suelleninthegambia

Greetings from NK

2010-05-05T15:46:00.000Z

It has been while since I have written and so much is happening I know I have to fill you in. I couldn't be here without your support and prayers.

I have been hearing the question "what are you going to be doing today?" more and more these days. It is a good thing. Rachel has been with us for five months. She is working hard in the clinic and loves to spend time with neighbors and the missionary kids. Sarah, has been with us almost three months now. Wow. Thank you Lord for providing these co laborers. Sarah's belongings arrived from the USA this month. She has been busy making her house a home. She has lots of little helpers as the Lippy children are finishing their school responsibilities for the year and looking for things to do. If I have something going in my day that either one can tag along or do, I am too happy to ask for the help. Daily deposits, counting money. rolling coins, counting medication into little bags,visiting the sick and attending an occasional naming ceremony help keep Rachel and Sarah busy. I am truly thankful for their help. Sometimes they get rewarded for getting my work done and they get to practice driving the car in the bush! I remember when I had to learn to drive a standard. Now I am teaching others. I know you are all thinking "scary", and you are glad you aren't on our bush roads. Rachel, Sarah and Julee (the oldest of the Lippy children) are all doing very well.

Ndungu Kebbeh Health Centre remains a busy place. We are officially opened two days a week. God has allowed us to maintain our good testimony to the surrounding area. I am often called on for an emergency or to refill some medication for a patient that just couldn't arrive during clinic hours. We sent the ambulance to Esau Health Centre 17 times to help those that had needs in the off hours of the clinic. (Most of these cases were labor cases.) Please join us in praying for employees. SJ has had a particularly hard month. His father, his father's best friend and his father-in-law died within a month's time. SJ also had an accident during this time hurting his hip.

I continue to enjoy making home visits. I am getting a reputation (a good thing). During the month of April I was able to make 44 home visits. Most of those I see can not make it to the clinic on their own. Recently I have been asked to help an individual who was discharged from a hospital in Dakar, Senegal after spending a few months in the hospital in Banjul. He is NOT wanting to be readmitted. I have been doing what I can and each time I go, I pray with him and his family. I have enjoyed the outreach these home visits have provided. On Friday, Michelle Lippy and I will be going to one of the compounds that I visit to share about God. We are excited. Please pray with us that this time will be protected.

My computer is a necessary link for communication both with you and with perspective visitors to The Gambia. I am really excited to be working with Cedarville University's Nursing Department in providing an opportunity for two nursing students. They will arrive in July and spend a month with us. I am praying that God will provide a wonderful experience for them. (Gail and Bethanne) I am also in communication with a few others. As a field we have several needs. God recently blessed us with a Teacher's Helper for Michelle. Michelle is excited to be able to spend some quality time working on learning Wolof. Bethany hopes to arrive by the end of July. She is raising her support. Another area of need is for a couple to come and "fill in" for a few months at our guest house in Banjul. The Robison's are due for furlough in July of 2011. If you know anyone who might be interested... let me know! The guest house has air conditioning, electricity, back up generator, and wireless internet! (How is that for an advertisement?)

So as you can figure out, most of my days are filled with a little bit of everything. I praise the Lord for the strength He gives me. As I write this I was visited by members of the District Health Team (local medical branch of the country, similar to the Department of Health.) We had a good discussion, they are asking for additional services, pray that God will give us wisdom as we seek to obey His leading. You never know what the day may hold. I am glad I have the assurance of God's love. I am also so very glad that nothing catches Him by surprise.

Michelle and I are reading Mark 5-8 this month. One of my favorite parts is when He sends them out by twos. Pray for Friday!

Thank you for making it possible for me to serve here in The Gambia.

Sarah Arrives!

2010-03-02T20:44:00.003Z

A month ago I came to Banjul to pick up our newest teammate. Rachel and I oriented Sarah to shopping for a months worth of supplies. We took things at a nice pace as Sarah had had a busy month in the USA prior to her arrival here.

After almost a week in Banjul, we headed home to Ndungu Kebbeh. The ferry wait wasn't bad. It was while waiting ON the ferry that I realized we hadn't photo documented Sarah's arrival. The picture that accompanies this post is Sarah on her return to Ndungu Kebbeh.
Welcome Back Gal!

I AM BACK!

2010-03-01T12:02:00.005Z

It looks like I have been in cyber silence for too long. I am hoping to get back into the habit of blogging.
So, what can I tell you? It was a busy fall in NK. We had many quests and are very thankful for two new arrivals. Rachel arrived in November, believe it or not, her first weekend in the country she won a RAM. Yeah, it lives in her backyard. We are neighbors, so basically it is right next door. Some days I think it may end up as dinner yet! :) Rachel had a month to study Wolof and is now working in the clinic.

Sarah Damick arrived the first weekend in February. She is a career arrival so will be learning Wolof for a year before joining us in the clinic. Very exciting times!

I have been making more and more home visits. I love them. I like being out and about in the village. This month I made more than 25 visits. It sure does keep me busy. Julee and/or Jessica come with me. I look forward to afternoons when we can stop at a last compound for the day and have time for a nice chat and tea.

I am currently on vacation in Banjul. It is a dream vacation... except for the visits to the dentist. :)

Until next time, have a great week.

Clinic News...

2009-07-25T15:29:00.002Z

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!

Technology and reality.......

2009-07-25T15:26:00.002Z

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......

2009-07-25T15:22:00.002Z

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.....

2009-07-25T15:14:00.003Z

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!

Return to Ndungu Kebbeh...

2009-07-25T14:58:00.002Z

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!

2008-11-24T21:59:00.003Z

Today, I received this email from a friend who is going through some rough days. God is giving her the strength to face the challenges she faces each day. She thought I might need to be reminded of my roots. FYI.... I can relate to much of this.
My friend writes, "Thought you might get a kick out of this one or at least it will cool you off a bit...."

Jeff Foxworthy on Upstate New York…..

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 36 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Upstate New York.

If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights a year because Saranac Lake is the coldest spot in the nation, and Syracuse get s more snow than any other major city in the US, you might live in Upstate.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from October through May, you might live in Upstate New York .

If you get 131 inches of snow in a week and you comment that 'winter's finally here', you might live near Oswego in Upstate New York.

If you instinctively walk like a penguin for six months out of the year, you might live, bundled up, in Upstate New York.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance, and they don't work there, you might live in Upstate NY.

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you might live in Upstate New York.

If you have worn shorts and a parka on the same day, you might live in Upstate New York.

If you have had a lengthy phone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you might live in Upstate New York.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE UPSTATE NEW YORKER WHEN:

"Vacation" means going South past Syracuse for the weekend.

You measure distance in hours.

You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.

You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.

You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend/wife knows how to use them.

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction.

You can identify a southern or eastern accent.

Down South to you means Corning.

Your neighbor throws a party to celebrate his new shed.

You go out for a fish fry every Friday.

Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.

You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.

You find 10 degrees "a little chilly." and 55 is shorts weather.

You actually understand these jokes, and you forward them to all your Upstate New York friends and to those who used to live here and left. -- (chickens).

God Blesses

2008-09-15T00:44:00.003Z

November 11,
June through November is really rough in The Gambia. The rainy season started back in June. The temperatures are now, hot, the air is humid and the rains are decreasing. One of my missionary friends that live in Banjul commented in the prayer letter, "Praise God for no rain in three days!" It is true, the rains are decreasing. It remains hot and humid though. The crops are in the fields and the time for harvesting is coming. The last several years have not yielded a good crop. The cash crop is peanut; they also grow millet. Prior to harvest the food supply from last year has finished. The price of rice has sky rocketed. We used to pay about 300 Dalasi, it is now over 900 Dalasi for a sack of rice. Rice is usually served for lunch and dinner. Rice may also be used to make a poridge for breakfast. It is not uncommon to have friends coming to the door to ask for help with something for dinner. They have no money for anything and they didn't have lunch, breakfast or dinner yesterday.

In May, we had some guest from the home office of ABWE come for a spiritual retreat. One night, we were sitting under the night skies discussing our neighbors and their hardships: the lack of food, the increase in the cost of rice. Our guest offered to share this concern with his friends in Europe as well as in America. Since then we have been praying for God to provide the monies to purchase rice for the people in The Gambia.

God provided over $21,500 for the Gambia rice project. The village of Ndungu Kebbeh and our employees were teh first to receive the rice, each head of the family was given a full sack (5o kgs). Since we still had rice and money to purchase more, we went to nine (9) neighboring villages and gave each family provider in those villages a half sack of rice. Each bag of rice that was given was accompanied by a booklet in Wolof that shares the gospel story from Creation to Christ. Many reports have come from people who have read the booklet and even read it to others. Thousands of people have heard the gospel in the last few months. PRAISE GOD.

PRAISE GOD

2008-09-14T23:36:00.004Z

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that there was a young man that was sick and would need to go to Dakar, Senegal for cancer treatment. Samba has had several weeks of treatment. He returned to The Gambia a few weeks ago and his father wanted to have him meet with us to express their thanks. Thank you for your prayers, and thank you for the financial gifts that were given to help with his treatments. He will be returning to Dakar in three weeks for evaluations and possibly more treatment. As of now, he is eating, playing with the other boys in the neighborhood and enjoying being home with his family.

Strange Signs......

2008-09-14T23:18:00.007Z

The other day my friends and I were headed to the pool and we came across this sign. We were a little shocked by who funded the sign.

I know I wasn't too pleased to see the efforts of "Our Tax Dollars at Work."

My FAVORITE African sign says...
AMY's Beauty Boutigue, We Beautify to DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. I haven't wanted to go there for a haircut yet!

Getting Ready for Another Adventure!

2008-09-04T23:46:00.002Z

Life is a great adventure, isn't it? I love praying for God to give me the strength and wisdom for the adventures I will face in the coming day. They can be something!

I arrived in The Gambia a month ago. What a month!
The plane that I arrived on also carried my coworker in the clinic, Teresa, Dr Joel Lundberg, his wife Wendy, youngest son and oldest daughter and a family friend, and Dan, Bridget and Hannah Byrum, future hospital administrator. We had a fun weekend getting supplies together and heading out to NK. The biggest challenge... low tire pressure due to the weight of our baggage. As I was climbing out of the van to have a looksie, I noticed a small gash in the side wall of the front tire. So, I prayed the van all the way home and God was gracious. No blow outs!

Shortly after I arrived, I heard that the medications I had ordered back in April, were FINALLY paid for. There were lots of problems with the wire transfer. With in a week, I received an email that the medications would be arriving the very next day by air freight. I was a little excited (not in a good way) about that. How was I going to get to the Airport. Praise God for Dan being here. I sent him and our Gambian driver across the river/ferry in our ambulance. They picked up Max and went to the airport. Several hours later... the shipment arrived and they were able to take it home. We didn't have the proper paper work, but the man let Max and Dan take the medications with their promise the paperwork would be there the following week. (This was a Friday.) So, on Monday I went to Banjul and spent the day hanging out with Max waiting for a man from The Gambia's Central Stores to report in at his office. All in all a long day. Again God's protection was around me as I heard about a horrible accident at the ferry that killed several pedestrians (I was a pedestrian passenger that day).

The Gambia is receiving free Malaria medications from Global Funds. Because we work with The Gambia Health System, we are given this medication. (A really good thing as it is VERY expensive.) The World Health Organization wants us to stop using Chloroquine in hopes that the amount of resistance can be lowered. I spent Tuesday in Essau at the referral hospital trying to get our supplies. I took Dan, Bridget and the young gals along to tour the place.

I haven't spent much time in the clinic recently. Dr Joel has been a great blessing and I have been able to step out to get some things done that I have had on the back burner. Last week Joel's family returned to the states and his friend and former Gambian missionary came out to work in the clinic for two weeks. Kurt is a blessing in many ways. He can speak the local language (still! there is hope for me) and he is a handyman who has lived her before. Joel and Kurt will be supervising the clinic this weekend as I head to Banjul for team meetings.

Last week I had the pleasure of driving our ambulance around town delivering rice. Some of you may know that the price of rice has just risen unbelievably. Our neighbors have had poor crops for several years. They are having a very hard time feeding their families. It is very common to have someone show up at my door and say they haven't eaten in a day or two, can I give them something for their dinner. This is a heart breaker as the number of requests for help far out weigh my financial means. The US Dollar has fallen here in The Gambia and a 110 pound bag of rice that use to cost about $20 is now selling for $43. A family unit will go through a sack of rice in 2-4 weeks. You can see the hardship this may bring.
A few months ago we started asking God to provide the money to give each person responsible for providing the rice, a bag of rice. God provided! Last Thursday we delivered over a three hundred bags of rice. We are praying for the opportunity to give to our employees and then to a few of our neighboring villages. Along with the rice, we gave a booklet explaining salvation from creation to Christ. Pray with us that this may be an opening for some to search the scriptures.

Tomorrow's adventure... another trip to Banjul. This time for field meetings. As always I have already started praying for our ferry crossing. Kurt and Joel will be holding down the fort. AND great news... the Lippy family have returned to The Gambia. They will be settling in this weekend. No meetings for them.

I will try to post some adventure pictures in the near future!
Thanks for reading.....

A Packed Full Three Months...

2008-08-05T23:56:00.009Z

I can't believe it has been three months since my last BLOG. Okay, I can. I know I haven't gone on Blogger.

I left The Gambia in the middle of June. The rains had just started. The clinic was closed until my return the second week of August.

I arrived safely in the US and was met at the airport by Darlene Gabler. We first met in candidate school. Darlene is a church planting assistant in Mexico City, Mexico. It was such a blessing that God allowed us to meet up. Darlene drove me from Baltimore to Harrisburg. What a friend! We had a great visit as we shared what God has been doing in Mexico and The Gambia.

My first assignment in the US was to attend the Medical Mission Interface at ABWE. My goal was to present The Gambia to recruit individuals willing to come out for short term stints, 2 weeks to a year or two. I had a great time at the meeting. I praise God for the many contacts made and the one who is coming out in October.

This summer was full of many special blessings. One such blessing occurred at MMI. I was able to be present when Dr Irene Alyn, Dr Lois Baker, and Dr Caroline Carlson received an award for their volunteer service with ABWE in Medical Missions. Drs Alyn and Baker were two of my instructors when I attended Cedarville University. What a special opportunity to be able to be present.

After my meetings at ABWE, I went to see an Endocrinologist for my blood sugar problems. It was very interesting. I had a LOT of blood work done, both before the appointment and afterwards. I returned a month later for my follow-up appointment and heard a lot about what I don't have. It was fun to ask the doctor, "but what do I have?" The answer: Reactive Hypoglycemia. The treatment: a diet of protein and good carbs (just a bit). He suggested taking a prescription over with me, that would help if the really low blood sugars returned. I am thrilled that God has seen to it that my blood sugars have stabilized again. I have been to the store to buy supplies for a meter as well as the prescription. I was a bit blown away with the cost of things. Praise God He isn't caught by surprise.

My time in Harrisburg finally came to an end. My sister and nephew drove up from West Virginia to take me to the mountians. The last 7 miles included 45 turns at a 9% grade incline. My ears popped 15 times. I was sure I was going to have altitude sickness. The Gambia is just above sea level; the mountains are beautiful though. (After you get rid of the road induced nausea.) The stars were very nice, but they are beautiful and so bright in Ndungu Kebbeh.

I enjoyed my time with my sister. My parents came up for a visit. It was great to see them again. I was able to go to a wedding in Jamestown, New York. I made a whirlwind trip. It was great to see the folks at First Baptist Church Cherry Creek. Thank you for letting me share.

I returned to my sister's new home to help her prepare for her daughter's wedding that would be the 2nd of August in Schroon Lake. I also prepared to return to The Gambia. Then it was time to head to the Adirondacks. I got to see a lot of mountains this trip. Jessica and her fiance traveled over from Ohio and met us there. We had a great week preparing for the wedding.

The wedding was officiated by Pastor Herrmann from a supporting church in Thurman, NY. It was great being able to see so many supporters. Thanks for your prayers.

As I prepare to return to The Gambia I am excited about what God has been doing this summer. A few weeks ago I received the news that the Lippy family will be returning to The Gambia in three weeks. God is good! Pray for the Lippy's as they prepare to return to The Gambia and start language school.

I am looking forward to having a short term visitors from America throughout the Fall. I have volunteers lined up for 2-6 week stints now through the first of November. Pleasae pray God would send help in November as well.

Thanks for your prayer and your encouragment. I am sorry I didn't get to see many of you.

I love Wednesdays...

2008-05-07T14:47:00.004Z

Because Wednesday is the official start of the clinic week, I feel like most of my weeks have two Mondays. Some weeks that is okay, and some weeks it is by calling upon the grace of God that I get through it.

Today was a fun Wednesday. I arrived at the clinic pretty much on time. (Major miracle... I hate mornings.) I have prayer with Teresa, find where I am on the John tape to play for the clinic patrons... and read that section in my Bible before heading out. The yard men meet me, I forgot their key, so had to go home for it. They decide to whitewash the last of the clinic building today. : ) The whitewash job should be finished by tomorrow!! The three guys have been whitewashing every building on our compound. They started about 5 weeks ago. (They have had time off and they have done other jobs, but it has been five weeks.)

Half way through our clinic day I plan to meet with our staff to tell them about our summer plans. I missed judged my patient load and didn't get to talk with them until about 11 am. After chatting with the staff, I saw a few more patients and then headed to the cillage to pick up Joanne. We were going to go talk to the head of the Village Development Council, about the summer closure. I take Joanne along, not for moral support, but so that she can clean up my Wolof. We had a great time with Malik... who is Joanne's son. (All very gambian here... her namesake, is Malik's mother... therefore, it could be said that Joanne is his mother. She is my mother too. I remind her of that sometimes.) On my way back to the clinic I pass a woman and her young son and he has a huge wrap on his head. Turns out he was getting Mangos out of a tree and was hit in the head by a stick. Nice gash! I had them get in the car and took them to the clinic andthen sewed him up! I finished seeing patients at about 2 pm, just had a quick bite to eat and now I am off to the office. I have a man coming to get our butane bottles this evening. Another man is coming to fill in a sink whole (a tree used to stand there... until we burned it out... it burned for weeks.) My yard crew should be back any minute to start the lst of the touch ups with whitewash. What a day!

The sad news is... the humidiy is coming back. It was 95 degrees with 705 humidity in the clinic today... that would be about 122 degrees. : ) Praise God for showers and running water!

Chat at ya later!

Relaxing Weekends Gone in a Minute.

2008-05-05T15:25:00.002Z

Teresa liked heading to Banjul for a treat so much last weekend that she suggested we do it again. I was game. It has been pretty hot here in NK, I wondered if I could talk her into going in for a day or two and going to a pool. It was easy to talk her into it. So, Friday afternoon, we packed up our stuff and headed out. It would be a very relaxing weekend. We weren't going to take a car, we had no shopping to do. Arriving in Barra, our ambulance driver dropped us off a the ferry, when we bought our ticket we discovered they were already in the process of loading foot passengers. Praise God, we didn't have to wait in the hot sun. Upon arrival in Banjul, one of the two taxi drivers I have used in the past and trust found us at the ferry and offered to be our taxi. We introduced him to the fruit cocktail drink and a schwarma sandwich at the KING OF SCHWARMA downtown Banjul. Delicious. Then it was off to the money exchanger, the roadside veggie stand, and the grocery store. We arrived at our place in Ker Serin in rare form. Friday evening was a relaxing time. Saturday noon we spent the afternoon at a new to us pool. As patrons of the restaurant, you can use the pool. We never had, but it was great! No one around, very quiet. Saturday evening... more rest. Sunday, church... what a blessing the music is to Teresa and I. One of the families that has been attending has a teenage son who plays the flute, another woman who attends with her husband plays the keyboard. I think both of these families are from Korea. Other Sundays we may have a violinist, and maybe a guitarist. In Ndungu Kebbeh it is accapella, so we are always blessed to hear the instruments.

