disappeared. “Look how you’ve grown!” “Your hair is different.” “I’ve missed you!” It felt like a family reunion.
 Children are children are children. Laughter is universal. And balls may be the best toys ever invented! We have played soccer and volleyball until our wrists are bruised and our feet hurt. Yet the kiddos play on…they never seem to get tired. No nets? No problem. All the balls are almost flat? Oh well. The concrete slab that serves as the playground is covered with puddles in the morning and a not so shallow layer of dust in the afternoon. But nothing interferes with the fun. And through it all we mangle the Spanish language and teach a word or two of English while we laugh and giggle and sweat and hug. And how could I forget the sidewalk chalk! Every outdoor surface is covered in drawings of names—ours and theirs—pictures, tic tac toe boards. We erase with our hands for more space. We lie down on the slab and trace each other then draw clothes and jewelry and of course smiling faces.
You haven’t really experienced a VBS music class until you’ve been in one of ours. Diane in her pink ruffles, polka dotted leggings and pink and green hair…but no voice due to allergies. Then there’s 6’3” Rob who usually does construction on these trips but is bilingual so this year is leading the singing. And of course the children. They sing with gusto. They really get into the motions to “Father Abraham” and “He’s Got the Whole World.” And they play the tone bells like angels…okay, maybe angels that have a slight hearing loss but nonetheless, the music is wonderful. We’re perfecting “Joy to the World” for the program on Friday for the parents. Such fun to watch the faces of these young musicians as they make music and learn new songs.
The science room is amazing. Children everywhere are curious about the world around them and they love learning why. Magnets, weights, bugs…all are exciting to children when explored with loving guiding questions and experiments.
Bible School is an intense and satisfying week in Waco, in Houston and in Collique, Peru. As is always the case, your prayers of support make a difference to our work and our energy levels. Thank you. And thank you for the vision and commitment to OSA. Together, we change lives—all our lives!
-Kris Olson
October 11, 2011
What is in a name?
 There are many reasons the OSA team has team members who have come to Collique one, two, sometimes nine and ten, or more times before. For some, it is a place of respite, a sanctuary of sorts, a place to heal and retreat from the worries of home. For others, it is a grand adventure mixed with the satisfaction of serving humanity. For still others, we return to see familiar faces, friends, amigos, y familia. I was considering the other day how a disease is just that--a disease--until you know someone with that particular ailment. Suddenly, that disease has a name; it becomes personal. So every time you are confronted with the mention of that disease, you immediately see their face. For me, cancer is no longer a disease, it has many names: Mammaw, Melody, Marcia, and Fran. I have seen the same thing come about for me in regards to poverty. Poverty used to be a social injustice I’d feel badly about when confronted by a moving commercial or a person I’d pass by on the street. But now, poverty has many names: Ana Maria, Willy, Fernando, Stefani, Milagro, and many more. The people of Collique are the main reason we return each time. Poverty is more than a social injustice; it has a name.
Construction, Enclosed Bathroom
Pablo. The team will never meet Pablo but even still his name will trigger the memory of building an enclosed bathroom for a family of five. His story is a familiar one in Collique. Someone with ambition and drive moves towards Lima from the Andes Mountains in hopes of making a better life finds themselves in Collique, a temporary home, hopefully. However, that temporary home may last longer than ever planned while they try to earn a living that makes enough to move on to a better life. Pablo is away from home working right now for a security firm for two weeks trying to do just that.  He makes his living by traveling for a security firm and sometimes is away for much longer. He was gone for four years while serving in Iraq. Their home is decorated with the United States flag representing a hope to live there one day and an Iraqi flag representing the years of work that might bring his other hope to fruition. Even though he is gone, he still needs a bathroom. Why? Because he is worried about the safety and privacy of his wife, and children. Pablo is an honorable man beyond the impressive training and employment by a private security firm, Pablo’s claim to fame among our team is that he took a wife who already had a child of her own. He took her in and welcomed that daughter as his own. Then, they began to have children, a three year old and an infant. And now, that precious treasure of this honorable man needs protection while he is away--protection, his specialty--and an enclosed bathroom will help keep them safe. It will keep his 13 year old daughter from making the trek to the community bathroom stall nearby. It will allow them to shower with privacy in the back corner of their property. Maybe enclosed bathroom is too luxurious of a title for this project. In fact, it is four walls and a roof surrounding a shower plumbed by a water hose and a commode hovering over a hole in the ground plumbed by nothing. The walls first built at 6 foot tall have been raised to 7 foot because apparently Pablo is the tallest Peruvian we might have ever met, but we won’t ever know for sure. This team is honored to have been a part of this project for Pablo and his family, whether or not we’ve ever seen his face.
