Friday, June 11, 2010

June 11, 2010

Quote of the day: “Life’s about the journey…not the destination”

Today we left Pommern early in the morning. It was gorgeous….the sunrise was spectacular and I couldn’t resist taking the same pics I had taken on our arrival 3 weeks ago! The ride was long but fun and everyone fared well….we are so tough  We enjoyed our last supper together…it was nice to enjoy everyone one last time before retiring to hot showers where I personally rejoiced as I removed all the red dirt from my head. Tomorrow we go our separate ways….for me I’m anxious to get home but feeling weird about the transition to our “other planet”.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

June 10, 2010

Quote of the day: “Be who you are because those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter” – Dr. Seuss

Today was our last day of service in Pommern (tear). We went to our usual spots in the morning and met up for lunch. We had the afternoon off to pack and then somehow made room for 2 dinners that night. The first was our “last supper” at the school where we got to say goodbye to the teachers, students and some clinic employees that we had worked with the past 3 weeks.

Later that night we had a bowl full of meat in the attic of the mission house. Mama Tony, Mohammad and Haran joined us all as well. After the grownups left we made our way to the pub. It was a great last day in Pommern.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

June 9, 2010

Quote: “Remember what one dream can do. You are unstoppable” – Rascal Flatts

Today was our second to last day in Pommerini and we got the afternoon off. In the morning we went to our normal activities of the clinic, school and construction. Today was the first time all of us got to go to tea time at the school to enjoy their delicious doughnuts. In the afternoon we went on an adventure hike to see the waterfall. It was challenging and fun and in the end, worth the work. After enjoying the afternoon sun, almost everyone went to the field to watch the students play volleyball and soccer. At night, Meghan and I went to the clinic to see a circumcision take place. Not surprisingly, however, it was rescheduled for tomorrow.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

June 8, 2010

Quote of the day: “Lead by Example”

• Breakfast (yum yum)
• I went to the clinic and cleaned….a lot!
• Hope and Kate painted…Hope managed to paint herself.
• Hunter puddied the windows for what seemed to be a while.
• Carrie went to the school and helped with the testing.
• Lunch time
• I went back to the clinic, not much to do so I then played soccer with kids and went to Patricia’s house and got my hair done (African style)
• Hope, Kate, Carrie, Ben, and Hunter went to lead the cheering at the volleyball court.
• Supper time (delish) with Shadrack
• Stories by the fire, hence my abs are store (cough cough Carrie!)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

June 6, 2010

Quote of the day: “Give a boy a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a boy to fish and feed him for a lifetime.”

Today our day started with a nice walk to a lutheran church about 2 miles away. The service was filled with many wonderful songs and in the middle of the service we were given the opportunity to give a short lesson on nutrition. Edward did a wonderful job of translating.

After the service we hurried back to the mission house for a late lunch. Along the way we saw some nasty spider webs.

In the afternoon we sat outside and relaxed in the sun. At about 4 o’ clock we headed for another church service type thing where we have another nutrition talk to a different group. After that we headed for the football field and watched a match between Pommern and a neighboring village.

After a delightful dinner we went with Edward to “The place!” We enjoyed some good chat time before calling it an early night once again.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

June 5, 2010

Quote of the day: “Give a little bit, give a little bit of my life for you. So give a little bit, give a little bit off your time to me. There’s a time when we need to share.”
-The Goo Goo Dolls

Our day started with sleeping in until 9 o’clock. After that Meghan Hope and I went to the clinic where we tied string to the windows so they could be opened or closed with the screens up. Then we had lots of shopping since local vendors brought their products to our house. In the afternoon we went to the field we were played volleyball and watched their football game. We had a great time talking with all the students. Ben finally returned from Iringa with his brother Hunter so the house is once again full. Our night ended after we went to the pub once again. We are all looking forward to another relaxing day tomorrow.

Friday, June 4, 2010

June 4, 2010

Quote of the day: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, it matters where you go. It doesn’t matter what you have done, it matters what you are doing.”

Today was the first day as a new group. Sherri went on her way bright and early with many great memories. Kate and I were in the clinic today. We started getting set up, and then Edward came over. He brought Kate and I to the labor room to see out vision being put into action. There was “the best carpenter” that Edward got and he was putting in screens (which are really extra bug netting) in the windows. We were ecstatic. Dr. Godlove then took us back into the room and pointed out that the bees were not only coming in through the windows, but through the walls and weiling as well that really put a damper on our day. We asked the carpenter to fix the other problems as well, not knowing if he would do so. So we went to the mother/child clinic and started to get the ball rolling by Kate weighing all of the patients, (they were all HIV/AIDS positive) and I would write it in a notebook. Then we had to take all 45 plus charts they had and then putting that information in a notebook as well. That many charts and a cramped hand later we then helped Patricia get things moving a bit faster with testing hemoglobin levels. We made an assembly line that consisted of me pricking the finger and getting a nice dollop of blood, Patricia put it on the paper and compared it to the book, and Kate wrote the results in the chart. It felt good to feel like such a help. Even the patients were saying it was moving much faster. We stayed about an extra 20 minutes to help finish and made out way to lunch. During lunch we told Edward that the bee problem still was not fixed, but we told the carpenter we would pay if he did. Edward gave us the news saying he did fix it! We were then ecstatic yet again. After lunch we went to go look at his work and there were no bees! This was by far my favorite most accomplishing day here, so far.

