Pictures of Matoch

Today was a pretty uneventful day. I got to the hospital early and spoke with Matoch's doctors. They are still waiting to see how his face heals before they will know if another surgery is needed. His spirits remain high. Today we colored, did the puzzle at least ten times and played outside. I tried to teach him how to swing, but he would not bend his knees. I think he was a little nervous and therefore remained as stiff as a board. I also showed him a cartoon on my computer. It's fun to see him experience so many things for the first time. I think the talking dogs on the cartoon really baffled him.

In addition to the time I spent with Matoch and Achol, I had a nice time talking with the staff, other patients and volunteers. I had a good talk with the chaplain and prayed for a teenage boy having surgery tomorrow. His mom and aunt stopped by my room and chatted with me for a while. Then they called the boy in and said "talk to him" and promptly left! It was funny. I think he was a little confused why they left him with me, but I just talked to him and prayed. Later his mom and aunt came in and told me I would be coming home with them. Oh really!? They insisted I come to their house. Fortunately the chaplain was there and he explained I couldn't leave Matoch. They didn't seem satisfied and said they will talk to me again tomorrow! Later, Matoch and I went into the room that has Josephine and Caroline. It is a room with eight beds and a TV on which they play Christian music videos in K Swahili. Even though I have no idea what they are saying, I really enjoyed it. Matoch obviously did too because I saw him bopping his head with the music. I love hanging out in that room. There is such a sense of camaraderie. I like it much better than our impersonal hospitals back home. Everyone is secluded and it's depressing. Here patients and their family members are free to visit and encourage each other. It's really neat.

While I was at the hospital, I got a call from Angela, the missionary who runs the guest house. There were some Sudanese people needing to stay longer and she didn't have room for them, unless I gave up my room. She found someone to house me if I didn't mind. I told her I was ok with that. It turns out the person she found was Cathy Trotter, the wife of one of the doctors, who I met on Saturday. I thought, that's perfect! Cathy came by the hospital again today and we chatted for a bit. I'll be staying with her Tuesday and Wednesday night and then probably will be back at the guesthouse after if there is room. I love the family feeling of the missionaries there. I talked to several other ones who were all just as welcoming. They are eager to lend a helping hand. Here are a few pictures of Matoch:





(Snuggling with his seal)



(Coloring a picture about Noah's Ark)