Andrew's grandmother died while we were in Sipi. The next day I woke up to find that the funeral was Tuesday, which happened to be that morning. It made me really sad to hear that his Jaja (grandmother) had died. She raised him, so I know that it was as if his mother died. Both his real parents had died already, and his 13 year old sister died last year of aids. Andrew has his uncle now, which from the sounds of it, he does not seem that involved with his life. As much as the day was about Andrew I could not help but to think only about my life. My dad. My brother. Last September. Scott. Scott's dad. My mind was in so many places that morning. Rachel told me the service was at ten and that if I wanted to go I could. I was decided on not attending, but then realized that I am not here for myself, I am not here for my comfort, and to sit at home and be gloomy about my life was going to bring Andrew no support, even if I did not know if all that well.
So we all set off to the village. If Uganda you do not wear black for a funeral. Or shall I say, it is not a requirement. If you wear your best, and care, that is all that matters.
We got to Andrew's. He had lost his voice kinda, and was very sad. His cousins and second cousins were all around and there were some friends of Jaja's in her house sitting inside and sleeping. Randy, Rachel, Kate, and I took a seat outside under the shade and talked with Andrew about how he was. We told him we were sorry. We were intruduced to some friends and family. We were told about how the day would play out, and also were told about the cost of the funeral. As all of this was going on, I was dazed. I kept thinking about how Andrew's behavior was so similar to mine last year. He was getting things organized, staying busy, being polite to whomever, keeping his compossure. I shed a couple tears here and there. I knew how to be there for him but at the same time knew that the only way to be there for someone like that is just to literally be there, to sit, to listen, to ask only a couple questions, to be silent, and to pray.
He asked us to follow him into the house. So not knowing anything but to follow, i took off my shoes, stepped inside, and right there in front of me was Jaja's coffin. It was sitting on the foor about 3 feet from the entrance. It was a beautiful coffin and there was glass right where her face was and also glass on the bottom along the sides. Wow I dared not look where the face was. I was really shocked. Ah! Not the best day of my life. Not at all.
I will tell you more about the service later. The internet cafe is closing. sorry.
"a good friend holds the hand of the weak man."
"you are good friends. you are here even when there is pain."
"many people are friends when there is joy, it is a real friend to be there when there is sorrow."
Friday, October 16
Sipi Falls
October 13th, 2009
So over the weekend Kate, Alex and I traveled to Sipi Falls. We actually were only gone for a day and a half, but still the vacation away from Jinja for a little bit was a great idea. We woke up early on Sunday morning, sat in a matatue for about 2 hours, left in matatue by 9:30 , arrived in Mbale about 4 hours later, hired a driver to take us up to Sipi, and finally came to our destination in the afternoon. We quickly unloaded our stuff at a beautiful camp-lodge area called Crow's Nest. Took a few deep long breaths, admired the beautiful view of each waterfall (because there are four), then we're changed and ready for our 2 hr. hike.
Our guide's name was Patrick. He has lived in Sipi his whole life. Is now 24 years old. Has been seriously dating a girl named Solivia for the last one and a half years. He is not wanting to be married yet, at least not till he has more money saved up. He currently is a self-employed Sipi Falls Trail Guide and has been doing so for the last 6 years. The top of his head came to about my chin. Kate saw six toes on his left foot and I noticed that his calf’s were the size of oranges. He was good looking in a small boyish way and his smile was pearly white and pretty perfect. So now that you have a mental picture of who Patrick is, I will continue on.
Sipi is gorgeous. By far, one of the most luxurious places that I have been on this earth. It was more tropical then I was anticipating. Every plant and every flower I saw was new. Green was the theme and I loved it. It rained six minutes into our hike, Alex's mind made up, we continued. The trail was narrow, path muddy, steep steps that went down at a 35 degree angle, with rickety steps and railings. It was no doubt made by village hands. The path was extremely slippery that we all made a bet that whoever falls flat on their face or butt has to pay 1,000 Ugs (meaning fifty cents). Luckily nobody fell that day. The waterfall (Sipi number one) was beautiful, the hike was well worth the matatue ride, and the exercise was exceptional. YES! I LOVED IT!