-Jerry Hamilton and Devon Smith
Eye Clinic
Jair. Day two in the OSA eye clinic began with three or four older patients. The average age must have been about 80. As you might expect, many of these senior citizens in Collique have cataracts and other eye problems that severely limit their vision. We admit to some frustration and disappointment that, with our staff of lay volunteers, we were able to make only marginal improvements in their ability to see. In contrast, the final patient we saw today was a seven year old boy. Initially he could only distinguish the very large letters on the eye chart. After dilating his eyes and testing his vision with the hand held autorefractor, we determined that Jair had rather severe astigmatism which greatly limited his ability to focus. Miraculously, when we entered his prescription into the database, we found a pair of glasses that fit him well and made a significant improvement in his ability to see. So, this chilly day in Collique ended with our hearts warmed by the smile on the face of young Jair.
-Jane, Kris, Susan, and Vince
Medical Clinic
 A face, no name. Her hat was as tall as her head and her skirt had yards and yards of Peruvian fabric. She was about 80 years old and had not seen a doctor in a long time. She immediately began to tell Dr Ray her problem and we were able to provide medication to help. Dr Ray is very patient and kind to each person. He speaks the language and it is a blessing that he communicates directly and not through an interpreter. The lady smiled as Dr Ray talked with her. You could tell that God was in the room. What a blessing it is to be here in Peru with people who smile and come to us for help. We share our compassion and our faith and by serving the people of Collique, we get a tremendous blessing. Every year is better than the last and each patient gives us the chance to be God's hands and feet.
-Joanne Owens
We hope to introduce you to more people of Collique over the next couple of days. One of the funniest things about working here this week is our annoying name tags. The funny part is no matter where you walk, people will try to pronounce your name which can be quite entertaining as Jill turns into heel! Our names are important to the people here. They want to know our name. Their names are important to us, too. We want to know their name in return. Names matter. The one Name that we want to share this week is the name of Jesus. Please continue to pray for us this week as we continue to serve.
Overview of our week
 Janie and I are doing well! Both of us are very busy and working hard. She is seeing a lot of eye patients and having good success with the Auto-refractor. There is a constant never-ending stream of patients for both of us. She gives almost all a prescription pair of glasses or readers. Her team of four includes Susan Young, Chris Dill and Vince Smith. I have my wonderful "October" nurse Joanne, from Rome, Ga. She does all the writing (legibly) with diagnoses and gives meds or writes Rx's for the pharmacy. I am seeing a large number of patients with Diabetes and Hypertension and all sorts of general medical patients. We have a great triage team of three nurses who get the patient in-take information, blood pressure, and blood glucose when indicated. There are three workers in the pharmacy including Dee Hu, a PharmD, Marilu, a nurse and Ruth Campos! We have seven doctors. So far in two days we have seen over 700 medical patients! The Dental team, West and Rebecca also work constantly. There is a construction team and a Bible School team for the OSA kids. Our new missionary couple is great. They are mature and strong Christians with a major emphasis on evangelism! The lady, Elizabett, is Peruvian and her husband, Kees, is Dutch. After doing my medical thing, I try to talk to each patient, a captive audience, about spiritual things. Then I send interested ones to talk to Elizabett for counseling and follow-up. This trip seems to be the best yet for me. Our team of 50 and all the local OSA workers accomplish so much. The Medical and Dental teams have established continuity of treatment. We provide loving care, free medications, much-needed glasses and a promise to return in six months. Lasting relationships are established. Spiritual needs are addressed!
