Hello All!
Today I sit and write to you from Kampala. Yesterday, Glenna and Sunday brought me back to Kampala. I was able to see a doctor who informed me that I probably did not have malaria, instead, that I have a nasty virus. The virus has seated itself on the forehead causing pain a it's remained there...comfortable. Slowly am regaining strength though and, God willing, will be back in the village on Sunday.
This week, besides being sick, has been wonderful. I have had the opportunity to fellowship with many singles and young people my age. We have chatted about many things. This is one thing I will miss a lot.
Something new I have done in the past week: eaten a live white ant. The ants crawl out of the holes around 2-5 in the afternoon. Their job is to fly away and find a new home. The ants have huge wings that you pluck off...and after you can fry the ants...or just eat them. The one I tried was kinda fatty tasting. To tell you the truth..I swallowed it pretty quick. :D
We had an emergency case come into the clinic the other day. The emergency was run very different from what I'm used to. Here the 14 or so year old girl was unconscious. She responded to painful stimuli only. Her blood was taken, Malaria was determined and an IV was attempted. Unsuccessful times two. I was able to try and got it in...Praise God for that. After all that pain, she was somewhat awake and we were able to walk her to a bed where she received treatment. The next day, she was discharged. The staff all kept calm and handled the situation well. My mind was going 100 miles an hour but I tried to remain calm with them. Seems that people here respond well to treatment, especially when they have some immunity for the bug. It's like us and the flu...sometime it does not take long to recover when you have the immunity for it. Here people wait until the Malaria is severe, are sick in bed for three days while getting treatment and then they are fine.
While in the village, I am among friends with many talents. Pastor Paul's son is a keyboard player. His name is Elijah. He knows how to work that machine very well and has even recorded 6 songs on the keyboard. He plays it in church. Here when there is praise and worship people start singing. The Keyboard then attempts to find the key the leader started singing in. Some players are more intune that others and find the key faster. Elijah has a good ear and adds cords and runs accordingly. Quite the talent.
Three weeks left. The time has gone by. Village life is severly slow at times, however this whole experience has proven encouraging above all. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts! Continue to allow God to stretch YOU! Do something new today. It might just change your life. Sounds cliche..but it's true. You will be blessed.
Jambo, Bye-bye
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Village Living
A week has gone by and I can't remember all that has happened...so much has transpired and so much has been observed.
I started working in the clinic this week! It has been....slow....however I have learned so much. Sometimes the clinic only receives one or two patients a day. So far, I have seen a few tooth extractions, learned how to feel the position of a baby in the mom's stomach, started an IV, given many immunizations, observed how to treat malaria and typoid, been tested for Malaria, watched how they sterilize and do lab work, done vital signs. It has been very interesting. Among other things, I have planted maize, plucked a chicken, ridden side sattle on a motorcylce, taught someone how to play President, drank much tea, done much laundry, had a dance party in the clinic, tried to teach the guys to play twinkle twinkle...had many a conversation, observed the wonderous heavens during the day and at night, almost got hit by lightening (that is realtive, I actually don't know but it seemed like it), walk to the clinic every day..around 1.5km, and watched African tv. :D
The news of the day is that I have Malaria. Let me tell you..I wouldn't recommend. So far it's not been too to bad, however I wonder if it won't get worse. I am now getting treated for it. Hopefully all will be fine.
I enjoy the clinic work very much. The staff is great and God has provided me with friends...my age...and singles! Thankful for that. Today..I also was able to experience the joys of freshly squeezed passionfruit juice. Oh man oh man. SOO delicious. The food here is otherwise rich in Carbs. I actually miss fruits and vegetables!
So, life here is managable at the moment. No, I couldn't live like this forever, I am thankful that it will come to a close. But I will enjoy the beautiful friends I am making now! They are the most important part of this trip. They are quite precious and we have all had many laughs. Thank the Lord for that!
Anyhow, have a blessed day everyone! Take care of yourselves.
I started working in the clinic this week! It has been....slow....however I have learned so much. Sometimes the clinic only receives one or two patients a day. So far, I have seen a few tooth extractions, learned how to feel the position of a baby in the mom's stomach, started an IV, given many immunizations, observed how to treat malaria and typoid, been tested for Malaria, watched how they sterilize and do lab work, done vital signs. It has been very interesting. Among other things, I have planted maize, plucked a chicken, ridden side sattle on a motorcylce, taught someone how to play President, drank much tea, done much laundry, had a dance party in the clinic, tried to teach the guys to play twinkle twinkle...had many a conversation, observed the wonderous heavens during the day and at night, almost got hit by lightening (that is realtive, I actually don't know but it seemed like it), walk to the clinic every day..around 1.5km, and watched African tv. :D
The news of the day is that I have Malaria. Let me tell you..I wouldn't recommend. So far it's not been too to bad, however I wonder if it won't get worse. I am now getting treated for it. Hopefully all will be fine.