It was great getting to be around nature. So refreshing. It was good to have peace. To not hear children screaming (the fun kind of screaming), to not hear cars, or the Muslim prayer, it was great to have a little bit of peace and a little bit of quiet.
TO SUM IT UP
We had four hours of hiking the next day, traveled back to Mbale. A man I did not know on the ride there kept playing footsie with me. That made me uncomfy for sure. Oh well, if you just move your foot and glare at the person they normally stop. He did.
We changed vehicles in Mbale, from van to matatue. Got home finally and was able to talk to my mom which was really nice and good to hear her voice, awww ;). Very true though. Then I slept.
LOVED IT!
So over the weekend Kate, Alex and I traveled to Sipi Falls. We actually were only gone for a day and a half, but still the vacation away from Jinja for a little bit was a great idea. We woke up early on Sunday morning, sat in a matatue for about 2 hours, left in matatue by 9:30 , arrived in Mbale about 4 hours later, hired a driver to take us up to Sipi, and finally came to our destination in the afternoon. We quickly unloaded our stuff at a beautiful camp-lodge area called Crow's Nest. Took a few deep long breaths, admired the beautiful view of each waterfall (because there are four), then we're changed and ready for our 2 hr. hike.
Our guide's name was Patrick. He has lived in Sipi his whole life. Is now 24 years old. Has been seriously dating a girl named Solivia for the last one and a half years. He is not wanting to be married yet, at least not till he has more money saved up. He currently is a self-employed Sipi Falls Trail Guide and has been doing so for the last 6 years. The top of his head came to about my chin. Kate saw six toes on his left foot and I noticed that his calf’s were the size of oranges. He was good looking in a small boyish way and his smile was pearly white and pretty perfect. So now that you have a mental picture of who Patrick is, I will continue on.
Sipi is gorgeous. By far, one of the most luxurious places that I have been on this earth. It was more tropical then I was anticipating. Every plant and every flower I saw was new. Green was the theme and I loved it. It rained six minutes into our hike, Alex's mind made up, we continued. The trail was narrow, path muddy, steep steps that went down at a 35 degree angle, with rickety steps and railings. It was no doubt made by village hands. The path was extremely slippery that we all made a bet that whoever falls flat on their face or butt has to pay 1,000 Ugs (meaning fifty cents). Luckily nobody fell that day. The waterfall (Sipi number one) was beautiful, the hike was well worth the matatue ride, and the exercise was exceptional. YES! I LOVED IT!
It was great getting to be around nature. So refreshing. It was good to have peace. To not hear children screaming (the fun kind of screaming), to not hear cars, or the Muslim prayer, it was great to have a little bit of peace and a little bit of quiet.
TO SUM IT UP
We had four hours of hiking the next day, traveled back to Mbale. A man I did not know on the ride there kept playing footsie with me. That made me uncomfy for sure. Oh well, if you just move your foot and glare at the person they normally stop. He did.
We changed vehicles in Mbale, from van to matatue. Got home finally and was able to talk to my mom which was really nice and good to hear her voice, awww ;). Very true though. Then I slept.
LOVED IT!
Saturday, October 10
Trees
God is Good.
God Hears.
God Speaks.
God Leads Us.
God Walks Close and Protects.
He is a Good Father.
He Knows.
He Yearns for Our Love.
Today God pushed me to do things on my own.
I had not gone to the ATM. I carried nothing with me but 200 shillings (basically 20 cents).
Everyone had left the volunteer house. I sat at home. Wanting to delay my day from taking off and then being done too early. It was noon and I made myself something for lunch. Went into my room and made a button yarn craft with a verse on it (inspired by my friend lindsay's gift to me).
I wrote "Romans 12:12" on it and on the button below I wrote "God Hears".
