Since my first large, swollen, tender spider bite on my shoulder, my fight against the spiders continues. I killed 22 in the kitchen in preparation for our guests. I am constantly greeted by them when I open the cabinet doors in the clinic. (which is actually quite handy… right by the first aid supplies if I were to be bitten). I have often debated… should I continue this fight? Or should choose to live at peace? The answer evades me.
Another area of question is faced regarding the very affectionate children. Hygiene is very different here. Without the use of diapers, what do I do when I am handed a child to hold? Do I push this fact to the back of my mind and try hard to ignore the permeating wetness in my lap? Do I pick up these babies up as they crawl to me knowing the risk I face? Do I grab the extended hand of the child smiling up at me who has just used that very hand to wipe his dripping nose? (or worse) So far my motto has been “grit my teeth and love” (needless to say I wash my hand vigilantly and was ecstatic to find antibacterial soap in the neighboring country)
Ginny and I working in the clinic |
Judy (RN) was truly wonderful in the clinic! |
Along with the nurses, were several women who started a preschool (which is being continued by Mario), Lloyd and Elaine Hoover who did an excellent job assisting with the structure and leadership of the growing church of Catel; several men who worked extremely hard pouring concrete in new church buildings and worked on various other building projects; and last but most certainly not least, two amazing cooks! We had such a great time of work and fellowship… even managed to fit a couple board/card games in. Beryl, Andrew, Jonathan and I have been so blessed by each one. It is interesting to see how each person had a unique set of skills that was used in a specific way.
I try hard not to pick favorites….. Alas, I failed. My favorite team member is Jim. He is fun-loving and full of wisdom… an all around great guy, but more importantly he is a master mason and built me an incredible new outhouse that I love dearly. No more chickens pecking at my feet, lizards in the toilet or snakes slithering on by as I sit. Beryl is excited about it because it is a dry compost system and in one year’s time should supply us with excellent fertilizer. Very progressively green. Since outhouses are quite rare in Catel, we are hoping to use this as a prototype and to get many other people excited about dry composting systems.
Jon enjoyed learning the art of pouring concrete. He quickly caught on as they painstakingly drew water from the well, mix that with gravel, cement mix and sand and then transported it on a half broken wheelbarrow (fixed with some extra rebar) and poured on the site. All of this done with no power tools… no cement mixer etc. in extreme heat. They were able to teach several other local men this art and they will be able to work on the cashew processing plant and other various jobs.
please note the knife held in the mouth.... previously used to end the life of these chickens |
Everyone loves these very unnecessary knit hats |
Last Thursday night we introduced the Leaders of the church council. Over the past months, Beryl has been teaching what the different roles in the church council look like and what kind of qualities would make a good administrator, pastor, teacher, evangelist etc... It is so exciting to see the different qualities in the different people in the church and to see how they are matched with the different roles. Each man stood and gave his testimony and what his vision for his position was. I am continually amazed at how God has changed the lives of these people. Jon and I believe we have an exceptional group of leaders in the church of Catel.
Jon and I covet your prayers. Please pray for this new group of church leaders. Pray for the women, we have had three Bible studies and more women show up at each one. Pray that I would be able to relate to them despite very different cultural backgrounds.
We continue to enjoy Africa. As I watched the team leave, Sadja (12 year old boy) asked me if I wish I was going back to America with the others. I truthfully stated, “No, I will cry when I leave.”
Very well said, Annette. In reading through, my favorite part was when you picked a favorite person. :-) I'm glad you both still have your sense of humor. And I'm realy, really excited to hear that the women's ministry is still going even though not always as you plan. Thanks for keeping me connected to West Africa through your blog.
ReplyDelete