Random Notes From This Week

Just wanted to give you a quick glimpse of my life this week:

Tuesday was the men's day to cook. It was such a blessing. Since I didn't have to be in the kitchen, I was able to work in the clinic doing triage and registration, then worked on organizing Sabet's office and then worked in the pharmacy. It was an exhilarating day. I felt really refreshed. The men did a great job. I don't think they realize this is a weekly thing!

Tuesday afternoon we had the women's Bible study. We are studying first and second Peter. This week we studied Peter's life and learned about his progression of faith. It was neat to see his ups and downs and see how God used him. Once Suzy was finished teaching, we talked about Jesus washing the disciples feet. We expressed to the ladies that God brought us to Sudan to serve them. Like Amy did in February, we had a chance to wash the feet of the ladies in our study. It was a really special time. I think they were a little confused and didn't know what to make of it at first. We even stepped it up a notch and painted their nails! We are going to take our study on the road to different ladies houses in hopes of getting the word out that we are here.



Yesterday I went to the market with Suzy, Mark, Mabior and Donato. The market really freaks me out and I was a little hesitant to go. However, we are doing a white elephant gift exchange and I needed to get my gift. Our limit is five pounds (about two dollars). Donato was leaving the following day to go home and he wanted to get presents for his mom and brothers. It was also Mabior's birthday and Mark wanted to buy him a jalabior (a Sudanese man dress). It was quite an eventful trip. While I wasn't as freaked out as I have been before, I still was a little intimidated. Very quickly we get surrounded by people who want to see Kawajas (white people). Donato found his presents and Mabior got his jalabior. Mark even came away with some treasures. He gets a lot of attention with his cattle camp hair cut. He was also carrying a fake club. One guy saw his stick and traded his real one for it. It was very nice of him to do that. Also, one man sold his spear to Mark really cheaply. So he's an offical Dinka now! As we neared the end of our visit, one guy started talking to Mabior in Dinka and pointed at me. Mabior told me he would pay 1000 cows if I would be his wife. Not too shabby if I don't say so myself! Right before we left, I found my gift. After we do the exchange, I'll tell you what it was. It's funny.

Cooking update- The charcoal oven has become my nemesis. I baked pumpkin bread and a chocolate cake in there and neither came out very well. The chocolate cake was okay with the frosting on it, but I don't think you are supposed to stick a fork in a piece of cake and pick up the whole piece with the fork in it. The perfectionist in me was crushed. I hate to let people down and waste precious resources. Suzy tried to tell me it was ok, but I was really discouraged.

It officially feels like Christmas! We have a tree up in the dining room. A couple nights ago we were sitting in the dining room, talking, listening to a Kenyan Christmas CD and it hit me... I am in the middle of Sudan and it's Christmas. It was a little bit sad, but mostly surreal.



Sheena continues to do well with the pregnant moms. Earlier this week Sheena delivered another baby. That makes eleven! Here is a picture of her with the baby and Dennis (one of our doctors).



Donato went home today. He is going home for a couple months to visit his family. He will come back when the school year starts. We were sad to see him go. He has been with Sabet and Suzy since the machete attack last year.

This week I have been helping with triage and registration. I think I will be doing that from 9-11ish every day. I remember being so nervous about it when I first had to do triage and now I love it! I have a blast interacting with the patients. They always laugh when I speak Dinka. Once I get their registration books, I try to read their name and they always crack up. Sometimes there will be a child who is terrified of me. They either are scared I am going to give them a shot or they are just not used to seeing a white person. A couple days ago, one girl freaked out every time I walked by. Her mom had to shield her face so she wouldn't see me. Today, I came across a cute little baby named Matiang. He was about six months old and was really chubby. Every time I said "cheebak Matiang" he would get a huge smile on his face.

Today I was attacked by a giant grasshopper. I was sitting at a desk counting money, when I felt a poke in my back. I got up and shook out my shirt and a six inch grasshopper fell out. I was on the brink of hysteria, but was able to control myself (somewhat) since the kids were there. I still get the chills thinking about it. The nasty bugger totally scratched me! The praying mantises (plural: manti?) are out of control. A couple guys in the clinic thought it would be funny to stick giant ones in my face. Of course I flipped out and they have been warned. Do it again... I punch you.

Mayual is still with us. Unfortunately, he is still in a lot of pain. Yesterday it took us two hours to clean him. It was awful. I held him while Sheena and Thon cleaned him. It was horrible holding him while he was basically tortured for so long. All I can do is say, "I'm sorry" and "you are doing good." I just pray that God numbs his body from it. He had developed a fever which is a sign of infection. We are giving him antibiotics and fortunately his fever went down today. Please keep praying for him.

Sabet is sick. His maleria returned. Please pray for a speedy recovery.

That's all for now! More to come...