I did this because it has been hard with my visits to except so much from these women who do not even know me. They send their children out to buy soda. To buy Mendazies. They make us Posho and Greens. I am overwhelmed at how much they give, at how great a visit from me (a stranger) is an honor. So I figured it was my turn to give.
I ended up leaving the house later then everyone else. In fact nobody was home at all.
As I began to walk to the villages, with each step I took, my thoughts wandered to my skin condition. I had noticed a mysterious rash on my skin the last couple days and with no idea as to what it was, the only conclusion was the sun, or my medicine for malaria. I started to worry that it was the sun, and then was regretting my walk to the villages starting so late in the day. Later in the day means the sun is high in the sky and beating down pretty hard. So I began to pray. I was kinda kidding, but at the same time thought it would be a cool idea if God sent me somebody to give me a ride. I kept walking and walking and then before I knew, only 50 feet from the house, a man on a motorbike behind me appeared and asked " would you like a ride". Typical question for them to ask me, because most boda drivers think that white people are completely incapable of walking further then a couple yards. I told the man that I had no money and that I was sorry, but no thank you. He then looked at me with a smile on his face and said "I will take you for free".
WHAT?!?!? I laughed in my head. This is pretty rare. I thanked God for the happy intrusion from the man and said Sure!
Apparently my face was a little too excited about the free ride because the driver asked me why I was so happy. I told him that he was an answered prayer because I asked God for a free ride. From there we just talked. I came to find that my prayer dudes name was Moses, that he graduated from college, and that he loved his job. He asked me a lot about myself. Why I was in Jinja and for how long. What it's like in America, and so forth.
We finally got to my destination and as a dismounted from the bike he told me to put his phone number in my cell and to give him a call when I needed a ride back that way I could get home safely. I told him it would not be for another 3 hours, and he was completely fine with that. So a happy camper I now was. I told him thank you, said goodbye, and began walked towards the Suubi building. However something was not right. There was no Suubi building. Anywhere in sight in fact.
"I think I'm lost" i thought to myself. Oh well. So I began to walk around houses, smiling at people, feeling pretty free about the situation I now found myself in. I met a lady named Dorthy, who sat on a mat outside her front step. She was rolling beads but she was not a member of Suubi. She actually was not with any N.G.O. But she was very sweet and we talked for a bit after she asked me what the heck I was doing over by her house. I told her I was lost, but that I was fine, not worried that much about it, and that I really enjoyed visiting with her. I then asked her if she wouldn't mind assisting me with a project I had in mind, after all she was rather talented (her beads were amazingly well done), and she willingly agreed. After we talked for a bit more, she asked me where I was trying to go. After I told her, she slipped on her shoes, but her things inside, and began walking away from her house waving at me to follow her. Ugandans are always insistent like this when it comes to helping or giving. I followed and right around the corner was a lady named Immaculate. Immaculate was a member of Suubi and apparently a neighbor of Dorthy's. She greeted me, asked me to take a seat in the shade of her yard, so I obeyed. Dorthy said goodbye, and I sat. After a while I realized that I was passed off like a hot potato and I had really no idea what was going on, but I felt honored that Immaculate was okay with me sitting and watching her clean her families clothes. So I just sat and talked every once in a while. He family was in and out of the yard. I met her husband and children, and maybe 10 more minutes passed and Immaculate looked at me and said "we go". At this point in the visit I was like a newly trained puppy. I was extatic to obey any command. Every time I did, the story kept getting cooler and I found that I was really happy about having a day that was completely unplanned. After all, the only reason why I wanted to go to the Suubi building in the first place was so that I could wander around, trying to meet some women, whoever really. As I jumped from my chair and followed Immaculate, She was multitasking with her baby boy, trying to get him fastened around her back with a piece of long fabric while asking me about myself. We footed for about 15 minutes then came around a corner and WHA LA!
the Suubi building. She introduced me to a lady named Jennifer, Joyce, Florence (who I already knew, but what the heck). I met them all and then again Immaculate left me and I was left at Joyce's house. This time watching her clean clothes. We talked. Laughed, walked around trying to find people that were interesting in dancing, trying to find people that were interesting and free to teach 91 women how to dance (now that's intense)...and finally said goodbye to each other after 3 hours.
