The New Clinic

                I returned to Korah this morning, and to my delight was handed a key to the new clinic. Last year, Emily Cornish (The other RN working in Korah) and I hauled junk out of a storage closet, bought some shelves, and opened the first clinic. It was modest, but it was all we had. A couple months ago I received word from Emily that someone had donated money to build a new clinic. I saw a picture of the building as it was being erected, and shook my head at God’s goodness.

I headed toward the new clinic with the key in my hand. Apparently the children remembered that the clinic and I go together like shells and cheese, because the moment I clicked the latch open they about stampeded me into the dust. Someday I will record the scene and post it, just to make someone’s day. With considerable effort, I pushed the mob back into the street and closed the door behind me. I looked up and was blown away by the space, the quantity, and the organization. There were two large shelves stocked with supplies and medicine. The antibiotics were in drawers in baggies with a full prescription and directions written on them. It was almost overwhelming to behold.

            I did not lock the clinic door behind me, so it did not take long for children to filter in after me. The first ones in lined up on the bench by the door. Those that followed continued to pour in and fill every square foot of available space until I held up my arms and yelled in protest. I corralled the majority of them out and closed the door again. I turned to look at the remaining children on the bench. They wiped their runny noses with their hands, coughed violently into the air, and stared back at me.

“My doctor,” One stated simply.

That was it. I rolled up my sleeves, pulled up a chair, and there I stayed for the next hour and a half. I found tonsillitis, strep throat, a twisted ankle, some random aches and pains, and several coughs. It’s good to be back. Tomorrow I am wearing my scrubs….