HealthWise International

29/01/2024

As I sat here in Newark, N.J. this morning, waiting for my next flight, I had the joy to read something that would have taken me a chapter to write. It summarizes my thoughts concerning this last 3 plus weeks in Burkina Faso. This trip was really emotionally hard for me. The investment in time and money of thirty years seemed to be ending. I strapped on my big boy faith, maybe old man faith, and headed out desperately wanting to hear from God what He wanted me to do in the coming few years I have left. The trip helped me set my sail for the future and showed me that regardless of how stupid, foolish, incompetent... I may be, or how those I am working with fail to produce the results I had hoped for. If I am doing what He wants me to do, the result does nothing but bring Him glory and flood my needy soul with faith I need to continue serving Him. Let me know if this speaks to you like it did to me.
Want Impact?

If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed—Luke 17:6

We want our lives to matter. We want these few days we spend here to mean something. We want some sort of impact. Well, brother, if we really want impact, we’ve got to allow the amplifying power of the Holy Spirit to work through us—by being willing to act in faith. When we act alone (as we so often do), we do so with our own strength. But when we act in faith, our actions are amplified by the strength of a great and powerful God. Men and women acting in faith have “stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight” (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Eric

The surprising thing about acting in faith is that—unlike when we act alone—it’s not our skill, nor our cleverness, that determines the magnitude of impact. When the Apostle Paul worked to start the church in Corinth, he spoke “in weakness and in fear,” lacking “plausible words of wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:3-4). He must have doubted whether he’d had any impact at all. But the church was established nonetheless. “God’s Spirit and God’s power did it,” through Paul’s seemingly unimpressive actions, taken in faith (1 Corinthians 2:3-5 MSG).
Okay, so what do we do?

Just do something. Choose something practical, something that fits within the great commandments (Matthew 22:36-39), and something that’s too big. Go ahead and get in over-your-head. Tackle the problem that’s been on your heart. Tell someone about your faith. Help that person who’s hard to love. Things might not turn out as you expect, of course—or with the timing you’d like. Trust, though, if you do act, you’ll begin to have the impact for which you’re meant.

Your brother in Christ,
Justin

Thanks, Justin from WIRE, a men-focused newsletter

20/01/2024

Posting has been really hard with very little time, and poor to nonexistent internet. Burkina is playing in the Africa Cup today, so we finished early at the clinic, and no one is around to interrupt me, so here I go. (they tied 2/2. I didn't think they could do that but I will find out what happened tomorrow.)

This week has been full of interesting cases. There are way too many babies that either have their brains damaged by hypoxia during the birth process, infections soon after birth, or immunization issues. The first big challenge here is getting past your first birthday. Here is one of the three cuties I took care of this morning. This little guy developed a seizure disorder where he acts like he gets shocked and spasms with limbs shooting out for a split second. Fortunately, he only does it periodically. The two other babies I cared for sleep better, and their moms believe they see other little changes that make them very happy.
After a couple of babies, I got to see the oldest patient I think I have treated in Burkina. I think they said he 90. We had to literally pick him up like a baby and place him on the table. I think he weighed all of 70 lbs. He didn't like us moving him around like that, but aftercare, he was very happy and repeated Barka, Barka, or" thank you so much" in Moore.(needs a hyphen on the e) We may get this tough guy walking again.

Many of our patients come in with what they call "scanners" we would call them X-rays. Sure glad this one had them. If you know what you are looking at, blow it up and look how the surgeon put the screw right through the vertebra into the disc which has sensory nerves.Is there any wonder why she has more pain post surgery? I had to be the doc that gave her and her son the bad news that the increase in pain and drop foot post surgery may not act in a manner consistent with what her surgeon told her. "It will go away in time." She might want to find a good doctor and get a second opinion.

