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CHRIS and LORI
BAJKIEWICZ
MISSION MEMOS
#46 summer-fall 2005 suppliment
Extending God’s hands of mercy to Mexico,
Latin America and the Developing world since 1991
... and now for something extra...
RIDE WITH US TO
EL REFUGIO !!
a day of ministry with Chris and Lori
by Chris page 1 of 2
1
Let me tell you about our usual day at El Refugio, the ‘old folks home’ in
Tijuana. In our missional experience, there’s no such thing as a ‘usual’ day…
Cross the Mexican border, green light at customs, onward thru the city. We
grind thru the rough roads of south-west Tijuana, hoping our repaired
engine mounts hold as we play ‘dodge hole’ thru all the horrible roads.
Finally, Colonia Flores Magon and the sight of ‘el Asilo’, the place on the hill.
Drop the beat-up Jeep into climb gear, and up the hill-side drive. As we
pull in, watch out for the residents creeping by in their wheelchairs! Lori
hops out to move a few of them to make a spot. We park and unload,
grateful for another US source that helped with this much-needed material
for the 90 residents and 20+ staff and children who live on-site.
With our arrival, there are warm greetings all around, especially from
Vicki, an elderly wheel-chair speed-racer who loves to give sloppy kisses on
the cheek. We enjoy the usual lengthy but wonderful Mexican reception,
something all US churches could benefit from learning…
2
We ‘load in’ to the small clinic room, and ask “what’s up for today”, assessing
the state of the residents. Any new health problems? There’s ‘everyone
affected’ problems, like the flu and diarrhea that made the rounds to
everyone last month Then there’s the individual changes, like “could you see
Alicia first, she had a bad seizure this morning…”. We also evaluate supplies
to see what we have and don’t have to take care of people. Mexican Medical
ministries sent us some dressings and adult diapers, always appreciated.
Last week, His Helping Hands ministry in LA sent down cases of dressing
supplies; PTL, we’ve got enough to care for all the diabetic wounds for a
good couple of months. Evaluating those wounds are part of today’s usual
plan. However, we only have a few packets of diabetic medicines, and
definitely not enough for the 40+ diabetics I manage and oversee. Our
supply of high blood pressure medicine is also low, another ‘ouch’ since over
half the residents suffer with this as well. Refugio has no ‘funding
organization’, and I’m trying to find the funding for meds in the United
States. Tough to do in the wake of so many disasters in the USA. Lori looks
at the level of disaster, stuff strewn around the clinic room, everything-in-
a-box donations piled in the corner, and the dust… lot’s needing to be done
to make room for caring for the residents.
It’s going to be a busy day.
3
So starts the wheelchair parade to the clinic door. The two volunteer
workers, Cecelia and Suzanna have a list of those who need, or would like to
‘see the doctor’. By the end of the day, around 25 people will be seen, cared
for, dressings changed or other needs attended to.
First patient is Berto, who continues to have pain from his fractured rib
post slip-and-fall. The check-up at the Government clinic for TB came back
negative (PTL), so his pulmonary congestion is reactionary to the injury. It
still hurts to cough…
Lori is on a cleaning frenzy, and many supplies are already sorted and
placed on the shelves. The local handyman, Frank, who speaks fluent English
hangs out and talks about building some new storage for the clinic, tape rule
in-hand, asking questions.
The small clinic room is also Refugio’s office, and the location of the only
telephone… when it’s working. Today it’s ringing off the hook, people looking
for Pastor Chuy, who is tied up today at the government offices in regards
to the burial of two of the residents who passed away. Trying to see
patients while others are flowing in-and-out of the clinic for the phone
makes for reasons to ‘lift it up as an offering’ and smile with grace.
4
Somewhere in the middle of my fifth patient consult, a complex leg wound,
Dr Tamez arrives. The next few hours are filled with his looking in on the
‘tough and questionable cases’ we’re watching. He’s my ‘attending doctor’, the
guy I report to, reviews my treatments and helps set directions. Dr Tamez
is always a teacher for me; today it’s about how to handle a gnarly situation
with a Refugio patient trying to get thru the maze of the government
hospital for a needed surgery. He’s reviewed our cases, made a few
adjustments but is basically OK with what’s going on.
The lunch bell rings, and all the wheelchairs and walkers begins their flow
towards the dining hall like a flock of birds. The ones who need help to walk
or hobble are assisted by the staff and Lori. Dr Tamez, needing to see
people at his clinic in a different part of the city gives hugs all around, and
is zooming eastward in his truck.
5
While the residents eat, we continue on to see everyone today. One resident
feeling punk all day is now unable to get out of bed. A woman who lives in
the neighboring room asks me, “doctor, please come”. I make a ‘room call’
with the staff, a tough thing given the creative smells you’ll usually find
there. After a careful exam, I find no new problems (she has many, at 82
years of age), but today is hugely depressed because her family abandoned
her and her birthday triggered some painful memories. We pray and
minister to her for awhile. She cries, trying to ‘hold out’ on her anger and
depression. We open the Word to her about how the Father is with her and
for her, even when family fails us.
Back to the clinic, more activity as the school-kids come in, backpacks
loaded like soldiers on a 30-day hike. Mexican students have to haul their
books back-and-forth every day, not allowed to store them in the school
(robbery and destruction too common). Lori, who has successfully wrangled
the clinic into shape is now gathering the kids of the staff under the shaded
area to help with their homework from school. Lori is accomplishing three
ministries at the same time: it’s a HUGE break for the staff moms, a great
time of ministry with the kids, and finally keeps the kids out of the
office/clinic so I can see patients in privacy. The afternoon continues. The
long list of patients to be attended to is almost done… but there are always
a few last-minute surprises.
