Here’s another golden oldie, to me at least, from the web site predecessor to the Orlop. It was written in 2002 after my return from a medical mission trip to an indigenous Indian tribe high on a Costa Rica mountainside. As a postscript, similar missions in the following years, in which I was not a participant, resulted in the construction of a clinic near one of the mountain churches and some long overdue support from the Costa Rican government. The quotation is from a letter written to brother Tom, a fellow back-sufferer.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of our Costa Rica week, heavy rains forced us to go to church 3 from church 1 and back, instead of church 2, which meant among other things that we were on the trail for over 8 hours each day instead of the planned 5 hours. It was a physical challenge for the entire team, but my legs gave out on me both days and I spent several hours perched on a pack horse as we travelled the muddy, rugged trail. After we got back, I sent the following rather irreverent post to my brothers, with whom I share various degrees of back problems.

I seem to have got back safe and sound, although my butt hasn’t completely healed yet, and therein lies a tale – yet untold. I think I have discovered a new modality of physical therapy. You will find a picture of
this new machine attached. Please note the high-tech wooden frame that replaces a civilized saddle, for this seems to be the secret of its success.

To make a tedious story tolerable, after bouncing up and down over very steep and muddy mountain trails atop this machine, after suffering untold kidney punches and assorted other tortures, and after having to be
literally pried off the machine after several hours of treatment, I find that my back and hips feel better today than they have for a long, long time. (I really expected to return crippled!)

The moral to this tale? When it comes to sore backs, the docs don’t know nuthin. I’m not sure whether I should recommend this therapy to you, Bro Tom, for as the propeller-heads say, YMMV. (Your mileage may vary.)

Love from,

Caballero Dave, vowing never to repeat the experience, even in the
interest of science… .

It is now two weeks since our return, and my hips and back still feel fine. I won’t try to explain it, except to say that I see this as just one of a remarkable chain of deliverances during our days on the jungle trail. I attribute this largely to the prayers of our many supporters, for which I will be eternally grateful. soli deo gloria

9-13-02