I am looking forward to meeting with Jean when she returns to NK after her vacation. THe clinic is closed for its annual summer closure, allowing the employees to work in their fields. I have spent some time in the store room (a balmy 120 degrees with the humidity to match!) and some time in the office working on the computer and finances. I spent that time in front of a fan!
Clinic reopens the 4th of August! I have made home visits to my home patients. Some didn't get more medication when the supply I gave them ran out, some did. I praise God that all of them were here to welcome me back. Two of them told me they seriously thought that when I returned they would be gone. God is good!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Technology and reality.......
I don't have a working phone line. Yup, I didn't have one when I left and it is still silent. I hear through my coworkers that even if the phone line worked... the internet service is overloaded and they keep getting kicked off. SO, I have traveled to Barra once last week to check email and today, I traveled to Senegambia (the other side of Banjul, guest house area) for an email encounter and to check out a set of triplets for Adelia. Sorry, no pictures, but they are adorable. They weigh about 4 pounds each. So tiny, yet perfectly formed.
Village Times......
One of my favorite things to do is walk to t e village and visit with friends. I have taken advantage of the summer clinic closure to do just that. It has been a blessing to walk by and stop and chat with folks on the way. When did you return? I hadn't heard you were back? How is your mother? How is your father? How is Kumba (aka Ruth Wood)? And the list goes on. I have talked with families that have been through some difficulties with illness, births of babies and even the death of loved ones. The crops are in the ground, the fields are being weeded and the rains are good. God is so good in his provision for us.
The Realities of Life in NK.....
I love living in NK. I love the people; I love the laid back pace... if only I could really adjust to it! Wouldn't it be great, no real time clock?
I began the week by putting away my belongings. Always a fun challenge, made even more fun by finding new and interesting things in the house. I knew from phone calls with Michelle while I was still in America, that I had a guest in the house while I was gone. He liked Tupperware and brown rice. Jogab had cleaned all the kitchen cupboards. What a blessing, I just had to reorganize and put things back where they belong. Apparently, my guest had made himself at home... he liked my bed, but Michelle and the girls had cleaned that up. I also discovered that he liked the bathroom closet, my dresser, and the trundle bed. Oh, what a discovery that was! I went to put a blanket over the extra mattress and found droppings and cockroach wings galore. ugh! Not a pleasant finding. Praise God I am babysitting the remaining pet cat on the compound and she is a fierce warrior. I have not seen any evidence of sharing my dwelling with my former guest!
I began the week by putting away my belongings. Always a fun challenge, made even more fun by finding new and interesting things in the house. I knew from phone calls with Michelle while I was still in America, that I had a guest in the house while I was gone. He liked Tupperware and brown rice. Jogab had cleaned all the kitchen cupboards. What a blessing, I just had to reorganize and put things back where they belong. Apparently, my guest had made himself at home... he liked my bed, but Michelle and the girls had cleaned that up. I also discovered that he liked the bathroom closet, my dresser, and the trundle bed. Oh, what a discovery that was! I went to put a blanket over the extra mattress and found droppings and cockroach wings galore. ugh! Not a pleasant finding. Praise God I am babysitting the remaining pet cat on the compound and she is a fierce warrior. I have not seen any evidence of sharing my dwelling with my former guest!
Return to Ndungu Kebbeh...
It was a long flight and a long day.... I left my parent's home at about 8:30 am. Several flights and airports later... I arrived at Yundom International Airport, The Gambia. I was met by a long immigration line and a wait for my baggage. I called over a porter and began using my Wolof. (It wasn't too rusty, I had used it several times recently... thank you Ruth and Joanne!) Finally the bags arrived and it was my turn to join the long line to have my baggage x-rayed and searched once again. I alkmost made it out of the airport, but I was called back. I hadn't given the man my baggage stickers, BUT I did remember where they were.
I was met at the airport by our mission director Barney Robison. We had a fairly short drive to the guesthouse; he caught me up on what has been happening. It was now 7 pm, 3 pm the following day for you all. Adelia, Barney's wife, had dinner about ready... what a blessing. I made a quick trip to a nearby grocery store adn then it was off to slumber.
Nothing really prepares you for the blast of air you feel as you leave the plane behind and prepare to descend the stairs. It is just hot with a lot kmore humidity than there was in February. By the time you get into the airport, the sweat glands have kicked in. The guesthouse has air-conditioning; I think I slept well that first night. I know I took a big nap the next day.
Friday and Saturday I continued to adjust to the time and temperature changes while stocking up on groceries for the next five weeks. I returned to NK after church Sunday morning.
The ferry is always an interesting experience. Some day you all should come to Ndungu Kebbeh and experience the ferry. I actually had a very nice wait. I think it was only an hour: I was able to reaquaint myself with my friends who sell material and outfits there. They didn't give me too hard of a time when I said there was no money to buy today. They knew I would be back.
I was driving our ambulance which had been in for service, I drove it onto the ferry and they packed the cars and trucks onboard. An hour later I was in Barra. THe road crew has been busy and there is a detour up. It looks like there is going to be a paved road right up to the ferry entrance! Just in time, as it is rainy season. You can lose a small carin some of the potholes/lakes around here. I picked up some bread in Barra and then drove the last forty minutes to Kebbeh. There, I was greeted byt he Lippy family, Jean and Deb. It sure is good to be home. Michelle had Jogab prepare my house for me, I even had clean sheets and a made bed!
I was met at the airport by our mission director Barney Robison. We had a fairly short drive to the guesthouse; he caught me up on what has been happening. It was now 7 pm, 3 pm the following day for you all. Adelia, Barney's wife, had dinner about ready... what a blessing. I made a quick trip to a nearby grocery store adn then it was off to slumber.
Nothing really prepares you for the blast of air you feel as you leave the plane behind and prepare to descend the stairs. It is just hot with a lot kmore humidity than there was in February. By the time you get into the airport, the sweat glands have kicked in. The guesthouse has air-conditioning; I think I slept well that first night. I know I took a big nap the next day.
Friday and Saturday I continued to adjust to the time and temperature changes while stocking up on groceries for the next five weeks. I returned to NK after church Sunday morning.
The ferry is always an interesting experience. Some day you all should come to Ndungu Kebbeh and experience the ferry. I actually had a very nice wait. I think it was only an hour: I was able to reaquaint myself with my friends who sell material and outfits there. They didn't give me too hard of a time when I said there was no money to buy today. They knew I would be back.
I was driving our ambulance which had been in for service, I drove it onto the ferry and they packed the cars and trucks onboard. An hour later I was in Barra. THe road crew has been busy and there is a detour up. It looks like there is going to be a paved road right up to the ferry entrance! Just in time, as it is rainy season. You can lose a small carin some of the potholes/lakes around here. I picked up some bread in Barra and then drove the last forty minutes to Kebbeh. There, I was greeted byt he Lippy family, Jean and Deb. It sure is good to be home. Michelle had Jogab prepare my house for me, I even had clean sheets and a made bed!
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