I’m basically a doctor now
The race introduces you to a lot of different skill sets, and this week I was exposed to one I never thought would happen.
I pricked peoples finger and drew their blood to test for Malaria.
Yes. You read that right. I’m now basically a doctor.
The patient would come in and hand me their medical passport with a bittersweet grin caked on their face, and then they’d wait patiently as I opened all of the packages needed. There was an alcohol swab, finger pricker, plastic stick, and a rectangle tester that did the actual testing of the blood. They knew the drill, and would stick out their finger for me. I would sanitize their finger and then use the little knife looking finger pricking thing to break through the skin. After they flinch and a lot of prayers were sent up, I would then try and get the blood on the little plastic sample stick to then put in this rectangle box on a small cotton swab. Four droplets of some kind of liquid went in a circle on the tester and then you wait foe the magic to happen. The droplets would work with the blood moving it from the left side to the right, and you’d wait to see if a line appeared to show if there was malaria.
God and I grew a lot. In my moments of freakin out and making little kids cry I sent up too many prayers to count. The kids would clench their fists with determination and flail like it was their job. The screams and screeches that came from the room intimidated all of the other kids waiting outside and they would be a hot mess before they even came in!!
Working in medical centers is not my calling. That was made very clear.
The staff would try and comfort me while I was halfway to tears from all of the kids tears. I was sweating more from nervousness and anxiety then from the actual heat. But I was also the crazy person cheering when someones results came back negative.
Needless to say, I’m basically a doctor but won’t ever be one. Just kidding. I give all of the medical staff, doctors and nurses props because your job saves lives and I definitely couldn’t do it. Thank God for calling you to it, and thank God for you to following that calling. I’m also positive you’re better at it then I am.
Anyway, that was my experience last week in the Malaria area of the medical clinic. God does get you through stressful and crazy moments, press into Him. He does also bring along little moments of joy that you need to keep chuggin along.
Updates:
We just left Malawi this morning!
We go to Europe next. Ukraine, Romania, Albania, and then Spain.
In Romania my parents will be joining me on the field for a few days. It’s called Parent Vision Trip where some parents come and do ministry alongside the racers on the field and I’m PUMPED!
#blessed
I will be back on US soil around August 21!
Love y’all!