After church, Teresa and I headed to one of our favorite hotels, great pool, okay food. I hadn't been there since I returned to The Gambia. Strolling down the side walk I hear my name... (not unusual.. but my English name... very unusual. It was the lady from the front desk, I may not have been there in two years, and since the quest house opened up I haven't stayed there... but I am still known. (pretty cool!) The pool was indeed great and the owner has made several improvements. The only improvement we saw in the area of the kitchen was a great new seating area. (Yup, the food was still lacking, but great pool and the price was right.)

After two wonderful days of relaxation Teresa and I braved the return to NK. Adelia, our team mate that runs the guest house, drove us the Banjul where we ran some errands and then she took us to the ferry. It was exciting to see a ferry lined up at the dock. That is until I ran into one of the sellers I know... she told me to go have a seat somewhere. It would be a while before we would leave... the president was crossing. We waited a total of 2 hours, as we waited we counted our blessings....1) we weren't under the direct sun, we were fairly close to a ceiling fan, 2) the bathrooms weren't near by (you can figure out why that would be a blessing) 3) we didn't have a crying, wet baby on our backs... Arriving in Barra, we were able to get a taxi (opting for a private one not a bush one) and were home in no time. It is hot, there is a slight breeze, the shower was great and it is good to be home. Oh, but the best was that on the way home we passed all the school kids that were waiting at the side of the road for the president to pass by. He made a detour north and then will come this way. As the driver passed the school children in our village and they saw me sitting in the car... you could hear them start to chant... Maam Soxna, Maam Soxna. What a welcome home!

The work week starts as soon as I open my door. I need to find something for lunch first. Have a great week.

How Do Your Tea Times End?

2008-04-28T23:34:00.004Z

Today, being Monday, is a favorite time of mine. I actually look forward to Monday afternoons. Tea Time. No, not the British flair. There are no biscuits or scones. Gambian Style Tea Time. It doesn't happen at a specific time everyday, except at my place. Mondays from 4:30-7. Anyone who comes can join the fun. I like to tease that the national beverage in The Gambia is Attaaya. (Chinese Green Tea, but believe me this form has caffeine.) They brew it in little teapots. Then add a lot of sugar. When it is nice and strong, it is poured from one glass to another, to get a nice head of foam. Then the two glasses are rinsed with water and the serving begins. : ) Each Monday, my friend comes to brew the tea and have a chat. Today, she arrived a little later than usual and was in a bit of a hurry, no time for tea, let us just do the milk (warmed and then mixed with sugar, add a little vanilla and YUM!) So, I agreed, that was okay with me. Then I learned she had a baby naming ceremony celebration going on at her compound. So, she brewed, we all chatted.... by the end there were six adult women, one teenage gal and five young girls. We all enjoyed the milk.

My friend left and told me that next week she wouldn't be able to make it, but in two weeks she would be back. I stayed and chatted with the others and then slowly they left. It was a little early and still light out. So, I picked up my magazine and settled back to enjoy a rare quiet moment. About twenty minutes later I looked up to see my friend walking back into the compound and behind her was a horse and cart. I saw about five young men on that and behind it was my friend's husband, who is one of our ambulance drivers. My friend then told me, her son (most likely a nephew) was hit in the head with a metal door. It fell on him. I did a quick assessment and asked her husband to get one of our Gambian staff nurses to ride along with them in the ambulance. I ran for supplies and started an IV, by the time I had the patient ready for transport all the necessary staff had arrived. I worked right at the horse cart. (I just brought out the supplies I would need.) My coworker Teresa thinks she needs to follow me around with a camera. I was starting the IV as she came upon the scene.

By the time they arrived at the referral hospital, the man was awake and when asked where he was he said he was at my house. I am not sure what to think of that... my house looks like the inside of an ambulance. No, I took it as a good sign, he knew my name and that that is where he would go for help. Pray for BD. He stayed at the referral hospital just long enough to get into their ambulance for the ride to the city hospital on the other side of the river. Again, I am praising God for the resources he has given us to help our neighbors.

You just never know how Tea Time may end. Now we know why my friend needed to leave early and why the rest of the group left earlier than normal. God has an amazing plan!

Things that bite...

2008-04-27T20:34:00.003Z

Okay, years ago when I told my family I was going to be living in Africa.... there was some laughter. I HATE bugs, spiders,snakes,etc. I have done pretty good here, by the grace of God. I have seen a few snakes, most of them are dead when I see them. (PRAISE GOD) I have lizards living in my house (they eat mosquitoes that carry Malaria, so they are welcomed). I have had the rare scorpion, centipede, baby snakes, and a critter from the mouse family.

I woke up this morning to find this cute(?) little (okay, I added the fly swatter so you could see he isn't exactly little) critter, dead at the side of my bed. Apparently he was under my throw rug and met his demise because he couldn't see what was landing on him.

The last few mornings I have awoken with strange bites. We are now wondering if this is the culprit. I don't want to really think about it. I took the photo across the street to my tomaa and she said yes, they bite. Deb says that they bite but it doesn't bother you right away and then it gets sensitive to pressure. YEAH! That's the one. He feasted on my leg the other night, three right in a row.

Gives new meaning to sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

Thanks for your prayers.

2008-04-20T22:56:00.007Z

APRIL 2008
Lately I have had my hands full. No, not with Adama and Awa, but I thought they were a cute picture of full arms. Their mother is a dear friend and this is her second set of twins. The older set is now five. Hadam also has a three year old girl. She really has her hands full.
I am very thankful for your prayers and partnering with me in the ministry here in The Gambia. It has been an interesting time. I will give you a review of the last few months.
January
Wow, it has been a long time. January is suppose to signal the start of the quieter season at the clinic We really haven’t seen that as I am still being called in frequently for children with severe Malaria. Once in a while I get called down for an adult that needs medication and couldn’t make it during the clinic hours.
One of the encouraging things that happened in January was a visit from our regional administrator and his wife.(Ron and Ann Washer) They brought along a couple who are looking to change fields of ministry. It was a blessing to hear about their many years of service in Zambia.
I was making home visits to a few patients in the NK area. One of my patients came from the city to be treated here and refused to be transported to the referral hospital. When he was much better, I did finally convince him to go, he needed TB testing. I enjoy the home visits as it gives me an opportunity to get off the compound and into the village; all though the late at night home visits aren’t as much fun. Teresa usually joins me on these as my chaperone and driver.
February
For a short month it was packed full of things. I found myself making more home visits and getting ready for our quarterly field meetings. These were held in Banjul and the three of us packed up and went across together. We had some fun shopping. You would have enjoyed a picture of the vehicle when we returned to NK. I (sitting in the back seat) was part of the baggage.
During our team meetings, it was decided that I will return to the USA in June to attend MMI (Medical Missions Interface) and represent The Gambia. Please pray with me that I would present the clinic ministry in God’s view and that God would provide short term help in the form of Dr.s and nurses to come to The Gambia and help during the busy rainy season.
During this month I was also preparing for short term help in the form of an MD and maintenance on the compound in NK. How much whitewash do you need to buy for all the buildings we have? We made a guess and I have two big buildings and three small buildings to go. I think we guessed pretty close. God blesses!
On a family note: My niece, Jessica Fish, emailed me; she is planning an August 2nd wedding to Patrick Gernert. The wedding will take place in the Adirondacks. I am planning on spending my yearly vacation in the USA so that I may attend this happy family event. I am praying that I may be able to touch base with my supporting churches in that area while I am there.
March

God has been quite faithful to the three of us gals out here in Ndungu Kebbeh. We have experienced safety as we travel, safety from the snake that wanders our compound, joy in our work and God blesses us in that usually only one of us is sick, or physically down at a time. The other two are great at encouraging the one that needs help. Our prayer meetings can get very lengthy as we share with each other the joys and heartaches of our individual ministries. Praise God this month saw the believers returning more faithfully to Bible study and I was able to start a Bible time for the children at the Literacy Centre’s Library.
This month saw the arrival of the Marrie family. Stacie was a BIG encouragement in the clinic. I know we didn’t keep her quite busy enough (I was thankful it was quieter) and she would have to call me for in the evening and night visits because we no longer have an interpreter on the grounds. I did send for her one time. The guard (who really doesn’t speak English) arrived at her house, knocked at the door and said “Doctor, Soxna, Lopitaan you come.” And come she did. I kept Jim busy with various unpleasant maintenance projects. I was also busy this month doing electrical work at the Literacy Centre (I changed out their inverter) and plumbing work on the compound with Jim.
I started the kids Bible time at the library and it was cancelled for two weeks due to Easter break. We had a quiet Easter celebration. The Marrie family doubled our church attendance. We viewed a few clips from the That The World Should Know series by Ray Vander Laan and Focus on the Family. It is a great video series about the Holy Land. We then had an Easter meal together and lots of fellowship.
April
April continues in the steps of being a busy month. Stacie Marrie led an In-Service Day for the clinic staff. It was a fun day, a bit hot in the classroom and Jim would say it was really hot where he spent his morning… a hot aluminum roof. The staff enjoyed their lecture topics and the Gambian meal that followed. I was a little run ragged by the end of the day; my house had three cooks and the clinic staff traipsing through. It was a fun day and I am glad we were able to offer this training to our staff.
The Marrie family left on the 10th of April. We hope they get to return to warmer weather than what they left. After spending a few 100 plus degree days here, forties may not feel so well. I praise God it is still cool in the mornings and evenings. The Marrie’s would laugh when we would mention getting a sweater or blanket.
Praise
1) The Bible club with the neighborhood children has started and I have over forty in attendance each week.
2) The Marrie family came and they were a blessing in the clinic and doing a lot of work around the compound.
3) The believers have begun to return for regular Bible study.
Prayer
1) The young woman who needs to have emergency surgery is still waiting. The family said the doctor will now do it on 21 of April. Thank you to those who gave money toward her surgery. I will keep you all informed as I hear.
2) MMI June 19-22, I will represent The Gambia. I am asking God to provide short term help for the months of August through December. I have eight weeks remaining: mid Sept- mid Oct and the month of November. Pray for my travel and time with Family and churches. Pray for transportation needs to be worked out.
3) I am having difficulty with my hand and arm. I am not sure what is going on, I have resumed all my therapy.
4) Pray for my meeting with the Department of Health regarding my returning to the US this summer. Also, pray that God may fill those gaps in the fall with short term MDs and/or nurses so that we can open the clinic full time and open the hospital.

Phil 3:14 As I serve God here in The Gambia, I press toward the mark.

Another Crazy Period of Time

2008-04-17T19:45:00.002Z

I think I should change my goal of writing a blog frequently. I have had to crazy a life.

I should share some of the successes God has given to me and my patients. One of our bakers is a diabetic. He was really sick in February and our Gambian staff treated him. When he did not improve he came to see me. I was able to check his blood sugar and discovered that he was out of control. I sent him to Banjul. The Drs there treated his pneumonia and sent him home on his oral diabetic meds and had him purchase a vial of insulin. He was then told to see me the next day and I would start his insulin. HA-HA. NOT! I adjusted his meds for a week and read up on insulin. I prayed a LOT. Finally, I had to face it, he needed insulin, but not as much as the dr in Banjul thought. I reduced it and gave him his first injection, explained what to do if he felt like his blood sugars were too low. That started my twice a day trips to his compound. I was able to decrease the insulin dose further and teach his wife and daughter how to give the injections. I had to go into Banjul to pick up Dr Marrie and family, so I left the medication filled syringes with him. His daughter did a pretty good job while I was away. Praise God I was able to continue to decrease his insulin and now he is feeling great and on just oral medications! God is good. The family tries to give me the credit, I won't take it. It has opened the door for talking about God and how HE provides. Yesterday I saw the baker in the clinic. He is feeling and looking great. He told me his children would be bringing me something that afternoon. I received the nicest loaves of bread I ever saw. They were tasty.

I recently saw a four month old whom I had treated at home for an abcess when he was just a newborn. He is growing so fast and is so big now. His mother and I gave praise to God for helping him.

Dr. Stacie, Jim, Ryan and Megan have returned to the US of A. It is lonely, (aka quiet) here now. Teresa and I miss Megan, she was full of energy and fun to have around. I would love to rematch Ryan in ping pong. I think we are even, two games a piece. How did I let him leave the country with that score. HMMM

Before Stacie left, we had an In Service Day for the clinic staff. It was a fun, hot day. Stacie gave three lectures, I only gave one little one. I over saw the good stuff, breakfast and lunch!

Well, Blogger won't let me up load the photos I have for this post.... so until later. Have a wild one!

What a WEEK!

2008-04-06T22:35:00.002Z

Okay, so I just briefly looked to see how far I had gotten in my last blog. I was shocked to see that it was posted over a week ago. What a poor writer I am getting to be.

Knowing that our AC pump had not worked in more than a year, and since I had help here. It was decided, mostly by me since I would be overseeing it, to replace the pump. We had a replacement pump in the tool shed. There were a lot of things in there I had never really seen before.

Changing the pump was an experience. First, we did not have to go down the well. (Like there was NO chance that was going to happen.) We did have to do some heavy lifting and playing with wires. But the actual procedure was pretty basic. I could do it again. Duane had given step by step and pretty specific directions. Send a big thank you to God for working Internet so I could correspond with Duane. (there was a little problem with the Internet, but it only lasted 24 hours and it was the weekend, so that was good.)

Tuesday was the day we changed the pump. Monday we had a field trip to the Roots village of Juffren and Albrada. We learned some interesting twists to American history. It was my fourth or fifth trip, so I am pretty experienced at bartering the price of a trip to James Island (the holding place for the captured men and women before boarding the slave ships). I bartered the price from a total of D1000 down to a respectable D300. Whew.

Wednesday started another clinic week. We had experienced a problem when reconnecting the pump wires at the well, two labels fell off. Not cool. We attempted a quick switch and waa laa... water! Praise God!

Back to the clinic, we are still experiencing a fair amount of Malaria. This week was no exception. We saw a variety of patients which was fun for me. Stacie (a pediatrician) is here for this month. All though I stretch her out of her comfort zone, she has been a great source to have round. I made sure my toughest cases (all adults) had an appointment while she was here. I appreciated the consult and was glad I hadn't made any errors in judgement or treatments. God is good!

Friday was an exceptionally slow day in the clinic. That is until the staff went home. On his way home one of our staff members passed a family coming to the clinic with two sick children. He came with to assist with their treatment. That was nice of him. The little boy was very sick. He started seizing at home and was still seizing. He seized a long time in spite of medication we gave him, just before he left for the referral center the seizures stopped. Stacie and I both examined him and I ran the labs and helped her with medicating (I know where all the supplies are). we sent two different ambulance trips that afternoon and then just before dinner another patient came, an adult who didn't want to come in that morning. Stacie heard him calling out on the compound trying to find the doctor. Our guard was making rounds and didn't see the guy enter. I was trying to take a nap. I heard Stacie say, "I would take care of him, but I can't talk with him". I yelled out, I am coming in English and then in Wolof.

Friday evening is pizza and a movie for the SPTs. We extend invitations to all who are on the compound. So the Marrie family have been joining us in our weekly entertainment. This week, they provided the film. Ryan wanted to share Spider-man Three with us. About five minutes into the conversation we heard a voice at the window, which usually means a sick person has come. This evening it was a woman in labor. Our village birth attendant was in another village attending a family member's funeral. Salifu, one of our nurse/midwives, had gone to the city to visit his children, and Wurribella's husband refuses to let her work at night (smart man, he is not living in the home and they have a small child). So, the woman's escort thought of me.

I do not like birthing babies. However, since I know how, I agreed to help. She had six children at home. I figured I would be back before the movie was over... boy was I wrong. Stacie came to see what was happening. The answer... not much. Finally, about four thirty am, I said I was going to get the driver to drive us to the referral hospital. Her labour had arrested. During our 40 minute transfer she had only two small contractions. I made it home at 6am. I still had stuff out from making Pizza the night before. It was 7 am before I crawled into bed. I asked our guards to tell the visitors for the day that I was sleeping as I was up all night. I am so thankful I remembered to do that.

Today we went visiting and I saw her escort. She delivered a baby girl at 5 PM. ugh! The mom must have been exhausted. I hear the baby's leg has a problem. Stacie and I will go visit her tomorrow or Tuesday. I have to go to Banjul tomorrow. So we shall see what gets done.

Thanks for your prayers. They sustain me on these crazy days.

Answered Prayer

2008-03-29T13:53:00.003Z

My morning started bright and early, for me that is. I asked God to give Jim and I wisdom and the ability we needed to restore water to our compound. We headed to the tool shed to gather items we would need. Then it was off to the watershed. I had turned all the systems off last night, since nothing was working. This morning upon arrival at the watershed. I turned on all the switches for the solar. As Jim and I were reviewing Duane's notes, we heard music to our ears. The solar pumps were working!

It was time to face this beast. The Lister generator. Takes two to start, you have to hand crank it. Jim and I worked in unison and praise God it started on our first attempt.

The next step was checking into the electrical panel. Can you believe it, Duane had such detailed instructions for me. Jim and I checked and double checked. We replaced a capacitor... sounds more difficult than it was. The big conclusion.... the pump needs replacing.

However, we could not find the replacement pump. I placed a phone call to the team on the south bank. We have water. (The sun isn't the best today, but we will be able to shower and drink!)

They will begin the search for a pump. Jim and I may still get to replace it.

Thanks for your prayers!

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-03-29T00:41:00.002Z

One thing we have always been very thankful for is the clean, good source of water that is available to us. Yesterday I was doing some routine things in the water shed: start the generator, see that it works; power up the other equipment there while the generator is running, etc. I looked at the water tanks and all though they were not full, they were almost full. It seemed to be a right amount for the time of day.

Tonight, I returned home after being in the office all afternoon. I ran the water at my kitchen sink to fill a water bottle. Only a small trickle came out. I dropped what I was doing and went to the watershed. The tanks were just about empty. I checked things out, started the generator (my adrenaline must have been pumping through my veins, I normally can't start get it to start) and tried to get our pump to work. The solar pumps were saying the tanks were full.

I called Max and Barney (on the south bank) and sought advice. I asked if they had the phone number for Duane in America. They didn't but, it was still early enough that if I called our home office, I should be able to get our administrator's assistant AMY and she would have them. I did and she was there and I had the numbers within minutes. I had to wait a bit before I thought Duane would be home. I called and he came to our rescue. A few minutes on the phone and two wonderful emails.... a lot of prayer tonight... and tomorrow morning Jim (here for two more weeks) and I will attempt to solve the water problem.

I praise God HE is in control. The village has water if we can't get it to work. Megan (Jim's daughter) was a bit concerned about that. Thanks to Duane for answering my call.

Stay tuned for more details as they happen tomorrow.

Welcoming the newbies

2008-03-20T22:50:00.002Z

Friday, I went to Banjul to meet Stacie and her family. I had met Stacie a few times at ABWE in Harrisburg. She is a pediatrician in the Lancaster area. The family was eager to come to The Gambia. Usually we like to ease people into life in Ndunug Kebbeh. BUT due to ferry construction, Stacie's family was thrown in feet first. We crossed them as foot passengers. Two of our employees from NK came out to help with the baggage. They had driven a vehicle to Barra. It allowed everyone a ride to NK, except me. I had the joy of a bush taxi. I don't mind the bush taxi. It is usually just a hot experience. Monday, I had a new experience as a fellow passenger got travel sick. Yes, and I was a bit close to her. I chose to get off a mile before my stop. It was a little too nasty in the van.

