What do you do??

I have been out here in Bere for 10 weeks now working with the community. Some of you may be wondering what in the world I am doing out here in Tchad. Many of you knew that I was planning on going to Tchad, but didn't know the full details. Here is a short explanation of what I am doing out here.

            I am working as one of the coordinators for Project 21 along side with Zach Gately. Project 21 was developed and implemented by Marci Anderson about two years ago. It is called Project 21 because it works with 21 different quartiers (towns) within Bere district. The Project was made to create a connection between the community and Bere Adventist Hospital. It also is trying to empower communities to take care of their health. Many times people don't come to the hospital because 1. Don't have the funds 2. Don't know how much procedure costs or if free 3. Don't think health problem is that serious 4. Wait till they have money to come to the hospital 5. Seek someone else to help them.

            What the project comprises of currently are doing health lectures to people staying at the hospital, feeding malnourished kids, and training workers of the quartiers. The health lectures are done everyday expect Thursday and Friday. We talk about different health issues so that they know the signs, how to treat, and when to come to the hospital. We want them to understand some basic things that will help them to take better care of their health. We strive to prevent some of the health issues that are prevalent in this area. On Tuesday we do a cooking lecture and demonstration for mothers by pediatric ward. What we have been making is a local dish called bouille, which is rice porridge with peanut butter. We do a demonstration on how to make it more nutritious, which is especially helpful if one has a malnourished child. We allow people to taste the bouille after it is completed. The difference with the one that we make is that it has peanut butter, flour, lime, and Nido (powered nutritious milk). What we have started to do more recently is give it to the malnourished kids that are staying at the hospital. We are hoping to do more feedings so that it can make a difference with their weight. On Wednesday we have dental day on the hospital grounds. Jamie Parker is the main dentist, but we may assist him. Some of the student missionaries have already taken out some teeth. The purpose of dental day is to extract teeth from people at a low price. The extraction itself is free, but they have to pay for the medication that is needed. A dental lecture is presented to those that are waiting to get their teeth extracted. On Thursday we use this day as a day to do other things that may need to be done. Whether this means going to a different town, cultural awareness, or other matters. For Friday we do a combined lecture on diverse health topics to community health workers and traditional birth attendants. These people are the ones that are to help out in their communities to ensure that people go to the hospital when they need to go. They range from old to young, educated to uneducated, Muslim to Christian. We train them to not be nurses or doctors, but health assistants. They are apart of one of the 21 quartiers that we serve, which helps since they know what their communities most need.

         There are so many different things that we are involved in here. We have grand dreams in the future to help even more people and add more components to the project. Some of the main things that we want to alleviate or stop are malnutrition, malaria, and basic health issues related to bad water (typhoid). I didn't know why I was supposed to come here, but after being here I know exactly why. With so many people in need and so many things that can be easily avoided one can only be passionate.  I wish I could save everyone, but that is not possible. I can do my best to help those who are in need with what we have available. 

Please check out Project 21's blog for more information on what we are doing and how you can help. Every prayer, encouragement, and dollar makes a difference.    www.berep21.wordpress.com

~"When you do to the lest of these you have done to me"~

- A Mothers Cry -

            One of the things that we decided to do with Project 21 recently is to fed malnourished kids at the hospital. Tuesday morning we have a cooking demonstration on how to make nutritious bouille (rice porridge). Other times we just make it and give it to them. We are trying to start feeding the kids three days a week twice a day. Today I helped to make the bouille and distribute it at the hospital. Today there were 11 children that were considered malnourished, which was about half of the kids there. In the evening I helped distribute it once again. When we were about to feed some more we heard some crying. I didn't pay much attention to it at first, because I thought that it was a kid. Then Naomi (our translator) informed us that a baby just died. I have never been in the same room when someone just died. I have been to quite a few funerals, but that's much different. It’s harder to look at a limp body that was alive a few minutes before. How can the baby be dead? Maybe he is just unconscious. I wanted to deny the death, since it happened so recently. Living in the U.S. I have been so sheltered from death unlike how it is in places like here.

            Shannice and I stood on the side observing what was happening. People in pediatric ward started to gather around the lady with the baby. Some people said things to her while others just stared. I looked over and saw a guy bending over the bed crying, who we assume was the father. The hardest thing for me to see is a man crying. Tears started to develop in my eyes, but I just held them back as much as possible. The woman who we assume was the mother started to whale out things. She had tears running down her face and was exclaiming her pain. A nurse came by and took the IV for blood transfusion and Quinine out of the babies arm. It seemed so final. Do you sit there after your child has died? What is there left to do? They started to pack up the little that they brought to the hospital. The baby that died is one of the babies that we feed earlier. Did the bouille that we made for him not make a difference? Would it have helped if we feed him more? So many questions flooded my mind as I watched. I watched the pain that was in their faces. I watched as other mothers began to cry. I watched as someone tried to close the eyes of the lifeless baby. Then they took a small cloth and tied it around the babies face, so that you couldn't see his eyes. Then they got up and left the hospital grounds.

            As I stood there I thought of the other people that were in the hospital. As they looked at this family did they fear what would happen to their own? They were only a bed or two over, so death could easily come knocking at their door. Which child’s life would be next? Whose family would have to leave in agony as the fight against the disease ended in defeat? It’s sad to think that way, but it’s reality here.

