JIGGERS

     Jiggers are a parasitic anthropoid found in most tropical and sub tropical climates. Today I followed along with a mission group here called Sole Hope. (I encourage you to check out their web site. www.solehope.com). They are an organization on a mission to put close toe shoes on African children...one pair at a time.
     Sole Hope offers hope, healthier lives and freedom from foot related diseases through education, jobs and medical relief. They support villages by teaching the trade of shoe making. The money the shoemakers earn helps feed, clothe, educate and house their children.
     Today we went into a village to remove jiggers and provide new shoes. It reminded me so much of our Dominican Republic days doing dentistry. I was in the foot washing station. After washing the red Ugandian mud off these children who never wear shoes, they are checked over for jiggers. Jiggers are then dug out with a razor blade and safety pin. After successfully getting rid of the jiggers, they are bandaged and given a new pair of shoes.
     The shoes are made from recycled jeans and the soles are made from old tires. One can host a shoe cutting out party in the states. Maybe something we can do at Adult VBS some year. The kits are then sent here to be made into shoes.
     It was a good day.
     I'm running out of bedtime story ideas, BUT was inspired to tell the "Shoemaker and the Elves " tonight.