Tuesday, I deserted our visitors and headed to literacy to do some work on their electrical problem. Praise God changing the inverter worked! I had some interesting interruptions... two trips to Barra and a termite mess to deal with. Joanne's employees actually cleaned up the termite stuff for me. But I still had to stick my hand into the cabinet, it was a bit gross.

I have a friend I can email for suggestions on electrical problems, a provision from God. Pray for our prefielders.... we have a family on prefield (Van Horns) and Chris is more than capable to do this kind of work. We also have a family, the Byrums, on prefield, when they arrive in The Gambia, Dan will be our hospital administrator. He can do lots of the stuff I am doing now. : )
Amanda is raising support and will be working in the area of community development.
Sarah is raising her support and will join me in the clinic. She is a RN in Michigan.

Mass of Humanity

2008-03-20T00:26:00.004Z

Friday was one of those days. I know you have had them too. This is what it looked like here.

I awoke to a casual Friday at the clinic. The only rush was that Teresa and I wanted to travel to Barra with the ambulance. We were headed to Banjul to meet our guests. A doctor and her family had arrived the night before and I was headed over to help them get supplies for a month and to travel back with them on Monday. All month we have heard that the ferry terminal was going to have some work done on the ramps. We wouldn't be able to use a vehicle. So we hitched a ride in our ambulance. We had a full vehicle, two patients, their mommies, one daddy and five staff, the driver, Teresa and I. No, we don't own a bus of an ambulance, it just felt like it.

I have crossed on the ferry by foot several times. You get packed into a waiting area, tuck your arms in and when the door opens, just move your feet. The mass of humanity will guide your steps. I made it safely onto the ferry and managed to find a seat. The man next to me wanted to talk. He complimented my Gambian dress, asked where I was from, how long I had been here, where was my husband, etc. All typical questions. When I replied I had no husband, he did what most do... he offered himself. I refused, nicely. He told me I wasn't getting a true Gambian experience nor did I know anything about Gambian culture because I did not have a Gambian husband. I gave my typical response (after five years I have gotten pretty good at this), I told him I was waiting on God. we debated that he was God's choice for me. I was confident he wasn't. After several other borderline rude comments, I told him I wasn't talking to him any more. It didn't phase him, so I left. Just an average day.

They were working on the ferry ramp in Banjul. When we were ready to dock, I noticed that we had passed the ferry dock and were docking at the Navy Pier (not as nice as Chicago's, just a cement jetty). We had to climb up a narrow stairway, to the top of the ferry's engine house, and then down a very narrow gang plank to the pier. Now, close your eyes and picture hundreds of people trying to do this at the same time. Survival guide, tuck your elbows, move your feet, push toward the gang plank so YOU don't end up having to jump three feet down onto the pier in a wrap around long skirt. Praise God, Teresa and I both made it. I feel like I should have a free T-Shirt. "I survived exiting the ferry in Banjul while the dock was under repairs!"

Picture me as one of the mass ahead of this vehicle, which was the one plus, we didn't have to compete with a vehicle for a place to walk. I had my camera with me, but decided it wasn't safe to get it out.

Teresa and I walked up to a Lebanese eating establishment and ordered lunch as we waited for Max, our team mate on the south bank, to pick us up in our van. He then took us to the "money changer" where we discovered once again the dollar value had dropped. OUCH! From there we went to the travel agent for airline tickets. Praise God we were able to get an NGO discount (we don't have to pay tax, a savings of $240) and cheaper seats for booking early. Why am I booking an airline ticket... well, I have been asked by our field to represent The Gambia at Medical Missions Interface at ABWE this summer (recruiting for .. a doctor, or at least some short term help) and my niece is getting married! So, I thought I would take my vacation to attend her wedding. May be I will see YOU this summer.

2008-03-13T21:44:00.002Z

Today was a great day! The temperature was moderate (only 94 in my house!) and there was a light breeze all day. I ran around a lot. Today was immunization day for the children of our village. The ladies all come in very nice clothes and chat as they wait in line. It makes for a loud, colorful morning. Some days the ladies from our village get a little pushy, but today, they were all getting along well.

I started our yard workers on some fun jobs. : ) They knocked termites off fence posts in preparation for creosote. The application of that will occur Friday, as I will be going to Banjul and would prefer to be gone for the worst of the smell. Then they began scrapping my duplex. It is past tiem for our buildings to be whitewashed. They decided their boss's home should be the first. I was glad it wasn't a really hot day. Their

work looked a little hot to me. They were happy with the job, especially after I found some protective eye wear and a face mask. I did tell them they looked UGLY. I also promised to print them each a copy of their photos. We have 13 buildings that need to be done. It could be a very time consuming job.

The shades are complimentary from my eye Dr at Wal-Mart. The guys thought they were a bit strange, they have no bows. But they work. The masks are compliment of the hospital. It comes in handy to have that near by. : )

A visitor arrived today. A Dr. and her family have come for a month. I will be heading into Banjul to help them prepare for their trip to Ndungu Kebbeh. In other words, I get to help her buy supplies for a month. It is a bit of an overwhelming tasks for those of you who live close enough to a store to just run out and get it.

The highlight of my day was at 5 pm. I started the teaching time with the children at our library. It was a fun time and I am looking forward to resuming a regular schedule of weekly clubs.

Have a great weekend.

Job Titles and Job Stress

2008-03-10T23:58:00.005Z

Friday was another rather busy day in the clinic. As usual, God gave me the strength to get through and the wisdom. Some days I wonder what He is doing with a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner as the Medical Director of a rural health clinic in Africa. I wore a lot of different hats. My sister has threatened to make a SHINGLE to hang, but comments that the jobs are too many.

I was a gynecologist, cardiologist, pediatric nurse practitioner, endocrinologist, urologist, lab technician, home health nurse... just to name a few. One of the biggest stresses from the day involved a diabetic patient of ours. He has been pretty sick for a few weeks, I transferred him to the hospital in Banjul. When they discharged him, they told him to come see me and sent him home with a vial of insulin. Thanks a lot. Friday was the day I had to start him on insulin injections. The oral medications just weren't being effective. How to explain to O J that he has to have a shot twice a day for the rest of his life? If he stops the medicine he will get worse again, but with it he could live a long time. Gambians are good at taking medicine until they feel better and then stopping it. Or taking it until the current bag of medicine, or in this case vial of medicine is gone. A refill before the medicine supply is gone is rare. I know, I try to stress it with my chronic patients all the time, but still they come after the meds have been finished for several days to weeks. It is a rare find to have some one return when there is still medicine at home.

Back to OJ, I spent time with him in the clinic discussing insulin and what it was going to do. I checked his blood sugar, we discussed his diet and then it was time for the injection. He went home when his questions were answered. I was on pins and needles, I told him I would be checking in on him in a few hours and stressing the signs of too low a blood sugar. I went to his compound twice that day. Each day since I have been morning and evening as I check his diet blood sugars and give his next injection. I told him it was important for him to learn how to give the injections. His reply was NO, I was the Dr. Ha ha. I asked him what would he do if I went on a trip... he wanted me to have one of my clinic employees do it. I told him no, he and his wife would have to learn. I asked what would you do if I died. he was shocked at that one. What here? In the Gambia? I said yes, God could decide to take me home. He didn't like that option.

Today (Monday) his daughter gave both injections. I am feeling a bit of a time crunch as I am suppose to go to Banjul on Friday to meet with a Dr and her family. They are coming to help out for almost a month. (yeah! and are considering full time service in The Gambia... pray with me!)

I can prepare the injections, but the family will need to know how to give them and what to do if his sugar goes to low. I will have back up available if he gets sick.

I broke up the day, Friday, with a mid afternoon trip to see an employee's son for a hernia referral. It was a hot day, but the car had air conditioning. Too bad I forgot about Friday prayer time (the men go to the mosque and my employee is male.) So as I arrived at prayer time, I sent him off and visited with the wife and family. It had been five years since my last visit to their home. It is a bit of a drive and the road is horrible. Teresa was my driver and we took along a young gal from NK whose family lives in the same village. So after my time at my employees home (and the imam had a lot to talk about) we had to go and greet her family. What is involved in greeting... I know it doesn't sound bad. I had to visit in the home of each of the elderly family members, her uncle, her mother and then we walked to her grandmother's home to greet her. We were offered lunch at each stop. NA was hungry and ate at her grandmother's. I was a bit worried about Gambian food (lots of oil) and a drive back home. My intestines are finally handling things but I didn't want to stress it, so I gracefully declined, promising another time.

Friday nights are a time of bonding for the SPTs (see previous blogs), dinner - pizza, and a movie. After my long day of clinic work and home visits I was grateful to sit back and relax. Joanne shared about her day... her job titles are also varied. One of her surprising ministries has come in the area of counseling. (You can check out her recent blog at http://www.gambiathoughts.blogspot.com/) You just never know what God may ask you to do. Good thing He will also give you the strength to DO IT! That isn't to say you will never have growing pains or failures. Joanne offered to give me private sessions on her couch instead of her office's empty chair. Nice friend!

Saturday the job hats continued. I made home visits, went to the market for the first time in months and worked on clinic finances. It was another long day. I need to teach this family how to give injections so I can sleep in. A morning person I am not!

Today I made home visits, did compound work (maintenance stuff) and continuing education. But the highlights were.... kids singing to me and five women came for a visit and we had attaya (hot green tea that has oodles of caffeine and served with lots of sugar) and Lae (hot sweetened milk).

It is Common Wealth day in the United Kingdom. Here in the Gambia it is celebrated in schools. the children dress up in the clothing style of their particular tribal group.. including hairstyles. They each bring food items in to share. Then they go around the neighborhood as a group and sing for donations to add to their party.

Attending a Medical Seminar in The Gambia

2008-03-05T23:42:00.002Z

As Medical Director for the Ndungu Kebbeh Health Centre, I work with the Department of Health in The Gambia. This past weekend my division held a training seminar on Intermittent Preventive Therapy (Malaria Prophylaxis in Pregnancy). I decided I should attend and learn about the new medication The Gambia will be using to combat Malaria. The seminar was scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I was not thrilled about going on Sunday.

I discussed this with my fellow missionaries and then advised my Gambian staff that I would be going to the meeting along with one of them. I told Alhajie I would pick him up on the way. The course was to start at 9 am. I have been in the country long enough to know that wouldn't happen. I left here just after 9. The meeting was a half hour away. We were one of the first to arrive. I think that it started a bit after 10 am with opening remarks and an overview. One of the best opening remarks... we would be paid for attending the workshop (D300 a day = $15). At almost 11 am, we broke for breakfast. We were served a sandwich similar to tuna fish. Fish, mayonnaise, onions, and boiled potatoes. It was very good. they served warm, sweetened milk tea. I could have done without the tea, but everyone wanted to make sure the tubaab (white person) didn't go without. Class was called back together a little after 12 (yes, notice it was along breakfast break). We had an interesting lecture on the reasons for focused care. At 1:40 pm we broke for prayer and lunch. I wanted to get a picture of the prayer time at the mosque but I didn't. When lunch was ready I was called into the office lounge to join the program planners in sharing their meal bowl. It was my favorite Gambian dish. Rice, with a sauce made with palm oil, white fish, sweet potato, cabbage, bitter tomato, eggplant, hot pepper. It was a bit intimidating to eat with the planners but again great care was taken to make sure the tubaab was treated well. After lunch we were given a soda. The meetings started back up around three fifteen. An hour later, the effects of lunch kicked in and our presenter instructed us to stand. He then told us we had to repeat what he did and said. He broke into a song chant with motions. It was funny to watch us all (I didn't know the words but tried to be a part of the group) follow his leading. Another Kodak moment missed. It was his way of getting us to stretch. he then went on to say if we didn't want to come Sunday... some people actually voiced their objection to the plan, which was why he had this statement prepared.... we would have to come early the next morning... 8 am. I groaned. Mornings and I don't mix. At 5 pm, he finished for the day. I had a few patients to look in on and then a bit of shopping to do in the nearby town. I made it home by 6:30 pm to find a patient of mine had returned from the hospital in Banjul. I made a house visit to see his medications and make plans for him to see me Monday.
By Friday evening I was ready for bed!

I had asked my employee what time he wanted me to meet him in the morning. I figured he would know better what the guy meant when he said be there at 8. I was shocked that Alhajie wanted to be there at 8. So, I made plans to meet him on the way. Saturday was to be the monthly Clean Up The Gambia day. You can't drive any where from 9 am - 1 pm. So, it was probably good we went early. I later found out they cancelled it.

I am sure you will be shocked to hear that Alhajie and I were the only ones there at 8 am. I went in and visited with out patients and greeted all the other patients. They enjoyed talking to a tubaab that spoke Wolof. Many people are shocked when you start speaking to them in Wolof. It cracks me up.

Alhagie and I were kicked out of the ward, by housekeeping. We went and sat outside. We had a great discussion on Islam, Christianity and our view of God. Later Alhajie brought up American politics. He told me he liked conservative views, agreed with the war, but would vote for Hillary. I stopped that conversation. UGH, good thing he can't vote! At 9:15 am the speaker arrived and class began. It was much different than the day before. Breaks were shorter and the lecture time more intense (so to speak). Breakfast was a red meat and fish sandwich (I think it was cow, but could have been goat). Again we broke for prayers and lunch at 1:45 pm. Lunch was Benecin and I sat at a bowl with the guys I was talking to at the time. I ate Gambian style, with my right hand. The food is really best that way. Again we were treated with a Coke/Fanta/Sprite. Class went until 5 pm. We took a post test and then we were instructed to go to the office for our Vitamin M. (money... the guy had a sense of humor) We were paid for three days as we covered all the material. The registration process was a joke, but that is the American in me.

All in all, I did pick up some new information. I networked on the availability of the new drug, i.e. Could I obtain stock from them (it is more money than my yearly medication budget). I learned what documentation we should be doing. I will make sure it gets done. So, it was helpful that I went.

That doesn't mean I am actually looking forward to the next one I have to go to.

SORRY.... LIFE GOT BUSY

2008-03-03T23:03:00.012Z

Okay, seems to me I left you hanging about our Field Council meetings.

Oh, and I have to say, it was not my cousin who mentioned feet photos. It was a friend from NY. Yeah, that narrows it down!

So, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we met for prayer, evaluation and future planning.

Only one pair of feet are missing. I should let you see their faces, but this was just too much fun. I happened to find a mood ring at a shop while in Banjul that weekend. I purchased it and wore it to help others know how I was doing. I even had a bunch of those little slip of papers to tell you the colors... but I forgot to give them out. The SPTs enjoyed a few laughs becasue of the ring.

This is Barney and Adelia Robison. Barney is from Canada and LOVES Tim Horton's coffee. They have been in The Gambia for years. This summer they head home on furlough and to the weddings of two children and the birth of their first grand child.

This is Nola and Max (hiding in the shadows) Tucker. They also have a daughter getting hitched this summer. It is the year for weddings on the Gambian team. Their youngest, Abby, is the only MK on the field right now. I try to spoil her. (She lets me be a kid!)

After FC, the SPTs finished our shopping and errand running. Wednesday morning we loaded up the car and headed home. We had a three hour wait at the ferry. It was a bit HOT! and sunny that day.

I had the backseat with the luggage, once again. Taking a picture of yourself is always a fun time. You might wonder what we do while waiting at the ferry. I will let you check out Joann'e blog for that. She got some great shots. I was hiding from the sun.

Teresa likes to crochet. Usually we all have a book or two. Joanne can go through a book really fast. Makes it nice for me. She can read it and then I can get it after her, I won't have a long wait.

We recently had some visitors and when they came out to NK they walked onto the ferry. I met them in Barra. They brought us some goodies but couldn't fit them into their hand carry on. So, we had the bag of goodies with us for the return ferry trip. It had Triscuits, which made for a great lucnh, especially when added to some Joanne's tuna fish.

The best find, was a Mad Lib book. It was funnier in that it was on Ice Age and we were sweltering in the heat. It provided some great entertainment.

Now, the guys loading the ferry really do it TIGHT. It is a little nerve wracking for a newbie. I remember one visitor who was so shocked at how tight we were. That day she couldn't put her arm down between our vehicle and the one next to us.

Getting off the ferry is more of a challenge. Foot passengers and vehivles are all trying to leave at the same time. Makes it very interesting, especially if you are following a mother with one child on her back and the toddler walking along beside.

Now what do you suppose a aviation fuel truck is doing in Barra? Who knows! We thought this was a picture perfect moment.

The Sisterhood and Field Council....

2008-02-21T22:39:00.008Z

A few weeks ago, I shared about the Sisterhood of Perpetual Togetherness. SPT for short. Which I confess I muck up and say STP and my sisters are quick to remind me we are NOT motor oil. I thought I would share the events of our weekend.

Every three months we gather together as a team for prayer and planning, reviewing goals and establishing new ones. Since our team is now a lot smaller than in the past and since there are four adults in Banjul and three adults in NK. AND since Banjul has air conditioning, hot running water and we can do our supply shopping, Field Council has been held in Banjul 3 out of the last four times. This weekend was one such weekend.

We loaded the car the night before and by 6 AM we were in the car and headed out. The first ferry leaves Barra at 7 am and it is a 30 minute drive. We do a LOT of hurry up and get there to wait. It wasn't too bad. I was able to run in and purchase our ticket at the weigh station. This is the job of the back seat passenger and earned me the job title... Road Trip Attendant, I also pass supplies up front, water bottles, crochet... if I can reach it you can have it.

I had plenty of room to stretch out a bit, which is great since I don't like getting up at 5 am... or any where near that time of day. So, Teresa drives, Joanne navigates, and I take a nap, act as attendant and as I discovered this weekend, entertain... they keep me along for the entertainment, hmm. A variety of roles! My cousin asked for pictures of feet. Blame this one on her, but they are fairly clean! We arrived in Barra at the terminal before 7 am, but there was a good line already. It was after seven before we were allowed inside the gate. But we were the second car on the second ferry, an hour later! Praise God.

Here are a few scenes from the ferry during our early morning loading.

Since we were the second auto on the ferry, we had the first place to the left. This was Teresa's view from the driver's seat.

We actually made good time as the money exchange place doesn't open until 9 am. We were able to cross, make a stop at get this a car dealer to buy ink for a Rizeograph. (a fancy machine for literature production)

Then it was on to breakfast, a crossant and some juice. It was fun to try and get a snapshot of all three of us... it did make us laugh... could have been from getting up so early. Hmm

After breakfast the fun began. We were off to cash in some dollars for dalasi and then... shop until you drop. Well, Joanne almost did, drop that is... but we promised her lunch at our favorite place, THE BUTCHER SHOP. It is so good!

Adris, the owner, stopped by to welcome us. He gave us a nice treat, a piece of chocolate cake to share. It was very good! One of the waiters watched me try to get us all in one snapshot and asked if he could take our picture. Nice staff.

We found some interesting things at a place we call The American Store. They have a nice deal on cereal. I know you are curious as to what is a good deal. $15 for a double bag of Cherrios. $14.50 for a double bag of bunches of Oats. cereal isn't cheap anywhere.

But we did find a STP product and since I am constantly messing up the letters... we had to have photos.

Did I mention we shop until we drop and our mornign starts around shortly after five? Remember earlier in this dialogue I told you I had lots of room to stretch out. Well, after three of us shopped for supplies and we picked up a few things for literacy, I had objects falling on me. We loaded the car pretty good.

I hope you enjoyed our trek into town... we arrived at the guest house and collapsed. Naps all around! More later. Oh yeah... I think it was around four when we finally arrived.

How often do you ask God to sell a cow?