Then, one afternoon, a woman rolled her husband into our reception area and asked to see me. I was so busy I took one look at the man in the wheelchair and thought, "I can't help that guy; she needs to roll him on out of here." Fortunately, I just thought it. I pushed them off as I took patient after patient, but finally, I was finished, and my staff reminded me that they were still waiting. Sure enough, my quick visual diagnosis was confirmed. He has advanced Parkinson's. I told my staff that I was somewhat of an expert with this nasty disease and knew how much work it took to get even a little improvement without a team approach In my clinic in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, I teamed up with my PT, and we had very specialized equipment costing tens of thousands of dollars. We also worked closely with an internist to balance the dopamine. I told the staff standing around why I couldn't help this poor guy so that was that. Then, something came into my brain. Why not just adjust him at no charge. They have waited so long and look so pathetic, just let them know you care and no promises. Well, they jumped at the idea and we rolled him back and adjusted him. Following the adjustment I had what I will call a profound feeling to pray for this man. I started to pray and to tell you the truth what came out of my mouth was a wonderful faith-filled prayer. I was rather shocked at my prayer and felt like I had spoken words not coming from my brain. I don't know how else to communicate it. When he showed up today and looked and sounded like a different man I knew why those words came out of my mouth. He told me that after I prayed he felt much better.Had I experienced the Spirit of God working in me despite myself? I not only think so I know so! Man, does that humble a guy. I was sure I couldn't do anything and I was right. But, that isn't what God wanted for this man. He wanted to bless him. After I saw him today I learned from Etienne, our ministry director, that he was a very special man in the ministry of RED and Etienne was so sad to see him like this. Many people were praying for him. Another time in my life when I acted on something telling me to go beyond what I felt and "knew" and go with that little voice deep inside. A reminder to me that God will take our less thans, and turn them into yes you cans.

Tomorrow I will be visiting the Village of Hope. My plan is to take pictures and send them along to you.
The Adventure of Faith Continues

17/01/2024

Now, into my second week in Burkina, I am struggling to find time when I have the internet to post. Lee helped me last year by taking pictures and posting them while I cared for patients, so I am picture and posting deficient. I am missing more than just my photographer and poster. It is a good thing, though, as we know that absence can make the heart grow fonder:-) She is glad she stayed because she has been there for her mom/dad during this time of doctor and surgical visits.
I have had several things that have happened that I wish to share.
1. A rekindling of a relationship with a very prominent pastor. He was one of the first men we worked with in Burkina, and we became very close. In the last week, I have been able to share with him several important things that hopefully will make his life and ministry easier. This morning, he reported to me that an almost incapacitating back pain that kept him bent over for hours every morning was gone. Seems my fitting him with Lee's air mattress and care was just what he needed. He got up with NO back pain. Now, I have to see if I can help him so he can walk farther because he has diabetes and needs to exercise. He is just one of the dozens of patients who have expressed gratitude for helping them overcome years of pain. Please know that those of you who support this ministry through donations or purchasing vitamins through our FullScript site are truly a partner in all of this.
Here are some pics of the last week or so now that I have the time and internet to post them for you.
The first two pictures show two patients happy to have donated the new Silicone arch supports donated from the States. I do not have the company's name in my brain currently so I will post it later. Everyone using them loves them.
Next, you see some pictures of treating patients and my sharing an example of the great lunches they have prepared for me. Yes, that is one of the two Carp, whole fish they cooked up for us.
Then there is a gal, one of two, who suffered a stroke. They both have serious difficulties walking, and one of them can't use her right arm and hand. Both are very happy with the care because they can walk, talk, and sleep better. The last post is of a pastor who came in because, after his stroke, he was able to get back on his feet but was left with difficulty talking. Post-care, he began to speak with much greater fluidity, and we all were so excited for him.
Please know that your prayers are always greatly appreciated.

09/01/2024

Home sweet home for the next almost four weeks. Don't let the glitzy sign fool you. You would not put more than two stars on this place. It does have a very cordial staff and a great breakfast. Fresh, flaky French croissants are on the menu for me every morning. The two young men were in the worship band and played really well. After the service, where I was the speaker, they wanted to have their picture taken with me. Don't know why, but I had to show you their "cool" outfits. Great guys, full of life and a contagious freshness. The next pic is of a couple that were at church for their baby dedication. A baby is under that flower on her back, and yes, all three will take off on that Moto. No helmet for the baby though.

09/01/2024

Back with my African family - Burkina Faso
How sweet it is to be able to help so many that otherwise would not have this type of care. Thank you Impac equipment, Leander, and so many others that have donated, loaned, discounted their equipment so that we might have some of the best care giving equipment in the world.

17/01/2023

Sunday morning we worshiped at the largest Evangelical Protestant church in Burkina Faso (seating for approx. 1,500). Pastor Karambiri was the former president of the R.E.D. board of directors. R.E.D. is the evangelistic radio network supported in part by income from the spinal care clinics.