To sum what happened in those three hours up....because i am in the mood to write a book apparently.
I met six awesome people.
met a guy (white) named Ryan, 26, speaks three languages, and holds a bible study in the village every Tuesday at 3.
Got to share my bible with a lady as we read through John 15.
Got to be served by women all day, none of them were expecting me.
Never called Moses cause my phone was out of minutes, but another man came up and offered me a free ride (i could get used to this). It was really nice cause it was dark at this time, and it is dangerous to walk home at night alone.
wow.....what a cool day.
Thanks God!
God Hears.
God Speaks.
God Leads Us.
God Walks Close and Protects.
He is a Good Father.
He Knows.
He Yearns for Our Love.
Today God pushed me to do things on my own.
I had not gone to the ATM. I carried nothing with me but 200 shillings (basically 20 cents).
Everyone had left the volunteer house. I sat at home. Wanting to delay my day from taking off and then being done too early. It was noon and I made myself something for lunch. Went into my room and made a button yarn craft with a verse on it (inspired by my friend lindsay's gift to me).
I wrote "Romans 12:12" on it and on the button below I wrote "God Hears".
I did this because it has been hard with my visits to except so much from these women who do not even know me. They send their children out to buy soda. To buy Mendazies. They make us Posho and Greens. I am overwhelmed at how much they give, at how great a visit from me (a stranger) is an honor. So I figured it was my turn to give.
I ended up leaving the house later then everyone else. In fact nobody was home at all.
As I began to walk to the villages, with each step I took, my thoughts wandered to my skin condition. I had noticed a mysterious rash on my skin the last couple days and with no idea as to what it was, the only conclusion was the sun, or my medicine for malaria. I started to worry that it was the sun, and then was regretting my walk to the villages starting so late in the day. Later in the day means the sun is high in the sky and beating down pretty hard. So I began to pray. I was kinda kidding, but at the same time thought it would be a cool idea if God sent me somebody to give me a ride. I kept walking and walking and then before I knew, only 50 feet from the house, a man on a motorbike behind me appeared and asked " would you like a ride". Typical question for them to ask me, because most boda drivers think that white people are completely incapable of walking further then a couple yards. I told the man that I had no money and that I was sorry, but no thank you. He then looked at me with a smile on his face and said "I will take you for free".
WHAT?!?!? I laughed in my head. This is pretty rare. I thanked God for the happy intrusion from the man and said Sure!
Apparently my face was a little too excited about the free ride because the driver asked me why I was so happy. I told him that he was an answered prayer because I asked God for a free ride. From there we just talked. I came to find that my prayer dudes name was Moses, that he graduated from college, and that he loved his job. He asked me a lot about myself. Why I was in Jinja and for how long. What it's like in America, and so forth.
We finally got to my destination and as a dismounted from the bike he told me to put his phone number in my cell and to give him a call when I needed a ride back that way I could get home safely. I told him it would not be for another 3 hours, and he was completely fine with that. So a happy camper I now was. I told him thank you, said goodbye, and began walked towards the Suubi building. However something was not right. There was no Suubi building. Anywhere in sight in fact.