2008-02-10T23:59:00.000Z

I love the way God works in the lives of man and provides for our needs. He often does it before I know I have a need. Last week Ron Washer (our Regional Administrator) came for a visit. We were talking about the four units that are in the US on pre field to come to The Gambia. They are raising their prayer and financial support. Two have been on prefield going on three years. One has been working on it for two years and the other for a year. At times, the wait can be a little discouraging. As they are eager to arrive in The Gambia. I told Ron that while I was on prefield, I did not bring up money matters. I answered if asked and I prayed for God (the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills) to sell a cow. He liked that idea.

This weekend I have been working on the clinic finances. I need to get a budget done. (I have the figures now, I just need to enter them in the spread sheet..Hmm?) I was looking at the expected expense of running the clinic for a calendar year. I then looked at the bank account. They didn't match. The clinic has a rich history of God's blessings in supplying the needed funds by the end of the calendar year. It has been amazing to see the huge need dwindle as God sells a cow and works in the lives of man to provide the funds.

I was also working on the next medication order for the clinic. I have made orders in the past, but with out the knowledge of the amount in our accounts. I have found it difficult to make an order knowing the funds are not there for the full year. It will take faith in God, our father, asking him to sell a cow for the clinic ministry. Will you join me in praying for this need this year?

The Things We Do for Fun

2008-02-09T21:07:00.000Z

I know you find it hard to believe that I would be involved in doing something "just for the fun of it". Yeah, right!

In 2002, shortly after arriving in Ndungu Kebbeh, our compund emptied out for a few weeks. Every except Joanne and myself, went some where. I was just starting to learn the language and making that big adjustment to life on the "white people's" compund. I hung out with Joanne a lot! One evening prior to the return of a family... we decided to rename our compund and take pictures to show the family what changes we made to the place while everyone was gone. Our new name.... Ndungu Kebbeh Abbey, home of the Sisters of Perpetual Togetherness. They all liked our new name, but decided we needed to revert back to ABWE Mission, home to Ndungu Kebbeh Health Centre.

Well, as many of you know, since May of last year, the compound has again been the home to just a few single ladies. We each share the responsibilites of maintaining the property God has provided and the men on the south bank (Banjul area) help us out a great deal. A few weeks ago our Regional Administrator was due out for a visit. In the process of cleaning up for his visit. We decided a new sign was in order. Our supplies were limited, but we wanted to be able to reflect the true spirit of our compound. So we gathered in Joanne's home and worked "together" to come up with a new sign.

Years ago I gave Joanne the title Mother Superior of our little Abbey. She knew the language and understood the culture so well. I was just starting out. Over the years God has blessed me with the ability to understand and speak Wolof (not great, but I can get my point across). Joanne continues to be a great source to turn to for help in any situation. She is even smart enough to take incriminating pictures... and leave herself out of the event. I must learn this skill.

Joanne has been my "go to" person for help with language, sticky situations, advice... (we even think she has a hidden, well not so hidden... everyone comes to her, talent for counseling.) I some how... for I really don't remember how I volunteered to do it... had the responsibility of posting the new sign. I had all kinds of advice and help. One of my other jobs is that of Supervisor for the compound workers. Here my three compound workers and the day watchman are all trying to figure out what I am doing and how they can best help me. It was a challenge to try to explain what I was doing. How would you tell your employees "I am playing a joke on the boss". They really don't need any ideas. I than had to explain what the sign said. The men represented here don't read English, but a few are trying to teach themselves to speak it. I completed the task and made my explanations. The guys returned to work. As I headed home one of the yard crew proudly showed me his writing in the sand. He had made a huge STP, right in the main path for entry into the compound. STP stands for Sisters of Perpetual togetherness.

When I returned in May, I started hearing a saying from my coleagues. "You can't afford to alienate one of your colaborers. When you only have two friends, you can't afford to lose one."

It keeps us on an even keel. We watch out for each other in many ways. We share a lot, but have made some bold statements about what we are NOT willing to share. (you will have to ask.) We rejoice in God's provisions, pray for his leading and encourage each other in our walk with God. We have been known to vacation together, play together and every Friday night is... Pizza and a Movie. We have cried together, laughed together, prayed together, shared frustrations, hopes, goals.

We had a great, however short, visit with our administrator and his wife. They were very encouraging. I know that they enjoyed their time at STP. Ann would have stayed for a bit longer, but... it was not to be. Thanks for reading on about the STP. Ask about us any time. We love to share about life in Ndungu Kebbeh.

The SISTERS and Ron and Ann Washer (Regional Administrator, Africa, ABWE)

yes, I do have hair... it is in a ponytail.

The actual sign......

What Did You Accomplish Today?

2008-02-04T15:32:00.000Z

Sometimes I think that is an unfair question, especially since living in West Africa.

I have many days that were like this morning. By the end of the morning I have to look at not the big thing that I had to do but wasn't able to do, but at the little things. So, this morning, I bought bread in a town 28 kilometers away, had a great time with Tijan and Alhagie driving out there and back. Oh, and I got a name and phone number.

So by now you are all wondering... what was it that I was to accomplish today?

Well, just like in America, we have to register our vehicles every year. Only in The Gambia, every one registers their vehicles at the same time. January. This job is usually done by the business manager or someone on the south bank (in the Banjul area). BUT this year, we found out there is a new requirement. Vehicles must be inspected... prior to registration. So, Barney called me up and asked me to get the vehicles inspected out here. He heard it could get done in Barra. Last week, our regional administrator (along with his wife and another couple) came out for a few days. I went to Barra to pick them up. While there I looked into having that vehicle inspected. I needed a paper that was coming with Max and the visitors. So, after I met up with them I went back into the police station. (Literally not even 10 minutes later.) The man had left and no one knew where he went or when he would be back. So, that meant the inspection would have to wait for another day. I did finally manage to get that job done. Our administrator left on Wednesday and on Thursday I was set to send the two vehilces with me driving the third back to Barra. Tijan had a great idea. He went to the Police here in town. Could they inspect our vehicles? No, but if we gave them some fuel, they would come out here and check our vehicles. Praise God! For less than the gas to get to and from Barra with three vehicles... all our vehicles were inspected. (You may want to hear about that.... it is a funny story, but you will have to ask.)
I called Barney and told him the inspections were done. I asked what he wanted me to do with the discs. Well, the vehicles still needed to be registered and he wasn't planning on coming out this week. Would I go to the Police in Barra and register the cars?
Okay, he told me what the price was and I planned to go today. I also planned to take Alhagie and Tijan with me. They could learn the ropes with me and then next year, all we would have to do is send one of them. : ) So, the men and I headed out. It was a nice drive. We got to Barra and discovered that the one man that does the vehicle registration was not at work because of a death in the family. He wouldn't be in until the end of the week. I was told I could got to Banjul or Farifini (about 2 hours away), it was all the same. Believe me I didn't even think of doing that. I gave the men that came along with me money to buy their breakfast, bought some bread, and returned to the car. I had the brilliant idea to return to the Police, ask for the guy's name (the one who registers vehicles) and get some phone numbers. I did accomplish that fairly easily. By the time I got home the morning was gone.
I accomplished something. I have bread for me and Joanne, I had good conversations with Tijan and Alhagie, and when I returned the Nissan to Joanne, I met a Peace Corp young man who stopped in at her office to say hi. I returned home to find my gas out on the fridge and replaced that. All in all, a pretty typical morning.

The Cat

2008-02-03T16:54:00.000Z

I am sure you have heard about the cat. Our compound which now is inhabited by three single gals, had a few animals left behind. I was the care giver for the most senior cat... whiskers. She died several months ago. Now her rival cat is enjoying free reign on the compound. We do see stray cats often, but when we are in residence, the stray cats don't get feed.

Whiskers and Precious did not get along. It was a common thing to hear one cat chasing the other up a tree or across the roof. (I have an aluminum roof and hear many things running across it.) They were a bit possesive of their territory, including which house they thought the other could enter.

With Whiskers gone, it is a bit lonely. The other day I returned from taking a patient home to find Precious chasing me down and beating me to my front door. Obviously, he didn't get into Joanne's (her care provider) home before Joanne closed up for a nap. (Which is rather unusal as Precious is Joanne's napping partner.) She raced me and waited at my door, watching me... as if to say... "Hurry up, I am waiting!"

I let Precious into the house, but I still had a patient to see at the clinic. Later I brought the young woman and her child home with me. I asked if she was afraid of cats. (Gambians do not like cats.) She was, so I warned her one was in the house, but most likely in my bedroom. Sure enough, I couldn't find the cat.

I went into my room and this is what I found. I had to get a shot pretty much straight on or you would not have seen what I found. A closer inspection found Precious "snug as a bug" in my pillows. She just made herself a little cave.

Now isn't she just.... PRECIOUS!

First Things First....

2008-02-03T16:13:00.000Z

I have been tagged. I am not convinced it is much different than the plaque. I know it should be more like that game we all played as kids. I just was hoping not to get caught. It is making me think!

This is what I have the privelege of doing...
1. Post the rules and link to the person that tagged me.
2. Tell 5 random/weird things about myself.
3. List 5 places I would like to see or see again.
4. Link to 5 blogging friends and notify them on their blogs that they've been tagged.
(it really doesn't sound that deadly!)

I have Joanne, my friendly co-laborer and fellow SPT member to thank for this great honor. Joanne can be reached at http://gambiathoughts.blogspot.com/

5 random/weird things about me. I know, you who know me probably had no problem with this one... but I did. I mean really, what do I want to confess to.
1. I hate arachnoids, snakes, etc. Yet, I love life in The Gambia. (okay, I wasn't thrilled with the baby snakes in my house, but I can kill some spiders bare handed or bare footed.)
2. I have received eight marriage proposals in one day. The last guy was determined until a friend threatened to get my father (meaning her husband... a BIG dude) involved. I feared I was getting too old for marriage proposals, until I went to the ferry to meet our regional administratoe and his wife. I received five that day.
3. I am 4? and refuse to grow up or act like a grown up. I remember making the Oath from Peter Pan. I was goofing off with my sister in a small grocery store (we were probably 8 or 9) and mom was getting embaressed and told us to act our age. We both stopped what we were doing and vowed the oath right there. Mom wasn't too happy with us. : )
4. I live in hot west Africa and currently have 28 snowmen decorating my living room.
5. I kissed the feet of my regional administrator.

Five places I would like to see or see again.
1. I would love to see Victoria Falls and South Africa.
2. I would love to go to Greece.
3. I would love to go to Australia.
4. I would love to return to Salzburg and the Alps in Austria.
5. I would love to visit the western part of my birth country... the USA. Washington State, Oregon, California and Alaska.

Tag Five blogging friends...
Well, I don't have five that I know of.... But I will do my best...
I tag Darlene at http://darlenesdiary-darlene.blogspot.com/
I tag dear cousin Lisa and hubby Frank (because I have their blog address) http://manciniworld.blogspot.com/
This is pretty pathetic, but there it ends. Now you all are thinking... aren't we glad she doesn't have our site!

See One, Do One, Teach One.....

2008-01-23T13:49:00.000Z

It is a saying I have heard often since my arrival in The Gambia in 2002. I heard it first in reguards to stitching up a wound. Except in my case it was see as you do. Then I heard it with draining an abcess, tapping a knee, etc. I learned all kinds of things. I even heard it out side of the clinic setting; fixing a faucet, fixing the truck, looking into solar problems. I have learned many very helpful skills since my arrival.

Today, as I was getting up and preparing to go to work, the guard came to my door. There is a pregnant woman, in labor waiting for you. Now, you need to know, I saw a delivery years ago, but the Gambian Nurses do the deliveries here and I am very thankful for that. I like the newborn baby, but the birthing process, all though it is amazing, God has a wonderful plan. I think it is a bit more than gross. I got dressed quickly and ran down to the clinic, knowing Teresa was there by herself. The sun doesn't come up as early these days and our staff doesn't arrive until well after sun up. I found the woman and led her into the labor room, praying for time for a staff member to arrive. God answered my prayer in a different way. Before any other staff member arrived, a bouncing baby boy was making his appearance. Praise God there were no complications. I am sure the mother doesn't know this was the first baby I helped deliver (she had the hardest work). He is definitely a cutie with a good set of lungs. Mom and baby headed home about two hours later.

So if you hear.... see one, do one, teach one.... watch out. You never know what might be asked of you!

Foreign Bodies

2008-01-19T11:52:00.000Z

When I was working at the practice in Dunkirk, New York, the nursing staff had kept a treasure box. In that box, they kept the things I found in kids. (noses, ears... all good hiding places) The box held all sorts of objects. There were pencil erasers, glitter, beads, GAK, lead from a pencil, pebbles, and my favorite... a BB. I got to thinking about that box this week and what Gambian children would contribute. The most common object... the peanut. To remove the peanut I perform a CHARGE procedure. Crochet Hook Assisted RhinoGerberEctomy. A crochet hook is inserted into the nostril and then turned. The hook catches the edge of the peanut and waa laa, your peanut comes out. This week I had a parent bring in a young girl who had put a watermelon seed in her nose. They said it was five days ago. Now, I haven't seen a watermelon in weeks. I took a look, the inside of her nose was swollen with yes, a barely visible watermelon seed. I tried the CHARGE procedure. A watermelon seed is definitely not like a peanut. I did get pieces... but even with suction, I could not get a hold of the slippery little thing. I gave the girl a break and some antibiotics (I did cause a bit of trauma to her poor little nose) and had her come back Friday. Once again... I had no success. I had to send her to the capitol where a MD could sedate her to get it out. Friday afternoon Teresa came by. Her namesake's daughter had a peanut in her nose. Since the last CHARGE was unsuccessful, Teresa still hadn't seen it done. I told her to meet me in the clinic and we would try it. Praise God it was a peanut, it came out so slick! The little girl was very vocal about not wanting me to mess with her nose. She was happy to have it out, but still not very willing to communicate with me.

Wait three days... job is done in 10 minutes...

2008-01-14T09:30:00.000Z

Yes, it is sad but true. After waiting three days to find some muscle, the plumbing problem is fixed. Alhajie showed up for work today and I took him up to the water shed. I asked him to turn off the water. He was able to do it, first try (I must have loosened it!) Then we stopped by Joanne's house to tell her the water is going to be off for a bit, hopefully I would have it done before her houseworker came to work this morning. I walked down to the lower shut off valve. It is in the ground and accessed by a plastic pipe sticking out of the ground with a plastic cap. Of course by now you probably have it figured out that I couldn't get the cap off. It took Alhajie a little bit of time, but he got it. Then it was a simple matter of unscrew the old faucet, tape up and screw in the new faucet. Turn on the valves and WAA LAA, the job was done. : ) Praise God the water supply is still good and Alhajie came to work on time (he usually does!)

Now I am off to work in the office. Paper work... who thought of that?

Have a good one.

more computer woes

2008-01-13T18:02:00.000Z

I am looking forward to the challenges that a new year will/may bring. As january gets off to a good start I think about the reports that ABWE asks us to fill out each year. Reviewing your goals and your accomplishments each year. As well as looking at what may have been a stumbling block. For me that last one is easy. Health! Or the lack of it, and Computer Woes.

2007 ended on a sad note. While I was in Banjul over the Tobaski/Christmas week, two of our employees died. I was able to go to the compound of the family of the clinic emplyee who died. She had been sick well over a year and had been out on leave for two months prior to her death. Then a few days after Christmas we learned that on of our station workers, who had been sick for a couple of weeks, died. The three of us visited with the family when we returned to Nk. Our work in The Gambia is not done, God has opened the doors and we have had many opportunities to share Christ. Continue to pray for open doors.

In the last 36 hours, I have faced the maintenance challenges of West Africa. Thursday night Joanne came to the door to tell me our water supply might be short in the morning. A water faucet was on and she and the night guard couldn't get it to turn off. They tried the shut off valve on the main line to the faucet and that was also stuck. So, I grabed a few tools and headed out the door. Long story short... I broke the stem off the shut off valve and the faucet will not turn off! You didn't know I had such power! Well, we thought we had slowed the flow a bit. Friday morning I would either... replace the faucet if we had one or... plug the line. : )

Friday morning came and we had plenty of water. I left the clinic at about 11am to work on the plumbing. I had to turn off the water to that side of the compound. PROBLEM! I couldn't get the valve to close the line. I called the one yard worker I had working that day and had him try. It wouldn't budge. So, I got in the truck... PROBLEM, it wouldn't start. The clinic driver came over and we pumped the fuel filter/pump... still no start. Then I took the line off the filter that goes into the engine and we pumped the pump until fuel flowed freely. Put the line back on and ... it started! I was off to ask for some help in the braun department. One of my yard workers was in Banjul, another was sick, so I turned to Tijan...PROBLEM, He was on a trip! I had a nice visit with his wives. Returning to the compound, I didn't get any plumbing work done so returned to the clinic.

We are very thankful that the water supply has been great and the sun has been enough to have the pumps keep the tanks full. Plumbing will happen... tomorrow... maybe!

Opps, I forgot to mention the computer woes.....
After my unsuccessful attempt at plumbing I came home and went to get on line. PROBLEM: My laptop wouldn't start. I tried a few different times on Friday and Saturday. We do have a man we know who repairs computers... he lives in the Banjul area. So, I planned to call him on Monday. Today as I was packing the machine away, I tried again. It wouldn't start. I thought about taking the battery out, and did. The compartment was a little dusty, I cleaned it, put the battery back in and tried to start it once more. I was shocked. It started. Praise God! Pray with me that it will continue to work.

2008-01-09T13:29:00.000Z

I often get asked if I decorate for Christmas. So I thought I would show you my house as it looks usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

I like snowman. They remind me of home and the cold, which we are experiencing a bit of. Not to the degrees as in New York, but chilly enough for West Africa.

The snowmen in the middle top shelf were a gift from mom and dad a few years ago. My Gambian friends love them. If you push on the woman's hand they sing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" as they jiggle a little. They all love to watch and listen to the 'dancing' figures.

Over the years I have made this cabinet look like a fireplace. But I was a bit lazy this year. The cabinet houses my batteries for the electricity I have. It has two 12 volt batteries inside. It is a nice place to show off more of my collection. Usually I have photographs on display there.

My Kitchen gets to be a bit festive too. It is hard to see but there are snowmen and snowflakes on the refrigerator.

The sad part is that my snowmen get really dusty by the time they are reurned to storage. My white snowman are now Gambian Sand off white. I will give them a good shaking and pack them away soon.

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my house.

Arrival in Banjul

2007-12-22T16:22:00.000Z

Tuesday morning we crossed the ferry in record time. There is definately something to be said about traveling in the opposite direction as everyone else. When we arrived in Banjul the mass of people headed to Barra (where we had just come from) was unbelievable. There was people every where. We made it out of Banjul and into the suburbs without incident. At the money changers we were again reminded that Tabaski was around the corner. The place was packed. I am not sure how you knew where you were in line if the last person in the building didn't tell you to follow them. I left Teresa and Joanne (with my check) to do the long wait and I drove a teammate to the mechanics to pick up the ambulance which was in for service. When I returned to the money place... Joanne and Teresa were still in line. I was able to wait in comfort in the car! Smart me.

Yesterday brought some sad news. I heard that one of our clinic employees, who had been out for the last two months on a medical leave, passed away. Today, I headed to Banjul with Teresa and Barney to pick up people from Ndungu Kebbeh and accompany them to the family compound. It was a very sad morning as I listened to people comforting the family by telling them how good IJ was. Yes, she was a good person, very helpful. But she didn't know the Lord as savior. It broke my heart. I am here for that reason, that those I work with and come across in the clinic or life's journey may see the love of Christ in and through me. When I returned to the guest house I spoke with Joanne about the number of deaths we have seen recently. Pray God will continue to give us the strength to serve him here.

