Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Birthday celebrations!
Just so no one thinks I am not also having fun here...here's a picture from a small birthday celebration we had for a friend here at the Mission. There are so many wonderful people here- we do have lots of fun! Please note the monkey/bear/creature birthday cake we made. I am doing so well. Eating well also!
HOPE
I will admit it. It isn’t easy being here. Some days I don’t think I can face another orphan story or handle seeing another patient shamed from HIV. I easily get exhausted when I go into the town and drive in the madness of people begging and selling. It’s sure not easy. But it’s worth it.
Recently, while out with the volunteers, we arrived on a situation I wasn’t quite prepared for. One of the volunteers disappeared into the house. Soon he came out leading a young man by the arm. We were told the man was HIV positive. As the man approached us to take a seat we could tell he was also blind. He looked very young. I wondered if he was even older than 25 years? As we sat with him and his story was translated to us, my heart broke- bit by bit. He has one son- 8 years old. He was married but when he got “sick” his wife left him. Now, blind, he and his son try to survive. I fear that it is this small boy’s responsibility to fetch water every day. I am not sure how far he has to go to get the water. If you ask me, anywhere is too far for this small child. As we inquired about this man's health we found out that the Rubatano volunteer is the one to go to the hospital to fetch his antiretrovirals. Bless him! What would this man do without someone to do this for him? Likely he would no longer be alive.
As usual we concluded our visit by praying for the patient. This visit ended differently. Before we left the patient started talking, soon, he was weeping. This is quite unusual. Africans don’t usually show too much emotion- especially young men. After the volunteers comforted the man he kindly looked to all of us, with much gratitude for coming to be with him. He was so appreciative of our time with him. We later asked the volunteer what he was saying when he was crying. The volunteer stated, “he feels he is suffering too much in this world. He is hurting.” Yes, he is. When we left he went back into his small, dark house. I think he must just sit in there all day. I wonder what goes through his mind day after day?
I have been thinking about this man a lot. I tend to get easily discouraged in situations like this. I want to fix it. I want to stay with this man and take care of him. I want to allow his son to be a kid and not a caregiver. I want to eradicate HIV. I want to “fix” Africa. I can’t do any of these things. If I keep thinking this way I won’t last long.
So, I have had a talk with myself today. Amidst all the heartache there is SO much good happening here. God’s hand is at work. His prints are everywhere. His people are giving very sick patients rides to the hospital on their bicycles. His people are providing food for orphans. His people are going to the hospital to collect life saving medications for patients. His people are praying! There is hope- I need to focus on that. The need is great but the amazing things that happen regularly are also numerous. The world seems to be falling apart, everywhere. We can dwell on that, or we can look at the amazing work God is doing and ask for more of His work-more blessing, more faithfulness and more obedience from His people. All of this can start with with each of us!
There's HOPE. I choose to dwell on this...
Recently, while out with the volunteers, we arrived on a situation I wasn’t quite prepared for. One of the volunteers disappeared into the house. Soon he came out leading a young man by the arm. We were told the man was HIV positive. As the man approached us to take a seat we could tell he was also blind. He looked very young. I wondered if he was even older than 25 years? As we sat with him and his story was translated to us, my heart broke- bit by bit. He has one son- 8 years old. He was married but when he got “sick” his wife left him. Now, blind, he and his son try to survive. I fear that it is this small boy’s responsibility to fetch water every day. I am not sure how far he has to go to get the water. If you ask me, anywhere is too far for this small child. As we inquired about this man's health we found out that the Rubatano volunteer is the one to go to the hospital to fetch his antiretrovirals. Bless him! What would this man do without someone to do this for him? Likely he would no longer be alive.
As usual we concluded our visit by praying for the patient. This visit ended differently. Before we left the patient started talking, soon, he was weeping. This is quite unusual. Africans don’t usually show too much emotion- especially young men. After the volunteers comforted the man he kindly looked to all of us, with much gratitude for coming to be with him. He was so appreciative of our time with him. We later asked the volunteer what he was saying when he was crying. The volunteer stated, “he feels he is suffering too much in this world. He is hurting.” Yes, he is. When we left he went back into his small, dark house. I think he must just sit in there all day. I wonder what goes through his mind day after day?