"I think I'm lost" i thought to myself. Oh well. So I began to walk around houses, smiling at people, feeling pretty free about the situation I now found myself in. I met a lady named Dorthy, who sat on a mat outside her front step. She was rolling beads but she was not a member of Suubi. She actually was not with any N.G.O. But she was very sweet and we talked for a bit after she asked me what the heck I was doing over by her house. I told her I was lost, but that I was fine, not worried that much about it, and that I really enjoyed visiting with her. I then asked her if she wouldn't mind assisting me with a project I had in mind, after all she was rather talented (her beads were amazingly well done), and she willingly agreed. After we talked for a bit more, she asked me where I was trying to go. After I told her, she slipped on her shoes, but her things inside, and began walking away from her house waving at me to follow her. Ugandans are always insistent like this when it comes to helping or giving. I followed and right around the corner was a lady named Immaculate. Immaculate was a member of Suubi and apparently a neighbor of Dorthy's. She greeted me, asked me to take a seat in the shade of her yard, so I obeyed. Dorthy said goodbye, and I sat. After a while I realized that I was passed off like a hot potato and I had really no idea what was going on, but I felt honored that Immaculate was okay with me sitting and watching her clean her families clothes. So I just sat and talked every once in a while. He family was in and out of the yard. I met her husband and children, and maybe 10 more minutes passed and Immaculate looked at me and said "we go". At this point in the visit I was like a newly trained puppy. I was extatic to obey any command. Every time I did, the story kept getting cooler and I found that I was really happy about having a day that was completely unplanned. After all, the only reason why I wanted to go to the Suubi building in the first place was so that I could wander around, trying to meet some women, whoever really. As I jumped from my chair and followed Immaculate, She was multitasking with her baby boy, trying to get him fastened around her back with a piece of long fabric while asking me about myself. We footed for about 15 minutes then came around a corner and WHA LA!
the Suubi building. She introduced me to a lady named Jennifer, Joyce, Florence (who I already knew, but what the heck). I met them all and then again Immaculate left me and I was left at Joyce's house. This time watching her clean clothes. We talked. Laughed, walked around trying to find people that were interesting in dancing, trying to find people that were interesting and free to teach 91 women how to dance (now that's intense)...and finally said goodbye to each other after 3 hours.
To sum what happened in those three hours up....because i am in the mood to write a book apparently.
I met six awesome people.
met a guy (white) named Ryan, 26, speaks three languages, and holds a bible study in the village every Tuesday at 3.
Got to share my bible with a lady as we read through John 15.
Got to be served by women all day, none of them were expecting me.
Never called Moses cause my phone was out of minutes, but another man came up and offered me a free ride (i could get used to this). It was really nice cause it was dark at this time, and it is dangerous to walk home at night alone.
wow.....what a cool day.
Thanks God!
hospital
Hey....so much has happened.
On Thursday I was able to jump in the van with Rachel, speed around downtown Jinja going in and out of stores searching frantically for birthing supplies. Christine one of Suubi's women, was in labor at Jinja Hospital and Kate and Rachel were dropping by her house to visit and they soon came to find she was about to pop....so of course, we all deligated jobs. Kate's location was by Christine's side so that she could get awesome footage and be support, while Rachel and I were on a mad dash to find everything Christine needed on her list of things to supply the doctor and nurses in order for the birth to be clean and comfortable (because in 3rd world countries you supply everything needed for the birth. Fom a trashbag to deliver on, gloves for DOCTOR (cause there is only one.) and nurses, shot for the pain, and of course you bring your own baisin for all the blood.) It was quite a culture shock that is for sure. And that is only 1/4 of the list. I don't want to bore however so I will continue.
We got everything we needed off the list. Took us a while, but we suceeded. Raced to the hospital and walked into the small 10x12 room that had two other women besides Christine who were in labor, one of which, was going to be giving birth to a dead baby due to a miscarraige. The room held awful smells, unclean walls and floors, a sink full of bugs, a bucket with bloody paper and trash, and Christine, a lovely lady with a bubbly personality and a great smile. Christine was not happy and not doing well. Her "paining was great". (as they would say.)
She had no energy to muster a hello, a smile, or even a look. She was "in a tug-of-war" with her child. Kate was strong and was able to keep herself under composure, as for myself, I felt faint, and knew that if I did not make my way outside I would vomit because of the horrible smells.
Rachel and I sat outside and talked. She experienced the same thing last year with another Suubi women. She said that she almost passed out a couple times and that she had to leave during the birth because there was so much blood and the smells were the same as I described. It was nice to know that I was not alone in that.