I enjoy the clinic work very much. The staff is great and God has provided me with friends...my age...and singles! Thankful for that. Today..I also was able to experience the joys of freshly squeezed passionfruit juice. Oh man oh man. SOO delicious. The food here is otherwise rich in Carbs. I actually miss fruits and vegetables!
So, life here is managable at the moment. No, I couldn't live like this forever, I am thankful that it will come to a close. But I will enjoy the beautiful friends I am making now! They are the most important part of this trip. They are quite precious and we have all had many laughs. Thank the Lord for that!
Anyhow, have a blessed day everyone! Take care of yourselves.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Mawanga
Hello all! It's been awhile since I wrote. Much has happened.
Last week, Glenna and the crew headed for the village of Kirongero. There lives Pastor Moses and his wife Beatrice. They welcomed us with open arms. There is a clinic that Glenna is responsible for across the street from their house. Sunday and Vince worked at hooking up solar lights in the staff quarters. Glenna, Karla, Beatrice and I were able to go visit a lady in the hospital who had just had twins. The twins did not seem very healthy and in my opinion, needed treatment. However trasport is very expensive and she was not able to. I am not sure how the babes are doing. After the visit, we ate lunch and got ready to attend a wedding! Ach, that was a fun time. I didn't know the couple, however Pastor Moses did the vows. The people were so happy and it was good to see. We also were able to attend church on Sunday morning and it was good. The family welcomed us so much and I learned a lot. I now have a momma in Africa...mama Beatrice. :)
We left after church and headed to Bosiro. There is another clinic of Glenna's. There, Karla, Sunday and I painted. Flamingo pink and grey....looked like an elephant. :P But fun times. I think by the end of the day I was doped up on paint fumes. Also were able to visit many people in the clinic. It was immunization day and many mothers and babes were there. The camping was great and the food was also good.
On Tuesday, the crew dropped me off at Mawanga! Here I will be for awhile. The village life is so different now that I am totally emersed and by myself. Have had two full days in the clinics. Not many people have shown up yet, but the majority of then with malaria. Some more severe than others. It is sad to see little children with severe malaria. The clinic can only do so much and then they need to refer to the hospital. Transport is expensive and many are unable to go. I am learning about the clinic, how it is run, how much they can do and not do for people. It is eye opening for sure. It's also interesting to see what happens with donations from other countries. Some things are used, and some are just left on the shelf. Sad actually. People here do not know how to use the equipment! Anyhow, I must be off as this computer is beeping at me!
All in all things are allright. I miss home, but am determined to have a good time here. I would like to ask for prayer for Pastor Paul's wife..Edith. She has Malaria and is not getting better as of yet even with treatment! Please pray for her health. Otherwise God is good!! Thanks to all who read. Be blessed!!
Last week, Glenna and the crew headed for the village of Kirongero. There lives Pastor Moses and his wife Beatrice. They welcomed us with open arms. There is a clinic that Glenna is responsible for across the street from their house. Sunday and Vince worked at hooking up solar lights in the staff quarters. Glenna, Karla, Beatrice and I were able to go visit a lady in the hospital who had just had twins. The twins did not seem very healthy and in my opinion, needed treatment. However trasport is very expensive and she was not able to. I am not sure how the babes are doing. After the visit, we ate lunch and got ready to attend a wedding! Ach, that was a fun time. I didn't know the couple, however Pastor Moses did the vows. The people were so happy and it was good to see. We also were able to attend church on Sunday morning and it was good. The family welcomed us so much and I learned a lot. I now have a momma in Africa...mama Beatrice. :)
We left after church and headed to Bosiro. There is another clinic of Glenna's. There, Karla, Sunday and I painted. Flamingo pink and grey....looked like an elephant. :P But fun times. I think by the end of the day I was doped up on paint fumes. Also were able to visit many people in the clinic. It was immunization day and many mothers and babes were there. The camping was great and the food was also good.
On Tuesday, the crew dropped me off at Mawanga! Here I will be for awhile. The village life is so different now that I am totally emersed and by myself. Have had two full days in the clinics. Not many people have shown up yet, but the majority of then with malaria. Some more severe than others. It is sad to see little children with severe malaria. The clinic can only do so much and then they need to refer to the hospital. Transport is expensive and many are unable to go. I am learning about the clinic, how it is run, how much they can do and not do for people. It is eye opening for sure. It's also interesting to see what happens with donations from other countries. Some things are used, and some are just left on the shelf. Sad actually. People here do not know how to use the equipment! Anyhow, I must be off as this computer is beeping at me!
All in all things are allright. I miss home, but am determined to have a good time here. I would like to ask for prayer for Pastor Paul's wife..Edith. She has Malaria and is not getting better as of yet even with treatment! Please pray for her health. Otherwise God is good!! Thanks to all who read. Be blessed!!
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