Cholera update...

Hey everyone, just a quick update from the front line. We had 13 people in the hospital overnight, which sets a new record here. Included in that number are 3 or 4 young children- 2 to 4 years old. I think I counted 7 IV's running. So far everyone that has been released from the CTC has walked off in good health, so praise God for allowing us the opportunity to serve and help bring his healing in this troubled time!!!

Keep following us on the brand-new Cholera Blog, the link is right here on this page. Or, you can sign up to receive email alerts when new updates are posted. Also, drop us an email if you would like to get the occasional email updates we post; we'll be happy to sign you up for those.

The staff here are doing a great job, really throwing themselves into the work!! We're divided into three eight hour shifts; 2 girls and one guy on each shift. It seems to keep everyone plenty busy keeping up with IV's, emptying waste pails, monitoring the amount of fluids lost and making sure they are replaced with ORS solution, and cleaning and sanitizing everything in sight... :)

Keep an eye on the blog, we'll try to throw on some pics of the teams "in action"!!!!

God bless, keep praying....

Steve

Pictures from the Cholera Treatment Center!

As promised, here are some pictures from the Cholera Treatment Center (CTC)...

***

Getting everything ready for the first patient...

Here's our first patient: the man with the 

brown and white striped shirt... 

He needed some others to help 

him get into the CTC.

Preparing to inspect and admit patient...

After being checked out, the infected man was admitted, 

and transferred to one of the "hospital rooms"...

Going in...

Inside the room, he was given 

medicine and re-hydration through an IV.

(at the time of posting these pictures, he has greatly improved!)

 Michael Martin (on ladder), one of the "first responders"
from the States, building one of the out-buildings.

Along with some on-lookers...

Everyone on the premises are required to help 

contain any contamination, by using masks, gloves, etc.

Anyone entering and exiting the area, is required 

to be "sanitized" by bleach water.

Several of the nurses and helpers getting things 

straightened out and ready to go...

Purified water is very important to the treatment process here;

Not only in re-hydration, but also in prevention.

Since Cholera thrives in water, it can become 

the #1 carrier for the disease, if not purified.

 This is a picture from the night shift. 

The Center is monitored and guarded continually, 

just in case more infected people arrive,

in need of treatment...

***

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. Please continue to lift the people here up before the Throne of Grace... that not only the disease of Cholera would be healed, but also the sickness of sin, which has afflicted so many of these people for years; of which there is no remedy, other than the Blood of Jesus!!

God bless!

Quick Update...

Sorry we've been so slow at getting out info, I know many of you are praying about the situation with cholera here and wondering how things are going. So far things have been fairly quiet at the cholera treatment center (CTC) we officially opened this Monday afternoon. Jeriah Mast from CAM and a crew of young guys with him helped us throw together a small tent city on the trail to Granfour, almost to the bottom of Jack Rabbit hill. We have four tents set up, with various smaller buildings quickly erected to serve other purposes.


We have had a number of people come through; some who probably had a very mild case, some who probably just had a stomachache, and three now that we've hospitalized and started on IV's. These three were carried in since they were to weak to walk- a quick indication of severe dehydration. The first man, who came in late on Monday afternoon, is now off of IV and able to sit up and eat and drink, so praise God for that!


Keep praying, we're not sure how serious this will become here in our local area, so it's hard to know how many staff and how much supplies we need to have sent down. It can be tough to find the balance between going overboard, and being prepared.


At this point, we're leaning towards preparation. In a town not far from here 80 people were reported dead from cholera in one weekend.


Keep praying for God's healing and protection.

We'll be getting you some pics...