I would try to go back into the room every once in a while, thinking that I would be able to muster the strength and that maybe I would be able to watch a lady give birth...nope. Too much. Each time my stomach was screaming at me, confused as to why I kept trying to tough it out. It was obvious to everypart of my body except my mind that I would be unable to bare the conditions. This being a main reason why the medical field is not the practice that I wish to pursue, incase you were wondering.
I feel like my blog is already getting too long, Ah! I feared this (they would say this too, "i fear" "i pain", sorry i tend to write and talk like this now lol)
After 4 hours maybe longer, Christine finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She named him Randy after the Randy that is staffing and married to Rachel down here. I love that about the people here. If they know you, and they think you are neat, their next child is called by your name. I got to hold baby Randy. Oh my goodness, I will never ever forget feeling his tiny little heartbeat all the way from the back of his little body. His whole body was a heartbeat. He was so adorable and precious. His eyes were very much alert. He was looking all over the room, moving and staring right up at me. I loved it. Christine had won the battle. She is the strongest lady ever. Betty her best friend was also strong. She was by her side the whole time. Cleaning everything that was messy (no details needed here), encouraging Christine, helping with the doctor and nurses, helping with you name it, everything. So basically the main person that helps you, really throughout all of this, is the person you bring with you. Best-friend, mother, neighbor, anyone but who the hospital provides. It is so SO BACKWARDS from the states.
We left, wished her well, saw her the next day and brought her breakfast.
She was in a room of about 40 women who all had just given birth. As we were visiting a lady who had just had a c-section was wheeled through the room on a metal lift. They had her laying on her stomach and they were not moving her with caution at all. I am still upset when I think back on her face. I remember them bringing the lift over a devit on the floor and how the whole table that she was on julted. I remember her expressing a look of pain as her mouth formed a shape as if she had just said " Oo". Why were people not caring? Why was there no pad, something soft for her to be laying on? Why was the hospital only employing ONE doctor? Why did all of these women have to cunger up their own supplies? Everything was a reality check the last couple of days. I felt like I had actually experienced one of the main cries of Africa. A more improved medical EVERYTHING. Doctor's, nurses, supplies, facilities, sponsor's, everything needed to be different. There is so much to fix, it is too overwhelming. Too much to take on and feel responsible for, it is too far away to grasp. Only small things are going to happen while I am down here, I realized. And unfortunately those changes will not be for the men, women, and children of Uganda, but instead, for me. My perspective of poverty is being changed, my heart is being molded and squished differently by God, and my least favorite, I am seeing that somethings can't be changed.
Well that is a bit of my week. some other highlights.
I drove for the first time on the opposite side of the road to the Suubi meeting. Oh man that was exhilerating :)
Rolled my first 20 something beads. Took me 6 tries the first bead. Ha ha.
Went to my first Catholic service this morning. Loved it.
Had great internet luck everytime I went to flavours. Praise the Lord!
Absolutely love reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.
Having a hard time not missing home. Really miss Scott, my brother, and my mom.
God is teaching....He always does.
love you all everyone. Thank-You So Much for prayers and support.
you rock!
Becca
On Thursday I was able to jump in the van with Rachel, speed around downtown Jinja going in and out of stores searching frantically for birthing supplies. Christine one of Suubi's women, was in labor at Jinja Hospital and Kate and Rachel were dropping by her house to visit and they soon came to find she was about to pop....so of course, we all deligated jobs. Kate's location was by Christine's side so that she could get awesome footage and be support, while Rachel and I were on a mad dash to find everything Christine needed on her list of things to supply the doctor and nurses in order for the birth to be clean and comfortable (because in 3rd world countries you supply everything needed for the birth. Fom a trashbag to deliver on, gloves for DOCTOR (cause there is only one.) and nurses, shot for the pain, and of course you bring your own baisin for all the blood.) It was quite a culture shock that is for sure. And that is only 1/4 of the list. I don't want to bore however so I will continue.