-Ray Verm
October 10, 2011
Medical Clinic
 Reading glasses. Not as impressive as the building projects we have this week or as life-altering as the medical diagnosis. But still an important part of the Medical Campaign that I personally love because it is one of my jobs! I bounced between assisting Dr. Luis Campos and the reading glass station all day today. We had a very busy day as our team saw over 350 patients just today! Possibly our busiest first day--ever! I received kisses all day long thanks to the miracle of reading glasses. One lady had spent some time praying with Elizabett Abbring, the OSA missionary in residence, and she came to me needing reading glasses to read her new Bible. One man needed to replace his reading glasses that were literally falling apart. Another woman needed to be able to see her sewing projects that bring in some money for her family. Even though it seems a small piece of the OSA puzzle, to the kiss givers today it was a critical piece! I am so thankful that Kirk and I are a part of this team. I am convinced that my job is the best one this week, however, here are more reports from others on our team that also think they have the best job this week.
-Jill Hatcher, First Baptist Norman
Dental Clinic
WOW .... where to start. I guess the beginning is a perfect place. That beginning was not this morning, but in fact 10 years ago in the small town of Collique. West Ficken and I were the "pioneers" of the dental team in Collique and have made this trip every year, and many years twice, to care for our patients. The evolution of the patients, technology, relationships and faith have been quite a journey.
The journey continued today starting off with a moving devotional delivered by Jack Bailey helping us to understand to "outlive our life". He provided a warm, bright light to a cool, October overcast morning.
In the dental clinic itself, we were off to a great start. Many of the patients we saw and treated 10 years ago as children, we are now treating their children. The progress we have witnessed is remarkable in many ways, yet frustrating in that we wish we could accomplish more. Statistically speaking, the day in the dental clinic was extremely successful in numbers and went very smoothly due to our right hand man John and the OSA volunteer Natalia.
It has been an amazing 10 years we have personally shared with the people in Collique. We could not have done it without all the support of everyone at home making each and every trip more successful than the last. Last, and most important, thank the good Lord for allowing us to continue his work here year after year.
-Rebecca Ficken
Vacation Bible School
 Today was the first day we got to work with the children! I was so excited to see some wonderful familiar faces. We did some experiments with magnets and circuits. The sixth graders were able to try to complete the circuits to make the light bulbs turn on. It was fun to see their faces light up like the light bulbs when they could make the connection. The first graders worked with magnets, and had fun making objects dance on the table. The sixth graders (who have been in the program for a long time) were wonderful role models for the first graders. It is wonderful to see them coming full circle and helping the younger kids adjust.
Another wonderful development over the years has been the garden that they are continuing. They had planted flowers the last time I was here, but they have now planted trees all along the sides of the yard. These will be fun to watch as they grow.
-Kendra Shattuck, South Main Baptist Church
Eye Clinic
I work in eyes or "ojos" as we say here in Peru. That is the eye clinic set up by Operacion San Andres. Is it the most important ministry here? Probably not, but for me it is, because perhaps my life can make a difference there. Each morning I get up, the song, "Make me a Blessing" is going through my head. Can the people see God's love through me? Can I connect with the people? Can I love them and their children? Can I embrace them both emotionally and physically? Can I laugh with them and joke with them so they will know I truly care for them?
Sometimes God uses me and we succeed together. I know it by their softened faces when they are not afraid. I know it when they smile when they have their new glasses and kiss me on the cheek. I know it by their embrace and when they say they will see me again. They are my brothers and sisters.
Let me not forget that when I am home.
-Susan Young, South Main Baptist Church
October 9, 2011
 We had a great Sunday in Lima today anticipating our first day of work in Coilique tomorrow. Although we did not all physically come together on this trip we have straggled in over the last couple of days and seem to be in full force now. We had a nice worship time with the Iglesia Presbiteriana Pueblo Libre congregation in Lima where every seat in the church was occupied with folks gathered to worship and praise God.
After a great lunch together and a 1 hour bus ride we had another great service in Collique led by Vlado Masson, who seems to have a wonderful gift of communicating God’s love and grace to the kids in a very enthusiastic and engaging manner. I also noticed that there was a much larger group of parents participating in this service which surely demonstrates the progress and effective ministry of OSA.
 Before we got out of Collique this afternoon our bus got tangled up with a medium sized truck there on the narrow streets. It was a low speed encounter but it caused quite a stir among the residents as they came to investigate what all the fuss was about. It would seem that auto accidents would be very common place here as the moto taxis, cars and small trucks seem to race to their destinations.
Tomorrow morning bright and early, the water will hit the wheel and we will be blessed as we serve God in serving the needs of the people in Collique. Please pray for us over the next couple of days that the power of God and the love of God would be demonstrated through our efforts.
-Jack Bailey, South Main Pasedena
|