In the morning Hope went to construction looking like a thug with the speakers around her neck. When she got back she wanted to “put her hands in a bucket of lotion and not take them out.” She then went to the school and had some friendly visits with Carrie at the construction time.

In the morning Carrie went to the school and got to enjoy an extra long tea time and yes, Hope joined her for that to. She then helped Moses with construction and wheeled the wheelbarrow up to the house. During the afternoon a vendor came by the house and Kate and I bought some cloth paintings and postcards. Kate, Carrie and I then went on a beautiful walk and picked flowers to press to put in the postcards to send back home. Then we had supper and went to bed looking forward to sleeping in until 9:00 am!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

June 3, 2010

Quote of the day: “Love is the answer at least to most of the questions of my heart, why are we here, where do we go and how come it’s so hard? It’s not always east and life can sometimes be deceiving; I’ll tell you one thing it’s always better when we’re together”
-Jack Johnson

Well this was my last full day in Pommern. This morning Kate and I went to the clinic and performed some major mopping of the clinic. The rest of the morning was otherwise pretty uneventful. Meghan and Hope went to help Moses with the construction of the kitchen of the secondary school but Moses was not there. They both went to the primary school and the kids seemed to be able to get an extended recess with the two of them. Carrie went to the school and had a Swahili lesson with the kids. We met for lunch, it was awesome; we had what I would describe as potato fritter balls and they were delicious. Meghan went straight to take a nap and was to be awaken for the afternoon work. Carrie, Kate and I went to the primary school and each took a group of students. I won’t lie, it was difficult at first and went to my teammates for help. Once duck duck goose was played everyone had fun. Hope went to the secondary school to keep typing up exams. We returned at 4:15 to find Meghan awake from her nap. I had forgotten to awaken her and she had slept through the afternoon activities! Oh well, I think she needed it. Kate, Carrie and I walked to the catholic mission them returned for another delicious meal. Since it was my last night we all took turns talking. I felt embarrassed somewhat. Later we went to the pub fir a beer then stood outside in awe of the sky. I have never seen so many stars before. I though there were many where I lived but this African sky is different. I wish my teammates a wonderful week and know all of our goals will by met and lives changes. It is a bittersweet goodbye!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

June 2, 2010

Quote of the day: “God does not require that we succeed. God only asks that we serve.”

Today some of us (including me!) woke up feeling tired and sluggish. But, we headed off to our respective duties for the day and by 4pm we all came back to the house seemingly more energetic than when we had left in the morning. My day consisted of an impromptu Kiswahili lesson outside the library… I was suppose to help type up math problems but there was no power so I just went to the library and sat in the sun. Before I knew it, at least 3 students (and one teacher) were around and I pulled out my notebook and they gave me a lesson. I in turn coached them in English. It was a blast… I think its my favorite thing to do in Pommern. The girls in the clinic witnessed 3 teeth extractions and apparently it was a wild thing to watch. Though Novocain was used and the patients (all children) didn’t cry, it sounds like something us westerners haven’t had to experience.

At 4:30 we played volleyball against a few teachers and many students. There were no women on the other team, all men. Meanwhile, our team of mostly woman (and Edward!) played out hearts out, talked some trash and eventually lost. A good time was had by all!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Jun 1, 2010

Quote of the Day: “Carpe diem, seize the day - boys make your lives extraordinary!” – Robin Williams from Dead Poet’s Society

Today our day started out like most others. Me and Sherri headed for construction while Kate and Megan went to the clinic and Carrie to the school. Mohammad and Edward left for Iringa Town for some shopping and left us all alone. After lunch we split up once more… thus Meghan and Carrie to the construction site and Kate and Sherri to the clinic and I to the school. Apparently we had little work to do because by 3:30 we were all at the construction site.

At 4:00 ish we headed back to the mission house to get ready to watch the HeHe dancers. Mama Tony led us to the area where we were to watch the dancers. We were greeted once again by the wide smiles of the children and their ample amount of energy. After a little bit of confusion we found the dancers and watched in amazement as they performed their routine.

At night we were joined for dinner with many surprise guests as well as the return of Edward who apparently experienced a flat tire. The night ended early with all of us heading up to bed and this time Meghan and Kate hoped to be woken up with the news of a mother giving birth.