We got everything we needed off the list. Took us a while, but we suceeded. Raced to the hospital and walked into the small 10x12 room that had two other women besides Christine who were in labor, one of which, was going to be giving birth to a dead baby due to a miscarraige. The room held awful smells, unclean walls and floors, a sink full of bugs, a bucket with bloody paper and trash, and Christine, a lovely lady with a bubbly personality and a great smile. Christine was not happy and not doing well. Her "paining was great". (as they would say.)
She had no energy to muster a hello, a smile, or even a look. She was "in a tug-of-war" with her child. Kate was strong and was able to keep herself under composure, as for myself, I felt faint, and knew that if I did not make my way outside I would vomit because of the horrible smells.
Rachel and I sat outside and talked. She experienced the same thing last year with another Suubi women. She said that she almost passed out a couple times and that she had to leave during the birth because there was so much blood and the smells were the same as I described. It was nice to know that I was not alone in that.
I would try to go back into the room every once in a while, thinking that I would be able to muster the strength and that maybe I would be able to watch a lady give birth...nope. Too much. Each time my stomach was screaming at me, confused as to why I kept trying to tough it out. It was obvious to everypart of my body except my mind that I would be unable to bare the conditions. This being a main reason why the medical field is not the practice that I wish to pursue, incase you were wondering.
I feel like my blog is already getting too long, Ah! I feared this (they would say this too, "i fear" "i pain", sorry i tend to write and talk like this now lol)
After 4 hours maybe longer, Christine finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She named him Randy after the Randy that is staffing and married to Rachel down here. I love that about the people here. If they know you, and they think you are neat, their next child is called by your name. I got to hold baby Randy. Oh my goodness, I will never ever forget feeling his tiny little heartbeat all the way from the back of his little body. His whole body was a heartbeat. He was so adorable and precious. His eyes were very much alert. He was looking all over the room, moving and staring right up at me. I loved it. Christine had won the battle. She is the strongest lady ever. Betty her best friend was also strong. She was by her side the whole time. Cleaning everything that was messy (no details needed here), encouraging Christine, helping with the doctor and nurses, helping with you name it, everything. So basically the main person that helps you, really throughout all of this, is the person you bring with you. Best-friend, mother, neighbor, anyone but who the hospital provides. It is so SO BACKWARDS from the states.
We left, wished her well, saw her the next day and brought her breakfast.
She was in a room of about 40 women who all had just given birth. As we were visiting a lady who had just had a c-section was wheeled through the room on a metal lift. They had her laying on her stomach and they were not moving her with caution at all. I am still upset when I think back on her face. I remember them bringing the lift over a devit on the floor and how the whole table that she was on julted. I remember her expressing a look of pain as her mouth formed a shape as if she had just said " Oo". Why were people not caring? Why was there no pad, something soft for her to be laying on? Why was the hospital only employing ONE doctor? Why did all of these women have to cunger up their own supplies? Everything was a reality check the last couple of days. I felt like I had actually experienced one of the main cries of Africa. A more improved medical EVERYTHING. Doctor's, nurses, supplies, facilities, sponsor's, everything needed to be different. There is so much to fix, it is too overwhelming. Too much to take on and feel responsible for, it is too far away to grasp. Only small things are going to happen while I am down here, I realized. And unfortunately those changes will not be for the men, women, and children of Uganda, but instead, for me. My perspective of poverty is being changed, my heart is being molded and squished differently by God, and my least favorite, I am seeing that somethings can't be changed.
Well that is a bit of my week. some other highlights.
I drove for the first time on the opposite side of the road to the Suubi meeting. Oh man that was exhilerating :)
Rolled my first 20 something beads. Took me 6 tries the first bead. Ha ha.
Went to my first Catholic service this morning. Loved it.
Had great internet luck everytime I went to flavours. Praise the Lord!
Absolutely love reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne.
Having a hard time not missing home. Really miss Scott, my brother, and my mom.
God is teaching....He always does.
love you all everyone. Thank-You So Much for prayers and support.
you rock!
Becca
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