A day in Mbale

We went to the hospital in Mbale today. I must say, it was not a wonderful experience. But I also have to add that it is the best hospital within 200 kilometers and we have had great results from the doctors there.

Here are my observations:

We arrive at the gate, there is  a line of people waiting to be allowed in. They simply open the gate for our van to drive through. I wonder if it is because we are in a vehicle or because we are white.  Either could be the reason. 

We park and walk down a long, covered walkway past many wings.

There are blankets spread on the grass drying in the sun.

People line the walkways, sitting, talking, eating and waiting for their loved ones to get better.

The sound of sawing is heard. 

Men carry construction equipment alongside women in wheelchairs. Hammers echo off the walls, disturbing the patients as they try to rest. 

We enter a ward, looking for our patients. People stare. They are sitting on bare mattresses, tied up mosquito nets hanging over some of the more fortunate people's beds. 

Paintings on the walls attempt to cheer the patients. 

Women lay half dressed, nursing their child, a basin of dirty liquid under the bed. Skeletons of men sit and sip a cloudy liquid as their son or daughter stands over them. 

Bandages, red and crusty with blood are wrapped tightly around freshly cleaned wounds. 

Nurses walk around in starched white or mint green uniforms, the 50's style nurse's hat perched precariously on their head.

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I know this seems bleak, but it is a reality and for many, the best care available to them.  We mentioned many times during the day how great it will be when our clinic is up and running!   We can avoid the 1 1/2 hour drive, the long lines, etc. 

Also, many of the patients we send to this hospital now would NEVER be able to go without help from Helping Hands- it is just not even an option for them. But, our clinic will be a very real option! It is coming!

(Looking out a window of the future clinic)

A Difficult Day:Update

Baby Beenda stayed in the clinic for two nights. She came home today and is enjoying playing with her bother.   I give glory to Gos for her healing. 

A Difficult Day

Yesterday was a difficult day.  I really felt overwhelmed but in the end, I rested in the Lord's strength and He guided me through.

It began well, I had a beautiful walk around the property before sunrise.  Spotting tracks and seeing the sun pop up over the horizon one more time.  I am reminded every morning of Psalm 37:3, "Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness."  The Lord is always faithful, we only must trust in Him.

Big Bird!

The chickens got out of the coop.  Five of us girls chased the around the yard until we caught all 10 again and put them up.

Robin caught and carried her first chickens

While I was eating lunch is when things got scary.  Beatrace came to tell me that three of our kids had come home from school because they were sick.  I went to check tempertures.  98.5, 102.3 and 101.7.  Then I remembered that Baby Brenda had been running a fever that morning.  She was lying in the floor.  The thermometer read 105.7!  We usually add a degree because it seems to run low on the readings!  That meant it was closer to 106 degrees.  She was lying there, listless and asleep.  At that moment I was really wishing that I had Dr. Brenda or Kim (an RN), but both were traveling and not available for even a phone call.

I piled Baby Brenda, Joyce (Brenda's mom), Ivan, Margaret and Robin into the car and headed to the clinic in Busia.

We checked in with the front nurse and then saw the doctor, one by one.  He ordered malaria tests for all and added a Typhoid test for Margaret who had also had stomach issues.

Jessica, Margaret, Ivan, Robin

They ran tests for malaria.  The lab tech read Brenda's and told me, "She has to go back to see the doctor immediately.  She cannot wait!"

The doctor immediately gave her a rectal paracetamol for her fever and began an IV.  She had severe malaria.  The grade the severity here by a +.  One +, is a few parasites on the slide, two + are more and three + is really bad.  Brenda had 3+.

Ivan also had 3+.  The admitted him as well.  Margaret who had been wandering around in a daze, very much afraid tested positive for malaria (1+) and Typhoid Fever.  The doctor decided to send Margaret home with oral meds.

We took Ivan and Baby Brenda to their rooms.  For some reason they put them in private rooms, which I was very thankful for.  They gave us the sheets and we made the beds up and the nurse came in with the IV Quinine.  Brenda was still not really responding.

Baby Brenda

Robin decided to stay the night with Ivan if his parents could not come.  I left with Margaret to take her home so she could rest.  I put her in the front seat with me so I could see her since it was just the two of us for the 30 minute ride back.  As soon as the car moved she grabbed my hand in fear.  I held her hand the whole time and sang hymns to her.  I could feel her grip loosen as I sang.  (It was not my singing that calmed her, but the Word of God.)  I later found out it was her first time to ever ride in a car!

