just another African day

My friend Stella went into labor today. We've been expecting the baby to come any day now and I had told Stella to let us know when so we could try to get her to the hospital quickly. It turns out that last night she walked to the hospital with her 2-year old because he was sick, he needed some medicine or what they call here 'treatment'. The walk to the hospital is about 3km. Then, she slept at the hospital with him over night since he was still getting treatment - usually this means sleeping on the ground. At 4am she started to have contractions & later in the morning went to the maternity ward. They wouldn't have her in yet that soon - I guess she wasn't close enough yet. So, at 11am she walked home with her son - another 3 km. At 2pm she came to our base & asked for a ride. I saw her & asked how she was, she said - 'not so fine'. And other than some grunts & grimaces, that was the extent of her expressing the pain she was in. I think her contractions were about 5 minutes apart at this point. I can't quite describe the hospital experience - big idea is few staff, major neglect of patients, and a scary sanitary environment.

I sat with Stella for about an hour. Her contractions got worse & all I could do was watch her pain zap her energy. No epidural & no pitocin here, ladies. Did I mention she hadn't eaten anything in the past day? There wasn't more for me to do, so I left her, promising to be back in a few hours. Her cousin was there with her to help. In these hospitals you have to provide everything for yourself - bedding, food, any time of bedside care. Trace & I went back about 3 hours later & here was Stella & her baby girl! Amazing woman, darling child. We're so thankful for their health & for grace that in such conditions a woman can endure such pain! Wow, I'm in awe of what these african women can endure!

Welcome baby Joanna! We're so glad you're here!!!

sunny afternoon rain

Ever notice how difficult it is to capture moments? Pictures just never cut it, at least my amateur tries. Plus I may miss the moment while trying to capture it. So when a moment seems special, unique and I desire to capture it, but am certain a photo will just not happen, I turn to my senses. I try to experience the moment with every part of me, that I can keep those experiences with me for years to come (hopefully). Today it was a sunny afternoon rain. Here are my observations…

I see…
Sunshine breaking through some gray clouds…
Rain drops falling, lit by the sun beams…
Drops of water glistening on blossoms and green grass…
Lushness, life in the vibrant afternoon colors of blue, green and magenta…
Steady lines of excess water dripping from the porch’s tilted roof before me…

I smell…
The mustiness of rain moistening the dry ground…
Wet grass, crisp…

I hear…
Tat, tat, tat on the tin roof…
Thump, thu-thump, thump on the earthen ground…
Birds singing in the midst of the fresh rain…

I feel…
A gentle mist of cool rain hitting my skin as the wind blows my direction…
A bit chilled in the otherwise warm afternoon…

I taste…
Nothing, luckily – the rain isn’t great to drink…

I am…
Enjoying every second of these moments…

Ramdom pics 2

Zambia

Guys this is going to be place to look for updates on my upcoming Zambian trip! In the 2nd week of August i'll be going to The CopperBelt Province of Zambia to take part in the Life Mission with an organisation called www.dignityonline.org.uk. I'll be over for 6 weeks. More info soon........

Ultimate anyone?

I’ve tossed the frisbee around a few times with some of the kids who live around our ‘neighborhood’ in an empty lot outside our base. Today I walked out with the frisbee in hopes of finding some kids who wanted to play – ok more like in knowing there’d be a few around with nothing more exciting than to play with the mzungu! At least they do know my name, though they pronounce it ‘shonny’! It’s endearing…

But today, a few came out & then a few of the ladies that I know from across the road came over as well. They’ve never been that bold before, at least while sober, to initiate a game. It was a lot of fun – I don’t think they’ve ever played with a frisbee before, but they sure could throw it well! I think I might have just found my ultimate team!

Rain!

Celebrating the rain - people are digging, aka plowing & planting maize, beans, sorgum - pray that the rains continue (they are already a month late!) and that there is a harvest this fall!

food shortage, subsidies, biofuel...

I will never be a wiz at economics, especially global economics. That's why my head is reeling as I read articles and updates about this week's Global Conference on Food Security which is being held in Rome. The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization have called this meeting as they say we are facing issues with rising food prices globally & therefore a huge problem for those in developing countries - the inability to afford sustenance.

Never has this issue been such a reality than now to me. I'm living among a society of impoverished people - and hunger is real. Starvation is real. Malnutrition is ever increasing and therefore immune systems are terribly weak - a devastating situation for people who have to fight malaria on a daily basis.

The following is an editorial-type article I was reading today - take it for what its worth, if you're interested. (though I'd skip the comments at the bottom if I were you)

Harvests of Hunger

I lack education on all sides of these arguments, though I truly believe it is not one issue or another that have to be addressed. The problem for me is that it seems too huge to tackle - can this issue be solved? Or can we as a global society at least work towards a possible solution, seeking to make choices individually and communally that dignify all actors, whether the farmer in my backyard in Ohio or the seamstress in the sweatshop in the Phillipines?

I don't know, I'm just dishing out the little that I'm able to grasp & chew on a bit. I would love to hear any thoughts or read more if you have any good links to throw my way.

I have to be thankful that people do care enough to come together & discuss these issues. Question is, do they care enough to make changes in their own lifestyles that would directly benefit the people they seem to be advocating for?