Pollada for Milagritos

Today was special day at the clinic. First Ruth Ann and Christine, our summer interns, said goodbye, as they head back to the states to return to college. Thanks so much for their hard work and friendship. Next week we will welcome two more. Also today was the grilled chicken fundraiser for Milagritos. They sold at least 200 tickets for the pollada, and pictured are our staff eating our chicken plates, as well as Milagritos with her sister, and one of our nurses Cinthia. Milagritos has finished her chemotherapy, and now must be evaluated with lab tests and CT scans. Keep praying for a complete recovery for this sweet 14 year old girl.

Trinity PCA Medical team

Last week we hosted and worked along side again the saints from Trinity Pres, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We had a great time attending patients from the Parque Industrial and Arevelo communities. We averaged 70 patients a day and used the time also to invite all the non-members to visit our churches. The team was comprised of three doctors, 5 nurses, and several more support personel whom worked with the children and helped with patient flow. Thanks so much to the Alabama team, and we can't wait until next year!

Update on Milagritos

Some of you may remember this post from April, discussing the Patient Assistance Fund. One example of a patient who has been helped by this fund is Milagritos, a 14 year old girl with cancer.

A few months later, Milagritos' condition is better, but not yet stabilized. She recently had some tests that indicated that the cancer was present, but decreased. She is losing her hair, but is eating better. Yesterday she started her fourth round of chemotherapy. She will continue with the chemotherapy until Saturday. After this round of chemo concludes, she will need a CT scan to determine whether or not more chemo is needed. This is an expensive procedure in Peru, costing about 2,200 soles. Our Patient Assistance Fund exists exactly for expenses of this nature. If you would like to donate to this fund, checks can be sent to the address below. Please keep Milagritos and her family in your prayers as they go through this trying time.

Christian Missionary Society
P.O. Box 53363 Knoxville, TN 37950-3363
Phone: (865) 684-4580
(Wichanzao Clinic Patient Assistance Fund written on the memo line)

FPC Jackson in Cajamarca

First Presbyterian Church Jackson made their annual trip to Cajamarca this past week. The team had 36 members, consisting of dentists, doctors, dental hygentists, translators, and a VBS crew. The week was very busy in the temporary clinic--the doctors and dentists saw over 1,000 patients. The VBS team had sessions in both the morning and evening and enjoyed sharing crafts, songs, and the story of Jesus with the children of Cajamarca.

Here we see Dr. Johnson pulling a tooth:


The medical team from FPC Jackson: physical therapist, psychiatrist, dermatologist, adolescent medicine specialist, ER nurse, pharmacist, surgeon... and more!


Thanks, First Pres Jackson for your hard work in Cajamarca! The Mission & the Medical Ministry both cherish our partnership with you all.

Paint & Tile!

Two recent short term teams have greatly helped with renovations to the clinic. Bethel Pres from Lake Charles, LA kicked things off by beginning the tiling process. The clinic has previously had concrete floors, but they are currently being upgraded to tile. Here's a shot of the main hallway of the clinic, after the tile was completed.


The downstairs area of the clinic has been tiled completely & we hope the upstairs is soon to follow. Thanks, Bethel, for your hard work!

Our next short term team hailed from First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport, MS. They pushed through baseboard difficulties & confusing Spanish paint names and repainted the first floor of the clinic. The bright blue walls have been replaced with a more wearable taupe color (which coincidentally looks great with the new tile). Here's a smiling Gulfport team member, ready to paint:


The first floor of the clinic looks better than ever, and the second floor will hopefully be renovated soon, as well. We're so thankful for the opportunity to continue improving the environment of the clinic, as a service to the community of Wichanzao. Thanks, Bethel and Gulfport!

Summer Interns

In addition to a plethora of short term teams, the Mission is pleased to have three Fellows working in the clinic this summer.


Beth Nagle is a 4D medical student from Tennessee. She came to Trujillo (with her husband, Mark) on a rotation for the month of June. She participated in a medical campaign and saw patients daily in the clinic. Also, she conducted home visits, giving care to patients who were unable to come to the clinic to receive it. She and her husband recently returned to Memphis and they are greatly missed.


Christine Balistreri (left) and Ruth Ann Broom (right) are the other two summer interns in the clinic. Unlike the photo might lead you to believe, they have not been spending all their time in the Sacred Valley. Christine is a rising senior at Washington & Lee University, double majoring in Economics & Environmental Studies. She is interested in working in the Public Health sector one day and is greatly enjoying this opportunity to observe the health systems of a developing country. Ruth Ann is a rising junior at Mississippi College, pursuing a double major in English Literature and Spanish. She loves being able to sharpen her Spanish skills as she communicates with patients at the clinic. Both Ruth Ann and Christine assist around the clinic wherever needed... sometimes triaging patients and sometimes removing paint from the baseboards with paint thinner. You never know what you're going to get into around here. Both girls will be with us until the end of July.