Missionary Medicine Intensive

Last month I (Sarah) had another training opportunity. The Missionary Medicine Intensive course was recommended by several other missionaries with To Every Tribe. The course is held four times a year and I tried to sign up for the March class. It was completely full and I had to sign up for May when I will be 7 months pregnant. I was put on a waiting list for  March but there were several other people on the list before me and it seemed like I would have take the class in May. However just a month before the class started I was told I got into the March class! We were traveling for most of February so I ended up with barely two weeks to read the book required for the course and do the homework. Somehow I managed to get it done even with a toddler distracting me. Normally I can't get any reading done when she is awake so I thank God for allowing me to focus enough to read through the book.

The course was in North Carolina. Kelly and Jemimah travelled with me to visit relatives while I was taking the course. It was a two week course and I stayed on the campus, which was a farm in the mountains. I had been very nervous to take the course but the staff and volunteers who taught the course were very friendly and encouraging. I was encouraged in my walk with the Lord by the staff.

My reason for taking this course was to be able to take care of my family in a developing country with limited healthcare. The course focused mainly on diagnosing and treating or preventing tropical diseases. We also learned how to do sutures, make splints from plaster and do physical examinations including listening to heart and lungs sounds and taking blood pressure. We learned about childbirth and dental care. There was a lot of homework, including drug math which was the most difficult for me.  By the weekend I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Sunday we had a day of rest and Kelly and Jemimah came to see me and we hiked out to see a beautiful waterfall. After that I was refreshed and able to finish the homework. 

I am so grateful for this course. I learned so much and feel better equipped to care for my family and handle emergencies!