The rest of today will be a time for rest and preparing for services tomorrow. I am very excited as we will be able to join the rest of our team in worship at the learning centre. This will be the third week for services to be held in the new location.

I trust you all will have a very Merry Christmas.

God Answers Prayer

2007-12-18T00:10:00.000Z

Thanks for your prayers!

This morning I was up and out working on the truck by 8 AM. The truck has a problem with the fuel filter/pump. Occasionally, you have to pump it to start the vehicle. So, I tried that... It was a bit sticky as it starts best if one person pumps and another person tries to start the engine. I was on my own. Eventually one of the compound workers came and I enlisted his aid. We ended up putting fuel in the truck... opening the bottom valve on the pump and finally, the compound worker got it in his head to suck on the out flow tube (gross!). It worked, a few minutes later diesel was flowing and the truck started. Praise God!

Then I was off to the other vehicle. There is a lose connection somewhere and it won't start. We tried jumping it. No effect. I went home and brought out the VOLT METER (my new best friend). My friend and ambulance driver was waiting for me at the door. He helps me check the fluid levels on all the vehicles. He was very willing to tag along and see if he could help. The battery was charged. So, the next step was to clean the terminals. It was a dirty job. I am so glad I got to do it! My fingers were very dirty when I finished. I attempted to start the car and waa laa... God is SO good, it started first try.

See, I am not much of a mechanic. Praise God he kept it simple for me.

My driver and I went for a drive to find Joanne and let her know the Nissan was back in service... ulterior motive...we wanted to ask her to buy us breakfast. She laughed! Go figure. No breakfast.

The rest of the day was devoted to clinic finances, inventory and caring for sick neighbors. I ran my own little clinic from the house. I did have to go to the clinic and run labs on a seizing child. I called our Ambulance driver and had her transported to our referral center.

It was a full day. I made a home visit and visited a friend this evening. I am praising God for the extra dose of strength he gave me to get through the day.

I trust all you northeast residents are staying warm.

December Prayer Letter

2007-12-18T00:09:00.000Z

December 2007

Greetings from Ndungu Kebbeh, The Gambia. It is a quiet, still day. There is no breeze. If you lived in New York, you might think the sky looks like snow is coming. But it is The Gambia and it is at least 85 degrees out. The clouds are just acting as insulation today. Solar power will be low tonight.

The week has been a busy one, just as yours has been in the States. The Clinic closed on Friday so our staff can have off for Tobuski and we will remained closed until after the New Year. I have been busy with staffing issues, inventory, finances and preparing for our Christmas celebration which was last night.

During our Christmas celebration, we were challenged to remember the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Joanne read from Matthew and Luke 2. Buba shared the importance of Christ coming as an infant, and later dying on the cross, shedding his blood. The Islamic Holiday of Tobuski is in just a few days. Our neighbors are all trying to prepare. The harvest was very poor and money is extremely short. Yet, a new outfit or new shoes for each child and your self is a goal for a good Tobuski. A ram will be purchased and slaughtered that day. It is a reenactment of Abraham sacrificing Ishmael. Tobuski and Christmas don’t always fall this close together. This year we do have a wonderful opportunity to share that God sent His son Jesus as an infant, and that Jesus later died on the cross as a perfect atonement for our sins. I have had a few emails about not forgetting the real story of Christmas. We have the opportunity to be a light in this world and proclaim…”For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…” I have been praying for the outreaches and opportunities that each one of us will have to share the gospel this Christmas. I pray that we will be strong lights in this dark world.

Tomorrow will be a full day. I will start the day in the role of auto mechanic. Pray for me, I can use all the help I can get. We have two vehicles here in Ndungu Kebbeh and neither one would start this evening. I have a few tricks up my sleeves for the one. If it starts then we can jump the other. If the Lord allows at least one vehicle to start, I will be helping Joanne clean up the rental compound the Literacy Centre has used for housing their facilitators during training. I also want to make a few visits before I leave Tuesday for Banjul.

PRAISE:
Return of physical health
Strength each day to do the work that needs to be done that day
The arrival of two medical shipments
Safety
Opportunities to share Christ’s love
The opportunity to go to the guest house for some R&R during the Christmas closure
Prayer supporters and financial supporters; thanks for being a part of my ministry here

PRAYER:
I appreciate your prayers and support of the ministry here in The Gambia. I am looking forward to what God will do in 2008 even as I realize I can’t shut the door on 2007. Friday, at the close of the clinic day, a staff member (who was disciplined earlier in the week) argued with Teresa and me. He is very angry with me and has blamed me for wronging him. On Friday, he vocalized, loudly all his complaints and then made a few verbal statements that I in turn repeated to our mission director. Barney will be going to the lawyer’s office on Monday with the document that Teresa and I wrote up about our meetings with this individual. Pray that God will continue to give me peace and the strength to stand firm in our decisions. The employee has worked for us for many years. It saddens me that this is happening. I trust God to bring it to an end.

We are still looking for a guest house manager for June 2008-January 2009. To learn more about our ministry in The Gambia, go to www.abwe.org and under field… choose The Gambia.

Please pray for our two families and two single women that are on pre-field. Pray God with provide them opportunities to share the ministry he has called them.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Suellen Black
ABWE, The Gambia

Christmas in The Gambia

2007-12-15T22:17:00.001Z

Today was a busy day. I spent much of it in the kitchen preparing for our Christmas get together.

Now, when I tell you that, I think you picture me working in a typical kitchen and you would be right. Maybe I am baking cookies... no, not today. Today, I was making Chili, hot,spicey chili. I had a friend over and she helped me pick my rice. I cooked up 18 cups of broken rice and made a dutch oven filled to the brim of chili. It was very good, not quite a Steve's chili, but almost. Soxna, my neighbor, worked on the rice for almost two hours. I made the chili and pressure cooked some beans to add to the chili. (Mom, I know a faster way to make that bean soup I like so much.... 20 minutes in a pressure cooker.) I cleaned my stove, washed the dishes and served Soxna cappacino and wacky cake. She had to add sugar to the cappacino. Yuck. They do like their beverages sweet here. By four o'clock the chili was done, the rice was a glob... you try cooking 8 cups of rice in one pan and 10 in amother. And we were waiting for our guests to arrive. They came slowly, first two. We started by sitting around the charcoal and having some strong green tea (not the decaffinated good for you kind, but the strong stuff). As we chatted two more came, and soon we had six guests and the three of us. Many couldn't come because of commitments at home or they were traveling. We had cookies and hot tea and then warm sweet milk. Then Joanne read the Christmas story from Matthew and Luke. After that it was time for Chili and Rice and Spaghetti, and rolls. I am stuffed. I worked off dinner by driving five of the six home. A drive in the bush at night is fun. I missed the Lippy girls. They went with me a few years ago and we made up Christmas songs... "I'm Dreaming of a Brown Christmas, just like the one I never knew" "Seat belt clank,seat belt clank" (Jingle bells) Our Celebration was small but very good. I think it was enjoyed by all who came and all were able to take food home.

On Tuesday I will be heading to the guest house. I have a few days of R&R planned and a lot of supply shopping to do. I may not blog again before Christmas. I will pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and can find a way to share the JOY of this Christmas season and the Joy that the Birth of Jesus brings. Merry Christmas to all!!

Drive by shooting??????

2007-12-12T22:49:00.000Z

Okay, I have to share with you something that happened a few weeks ago now. I was a bit busy at the time and I would have liked to have included a photo... but that didn't happen.

One of the things I am trying to do while the clinic hours are cut back... is to help out families that should have their child admitted, but the next hospital is 26 kilometers away. It is a bit of a hardship. So, if the child isn't too sick, I have let them go home and I make home visits to give medications and make assesments. I limit my area to just my village or the ones nearby.

The other day Teresa drove me to a village not too far away... maybe 6 kilometers. On the way there I noted a woman waiting at the side of the road for a ride heading in the direction we were coming from. She had a young child with her and was waiting out under the sun. Teresa and I continued on our way and I visited the sick little one, gave him his injections and had a nice chat with his mother. On our return, to Ndungu Kebbeh, I noticed that same woman waiting by the road. I asked Teresa to pull up to them and we could ask her where she was headed. As we stopped another woman also approached us. I asked where we they headed. The whole story came out... the child was sick and they had taken him to the government clinic down the road, (about 12 kilometers from us). She had purchased his medications, which included an injection that morning, which he received at the clinic. It also included a second injection for which they supplied needle, syringe, medication and told her to find someone to give the shot. So, she was waiting on the side of the road to find a ride to my village, to find one of my employees at their home, to inject her son. Then she would wait again to find a car to return her to her village. I felt so bad for this woman. She had been waiting for so long all ready. I checked out the child's chart from the government clinic and decided I needed to show the love of Christ and help her out. So, from the passenger side window, I reached out and gave her child the injection... yup, right there roadside! Teresa was just busting to break out with laughter. Praise God she waited until we were down the road a ways.

Flat Brylee is headed home

2007-12-08T22:13:00.000Z

This is me and Suellen on the ferry. I call her Sohna when she is dressed like this. She only wears the head piece off of her compound (yard). When we arrived at their place in Banjul, she changed to regular American long skirts.

I didn't have to wear a complae because of my age. If I stayed longer I would have tried it. Girls don't have to wear a head peice.

Suellen took me to a few places in Banjul. I saw the president's arch. We stopped at a few store. One store uses bar codes and scanners for prices. Suellen said that store is only a few years old. She bought a nice padded envelope and fitted me out for my return trip to America. She thinks I should make it home well before Christmas.

Brylee and Mrs Eibel,

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to show Brylee The Gambia. I had a great time and hope she did too. Enjoy the package, I hope she arrives before the Christmas holidays.

Suellen

PS For those of you reading these blogs... the class is taking part of the Flat Stanley project. You can learn more about Flat Stanley at www.flatstanley.com

Traveling with Flat Brylee

2007-12-08T21:05:00.000Z

Friday evening we headed out for a drive in the bush. I did NOT get to sit on the dash the whole time. Just for this picture. You have to be careful driving in the bush. Suellen says the deep sand makes you feel like you are driving in snow. She is from near Buffalo, New York, so I guess she knows about snow.

You also have to be aware of children, goats, donkeys, cows, sheep, dogs and monkeys jumping out into the road.

I didn't see anything except for a LOT of pretty birds. I didn't get any picture of them though. I am really happy we didn't find that snake or his relatives. Suellen says they have cobras, vipers and mambas. ugh!

All good trips have to come to an end and I am late for school. Suellen wrote my teacher to tell her I just arrived and she would get me home as soon as possible. I guess she should have written mom and dad too. Sorry about that. I was having too much fun to think about it. Saturday morning we headed into Banjul. I got to ride the ferry! Apparently I rode it on the way to Suellen's, but I was in the envelope.

It is too bad this photo didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. The two big vans just getting on the ferry have a load of sheep on top. They tie them on using a net. Suellen says the sheep are going to market. An Islamic holiday is coming up and every family will sacrifice a sheep that day (if they can afford it).

Suellen let me sit on top of the life boats, just for the picture. She tells me most of The Gambians can't swim. They are really frightened when the crossing is a rough one. We had a great crossing. I got a little sun! No sunburn though.

The capitol city Banjul is in the background.

Flat Brylee visits The Gambia part 2

2007-12-08T15:09:00.000Z

Okay, Friday was a fun day. I arrived mid morning on Thrusday, and the earlier post was about my first day. Now it is my second day in The Gambia. It was another busy clinic day for Suellen, I just tagged along and played with the kids that came in. I wasn't too sure about eating Gambian food. I promised my mom and dad I would eat good while I was away. It turns out I didn't have much to worry about. Suellen had a nasty intestinal virus several months back and she is still a little wary of the local food. I did have a bean sandwhich... YUMM. A little on the spicy side, but very tasty. It had lots of beans and onions.

After the clinic closed we went visiting again. This nice grandma is the lady Suellen is named after. Her name is Maam (mom) Soxna (sohna) Drammeh. She is really a nice older woman. I love her smile. She went inside to get all dressed up for her photo. She likes to sit on these logs and watch the neighborhood. She lives in her son's compound with him, his two wives and their children. I counted... 10, and three that live with some one else. There are lots of kids around here.

One of my favorite activites, besides playing soccer, was going for a saret ride. Serin has two cows he hooks up to pull this two wheeled cart. You don't get anywhere fast, but it was a fun way to travel. Maam Soxna told me it wasn't too fun to travel that way when it is really hot and you have a long way to go. I guess she is right.

While I was visiting Maam Soxna, we greeted her in her house. This is her bed. See me! The house is just a one room mud brick building. Out back is the outhouse, except there isn't a house... just a wall and a hole in the ground. I didn't have to use it!

The spots on the wall are where the termites keep trying to destroy her house. yuck!

Ode to a Visitor.... Flat Brylee

2007-12-08T13:28:00.000Z

For those of you who are regular post readers... this post is for Mrs. Eibel's class at Firelands Elementary School in Oberlin, Ohio. You may learn something, feel free to read along.

It was a really long trip to Suellen's. I began to think I would never get out of the envelope. But finally one day, there I was out in the sun and meeting Suellen face to face. She was a break from the clinic where she works... and found mail in her mail box. Apparently this is NOT a common finding. So, she was really surprised! Me too. It was hotter than I thought it would be. I went back to the clinic with Suellen. She kept busy. I learned that there is a nasty disease carried by the mosquitos here. It is called Malaria. I saw some really sick kids. It made me sad and kind of nervous... mom and dad wouldn't like it if I got Malaria while I was here. Suellen told me she would give me some medicine to take once a week while I was here and for a month after I return to America. I don't want ot take medicine, but I don't want Malaria either.

When Suellen finished at the clinic,

we headed to her house.

This is what I saw in front of her door.

I am so glad I didn't see what was inside of it. Here is a picture of it next to Suellen's shoe. The people here call it the snake's shirt. I guess I have something else to watch out for... Malaria-mosquitos and snakes. Hmm.

Ride 'em!

Suellen actually has a very nice house. She even

has it decorated for Christmas. You should hear

her try to explain Snowmen to the Gambians.

She has a tree with lights, but doesn't get to turn

on the lights too much because she only has two

batteries.

This is a picture of her outlet in the kitchen.

She has one in every room.

They are up high and out of reach so

small kids can't get their fingers in .

They all have a cover too.

I wore my soccer shirt and Suellen was glad to hear that I like to play soccer. I was able to play with some of the nieghbor kids.

WORDS YOU NEVER WANT TO HEAR....

2007-11-15T16:02:00.000Z

Can you imagine what they would be?

Say you were a health care provider in a third world country, out in the African bush. What would they be?

For me, the words I don't like to hear... especially when I have just returned from the clinic and am in the middle of cooking lunch. Those words are... a patient just arrived, snake bite. There are several kinds of snakes in The Gambia. Some are not poisonous, some are. If you ask me, they all are. (I tell people if I saw a snake I would have a heart attack and drop to the ground where the snake would be able to bite me.... and I would die either from his poison or from the heart attack.) The villagers fear the Black snake. But again, there are two kinds of black snakes... deadly and not so deadly. Well, upon hearing these words today. I turned off the stove and headed to the clinic. Checked out the patient... he was bit on the middle finger while out in the fields this morning. He had to walk home and then find a donkey cart to bring him to the clinic. Praise God he looked good. Vitals were stable. I got out the stun gun. (controversial treatment... but please use it on me.) And gave him quite a few shocks, I know the gun worked because I got a little jolt when I had my hand too close to the gun. Reminded me of touching the electric fence when I was a kid. The nest phase of his treatment was a referral ride to the hospital 22 kilometers away, they should be able to get him some snake anti-venom. Praise God for the Stun Gun!

A Difficult Week

2007-11-15T15:48:00.000Z

It has been an emotional week. One of the believers, who has been sick for several months, died on Monday. She came to the clinic last week and I couldn't find a good source of her illness. During the night she worsened and her husband feared that if she did die in NK, the leaders would refuse to bury her here because of her stand for Christ. We helped him get her to family in Senegal. The husband received a call on Monday late afternoon that she had died. The family was going to go ahead and have her buried that evening. Her husband would arrive there in the morning. We assisted him in getting to the family along with some of their friends. Pray for Joanne as much of the respnsibilities of the c__ fall to her. She was pretty close to NN and so was Deb who is in the states on furlough. We do praise God for answered prayer in allowing NN to get to Family in Senegal, for protecting her husband AS as he traveled much the last two weeks and for giving each of us the encouragement to continue to do the job he has called us to.

All in a weekend

2007-11-12T00:48:00.000Z

Well, I haven't been up to too much. The clinic is finally slowing down a bit and requests for the ambulance after hours (AKA the middle of the night) have also decreased. Last week I did have busy afternoons. Teresa and I would leave the clinic around 2 pm each afternoon. By five I would be back in the clinic for a variety of reasons. One day I had a young gal with two lacerations that needed stitching. The next afternoon at about the same time, a young boy showed up with a laceration on his leg. unfortunately his laceration was over 48 hours old. I just cleaned him up good and started him on antibiotics. I should see them both tomorrow. Then on Friday, Teresa came to the door with a friend and her son. She asked me what advice to give the mother, her son was urinating blood. I looked at the mom, she pulled an old soda bottle out of a plastic bag... sure enough, there was the urine. I told them to follow me and we all went to the clinic, after some testing and evaluation I sent him home on medications. The plus side of the early evening activity in the clinic... the cleaning women are done with their work for the day and we have to lock up. So, I would be down there anyway. : )
Yesterday, Teresa and I unloaded the newly arrived medical shipment. We praise God for providing these medications. Our medication store room is starting to look clean, organized and full! We had either run out of several medications or had to stop using them because of their expiration date. It is good to see the shelves have valuable medications available again. Thank you to all who help provide for this ministry financially.
After a very productive morning in the store rooms, I headed home to be productive on a few maintenance issues. I had applied Epoxy into the hole for the toilet lid, where there was a leak. I needed to drill the hole so I could then put on the toilet seat. Praise God it worked. After three weeks of no toilet, or no flush toilet. I have a functioning toilet! However, by the second flush, the other side was leaking in the same spot. I called Barney to ask if he had more Epoxy. I then told him what I discovered. He said, "I don't want to hear that." Yeah, it is my toilet, it pained me to have to say it. But the leak is small and I have decided I want the flush, so I will mop up the small puddle after every flush. : )
Since the toilet was such a success, I then repaired my glider rocker. It has needed help since I took it out of storage in May. I finally attacked it, and now it glides smoothly. It is nice to have a chair to offer people a place to sit. The couch can get crowded.
I had such a productive day yesterday, I decided to keep the flow going today. This afternoon I put some wall paper boarder up in my bathroom. I have claimed this apartment and I am 'nesting'. I brought the boarder with me back in May and was waiting for a time when the humidity would be lower. Yes, that time has come.
Lots of people ask... What is the temperature really like? Well, for those of you who like weather science, I have some info for you. I brought back a digital thermomotor that also registers the humidity. It store the highest and lowest values. The other day I was looking at it. I have kept it in the coolest room of my apartment. The high value, since my arrival, is 113 degrees with 91 % humidity. That doesn't just feel hot... it is hot! Tonight it is 80 degrees and 40 % humidity. I will sleep under my comforter. It is getting too cold for a late night cold water shower. brrrrrr
Have a great week.

Something I NEVER pictured myself doing....

2007-10-29T23:09:00.000Z

Have you had one of those jobs assignments when you think... no one will believe I am doing this. Today was another one of those days for me.

