Well, the "mal de mayo" (diarrhea of May) has hit (I know it's June, but hey, most everyone got sick 2 weeks ago.). We were busy yesterday and today stamping out diarrhea and flu symptoms. All the infectious diseases seem to erupt when the rainy season starts--probably from crowding around the kitchen on cold afternoons and water sources being contaminated by broken pipes during mud slides and such. This is the time of year that we start talking about hand washing, boiling water well, and use of oral rehydration solution. One starts thinking that these are well-known and followed practices, but the evidence doesn't support that hypothesis.
I will be glad when our education program gets into full swing!
After seeing patients today, we sat around with the students talking to our health promoter Juan about old wives tales, Wiin (shape shifters--people who are trained by other shape shifters to use incantations to be able to have the power to come and go, wreaking havoc as they please and evading capture--they have 8-10 years to use their powers and then they have to train someone else or turn crazy or die), rumor mongers, and the ever-present battle against the powers of this dark world.
It is entertaining at first to hear about what different cultures believe and fear in the supernatural world. But it's also sobering to realize that Satan uses these powers and fears to enslave people and paralyze Christians who have not learned to trust the powers Christ. We always pray for the churches and their elders as they make ready for battle each day.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Efesians 6:10-18
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