We're Too Old To Be This Young

We have been spending every day (except for the Sabbath) for the past two weeks in Ramtha working on the diabetic retinopathy campaign.  It's been a very busy time and we're starting to realize how much the Lord has blessed us with good health and strength so we can do it. Most of the time we feel 20 years younger than we did before we came here.  It's amazing and we are very, very grateful.

Here's what we do:

8:30 a.m. We meet the student volunteers from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) in Ramtha, about a 35 minute drive from here.

We get a new group of about 20 medical students every day, eager to help test the blood sugar for people who come into the clinics.

The students all get a quick training on how to use the glucometers and to poke fingers for blood. We go over the procedures and then pile into our cars to go to the assigned clinics.  Aren't they cute!!

We drop off the volunteers at clinics around the city, but don't leave until they demonstrate that they know how to use the glucomoters and test strips.

The rest of the day is spent going around checking on everyone, delivering supplies and falafel (rhymes with "awful") sandwiches and water.

Today Brother Tolley faced up to some very arrogant men at the government hospital and won them over.  It made me proud.

In the afternoon we pick them up, take them back to meet the bus, thank everyone, kiss on both cheeks, shake hands, take pictures, tell them we're proud of them, hug hug etc. etc. etc.  "Shucran!!" "Basalama!!"

Then we rush home to do e-mails, visit branch members and take care of other humanitarian projects.  Then we crash.....

It's a good thing we're still young!!