I have been thinking about this man a lot. I tend to get easily discouraged in situations like this. I want to fix it. I want to stay with this man and take care of him. I want to allow his son to be a kid and not a caregiver. I want to eradicate HIV. I want to “fix” Africa. I can’t do any of these things. If I keep thinking this way I won’t last long.
So, I have had a talk with myself today. Amidst all the heartache there is SO much good happening here. God’s hand is at work. His prints are everywhere. His people are giving very sick patients rides to the hospital on their bicycles. His people are providing food for orphans. His people are going to the hospital to collect life saving medications for patients. His people are praying! There is hope- I need to focus on that. The need is great but the amazing things that happen regularly are also numerous. The world seems to be falling apart, everywhere. We can dwell on that, or we can look at the amazing work God is doing and ask for more of His work-more blessing, more faithfulness and more obedience from His people. All of this can start with with each of us!
There's HOPE. I choose to dwell on this...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
One day we took 2 of the children that live at the mission to see their family. We sat with the family outside their home as the children joined in eating there noon meal. Most meals consist of sudsa which is a maize meal substance that is eaten with a sauce or beans. The Africans love their sudsa. They don't consider it a meal if they don't have it. They can eat enormous portions of it also. I actually am starting to take a liking to it. I can't eat even a fraction of what they can but I am starting to enjoy it more. Laura and I were a bit alarmed one day when we both realized how excited we were that we were going to be having sudsa and goat for lunch!
These are some chilren that gathered near one of the areas were we see patients. Unfortunately the white people often attract quite a crowd. As you can see it's beautiful here!
If you would like to see more pictures and stories Laura has some on her blog: www.lauraeliason.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
This is a picture of Laura, me and some of the volunteers in front of a typical home of the patients and orphans we visit.
Please pray for Laura and I that we will have discernment and wisdom as we are out in the community and when we are at home. People are often coming to us asking for things. It is very difficult to know when and how to give and to whom. It's really hard- our hearts break yet we can only do so much. Please pray for us to know when to do what! Also, for our nursing licenses- we are still waiting to be recognized by the government.
Please note the live goat on top of the bus!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Oh, Africa!
Oh, Africa! As always, I could write story after story! Here are a couple highlights from last week…
*It was time to change the oil in the car. Simple enough you would think. Well, its not as easy as driving up to Jiffy Lube like back home (we found this out the hard way). Here you need to bring your own oil to have the oil changed at the Total station (it really is a Total station). So we pulled up and tried to tell the man what we needed done. We struggled in communicating with the him even though we had been practicing how to say, “we need our oil changed please. Please refill with 6 liters of oil.” We gave the man the oil and thought we were on the right track. As we watched him change the oil, and finish in record time, we had some hesitations. We decided to drive just a short distance and check the oil just to make sure they actually had replaced the oil.
I will never claim to know much of anything about cars but I do know that oil should not look like our oil looked!!! It was the blackest black I have ever seen. Maybe this is normal? We didn’t know. We were puzzled. Not knowing what to do we called someone at the mission to get advice. He reassured us as long as we saw them put the oil in we should be okay and he would check it out once we got home. When we returned to the mission he checked the oil and agreed- it is too black!! After some humming and hawing he asked what was apparently an obvious thing. We did change the oil filter right? Ah…nope!! Oops, apparently we had to bring our own filter as well. You don’t have to do that at the Grease Monkey back home! Oh, Africa!
*Saturday morning I decided it would be a nice day to go for a run. I was quickly reminded that when you run about 5 times in 4 months, it is doesn’t feel that great (especially when you go the wrong way around the loop and the majority of the run is a gradual incline). As I continued on, the run got a bit more enjoyable. When I turned off the highway onto the dirt road to go back home, without thinking anything about it, I said “Bom dia” to all the people gathered on the side of the road. As I continued on I thought I heard something behind me. I turned around to see a crowd of about 8 people following me. At first I just waved and kept going. Then I thought, hmm…culturally I wonder what I am supposed to do right now? Finally I decided to stop allowing them to catch up. First, a young woman caught up with me followed by 3 or 4 kids (5-7 years) and another woman. Others staggered in behind them. I spoke to them as much as I could in my broken Portuguese and then the women said in Portuguese, “Let’s go!” I guess they are coming with me I thought. So off we went. I couldn’t believe that these little ones with no shoes ran the rest of the way with me. Soon was nothing as a women carrying a baby caught up with me! I couldn’t believe it at first. Who goes for a run carrying a baby? At first it was okay because she had the baby on her front so she was able to secure it a bit but then we she moved the baby to her back!!! The poor baby was too small to stabilize her head at all. Her head was literally BOUNCING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I actually wondered if she was going to get Shaken Baby Syndrome. It was awful but apparently not a big deal to them, they wanted to keep on running. As we ended the final mile and a half I am pretty sure I was the most exhausted one. What a fun experience! I don't think I have ever runny over a mile with a permanent smile on my face. As I raced the kids to the end of my route I felt like a million bucks. It was one of the best runs I have ever had. Perhaps if I keep this up maybe I will come home running like an African!