Ivan

We called Ivan's parents to let them know he was at the clinic.  When he heard they were coming, he began crying.  He was afraid we would not come back to get him the next day, that he would have to go back and live with his parents again.  (I thought about it later and I think he sees and understands that they are not able to care for him well.  He recognizes that he eats everyday, goes to school and is safe with us.  Three things he did not have at home.)  We assured him that we would come back and get him.  I went back and picked up Robin from the clinic, leaving Ivan with his mother.

We returned today.  Ivan was already sitting outside, ready to go home. He was feeling much better.  Baby Brenda was still very weak, but she was responding now and looking around.  We are waiting until later today to see if they release her or not.

I saw God's hand of protection on us all day yesterday. From the two trips to Busia, to the doctor and medicine being available.  It was a very difficult day, but the Lord led me through.

Life seems simpler

Written on Sunday evening, November 2:

Today has been a great day. The sun has set and that last bit of light is slowly disappearing. Margaret is in my arms, where I believe she would stay forever if I let her.  The swallows are swooping down, eating insects.  The bats have just come out for the night to do their job. 

Today, we had a great day at church.  I am amazed every Sunday at how many children come; some of them arriving two hours early for the service.  In the late afternoon, I joined Beatrace and some of the children in bringing her chickens from the fish pond up to her new chicken coop.  I walked with my arm on Esther’s shoulder all the way to the coop.  We talked of elephants, giraffes, snakes, peanuts and books.   She doubted my ability to carry a chicken, much less two and she boasted of her chicken carrying expertise.  She ran from a dragon fly, trying in vain to hit it with a rock.

We carried the chickens, one tucked under each arm up the path until Vivian’s began flapping wildly.  She screamed and watched as the chicken disappeared into the corn field. Alfred went laughing after it, his rifle on his shoulder.

Janet, who has not been adjusting well, laughed and hugged her chicken even harder to her chest.  Ester, Janet and I finished the trek and deposited our birds into the coop.  I went back to help find the lost chicken.  It was a fun game of hide and seek.  I stood on the perimeter as children would suddenly “pop” out of the corn rows, laughing and looking all around for the bird.  Children would toss rocks into the corn to chase the chicken out.  The bird popped out once, but quickly disappeared again, squawking loudly.  We finally decided the chicken had won that round and went back to the cottages for the night.

Lilly was shaving the kid’s heads.  One by one, they would show up from playing, sit in the chair and get their heads shaved.  Margaret was watching and we sat down together, me holding her in my lap.  She loves to rub the hair on my arms or try to rub off my nail polish.  I sat there, rocking her in my arms, playing with her hands and thinking about how blessed I am to be living this life here.  I am amazed at the Lord’s faithfulness and provision in everything.  Life seems simpler here, but so much richer in the things that matter like love, laughter and purpose.

Beans, rice, sugar. Oh no, I forgot the toilet paper!

One of my jobs here is ensuring that the residents have all the supplies needed. 

I have begun buying in bulk to save money, time, etcetera. 

For the month, I order 480 eggs,  40 kilos (88 lbs) of dried beans, 100 rolls of toilet paper, 100 kilos of rice, 21 kilos of sugar (46 lbs).  I make a smaller weekly order that includes fresh fruit, veggies and bread. 

 Well, you get the idea. 

This is to feed 21 kids and 4 adults. 

So, I place the order with Leonard, one of our employees and he goes to the market and buys it. 

He delivers it. (usually outside my door because I am out doing something else). 

I log the delivery and check the list

Then I organize it in the store room. 

I am getting better but there are still some kinks. For example, I forgot to order tomatoes for the week.  And I am out of bread now.

 But, overall, this helps things run much smoother in the resident department. No more last minute "Oh, no!  We don't have eggs for tomorrow's breakfast!"

Tour of my room

My mama wants to know how my room is decorated and laid out.  So, here are some pictures of my room/closet/office/living room. Should I say multipurpose room?

Bedroom

Office

Living room

Closet

Rain=White Ants=Frogs

I just swept 5 frogs out of my house!  5!  

They followed the white ants inside!  I think the white ants came in because of the heavy rain. All I can say is "Uganda"