I am living on a compound that has several empty houses. (We are asking God to fill them.) I am currently sharing this space with two other single women. One of the things I volunteered to do was basic, I mean simple, maintenance. So, last night I had to figure out how I could get 14 toilets to flush at the same time. Joanne would be at the literacy center. That left Teresa, drafted into the project and our house hold helpers. But that only gave me a total of six people. So, I drafted our watch men and yard workers. By nine am I was unlocking houses and giving assignments. Oh, and teaching men 50+years of age how to flush a toilet and why this silly tubaab (white person) was asking for their help. The job went off without a hitch! Okay, this is Africa, there were one or two.... I couldn't get one of the houses to open up, I forgot to turn on the water in two of the houses. Thus I got my exercise running around this morning. When the job was done I drove to the village to buy breakfast for those who helped out. Opps, I didn't get any for Teresa. I stopped by Joanne's to give her the visual picture of teaching the watchmen and yard men how to flush. : )

The day proceeded to be busy and filled with all kinds of things. I mended the volleyball net, tried to clean a water filter and discovered the shut off valve, didn't shut off the water. (a cool shower in the heat of the day!) I saw a few sick individuals, ran a group of people to a village to the north and east of us, found some one ther who wanted to come to our village. (a little taxi driving on the side!) Then fixed a lunch that was interupted by an accident. A bush taxi flipped out on the main road. They described it as four feet in the air. (Tires up!) Four adults and three children were brought to the compound and they came to get me. I tried to patch up gapping head wounds and missing arm muscles. The people were headed to the captiol city. I am praying they have something at the Government Hospital to help clean out and close these wounds. I called our ambulance driver to carefully drive the victims to the hospital in Banjul. The children were just banged up, praise God, and all the adults were stable. One woman and her two daughters live in Spain. They are in The Gambia for a two month visit. The girls spoke Spanish and not a local dialect. Wouldn't you know... I couldn't put a whole sentance together in Spanish without Wolof words slipping out.

Tomorrow... a new toilet... the adventure continues.

Another Exciting Day!

2007-10-23T20:54:00.001Z

Okay, I have to let you all in on a few of the recent happenings.

I haven't had a working phone line in months. It has decreased my time on line as I have to go to another house to access the Internet. I can get access, I just don't do it every day now. Yesterday I was in my house talking with Teresa and a Gambian woman. I heard a motorcycle come on the compound as it circled our property the driver was tooting the horn. It was a bit annoying in the house. our watchman came to my door to tell me that the men on the cycle were from the telephone company. When they arrived at my home I told them if my phone was fixed that day I would be so happy, I would dance. (Now, don't panic, this is a culturally appropriate comment to make.) They laughed (I am sure they thought, yeah, you are a tubaab, you can't dance.) and looked at my phone jack. Then they went to check out the line. About 30 minutes later, I heard the cycle start up and they were gone. I went to ask the guard what they said, as my phone was still not working. He told me they told him they were going to the market. I guess the market was a long way away; they never came back. MORAL of the STORY: Don't say you will dance! The phone will be fixed, in God's timing.

Now, I told you about my plumbing problem... well, Barney came to set a new toilet today. Ha-ha He did try, but the toilet bowl was the wrong size for the whole I have. By the time we figured that out for sure and certain, he had cut a piece of PVC that went around the out flow of the old toilet. So there was no way to replace the old toilet. I told him I was grateful I was better. A month ago my intestinal problems would of made a week with out a toilet in the house a severe discomfort. So, let this be a warning to you all... if you see me running to an empty house, watch out. I am either trying to use the phone or the little girls room!

Life is never dull in Ndungu Kebbeh.

Oh, I lent Joanne my camera because her termites were back in force at the literacy center. I am glad I wasn't there this time, but i can't wait to see the pics. Maybe I will share them with you.

You can check her blog out at gambiathoughts.blogspot.com

Healthy once more

2007-10-21T19:51:00.000Z

For those of you who knew I was having some health problems... I am healthy finally. I had many people worried on both continents. My team mates had me stay in Banjul while the Bronchitis had the best of me. Kumba (Ruth) and I have been in email contact, I even called her twice. She told me the other day she was really worried. And we all know about a mother's worry, mine is no execption. I love her for it.

After a series of illnesses and a two month bout of low blood sugars, I am finally feeling myself. I have been back to work in the clinic. It is good to be able to be treating others. I am just beginning to get out and about visiting friends in the village. It is good to be out and about. Thank you for your prayers and concerns.

Nurse... Plumber... yep benna la!

2007-10-21T19:45:00.000Z

Now, I know you all know of me as a nurse. But did you think of me as a plumber? Yup, my toilet broke this week. I had to turn the water off to the house. (our toilets don't have a shut off valve in the line leading to the tank.) After two days of bucket showers and bucket flushes, I think you get the picture... it was getting old. SO, I went on a scavenger hunt to find toilet parts. Of course we didn't have what I needed and there is NO near by Wal-Mart or Tru Value. I did have some Duck tape and PVC cement. So I tried a repair on the broken piece. I am sorry Mac Gyver, Duck tape doesn't work on everything. Joanne was present when I gave the test trial. Praise God or the flood in the bathroom could have been really bad. I was out of luck and the problem was getting worse. I then looked at every toilet on our compound (we have a lot of empty houses right now). I found only one that had the water intake on the bottom of the tank like mine. SO, I capped the water line and took out the pieces I would need. However, yes there is ALWAYS a however in Africa, the tanks were two different sizes and my tank was a mini tank. The borrowed part wouldn't fit in. I then returned the part and capped my water line. I at least have running water in the house again.

I called our teammates in Banjul and told them what I needed. There is no Wal-Mart or Service Center there either, which means.... it is very hard, almost impossible to find replacement parts. So, a new toilet was ordered. Now I am back to bucket flushing and Barney is coming out on Tuesday to put in the new toilet. I don't really want to attempt it as there is a willing some one to do it. Praise God. A true blessing if I have ever seen one!

Have a great week and face each new challenge as a gift from God to become more like him.

Howdy!

2007-10-16T20:29:00.000Z

It is another beautiful day. I called my niece on Sunday, she turned 19. The good news was it was 48 degrees in Ohio. I told her it was a whopping 86 and 68 percent humidity. She wanted some of my warmth, I want some of her chills.

The spider bites have not changed. I took a picture and decided it was too ugly to post. Then today as I was doing some of my odd jobs, vehicle and generator maintenance, I drove out to the literacy center. I was just in time to see them fill the 5th plate (I am talking big plate) with termite dirt frin the battery cabinet. It was rather gross. I was glad I wasn't a Literacy employee. Any way, one of Joanne's employees thinks that it wasn't a spider that bit me but a WONKA that urinated on me. Don't freak. There is a long black bug that it is said, when they excrete on your skin it blisters and burns. So, we are back to not knowing what I have on my legs. I think they are starting to feel better. Until my malaan (skirt) hits the spots.

Have a great day and thanks for praying.

I know what is next.

2007-10-15T21:08:00.000Z

Have you ever been so honest with your self that you ask, "Okay, What is next?" Let me tell you that after two months of one illness following or at times on top of another, that I have found my self saying, "I wonder what the next thing will be." I thought I had conquered that. I am no longer curious as to what the next illness will be. I take 'em as they come.

I was feeling great this week. My blood sugars seem to be stable, my bronchitis has cleared, the ear infection has resolved. I have energy and am planning on starting the kids club in a few weeks. I was back in the clinic this week and doing work at home in the evenings. I praise God for bringing me through the last few months.

But I know, by now you have figured out there is something new. After all TIA, (this is Africa) and I have a way of writing about my trials. Well, some of you, who have been out here in the rains, know that this is the time of bugs. All kinds of bugs. Those of you who have been out here with me, know that the bugs LOVE my blood. Sunday morning I awoke to find this huge red, raised, very sore, very itchy area on my left shin with a matching spot on the right one. It only feels good if I have cool water on it. The Gambians told me it is a spider bite. Now you all know why I don't like spiders. I just knew they would be a pain. The bites look so nasty. If I walk it gets redder. They are low on my legs, right where the malaan (long skirt) rubs when you walk. It has now been two days. There doesn't seem to be any improvement. I will get relief tonight when I sleep with a cool cloth on them.

So that is what is new here. Oh, and the screw for the face plate on my front door broke leaving half of it in the door jam. I can't lock my door. This gives me something fun to do tomorrow. I will have to work on our truck and start the generators too. It promises to be a fun day. Any one want to come help? : )

Have a good one.

I AM HERE!

2007-10-08T22:10:00.000Z

Okay, you haven’t heard from me in a while. There is a good reason. I went to the capitol, Banjul, for the weekend and got sick. I was so sick with Bronchitis and the low blood sugars, that my fellow missionaries decided I needed to stay there. I spent two weeks at the guest house. I am really praising God for providing that facility. It was so nice to have a place to stay that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. My medicine and medical exams over the past month have exceeded the price of my arms and legs. God has provided for all my needs and I praise him for taking such good care of me.

My friends in Ndungu Kebbeh were getting very worried that I would run off to America. I am very thankful that I was able to get the tests I needed done here. I am feeling better than I have in weeks. I am planning on getting back to work but taking things slowly with good periods of rest as it continues to be hot and humid. This is the time of the greatest illness in our area. Several of the clinic employees have been out sick the last few weeks. The month of the Fast is coming to an end. This will help improve the health of our neighbors.

Friday was a tough day for our staff as two children succumbed to cerebral Malaria. One child was the two year old daughter of one of our watchman and my house worker’s niece. Please pray fro the family as they mourn the loss of their young girl.

Thank you for your prayers. God is definitely at work here in The Gambia.

Taking Advantage of a Working Phone Line

2007-09-14T17:41:00.000Z

I returned from Banjul on Monday of this week. My phone hasn't been working since Tuesday. So, since it is a bright sunny day (praise the Lord- our solar needed it), I am making use of a working phone line and solar!

This is Kumba, one of the gals I took shopping last Saturday. She is wearing her new uniform and shoes and is carrying her new book bag. Kumba was named after our dear friend Ruth Wood, whose Gambian name is Kumba.

The Islamic Month of Ramadan started. This is the month of fasting from sun up until sun down. It is a long month. Please pray for the believers as this is a time of much trial for them. I will be swamped with requests for cold and hot water, chocolate and juice. It is an interesting month.

Interesting Days

2007-09-14T13:23:00.000Z

The last few days have been very interesting. I will share with you some of the highlights.

I went into Banjul to see a doctor. Dr Jagne is from Nigeria and has been in The Gambia about a year. He is working at a private clinic not too far from our guesthouse. I had an appointment early Wednesday morning. They have a lot of nice equipment there. I had my pulse oximetry checked. He also ran some blood work at the lab there. Then came the big news, he wanted me to have a CT scan of the abdomen. I didn’t even know there was a a CT machine in the country. I learned a lot this week. He also wanted some other blood work. So, he gave me names and phone numbers of people at the city hospital. That afternoon I called about scheduling the CT scan. They told me to come down so they could read my paper. I wasn’t too happy about it, but decided I should walk out to the road and catch a taxi. (Now that is a story in and of its self. Ask if you want to know.) After I arrived at the hospital, I found the Radiology Department and they were waiting for me. I had the CT done that day. Thirty minutes later and I was finding a taxi to head back to the guesthouse. Praise God!
The next morning I was up early to catch a ride to the Lab at the same hospital I was at the day before. I went in to have the blood drawn. Four pokes later, (I tried to tell her to relax that I understood the difficulties of drawing blood), I was out the door until the afternoon. When I returned to pick up the results I found the cashier had left for the day. I asked when I could pay and was told “you can pay any morning Monday through Friday or you could just go. It doesn’t matter to us.” I returned Monday morning to pay the lab. The woman sitting near me was stunned when she heard how much I had to pay. She asked me in Wolof (she knew me by word of mouth and knew I spoke Wolof) why was my test SO expensive. I told her the truth, because I am a white person from another country. I was a bit shocked. I told her I didn’t expect it to be five bags of rice. She looked at me and said, it was five bags of rice plus the money needed to buy the ingredients for the sauces to go with the rice. That lovely lady was a blessing to my soul.
All though the tests were a bit expensive, I praise the Lord I was able to have the testing done.
Friday I had a return trip to Dr. Jagne to review all the results and obtain one more blood test. There was nothing scary wrong with me. I would have to eat small frequent meals to deal with the hypoglycemia.
Monday I headed home via the ferry once again. I had a new experience on the ferry. If you ever have the opportunity to visit The Gambia, you have to try the ferry. I didn’t take a car, so I was one of many of the walk on passengers herded onto the ferry just before it leaves the dock. I ended up standing with my suitcase, just behind a small black car with Gambian Government plates. I pulled out my umbrella to provide shade from the sun. The ferry turned around to travel in what we would think of as reverse (it has to do with what engines are working best on the ferry). It meant that I was now in the front as we crossed the river; we would turn around again for docking and unloading. But I had a nice view of the ocean and river as we traveled. There were a few fishing boats out in the river. One boat didn’t move and the ferry got too close. I could see the guys eyes as we passed. He was trying to get the anchor up and move. Apparently when we passed him, our wake caused the boat to tip and he went into the water. The ferry engines were cut. I couldn’t figure out why they were stopping in the middle of the river. The man next to me went to the side of the ferry to see what was up. The fisherman was okay, he was picked up by another boat and his boat didn’t sink. The ferry driver waited to make sure the man was okay before continuing on. Never a dull moment!

Back to School Shopping

2007-09-03T20:30:00.000Z

Do you enjoy Back to School Shopping? I went for two hours on Saturday and had a blast. I went to pick up the neighbors two little girls (grade one and two) and a neighbor girl tagged along. We walked to the open market in the center of town. There I purchased uniform material for the two girls. The Third asked me about hers, and I was able to tell her my coworker Teresa was sewing her pants. Yassin, the oldest, then told me what was next on the list: shoes, books pencils, colors, eraser, a book bag and body lotion. They each grabbed a hand or two fingers and off we went. Those little faces were eyeing the tables of goodies for the perfect shoes. Yassin discovered her pair (bright purple) and pulled the rest of us over. Not to be out done, her younger half sister, Kumba, found a matching pair in orange. Ami shyly asked if she could have a pair. I agreed and she happily tried on her favorite, red pair. We tucked the shoes in the growing tote bag and were off. The list was yet to be finished. We hunted for book bags. The variety would NOT put Wal-Mart to shame. The only ones I found were at the grab pile. (I think these items came from a Salvation Army type clothing drop. All the bags were used.) Picture my three adorable little girls; they jumped up and down like we had hit a jackpot. They rummaged through the pile until each was beaming. Yassin’s choice was shades of purple, Kumba’s was red, and Ami picked out a teal colored bag.

Yassin consulted her checklist in her head. We were off yet again. Now the real fun part about making these purchases is that each time you buy… you barter the cost. I felt I made good deals on the shoes and sacks, but the owner of the body lotion wanted more than I was willing to part with. So, we walked away. Sometimes that works and other times like today, it doesn’t. (Okay it did for the shoes!)

Our next big stop was a snack, bean sandwiches. They were just what I needed. Fortified we were off to the tailor. That was a fun experience as the girls stood to be measured. The uniforms were delivered today. It was a great trip. I was a little sunburned, managed to pick up potatoes and onions and some apples. Now you ready (this would put Wal-Mart to shame), my grand total for two complete uniforms and material for 3 more pants, three pair of shoes, 3 book bags, 4 1/2pounds of potatoes and 2 pounds of onions, plus sandwiches for four… $26.

Am I a good shopper or what!

Pesky Little Critters....

2007-08-14T19:28:00.000Z

Rainy season brings with it all kinds of fun looking bugs. Some of them are enjoyable... the butterfly, some are annoying: the flying termite and pincher bugs, and some lay you flat out! I caught a cold the other week and while my defenses were down but rebounding... I most likely ingested a nasty bug. I spent the better part of a week in bed. Didn't have much strength to do anything. I called Teresa late one evening to bring me some antibiotics and to get me on the mend. In the past it has only taken a day or so after the antibiotics are started to start feeling better. This time it took a few days longer. I am praising God that I am better and each day I have a bit more strength. I may even try going to Njufen tomorrow.

Thank you for your prayers, they are an encouragement, especially in times like this.

What a Morning!

2007-08-06T11:27:00.000Z

Ever have one of those days? I woke up this morning knowing it was going to be a tough one. My cold isn't better. I set out to do what needed to be done.

The snake has died. I haven't decided what to do with it yet. The neighbors just hate that I have kept it thus far.

In preparation for the return of my coworkers, I called Joanne's houseworker to come clean. Boy, will she be glad I did. Lizard droppings were everywhere. I also started up her refrigerator. Not an easy task. I think the thing wants to die on us. Not good. But after much prayer and many start up attempts, a lot of sweat (that isn't hard to come by here) it finally started! PTL!! I put some water in her frig and freezer so she will have something cold when she gets home. I also measured a space for a bookcase. I had volunteered to do that when I returned last week. Opps, I apologised for my lateness.

Returning to my place to rest a bit, the effects of this cold have sapped my strength, the guard came to my door because someone had brought a siezing child to the gate. Now, everyone knows the clinic is closed. However, not one of our employees were in town to help this little one out. Thankfully, I was able to get a set of keys for the clinic and all though things were put away, I could do some rudimentary assesments for a fitting child and the medications were in the same place they were a year ago. Every thing came back to me. I called one of our drivers to come drive the child and family to Essau, our referal hospital. By the time the driver arrived I had given the child shots to stop the seizure, and for Malaria, the most likely cause. I couldn't check the blood because all the microscopes were packed away and I don't know where they put them. The child was stable when they left and I was able to pray quickly with the grandmother caretaker who is a believer.

Now, I am ready to start my day. : ) Praise God he goes before us!

August Greetings

2007-08-05T17:40:00.000Z

I am having a hard time believing that it is already August 5th. Yet part of me is looking forward to the 7th. I have been the only missionary in NK for the past two weeks. On Tuesday my co workers will be returning. I have enjoyed the time out here by myself. I have spent time with my neighbors and studying the language. I did go into Banjul for a four day trip which turned into five because of the rain. The traveling to and from was fun as I took local transport. I remember sitting in the back of the van thinking... how many people will it take to fill this thing? The answer that day was 29 adults, four children and a baby. We were packed in so tight I had the thought, "no wonder why so many service when these vehicles flip, you are crammed in so tight, there is no place for your body to go." It lead to a prayer for safety.

I was looking for some sweet time with friends this weekend, but I have a cold. Not just an annoyance of a cold, but the kind that knocks ya flat and you can't raise your head. I have managed to stay awake enough to speak to the guards each day. They stop by to make sure I am okay. I definately am not up to a walk in the sun. I have read a little and slept a lot. I think God is giving me a few days rest to rebuild my strength.

Rainy season has arrived full force now. In fact, last night we had a good storm. Watch out for something along the coast say on the 10th of August. The temperatures haven't dropped and the humidity continues to be a bother. As of yet I haven't heard of any houses falling and the farmers are thrilled with the rain for their crops.

I am conducting an experiment with a snake that I found in my house. He has survived without food and water for over three weeks. Scary, if a baby snake can survive that long, what about an adult snake? Ugh, this past Friday another snake braved my house. Also a baby snake. This one is not going to be an experiment. He met with my watchman and a stick. The stick won and the watchman won my deep gratitude. Two snakes in one month is a bit much for me. God is giving me strength to walk through the house. He is giving me peace to sleep at night. I am praying he doesn't bring me another snake.

Another Birthday and Blessed RAIN : )

2007-07-25T16:34:00.000Z

Today is my mom's birthday. So if any of you across the ocean see her, wish her a Happy Birthday for me. I wrote a note when I awoke this morning. I considered doing what they did. My family called me at 1 am my time Tuesday morning. If I got up at six, it would be 2 am there.... nah, I will resist.