*It was time to change the oil in the car. Simple enough you would think. Well, its not as easy as driving up to Jiffy Lube like back home (we found this out the hard way). Here you need to bring your own oil to have the oil changed at the Total station (it really is a Total station). So we pulled up and tried to tell the man what we needed done. We struggled in communicating with the him even though we had been practicing how to say, “we need our oil changed please. Please refill with 6 liters of oil.” We gave the man the oil and thought we were on the right track. As we watched him change the oil, and finish in record time, we had some hesitations. We decided to drive just a short distance and check the oil just to make sure they actually had replaced the oil.
I will never claim to know much of anything about cars but I do know that oil should not look like our oil looked!!! It was the blackest black I have ever seen. Maybe this is normal? We didn’t know. We were puzzled. Not knowing what to do we called someone at the mission to get advice. He reassured us as long as we saw them put the oil in we should be okay and he would check it out once we got home. When we returned to the mission he checked the oil and agreed- it is too black!! After some humming and hawing he asked what was apparently an obvious thing. We did change the oil filter right? Ah…nope!! Oops, apparently we had to bring our own filter as well. You don’t have to do that at the Grease Monkey back home! Oh, Africa!
*Saturday morning I decided it would be a nice day to go for a run. I was quickly reminded that when you run about 5 times in 4 months, it is doesn’t feel that great (especially when you go the wrong way around the loop and the majority of the run is a gradual incline). As I continued on, the run got a bit more enjoyable. When I turned off the highway onto the dirt road to go back home, without thinking anything about it, I said “Bom dia” to all the people gathered on the side of the road. As I continued on I thought I heard something behind me. I turned around to see a crowd of about 8 people following me. At first I just waved and kept going. Then I thought, hmm…culturally I wonder what I am supposed to do right now? Finally I decided to stop allowing them to catch up. First, a young woman caught up with me followed by 3 or 4 kids (5-7 years) and another woman. Others staggered in behind them. I spoke to them as much as I could in my broken Portuguese and then the women said in Portuguese, “Let’s go!” I guess they are coming with me I thought. So off we went. I couldn’t believe that these little ones with no shoes ran the rest of the way with me. Soon was nothing as a women carrying a baby caught up with me! I couldn’t believe it at first. Who goes for a run carrying a baby? At first it was okay because she had the baby on her front so she was able to secure it a bit but then we she moved the baby to her back!!! The poor baby was too small to stabilize her head at all. Her head was literally BOUNCING ALL OVER THE PLACE. I actually wondered if she was going to get Shaken Baby Syndrome. It was awful but apparently not a big deal to them, they wanted to keep on running. As we ended the final mile and a half I am pretty sure I was the most exhausted one. What a fun experience! I don't think I have ever runny over a mile with a permanent smile on my face. As I raced the kids to the end of my route I felt like a million bucks. It was one of the best runs I have ever had. Perhaps if I keep this up maybe I will come home running like an African!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
"But if there are any poor people in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with other Israleites in need." Deut 15: 7,8,10,11
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Just for today
Everyday I could write and tell story after story- most, heart wrenching. Many days I have so much to tell, I don’t know where to start.
Today we attended Orphan Day put on by Rubatano (the home-based care group we work with). We gathered at two different places- the first with approximately 100 orphans. We started the day with singing. We all gathered in the shade, under a tree, while one of the volunteers led singing while playing his accordion! I was overjoyed as I stood there with these children. I couldn’t help but chuckle when I realized I was standing in the middle of Mozambique singing praises to God with a bunch of orphan children while someone played the accordion! It was a precious moment. Soon the humor of this new style of worship faded and I took in a frightening reality.
