Sunday, 7 June 2009

 

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  That's the theme of the book of Job and more recently the song Blessed be the Name of the Lord. This has been a theme song in our lives and marriage because you can sing it in the good times and the bad. The longer I have been a doctor, the more I have realized that life and death is ultimately in the hands of God. We can cure a few things, treat some things, and relieve suffering sometimes, and even prevent a lot of things if the patient is willing--but that's it. God always has the last word. Only He gives and only He takes away and as Job responded "may the name of the LORD be praised" (Job 1:21).

 

In the previous post, I wrote about finding a dead baby on ultrasound. This past week, we found twins! These are the first twins we have found on ultrasound since we have been here. We almost missed them since it was a really busy day and we were trying to do quick ultrasounds to finish.

 

On another note, a team arrived on Saturday. They will help us do medical clinics and work on painting a new school during the week.

 

The results of the poll are below. I thought their would be more participation. It is true that the local Mayans believe that if they put their babies in a vertical position, their cheek bones will drop. I have yet to see this happen. Since the babies are not burped, this causes a lot of fussy babies and some vomiting. Good luck tying to break through this cultural issue.

 

 

Why do the local Mayans NOT place their babies on their shoulders to burp them?
It will cause their spirit to come out.
7	46.7%
It will cause their cheek bones will drop.
4	26.7%
It will cause their milk to pass through them so fast that they will not absorb it well.
3	20%
It will cause them to vomit.
1	6.7%
It will hurt their little back.
0	0%