I had a nice morning in Njufen. I think I am enjoying my time as the only TUBAAB in NK. It has been quiet, but I have lots of visitors when it isn't raining.

Yes, I have been asking for prayer for rain. IT finally arrived. We have had some very good rains. No reports on houses falling yet and the majority of the peanut crop should survive the drought spell. PTL!!! No real windy storms that cross the ocean and threaten Florida.

I have been asked several times if I am ready to go to the fields to hoe. It isn't done the way I did it when I was a kid. They use a small handled hoe and bend at the waist, straight back and legs. My Body Mechanics nursing instructor whould have a cow.

Have a great day. I am off to study to the sound of rain on coragate. Dinaa janga Olof bu ma degga tow mu daanu ci kow suma sanka. :) It is a kind of relaxing sound, unitl the rain comes down hard, then you can't hear to think.

P.S. Church went well yesterday. I have one or two more weeks on my own.

Life at Ker Tubaab

2007-07-23T23:47:00.000Z

Well, I have survived Day 3 as the only tubaab in Ndungu Kebbeh. I went to the village today to visit with a friend and then had a bunch of visitors this afternoon. The women ask if I am brave to spend the nights here by myself. I tell them I am not alone. I have God and two watchmen.

I thought I would share some of the photos from the other day.

This is my language helper and her visitor is holding my helpers one month old infant. Yes, on day two of teaching me, she gave birth.

Well, I am trying to upload photo number three, but... it might not be working. It is time to hit the sack.

A Gambian Birthday

2007-07-21T11:00:00.000Z

Over the years I have tried to convince people that if you are not in your birth country, you don't have birthdays. No one has bought into this philosophy. Well, I had a birthday yesterday.

Now, the people in The Gambia are just starting to celebrate birthdays. The one having the birthday hosts a party. So, since it was a language day for me... I told my language helper that Friday was my birthday and I would spend the day in her village. She then asked if I was going to bring cake, attaya (national past time beverage), lea (milk that they warm and sweeten) and the music.

Friday morning finally came and I packed up my stuff to head down the road. I came upon on old pa waking along the road, so i asked him where he was headed. He told me he was walking to the village beyond the village I was going. So, I told him I would take him there. It was a nice short drive. When I arrived there I found an old pa who wanted to go to my village, so I said sure, I will take you there. As I passed the village that I study in I thought, they probably think I am not coming. On the way into Kebbeh we drive by a woman walking the road and the man said that she was from his village. So, on my way back by I stopped and picked her up. When I got on the tar road I saw a young woman carrying a baby and an older woman, I asked them where they were going. The younger woman wanted to go to the village just beyond the village I had already been to and was returning to. The older woman wanted to go to the village where I study. So, I had them hop in (I was driving our Toyoto truck, it is a bit high and difficult to get in with a baby on your back). When I dropped the older woman off at Njufen I told the people I saw to tell my teacher I would be back. Then it was off to deliver the other two ladies. Praise the Lord I didn't find anyone else needing a ride to NK. My time as a taxi driver was over... but it was fun. It is always fun to chat with new people.

I finally arrived in Njufen for a day of speaking Wolof and immersing myself in the culture. If you ever want a fun, overwhelming experience, this would be a good time to whip out a camera, (which I did, but I was used to what happened next.) I was mobbed by every kid in the area. Neetal ma! Neetal ma! You had better be quick or every picture you take will have five or more kids sneaking in the background or the foreground. I decided to take a more novel approach and take a individual picture of each child, posed by a post. It was entertaining. Finally, my battery gave out, always a mixed blessing. While seated under the tree with other women and their infants, we drank the tea and milk, conversation flowed. I did bring along a music tape from a workshop in Dakar, Senegal. They enjoyed it. I am going to get some copies made so I can give them as gifts. The young boys were sent of to bathe, it was Friday and 2 PM is the time to go to the Mosque with their fathers, uncles, brothers, etc. At about 2: 20 lunch was served. The men came back from the Mosque and I was invited to sit in a room by myself. I invited others to join me as is the custom. No one did, as is the custom. I actually had two lunches as another friend in that village brought me lunch too.
The lunch served by my language helper’s step daughter in law was called Suupa. It is a sauce made from a tree leaf, with onion, pepper, bouillon, palm oil and fish, served over rice. At first I thought it rather bland, but it was actually very good. The second meal was Yassa. I am not sure all it has in it, but it has mustard, pepper, onion, oil, bouillon and was served with fish again over rice. A visitor to the compound did come in to sit with me. She preferred the second lunch, so waited for me to share that one with her. It all was very tasty.

I had promised to help our clinic driver run an errand around three o’clock. So, shortly after lunch I made my good byes and left. They would have the cake in a few hours, and were looking forward to it.

Arriving back home on time, I looked up our visitor. Teresa had a friend from the states come for two weeks. She was a big help doing odd jobs, a joy to be around and a good source of encouragement for Teresa (me too). I thought she would enjoy going for a ride in the bush. But I found out she had been feeling sick all day. So, I prepared to go with TF. He was going to a village I had never been to before. I went in the house to get some cold water for the trip… and made a discovery… Teresa and Robyn had been busy that morning. They TPd my house! (The gift that keeps giving, as now I have more TP and I was afraid my supply was running low…. How thoughtful of God to provide more in such a exciting fashion.) I had laughed out loud when I made my discovery; TF was waiting outside so I invited him in to see what Teresa had been up to.

I told the guards that I was off to the bush, TF was having a driving test. I enjoy picking on TF. Don’t worry… he teases back. His driving was great, now unfortunately my camera was back home recharging. YOU would not believe the roads. It was fun; there was free standing water in puddles that almost made it into the interior of the truck as we drove through. When we arrived at his destination, we got out and greeted those around us, then went to find his business friend. I followed and was included in some conversation. The man asked his daughter to call his wife and I went with her to the house while the men conducted their business. We had a great talk. TF came in later and told the woman that I could chat with anyone. I was praising God because I forgot to ask TF if this was a Wolof village, since it was I could communicate. I made a new friend. When we left, I was invited to return again (I will wait until after the rains are over and the roads are better.) On the way home God blessed us with sightings that make bush travel fun. We saw monkeys, monkeys with babies and beautiful birds. TF told me to be sure to tell Robyn what she missed.

Friday on our compound has become Pizza night and a movie. It started as one famliy’s usual evening family time, grew to include some of the singles and when they left…. Teresa kept it up to keep in touch with the others on the compound. Who can resist a meal you don’t have to prepare and entertainment. I baked a cake (Jean had left behind a Devil’s food cake mix, so I have a special treat for my birthday.) Robyn was still feeling rough but was able to join in on the activities. All in all my birthday was a great day! Thank you Lord.

The Rewards

2007-07-14T22:22:00.000Z

This morning I awoke knowing it was going to be a full day. Now, 13 hours later, I think how could I have fit anything more into this day? It was a highlight kind of day. I had told friends of mine from a neighboring village hatt I would pick them up this morning and we would go to the market to buy the things we would need for them to teach me to cook lunch. They would spend the day here and women from NK would come and share some of the day with us.

The shopping experience was a blast. I know now where to buy the best palm oil. I bought cow meat at the open market (2 kilos came complete with some stomach... Yumm?)

We finally started lunch around 1 pm. We worked together... at about 4:30 it was finally ready to eat. It was well worth the wait. Besides talking, we enjoyed listening to some music and watching part of the Jesus film. We had some Attaya (strong tea with sugar) before and after lunch. We also had some warm, sweetened evaporated milk. Which is really tasty. (truely it is) About 7 pm we packed up all the leftovers and I was able to drive my friends back home.

I returned to a semi dirty house. I have swept and mopped the floors. The dishes are awaiting my attention and tomorrow I will have to clean the big cooking pots that are in my backyard. Sorry I forget to get any pictures. My final reward will be a nice cold shower. I will try not to think about a nice warm one.

We did have the pleasure of having a guest from America and we oriented her to Wolof cooking. It is a tough job! Any time you want to experience it... just let me know!

Please pray for rain. As we drove through the bush we passed fields were the tender young peanut crop was beginning to dry up. So far this rainy season, it has rained three times in Ndungu Kebbeh.

Thanks so much!

God's Amazing Provisions

2007-07-13T18:03:00.000Z

Have you ever been bowled over by God's amazing provisions?

Let me share my week with you.... It has been a truely amazing week as I sit back and reflect on what God has accomplished.

Teresa went to Banjul over the weekend to get supplies and meet her friend Robin. The van that she was driving developed clutch problems. (Praise the Lord it was on the right side of the river for that kind of problem.) Our truck was in Banjul waiting to be brought out here, so Teresa had access to a car immediately.

Jean was able to get packed up and headed home (she should be in Dunkirk by now... say hi to everyone there for me). She was feeling strong when she left and not worn to a frazzle.

I awoke from my mid day siesta (not what it is called here.... but you all know what I mean) because I had neighbors sitting outside my window waiting to visit with me. The story I heard was not a good one. My namesake's grandson fell out of a tree and landed on his head. Okay, scarey enough if you live in America the land of advance life support. But this is The Gambia. God provided in that Teresa was able to hop in the ambulance, find the boy, find one of our treaters and then find the driver to have MM driven to the referal hospital. Upon arrival there, our driver, who is not allowed to drive the vehicle across to the city hospital, was told the ambulance for the referal hospital was in the bush. Thankfully the boys father had a mobile phone, he called NK, his son ran here to find Teresa and ask if our driver could take the car across. By the time they reached the city hospital (the referal hospital is 30 minutes from here and the city hospital is a ferry ride away, you can count on it taking an hour) MM was talking and able to walk out of the ambulace. He was checked over briefly and returned home the next day. We are praising God for sparing this young man's life.

Then last night... I received a phone call. I know you think so what. I think my phone has only rang twice in the two months I have been back. It should have rung more, but I had it unplugged (sorry mom and dad). Well the phone call was from the States and from a yong lady who spent three months here a few years ago. She is currently at ABWE's candidate class. She called to let me know that God has given her perfect peace... she is joining our team! What an answer to prayer! Sarah is a delight... she actually said, "mom, I am coming home!" Please continue to pray for the Lord to provide more missionaries for the work here.

Today, there was another request by a man to hear more about the true reason we are here. We praise the Lord for these opportunities. We truely feel the need to have committed men to come and invest in the lives of these men.

I trust you can see amazing provisions of God in your lives.

A Different Kind of Day

2007-07-10T20:11:00.000Z

I awoke this morning not to the sound of my alarm clock. But to the gently sound of wind and water drops on coragate. I was so excited! Rain! I jumped out of bed to close my windows so I could go back to sleep without worry. Unfortunately the rain didn't amount to much. It kind of sprinkled on and off until 9 am. Now, what is interesting is that the people of the Gambia do not go out when it is raining (a general statement). So, your employees may not show up until after the rain stops. I was going to walk to Njufen, but I had to wait for the rain to stop, very culturally appropriate. When Jean brought me the keys to the ambulance. She wasn't going into Banjul after all this morning. I could drive to Njufen.

I arrived and stunned my language helper. I was on time in the rain! I came. She wasn't expecting me to come. So, we had a good morning and I was assisting with the lunch prep when a village elder came to the door. He was shocked to see me at the pounding pot. It was worth it just to see his face. He came to ask a favor of me. A woman had died a fair distance away. Would I consider driving the ambulance full of people to her funeral? Typical American response... I wasn't dressed for a funeral. But the co wife of my language helper loaned me what I needed and we were off. I told them I had to be back to my village by 5pm. (Church is at 5:30 pm) As I was sitting in the house with the women, I was struck by the emptiness of their rout prayers. It was a reaffirming time for me. There is nothing like a Gambian funeral to make you appreciate God's great gift.

I returned to Njufen with more people than I went with. I found lunch was ready and those left behind had already eaten. It was my favorite dish, cew diltiir. Fish with a sauce of pepper, onions, tomatoes, boullion, hot pepper served over rice. YUMM!!

I made it home at 5 pm, grabbed a quick shower and it was off to church. I enjoyed the service. I was more than a bit nervous with leading it in Wolof. But we serve a loving God who is willing to forgive my language blunders. He knows the intents of my heart.

What a great day. 10.5 hours of language time. Tomorrow I will head to the clinic in the morning to do the Bible story presentation and prayer.

Thanks for your prayers!

Friends in KOM

2007-07-09T12:08:00.000Z

Many of you have asked how J, my friend whose child died before I returned to the US, is doing. I was finally able to spend the day with her the other day. They have a five month old infant daughter. She is growing like a weed. J is doing well. Her husband was on a trip when I first returned, but he has returned and is back to work.

This coming weekend I plan on spending the day with the women from KOM. We will go to the market and then cook lunch, one Wolof and one American and share lunch, tea and then milk. I am looking forward to this time together.

A Most Unwelcome Visitor

2007-07-07T00:25:00.000Z

Well, tonight was pizza and a movie night. A few years ago we started out with Friday night game night. It has evolved over the years and the Lippy family turned it into Pizza and a movie night. Teresa kept up the tradition for the four ladies last year. Tonight I hosted as Teresa is heading to Banjul and was out of some of the needed ingredients. We watched a favorite film of Jean's as she is preparing to return to America for her furlough.

It was what came after the movie. I decided to return my house to order before going to bed. I saw something in a dark area of the room coiled up near the table leg. On closer inspection it was a 12 inch baby snake! GROSS!! ICK!!! YUCK!!! You name it, it was in my house and didn't belong there. I called my two comrades in arms... as those of you that know me well can imagine I didn't want to go any where near it... baby or not. Teresa and Jean traped it into a container. PTL! I have it outside the house... to show other little and big snakes what will happen if they come near my house. Pray we (our watchmen, that is) catch/kill the big black snake that is rooming the compound.

Pray I can sleep tonight and the nights to come. I may need to find a pair of snake shoes in Banjul. (Something safer than a flip-flop.)

New Jobs

2007-07-04T01:17:00.000Z

One thing I learned pretty early on in my missionary career is that I would find myself facing the challenge of having a job I never dreamed I would have the responsibility of. Being stretched beyond one's biggest dreams in all areas of life. Being a boss took a bit of getting used too. I was never a boss in my own culture and suddenly I was on ein a culture I was just learning. Thankfully it was in the clinic. I then found myself doing plumbing and auto maintenance and generator maintenance. Now, once again I face a daunting new task. I am the new boss of the compound employees. We have three men that work for the compound doing all sorts of odd jobs. A major part of my job will be giving them their job assignment. This year looks pretty painful as there are soakaways to dig, a garbage pit to dig and buildings to white wash. However, first we have to make it through the rains. That is if it rains again. We have only had two rain falls in the month of June. The peanuts are planted and growing, but desperately need water to flourish. Pray for me and this new adventure... pray for the men. Change is a very hard thing to accept even when you are exposed often.

Babies

2007-07-01T22:44:00.001Z

The saying that all babies are cute is not something an experienced pediatric nurse would agree to. But all babies do have something about them that pulls at ones' heart strings. When a baby is born here in The Gambia a week passes before the infant is given their name. There is a ceremony and party given in the childs honor. Last Wednesday when I showed up at my tutor's home she told me her child had arrived 6 hours previously. We had a fun week together, not a lot of teaching time with her, but her mom and friend assisted me and we would talk. The day of the naming ceremony was this past Wednesday. I had planned to show up early so I could help. god had other plans. As I was getting dressed (in a nicer outfit than everyday wear) a neighbor gal came to my door to ask me to drive a man that couldn't walk out to the tar road so he could wait for a car to carry him home. I agreed as I was heading out that way in a vehicle anyway. I later discovered that the man lived about 8 miles away and it was the day taxis weren't going his way. So, I decided to drive all the way to his place. They (he and his siser) were very appreciative and I was able to share God's love with them.

Then it was onto the party. I delivered my gifts... cake, tea, milk, sugar, mints (the baby gift was given a few days previously) and greeted the people and the infant.

Our Literacy Department had an End of the School Year Program that morning also. So, I made my excuses stating I would return and I was off to the program. I was in time to hear the village leaders and the village basic school principal give their speaches.

I return to the ngenti at 12pm. Just as they were dishing up breakfast. A peanut and millet dish that resembles oatmeal and is served with sugar and sour milk. It is really very tasty. : )

I spent the day at the ngenti, talking and sharing in the festivities, drove the father to NK to shop for things for their lunch and even helped pick the rice.

I returned home for a shower, nap and change of clothes before returning to the ngenti once more. It was a long, but good day.

I made it home in time to grab another shower before prayer meeting, which was at my house. prayer meeting is a combination business meeting, haven't seen you in a while so lets get caught up and prayer. It lasts several hours, this is a good thing. Prayer, fellowship and encouragement all rolled into one.

Shoes

2007-07-01T13:50:00.000Z

When I first started this blog, I thought it would be a great way for you to walk in my shoes. Well, this week, you wouldn’t have wanted to walk in my literal shoe.

The shoe of choice here in The Gambia is the Flip-Flop. We try to encourage our compound workers and guards that they need a shoe with more protection. This encouragement comes in the way of a monetary amount so they can go out and buy a decent pair of shoes. What do I mean by decent? Something to protect you from things that crawl in sand, or may I say slither… I think you get the idea.

After a pretty busy week, I decided it was time to leave the van at home and start walking to Njufen. It is a little over a mile away. I had all my stuff for studying in a bag, along with my water bottle. I grabbed an umbrella for sun screen, donned my flip-flops and I was off. There is a saying I hear quite frequently but had never experienced. That is, “my shoe is cut”. Meaning, their only pair of flip-flops has broken. Friday, I experienced it. Half way to Njufen I felt my flip-flop flop and it brought with it a lot of hot sand. I thought to myself, what should I do? I decided if I returned to the house and donned another pair of shoes, I would be really late. I tried dragging the shoe, but that didn’t work. So, I carried the broken one and continued on my way. When I arrived, the people were shocked to see I had walked there with a bare foot. I later learned what they would have done; that is to carry both shoes. I explained that the sand was too hot and full of too many stones for my tender American feet. There was the discussion that I should call someone to come get me. I said no thank you. Then since it was even hotter when I went to leave the suggestion was made that I stay until morning when it would be cooler. The answer to my prayer came in the assistance of my language helper’s husband. He sewed my shoe together so I could walk home.

BUGS

2007-06-20T16:07:00.001Z

The first really good rain of the season has arrived. The first good rain brings out my favorite bug.

You may ask, why is this cute little critter my favorite bug?

It looks fuzzy. But best of all... it doesn't bite!

They vary in size, but are a pretty small bug.

In a few days they will be gone again until next year.

I was brave and checked it out, they are soft shelled.

Aren't they just too cute!
Okay, they beat centipedes (we are getting tired of killing the babies.... but the big ones are still in hiding), scorpions, pincher bugs and spiders hands down.

It is GOOD to be back!

2007-06-18T23:04:00.000Z

Today, I felt as if I was "Back in the saddle again." I woke up feeling energized, the first in a long time. Today, I wsa going to start studying Wolof again. There are so many words I have forgotten and my conversation must be like that of a two year old, okay, three year old. : )

After a quick breakfast, I doned my Gambian outfit complete with the shaw (for sunscreen). I was out the door. I had one visitor already and as I was leaving our compound my namesake stopped to ask me for bug spray. She was getting eaten alive at night and not liking it. So, I walked back to my house to get her a can of spray. Then I was off the compound! The day watchman asked me if I was really going this time.

I headed across the street to greet the man that owns the little shop. He carries a few of the basics: bread, flip-flops, tea, sugar, caned milk, caned sardines, etc. Before I returned to America, he was selling flour. But when my girlfriend left for Liberia and with me heading to America, he lost his biggest buyers of flour and really can't afford to carry it now. I will just have to get that in town. Not a big hassel.

