This is a link to photos taken by Dr. Jack Gardner, one of the Doctors that i worked with in early November with By the Holy Spirit. www.picasaweb.google.com

And this is a little bit about what he had to say about his expirence: The People Who Live There

The people are desperately poor. 50% live below the poverty level of $300 per year (less than $1 per day). The vast majority live in the rural countryside. In the rural countryside there is no electricity, clean water is difficult to obtain, very poor roads and no medical care.

All medical care must be paid for. Many people have never seen a doctor in their lives. The People I Worked With

The team consisted of 8 people; 3 MDs, 1 RN, 1 pre-med student, 1 educator/administrator, 1 pastor, myself.

This trip was the best example of ‘working partnerships' that I have encountered.

Specifically; Caring Response Madagascar, By The Holy Spirit Medical Group, The Peace Corps.

Caring Response is a volunteer organization founded and run by an American college student David Wiltse and his mom Ginny Wiltse. Their Madagascar in-country manager is Brother Edwin Joseph of the Brothers of St. Gabriel. Active projects include; literacy, sanitation, a medical clinic, computer literacy and mini-loans to buy livestock. I strongly encourage you to review them at www.caringresponse.org. They are worthy of your support.

Caring Response invited Dr. Rich Fry (Ob-Gyn) to come to Madagascar to review the opportunities for medical intervention. Rich and I have done several around the world medical trips together and he invited me to join them.

The bottom line conclusion is that there is a strong need for permanent, long term intervention in ‘women's health' and this is where the team's expertise can make the most impact. We are working on how to do this.

Our active partner while there were 6 members of the US Peace Corps. I remember the Peace Corps when it started in the 1960s. At that time a lot of people were sent out with very good intentions, but no real practical skills, didn't speak the language and didn't know the culture. That is not true now.

The Peace Corps volunteers get intensive language skills, specific cultural education and learn skills in one of several areas (education, farming, environment). They live in the villages where they work. They earn $200 per month.

We see so much news coverage of the ‘bad guys' in American youth. David Wiltse and the Peace Corps Americans tell such a different story. Too bad it is not ‘news worthy'.

The Medical Experience

The medical need is great!!!

Many of our patients had never seen a doctor in their lives.

I treated more malaria then I have anywhere else in the world. We treated whole villages for schistosomiasis, a fresh water parasite that invades the entire body thru the skin. STDs, pneumonia, and a variety of female problems were common. Rich sent many female patients directly to the hospital. Since they can't afford the treatment we chipped in to pay the cost. Malnutrition problems were very common.

We were very fortunate to have the Peace Corps volunteers work with us as translators.

I personally had a farmer as a patient who had a very inflamed leg from hip to ankle for 5 years. He hadn't been able to afford a doctor.

We visited 2 prisons. At the women's prison Rich and I saw 40 female inmates. We sent several directly to the hospital. My youngest patient at the prison was 17, pregnant with STDs. One patient hadn't eaten in a week because family supplies the food not the prison. The family had not been in.

Personal Reflections

I always like to start by saying that I represent no predetermined political or religious view. This is a personal journey of discovery trying to eliminate prior assumptions and filters.

I have gone great distances to meet my fellow Americans. I am a "Born Again American'. Americans are not what you see on the news, see on pop TV shows or see in politics. American individual initiative and caring are everywhere!

The true heart of Americans can be seen in the number of Americans who reach out to other people around the world. America is alive and well in its people! If we are missing anything it is only more leadership to tap into that spirit more.