I looked around at these precious little ones. Most of the children were wearing rags. Rags I would throw away- not even worthly to be used for cleaning. Actually, it's probably their best outfit as they are "going out" today. Many of these kids have runny noses and distended bellies, likely full of worms. I noticed one small child carrying a baby on her back. She's not even old enough to care for herself yet alone the child on her back. She is wearing one shoe. Many don't have shoes at all. I can't even sing now. There is too much to think about and take in.
Every one of these children has a harder daily life than I ever have had, or will have. I will never know what it is like to grow up without a mom and dad. I have never had even a minute in my life when I didn’t know that I have a family and a surplus of friends that love me…deeply. To fight the tears I had to quickly escape these thoughts. It wasn’t long until God shifted my thinking back onto Him. I was reminded of the Scripture when Jesus says, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these” Matt. 19:14 I felt as if I was seeing this right before my very eyes. These Mozambiquan volunteers have challenges of their own to bear, their lives are complicated. Yet, here they are, gathering hundreds of orphans together to show them they aren’t forgotten. The volunteers are spending their Saturday (and many other days of the week) caring for their community. I am sure this is just what it looked like when Jesus was on earth. Crowds would gather around Him to hear His voice, to be in His presence. Now, here these children are, gathering where they are loved. These volunteers are being Jesus. They showed me today what James 1:27 really means, “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.” They are caring for orphans (and widows and patients). They are living the Gospel. God must be well-pleased. I am sure He was smiling down on us today as His children sang praises to Him. In the midst of their situations they are finding hope in Jesus. They are seeing Jesus in action as these volunteers care for and love them. I pray they know that “the needy will not be forgotten forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed” Psalm 9:18.
Amidst it all, the heartache and tears, God’s people at Rubatano are doing their part. I saw lots of smiles today. Laughing and singing. Even if just for a moment, these orphans had no responsibilities. They were kids and they played. They were showed that they are cared for and they are loved- even just for today.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Just another day!
I just got home from a wonderful day of home-based care. It was actually one of my favorite days of HBC so far. The patients that we saw today didn't seem to be too sick. Most of the patients today are on TB treatment and/or antiretrovirals. From what we could assess they seem to be taking the treatment properly- this was very encouraging. The visits with the patients today went very well but a day is never without excitement.
Today Pasqua (Carlos, the project directors, wife) and their 4 month old daughter came with us. Pasqua often comes with us to translate which is so wonderful. This first picture is of me carrying Jessica on my back as we walk through the bush to visit our patients. It was the first time I have tried carrying a baby the "African way" and I loved it. It's so wonderful to have this little bundle of adorableness nestled up to you.
Just moments after we took this picture there was a bit of commotion as we came across a Spitting Cobra on our path! At first I didn't know what was going on. I saw this snake with it's head in a hole and part of its body on the path. Soon the volunteers that were with us and the husband of one of our patients started throwing rocks (big rocks) at the snake. Pasqua was screaming and I didn't know what to do- so I stood back and took pictures. After just a few moments the snake was apparently dead and we were ready to carry on. But just before we did, the husband of our patient picked up the snake to show us. THEN...our patient (with TB) was there holding the other end of the snake ready to have their picture taken! So here it is- priceless!
After that, we carried on- no big deal. I am just thankful today that this time there were men around who were willing to kill the thing for me! I didn't have to get close to it!
Today Pasqua (Carlos, the project directors, wife) and their 4 month old daughter came with us. Pasqua often comes with us to translate which is so wonderful. This first picture is of me carrying Jessica on my back as we walk through the bush to visit our patients. It was the first time I have tried carrying a baby the "African way" and I loved it. It's so wonderful to have this little bundle of adorableness nestled up to you.
Just moments after we took this picture there was a bit of commotion as we came across a Spitting Cobra on our path! At first I didn't know what was going on. I saw this snake with it's head in a hole and part of its body on the path. Soon the volunteers that were with us and the husband of one of our patients started throwing rocks (big rocks) at the snake. Pasqua was screaming and I didn't know what to do- so I stood back and took pictures. After just a few moments the snake was apparently dead and we were ready to carry on. But just before we did, the husband of our patient picked up the snake to show us. THEN...our patient (with TB) was there holding the other end of the snake ready to have their picture taken! So here it is- priceless!
After that, we carried on- no big deal. I am just thankful today that this time there were men around who were willing to kill the thing for me! I didn't have to get close to it!
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