I headed down the road to visit a friend that comes every Monday afternoon. I have yet to go to her place. She sells breakfast in the morning. I wanted to suprise her. As I was walking to town I greeted those I met along the way. I had to pass the compound of my namesake's daughter, so I stopped by to say hello. It was a good time of conversation. Her daughter in law's baby died last rainy season and the daughter in law was in the hospital with an illness two months ago. We had much to talk about.
Promising to return some day soo, I was on my way to find my friend. She told me she sold under the Mango tree by the machine. Well, I found the machine and the two mango trees near it... but not my friend. I headed down the street and came across another woman I know. After talking with her for some time, I asked about my friend. Yes, she sells under the tree by the machine. I passed by the road again, no one was under the trees. So, I went to see my language supervisor about meeting my language helper (tutor).
On my way to the office, I passed three women doing their laundry under a tree. There was a nice breeze and they were shaded, it is hot, hard work. They asked me for the fixings for the tea they drink here. I didn't have any with me and asked to be forgiven until another day.
Joanne was able to take me to the next village to meet with a woman who works with the literacy staff and could possibly tutor me. I was so glad to get in the car - air conditioning! Joanne wanted to make a stop at the library on our way out of town. She turned a block early, for a minute I was confused as to which village she was taking me. When I guestioned her, she laughed, she was just going around the block so she could talk to her employee and not have to pull the car in or turn around. (There is not a lot of traffic out here.) Then we were off.
Njuffen is a nice small village. I should have a great time. It is about 1.5 miles from here. A nice walk in the AM and it will be a hot return. I have to add a big umbrella to my shopping list.
I returned home to shower, lunch and nap in that order. I had visitors at my door by four. They left around eight. Then the four of us gals got chatting outside. I came in around 9:45. Had dinner and now, I have a bit more language stuff to do before I can head to Njuffen in the morning. Oh, there is lots to do.
Most embarassing part of the day occured as I was saying good bye to my last Gambian guest this evening. We had been sitting at the gate to our compound and when I stood up my wrap around skirt, slipped. Praise the Lord my top came to my knees and I knew what was happening. That could have been a VERY embarassing moment.
Have a great one.
Ma ngee janga Olof.

It is Raining!

2007-06-13T23:23:00.000Z

Yes, the first significant rain of the season has just started. It isn't pouring, just a nice gentle rain. The smell of sand/dirt is in the air, the temperature is a little cooler than it has been. There is the faint sound of thunder in the distance. I am not sure how long this rain will last, but it has been a good 10 minutes so far. PTL. The men will be headed out to the field to plant the peanuts. I was told by a friend that I was goin to be going to the field with her to help hoe when the time comes. Sounds like hot work to me.

By the way, the refrigerator is working! Thank you Lord.

The Rains are Coming!

2007-06-11T01:23:00.000Z

Yea, the rains are coming. Why is it that I know they are on their way? Well, in The Gambia we only see rain June- October. It rains very little in June, a little more in July. There is a pretty good rainfall in August, decreasing into September and then comes October when it is hot, humid and we pray for rain to bring relief, but it doesn’t usually come.
I was doing my devotions today and I was reading about how nature gives Glory to God. I was asked to think about my favorite thing in nature that gives glory to God or reveals His power. I immediately thought of the Flame Tree. I don’t know its scientific name. But it is a tree that has a fern type leaf. After months of no rain or water, just before the rains come, beautiful bright red flowers spring forth. I had a huge one in my back yard when I moved to The Gambia. Termites killed the tree and now, in its place is a two year old little tree. I wondered and wondered if it would flower. The other day I was blessed to see the power of God as two little blooms came out.
There are other signs that the rains are coming. The humidity is something. I sit here at my computer in the middle of the day and the sweat drips off my elbows. It is rather disgusting. I have learned to keep a hand towel near by when writing. Computers with speakers near where you rest your hands have been known to rust.
Another sign of incoming rain is the increase in bugs. Yup, insects. I was watching a DVD last night. I had no other lights on, just the laptop screen. When all of a sudden I was dive bombed by a beetle. When I was growing up in New York, we had these beetles we called June bugs. I am not sure if they are more prevalent in June or not but picture a June bug on steroids. They are bigger here. I took great pleasure in killing June bug 1 and 2. I hate to be dive bombed. There you are sitting in the dark and WHACK! You jump up thinking “who did that?” Then you realize you are alone. Not a good thing; but if it could be witnessed, kind of funny.
This is the beginning of the increase of Mosquitoes. They are also not my friends, mainly because they like to bite me too much. It is hard to get even with a mosquito. In the states you hear them coming, but not the ones that carry Malaria. They don’t have the decency to buzz. No warnings, you just start itching. Bednets, bug spray, and avoiding being outside at dusk and dawn are good precautions.
Another subtle evidence of coming rain is the change of the night song. I go to bed each night listening to the crickets, bats, occasional donkey, hyena, or jackal. Soon the sound of frogs will be added. It reminds me of the plagues in the Old Testament. Frogs are everywhere. I watched a cat the first year I was here. I left his water and food bowl outside, no need to encourage rodents to visit my house. Well, each morning I would have to poor the frogs out of the water dish. How many frogs can an old enamel coffee mug hold. I think 7 was my highest count. UGH!

Last night, I was given the opportunity to put on my maintenance hat. Joanne's refrigerator has been giving her some grief. The freezer is doing its job, but the refrigerator section hasn't been cooling. It ran out of gas yesturday, so Joanne changed the gad bottle, changed the regulator and discovered a new problem. It wouldn't light. So, she aske if I could come over and change the thermal coupling. I was able to figure that out. (Impressive I know, but it would be even better if I knew how it all worked.) But the refrigerator still won't stay lit. So if you have any ideas on how to fix this problem. Let me know.

This week I will be wearing the electrician hat as I have to change out the 1500 watt inverter in my place. I have been given email guidelines, that include advice such as "do not let those two cables touch or Boom! My batteries will be fried. I am not sure what day I plan to have this fun. I am plannign on doing some touch up painting and a lot more visiting. I will also be getting organized for my return to language study. Saturday I will head to Banjul, time for more supplies already. It would be a great trip if it wasn't for the ferry.

Thanks for praying.

Here are a few pics for you.....

Passing a ferry while on a ferry.

Much of my afternoons are spenting visting with friends from the village.

2007-06-04T21:50:00.000Z

I am settled! I have unpacked the last box, bag, suitcase, etc. I thought I would let you get a glimpse of my new floor. It is so beautiful. A big thank you to TED, and the guys. I do love it. Especially now that I can see it.

I am having a bit of trouble with my electricity and my computer still likes to crash when it likes. So this will be short today.

I had a great day on Saturday. I went to the Luuma, market, in town. I had a good time greeting everyone and catching up on events in the village. People were so glad to see me back but not thrilled to hear that I am going to take a few (13) weeks to work on refreshing and improving my Wolof. Please continue to pray for the clinic ministry and it's testimony to the villages it serves.

After the Luuma, I took 13 kids to the shore. I had to turn about 8 away. I can't watch that many. It was an experience. The kids (2-19 in age) had a great time in the van, calling out to those they knew along the way. It is a 15 mile drive that takes about 25 minutes. But when I arrived at the shore I was approached by a soldier. He questioned me on what was I doing there and hadn't I heard that he was there. That people were there now. It was a wierd conversation and looking back on it last night, I came to this conclusion. In January, the military took over a landmark fort left by the Portuegese in the 1400s. They are now using it as a barracks and my favorite shore spot is too close to the fort. I may need to find a new place.

The ride home was full of teasing. I was pulled over at a check point simply because the immigration officer was from our village and he wanted to tease the gals. I then picked up some passengers headed to our village and became a local taxi. I had 20 people and all manner of baggage (no animals though). I even made stops on the way. At my first stop I not only dropped off a passenger, I picked one up. It was a little snug but such fun. The best thing... no tire blow outs! Praise the Lord.

Have a great one, more later.

2007-05-27T17:17:00.000Z

I trust that you are having a wonderful Sunday.

It has been a quiet weekend for me. I am trying to get my things all settled. I have found that in the middle of the day, 2-5 pm, I am not worth much. This is the hottest time of day. I was watching the thermometer in my house today. It topped off at about 92 degrees and 43% humidity. That just means it feels like 93 degrees today. There is no breeze, occassionally a hot gust of wind comes from the northeast (the desert). At around 5 pm the winds change and a cooler breeze comes from the ocean. It will drop to the mid 80s. Yes, you can tell the difference and you appreciate it.

I went to church. It was just the four of us missionary gals. The Gambian that comes to church has been on a trip for two months. His wife is getting a little worried as she has no way to pay the rent and no food. Our service was in English. We sang a few of our favorite hymns, accapella of course. The gals have been watching a series put out by Focus On The Family. Walk Where Jesus Walked. Today's lesson was about the passion of Elijah in living his life for Christ. Last week, while in Banjul the message was on the God's attribute: Unchangeable. There sure have been a lot of changes here in the 12 months I was gone. It is reassuring to know that God doesn't and won't change.

After church, I had the pleasure (?) of changing the gas bottle on my stove. I had a new one put on just 11 days ago. Usually the stove bottle lasts for 5-6 weeks. So, I had to do some investigating and try a new regulator, but that didn't fit the bottle. So I refitted the old regulator with the new ones' seals. The stove is up and running and there is no scent of Butane, but I haven't noticed a smell all week.

I made French Toast casserole yesterday. I left some local bread out over night... it was almost impossible to cut it into usable size pieces for the casserole. I cooked it today, after I got the butane situated. Then since I haven't made any Maple Flavored syrup. (lots of sugar and a little bit of flavoring... not that good stuff you all can get). I diced up some Mangos and made a sauce. It was very tasty.

I will have a busy week as my house helper, Jogab, went on a trip. I will get to do all the fun stuff (sweep, mop, put the kitchen to order and laundry), okay I am praying I find someone willing to do my laundry. Jogab will be back next week. I hope to be done settling in by then.

My language skills are improving. I will be going to a near by village every day to refresh and improve my Wolof. Pray for Teresa as she will be alone in the clinic until I finish the refresher (13 weeks).

Have a great week. Thanks for your prayers...
Maybe the next posting will have a photo or two.... I have to find my camera. : )

2007-05-24T12:57:00.000Z

My first week back in the country was unique.

I left the guesthouse Monday morning to head to Ndungu Kebbeh. Nola Tucker and Abby came along to get some school books for Abby. We had a short wait at the outside of the ferry terminal. Nola had to elbow her way in the ticket line. Once inside the gates, my friends... known as the sellers, were thrilled to see me back. One woman even greeted me with a kiss on each cheek. She shocked me when she followed it up with a kiss on the lips. Way too much culture there! I greeted the rest of the women and even bought a few dresses for Ted's mother. Ted was in the country with a team of men (Gary, Byron and Darryl) doing some badly needed maintenance work. They were able to oversee tile work in my house. It will look so nice when I actually get settled. Thank you guys! Thanks Ted. At the terminal we were asked ot carry a ferry worker and her mother to a village on our path. I agreed knowing that meant I would get on the next ferry. So, we were off. It was an uneventful trip on the north bank until about 12 kilometers from home. The front driver side tire blew out. Praise God I was able to keep the van upright and get it off to the side of the road. We are also very thankful for the young Gambian man who passed us and stopped to help. What a blessing he was, we were delayed just 10 minutes.

I was able to greet a few of my friends, the few days I was in NK. I returned to the capitol for meetings on Friday. I stayed to do some shopping and spend some time with our teams only MK, Abby. We had a blast at the pool, beach and lunch... too bad we both forgot the sunscreen. Opps! I was told I was too white last week at the ferry, this week they will tell me I am too red.

I was all set and left for the ferry around 10 this am. When I arrived, they told me that the ferry was not sending cars across as the president was going to cross today. So, I am spending another night in the captitol. Pray for a good crossing tomorrow. There is never a dull moment here.

I do have my computer set for email, however our phone ines are not working properly in the bush. We will see. Thank you for your prayers.

Oh yeah, big news.... Miss Black USA is being held here in the Gambia over the next two weeks.

2007-05-13T15:34:00.000Z

I have arrived! All flights were on time and arrivals were a little early. All four of my bags were under the weight limit and they all arrived with me. I am not sure all items arrived. I decided to leave them in the van until I arrived in Ndungu Kebbeh tomorrow. Last night I had dinner with The Robison's and then started the process of grocery shopping. I didn't forget how to drive standard.

Today was church and then out to eat with some friends. (the Tucker's and Rog's). Tomorrow I head to NK. Nola T and Abby will be going with me to spend the day in NK. I am ready to go. It already seems like I wasn't gone long.

Thanks for your prayers. I hear my floor is looking good.

Departing

2007-05-11T16:47:00.000Z

Wow, where did the time go? I am now past security awaiting my plane's boarding call. I have a bit of time as I allowed time to go through security and didn't need it. I have some medication that needs to be kept cold, that went through without even having to have the label read. Praise God.

I was able to talk with my brother this morning. My sister came down to Florida with Jessica to see me off, and pick up a car. Hmm, what exactly was the attraction? It was great to see them again as always and I am glad they are there for my mom and dad tonight.

The last 36 hours were filled with weighing bags and reweighing bags. It was such a job! I had 3 unused pounds. : ) Too bad I didn't bring those items I took out to make room on the home scale. They won't really be missed.

I have 24 hours of travel or layovers before I arrive in Banjul. It should be a long day. I have heard that the work crew is at work out in Ndungu Kebbeh and that my house is half tiled. The phone lines are down out in NK, so no emails. That makes the transition a bit harder, but if you remember back to when I first arrived in The Gambia, my phone was out for six weeks. I am not sure what the problem is this time. I will send updates when I hear something.

Thank you for your prayers.

Packing up

2007-05-06T19:58:00.000Z

The time has come to pack up.

I am struggling with trying to figure out what can go and what will have to stay behind.

I am taking an extra bag, so that will bring the weight limit up to 150 pounds. My first bag weighs 52, wishing hasn't made the items lighter. I will have to do some creative playing.

I have just a few more days to figure it all out, I am praying I can have most of it all done by Monday.

2007-05-03T18:54:00.000Z

Computer Challenges 2 Surgeries Family & Friends

25,000 Miles Representing The Gambia

Wow furlough has been something! I am sure many of you have been wondering where have I been? It has been some month. I left Florida in March and returned the last week of April. I traveled north (Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia). I was able to catch up with a lot of friends and make new ones. One of the highlights of this trip was meeting the children of friends. I had such a good time getting to know these kids. It was funny to see their faces when I told them, “see you when you are, wait… how old did you say you are? See you when you are (four-five years older).” Their jaws dropped and their eyes popped out! That was going to be a long time.
While traveling, I picked up a nasty case of Bronchitis. I have been on medications of one form or another since the 9th of April. A long time I know; I have been sick since the 19th of March. My dear mother has a saying, I can’t return to The Gambia until I am better. I, however, have ticket in hand! (And I am feeling much better.)
I did have the opportunity to share about The Gambia with several perspective missionaries. I was also able to present at many churches and see many of the individuals that support my ministry in The Gambia.
The words above represent much of my furlough and how generous God has been to me. I praise Him for a computer (whether it works perfectly or not) as I can communicate with you all. My surgeries went well and I have noticed much improvement in each hand. My neck hasn’t bothered me (if I keep my driving hours down…less than 12 hours behind the wheel.) I will take back my cervical therapy gear as a preventative.
This furlough I had the joy of celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of my parents. My brother and his family, sister and her family and I hosted a party for my parents in New York State. All of their children and grandchildren were present. It was great to see so many friends and relations, many of whom I haven’t seen since childhood.
I mentioned that God had provided a car for me for furlough. My brother and sister assisted me in obtaining it. I have driven more than 25,000 miles and I praise God for the safety He has given me. I am looking forward to no more snowstorms. I drove through three; I was definitely the co-pilot those days.
I have obtained my ticket to return to The Gambia and my visa. I wasn’t able to send an email out at that time, I would like to thank those of you who knew and were praying. All the paper work came through with out any problems. My biggest concern was my ticket. The Gambia has a rule that Americans need to have round trip tickets; this is because America has a similar rule for Gambians. I didn’t want to purchase a round trip ticket that I knew I wouldn’t be able to use. God paved the way for me to be able to get the visa and a letter, and cell phone number to make a round trip ticket unnecessary. That is a phone number I am holding on to!
I am looking forward to my return. I have to pack up my belongings. I think I have most of what I want to take with me set aside. The actual packing is a bit more challenging as airlines have changed the weight allowance. I am already planning on taking an extra bag. My mother walks by my room and tells me, it will never make it into three bags. Pray, I am not sure what will fit. I still need to add clothes. PTL I wear mostly Gambian clothing.

Thank you for your prayers and your encouragement and financial support. I really would not be able to do this without each of you. I am excited to go back and I am looking forward to what God has in store for me in the months a head. I heard from Ndungu Kebbeh the other day and I know that many of my friends and staff are counting the days until I return. I heard that my fellow missionaries are waiting for my return too.

My return to The Gambia and the trouble with my computer this furlough has me thinking on how I can keep the ministry before you. I will continue to write my prayer letters and send email updates. I have also been learning how to Blog. For those of you with a computer, you will be able to check out my blog site any time for updates on life in The Gambia. Simply type in suelleninthegambia.blogspot.com note there is no www. I cheated and used a template, I can’t erase the subscribe line, but it isn’t mine.

Praise:
God’s goodness and mercy
Opportunites to share about the Wolof people and the work God has given me among them
Obtained Visa and airline Ticket
Safety on the road

Prayer Requests:
Packing up and saying see ya later (pray for my parents, it is difficult to see your child leave for four years)
I fly out of Tampa on May 11th at 1:30 pm and arrive in The Gambia 24 hours later.

Your Partner in The Gambia,

Suellen Black
ABWE
Ephesians 6:19-20

2007-04-21T21:32:00.000Z

Heading Out

2007-04-14T03:14:00.000Z

Well, here it is late Friday night. I am on the way to Farmington in the morning.

Praises!!! I have my computer back!
I made Benecin tonight for Kevin and Beth and their mothers. It was SO YUMMY!!!

Prayer: I have Bronchitis that is not resolving, and was started on antibiotics today.
There is a Nor Easterner coming in and I have to drive south East. ugh!

My First Blog

2007-04-11T14:53:00.000Z

I am new at this technology stuff. My goal in opening a blog site is to be able to inform my friends, prayer partners and family about the happenings in The Gambia.

I am currently in New York, for about 5 more days. I will then be heading south and leaving for The Gambia in May. I am so excited that I will be returning. My surgery has gone well and both hadns seem to be recovering well. I am building strength and have had no further pain. Praise the Lord.

I have had a cold since my arrival in New York on March 19th. I finally made it to the Dr. I have bronchititis. I don't think anyone is suprised. I am on some medication and at times I think I am improving.

In preparartion for my return to The Gambia, I have made the final rounds visiting some of my supporting churches, especially in my home area. FBC- Dunkirk, Cherry Creek First Baptist Church and Webster Bible Church. I have a few more presentations to doone in Farmington, New York this Sunday and One in Florida onthe 29th.

I have also made the rounds with the doctor, Travel Immunization Clinic, and dentist. That last one was a killer as I had to have an unexpected root canal and crown. God is supplying for my unexpected needs in unexpected ways. He is so good at that.

One area that continues to be a concern for me is my laptop. My computer is such a vital part of communicating with you all. I purchased a new laptop in August of 2006 and have had a series of problems with it. I think they are finally resolved. A friend (computer guru Steve) is checking it out for me. It has been a long 7 months with it in ond out of the repair shops. I would like to be able to rely on it before I head across the Atlantic.

Thanks for reading and thank you for praying.