After the (5 hour!) service, Pastor Karambiri met with us, Etienne (Exec director of R.E.D) and the current president and vice president of the R.E.D board to discuss how we might work together to advance the Gospel message in Burkina Faso.

(...last January Pastor Karambiri could not walk or stand to preach without significant discomfort, so he came to see Dr. Bob several times at the clinic. One of the many blessings of last year's trip was to get this man of God...the "Billy Graham" of Burkina...back on his feet!)

14/01/2023

We spent our first several days at the clinic, Lee working on compiling and analyzing clinic data and Dr. Bob seeing patients. These patients have been coming to the clinic but are not seeing the desired improvement. The spinal therapists “save” these patients for Dr. Bob, who uses the opportunity as valuable teaching time.
Saturday started slow, but soon picked up… First a referral from a neurosurgeon who had done everything he could but this gal was getting worse, not better. Upon setting up a care protocol for her, Dr. Bob was pulled from room to room with one interesting case after another! One such patient was being treated with massage and exercise by one of our Kinesiotherapists. He previously had a stroke and could not raise his right arm more than 30 degrees without the help of his other arm. Dr. Bob’s exam found an issue in the upper cervical spine and after his adjustment he was very pleased to raise his arm without assistance more than 90 degrees!
“It is very energizing to be using my techniques again. Where else can I treat babies, stroke patients, moto (motorbike) falls, post multi-fracture victims and of course neck and back pain patients all in a normal days work?!” -Dr. Bob

10/01/2023

After an incredibly busy year (see below*), we are once again heading to Burkina Faso! (...we were actually scheduled to leave Sunday, but our PCR test results did not get back from the lab on time and we were not allowed on the flight.🥴)
Stay tuned for trip updates!

*Our busy year...
-Sold 48 year Wisconsin Chiropractic practice and retired.
-Sold commercial building (46 years)
-Moved, sold, donated all office furniture, chiro equipment and personal belongings.
-Packed what remained into a 26 ft. moving truck
-Scheduled to return home to Englewood on Sept 28.
-Delayed two weeks due to hurricane Ian (which DID arrive in Englewood on Sept. 28)
-3 months of hurricane clean up, rebuilding and insurance chasing for our home and 3 rental properties. (Which will continue upon our return)
-Hosted previously scheduled family and friends, who graciously pitched in to help us...and now we are about to board our plane to Burkina.

26/01/2022

Prayers appreciated to navigate through all that is required to return to the U.S. through France. (Covid test, Attestation Document and Contact Tracing form) 🥴
Additionally, due to the unrest here, flights were suspended for a number of days. As of a few minutes ago, it was confirmed that our flight is still leaving Ouagadougou on Friday (yay!) but departure has been moved almost 5 hours earlier because an extra stop has been added in Accra.
Thank you for your prayers!

25/01/2022

We have exciting news to share with you!

Meet Boris. He was hired to be our translator (French to English) while at the clinic. He began by translating the hands-on training Dr. Bob was providing to the other clinicians. Boris is a trained nurse and very bright with an inquisitive nature. He quickly became interested in WHAT was being taught and started participating just as much as a student as a translator. By day 3, he expressed his interest in being trained to come to work in the clinic, but Dr. Bob saw much greater potential...

Now meet Boris. No longer just our translator, but a young man who will very likely be the FIRST Burkinabae Doctor of Chiropractic! This has long been a dream of Dr. Bob and our ministry partners here, but language limitation and family responsibilities (inability to leave the country for long periods of time to receive an education) have prevented the process. Boris is fluent in English and is not married (and promises to hold off on romantic involvement.😉) Not all the hurdles have been removed, as pursuing a doctorate is an expensive venture. Even to take preliminary online courses will be a challenge for a young man who lives in a home with no electricity or running water!
In the near future we will begin to raise the means for Boris to get this education. This not only has the potential to change the face of healthcare in West Africa, but will also increase the patient load/clinic income...40% of which is donated to our partner ministry, the outreach of R.E.D. (evangelistic radio) in Burkina.

25/01/2022

For those of you interested, here is the first article we have seen on the new leader/president of Burkina...
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/25/burkina-faso-coup-leader-paul-henri-sandaogo-damiba

The 41-year-old was promoted by President Kabore to commander of Burkina Faso’s third military region in December.

25/01/2022

We have not had much access to the internet the last few days, but things are a little better today. Here are a few pics of what's been going on... ALSO, check back soon for some exciting news!