           As we continued to feed there was a silence that was in the air. There was also a deep silence within myself. There was nothing that I could do. Saying sorry to them would amount to nothing. I do not have any children, so I don't understand that type of loss. Death is part of life, but it hurts me most when it is a child that dies. As I write this post I am still saddened within me. I don't know the baby, but I feel some of the pain that the family feels. My heart goes out to the family that just lost their baby. May they be comforted in this time of despair and find hope. 

            The bouille that we made may not have saved the boys life, but we hope that it makes a difference in others. The bouille is full of nutritious things that can help the children to grow fatter, while at their stay at the hospital. We also hope that by demonstrating how to make it with a few extra ingredients, more families will do it that way and save their children. We are hoping that every scoop of bouille could make a difference in their life.

~ Comfort those that need comforting ~

-Did you say food?!-

    The time that I look forward to the most is the weekend. The weekend means being able to relax from work and planning. Sundays aren’t completely free from that, but for the most part they are. Sunday what we usually do is have a volleyball match with most of the missionaries in Bere. On Sabbath I wake up with a smile on my face because 1. I get to sleep in 2. I get to dress up 3. Delicious food. Back in the states I looked forward to the weekend as well, but it's a different type of appreciation here. On this day I take more time to get ready. It makes a girl happy to get a little dolled up every once in awhile. What usually happens is that I attend the English Sabbath school, which is led by Dr. Rollin Bland. The remainder of the service is in French and Nanjara. I still do not know that much French except a few words and I definitely don't know Nanjara. Nanjara is the language that is spoken in Bere area. It is also the name of the people from this area. Down in Bere people will speak one of those languages and/or Arabic. Since I am not good at French it can be hard to follow what is happening with the service, but I do try. Going to church makes me want to learn more French just so that I can understand all that is happening. Its good when you sit next to someone who understands what is being said and will translate for you.

After church us missionaries head back to the hospital grounds, which is only a few feet away. Then we get ready for the highlight of my weekend, potluck. Potlucks are what I look forward to throughout the week. We talk amongst one another about potluck before it comes because we are excited for all of the great food. I got to get physically blessed as well! J The potlucks comprise of each family or group bringing a dish of their choice. Sometimes we may have a theme and then people bring out food that you wouldn't see here, such as lasagna. I look forward to this time because I get to stuff my face, but also I get to eat familiar food. Familiarity at times is what can bring a smile to ones face. This is also the time for all of us to be able to socialize and laugh with one another.

After potluck some people head down to do Sabbath school in a small village that's a few miles away. I went the first Sabbath that I came here and kept hearing people refer to it as the “naked Sabbath school.” We packed in the truck and drove to a little village off of the main road to Kelo. We walked through tall bushes on a windy path till we entered a small clearing. Around seven kids greeted us from when we first drove up. The people teaching the Sabbath school set up the felt presentation while kids come from here and there. About thirty kids came to sing and listen to the story. I soon realized why it was called the “naked Sabbath school.” Almost half of the kids came naked or half naked. I was later informed that there are usually more naked kids than that. The kids ages range from one to about ten. We left and went down to the river to see if we could see any hippos, but there were none out that day.

The “naked Sabbath school” is done every Sabbath if it doesn't rain. It is ran by the Branches and taught by locals or missionaries. This Sabbath school would not be considered “normal” in the states cause of the lack of clothes, but it is more than that. The kids may not have much, but yet they come out ready to hear a new story. In the states it can be hard to get kids to Sabbath/Sunday school because they don't want to go. It is a simple thing that is done, but it is something that can make a big impact. The way that they decided church planting is to start with teaching the kids. Then when there are a lot of people they make it a church. So often the kids can be the forgotten ones, but they are the most important component of ministry.

If people don't attend the evening Sabbath school than they may just relax and talk with one another. Since this is the time when people can forget about work things they take advantage of the time. I will stick around and talk or listen to sermon. This past Sabbath I went to the Blands house to watch their slideshow of pictures from Thailand and Cambodia. Afterwards I went on a photo walk near the compound. I have been trying to get a great picture of the African sunset for the last week, but either miss it or only get a few minutes of it. I preceded to explore some of the roads to see where they led. I didn't go out too far just in case I got lost. Saturday nights comprise of games or movie nights outside or at the Parkers. There are always great games along with competition amongst all of us. With all of these fun things who wouldn't look forward to the weekend! 

                 

~Take time to enjoy what life has to offer~

-45 Life Lessons-

10/25

Every weekday we have morning devotion with the student missionaries. Each day a different person presents a devotion or thought for the day. One Monday Zach shared this thought that I am going to share with you all. It is a list of life lessons that a lady came up with when she turned 45 instead of being sad about getting older. This list is very simple, yet powerful reminders to me. There are so many times in life when I have let the small things bother me or stayed in an unhappy state. I hope that this list is a good reminder and inspiring for you as well. Maybe you may even want to make your own list and share it with me. 

45 Life Lessons

1.     Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2.     When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3.     Life is too short - enjoy it.

4.     Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5.     Pay off your credit cards every month.

6.     You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7.     Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8.     It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9.     Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10.  When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11.  Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12.  It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13.  Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14.  If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

15.  Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.

16.  Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17.  Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18.  Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.  It's never too late to be happy. But it's all up to you and no one else.

20.  When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21.  Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22.  Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23.  Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24.  The most important sex organ is the brain.

25.  No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?

27.  Always choose life.

28.  Forgive but don't forget.

29.  What other people think of you is none of your business.

30.  Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31.  However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32.  Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33.  Believe in miracles.

34.  God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35.  Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36.  Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37.  Your children get only one childhood.

38.  All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39.  Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40.  If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41.  Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

42.  The best is yet to come...

43.  No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44.  Yield.

45.  Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."