ToddsinSouthAfrica: Hospitals, Hippos and Self Reliance

July 26, 2015

Greetings to our dear friends and family,

ALL ALONE

Monday night we went to the Regional Government Hospital (Ngwelesane) that I have mentioned earlier. We went to visit a 13 year old girl from one of our congregations. This young girl has been in the hospital for 8 days and is suffering from anemia. I thought that was easily cured by iron supplements but I guess not. She has been very sick for 2 years in spite of taking "tablets", as they call medicine. We also took her branch president/minister, his wife and 2 other young girls from the congregation. We have a small Toyota and were PACKED into the car. Forget seat belts and weight limits! On the way to the hospital the Nyawos asked us to stop at a grocery store. I had forgotten that you MUST take food when you go to visit anyone in the hospital. The young girl that we were visiting also has an ulcer/stomach problems so I questioned whether we should bring anything because it might upset her stomach. They quickly dismissed my concerns and ran into the store. When they came out 25 minutes later they had BAGS of FOOD. I didn't dare ask what they purchased (these people barely have enough money to buy even the most basic food for their family). We arrived at the hospital and were told we had to wait one hour until visitors were permitted. The car was too crowded, so we stood outside with dozens of others. When they unlocked the gate, we all rushed in. I was shocked at how frail and sick our patient looked. Immediately our group pulled out the food. They had purchased a spaghetti dinner (from somewhere), chips, soda pop, and 3 pieces of very greasy fried chicken! I was so worried about what this would do to her upset stomach, but I didn't need to worry. She was so sick that she didn't even notice the food. She was moaning and turning and crying in pain. I quickly looked around for a nurse or aide. But there was no one anywhere. This was the Woman's Ward and was huge! A big open room with beds lined up close together. It must have had 100 beds and no medical personnel. Twenty minutes later a lady came into the room and I asked for help for our patient. She nodded but obviously had many other things to do. Eventually she came by and gave our friend some green liquid. I asked what it was and she said "pain medication" so she can sleep. I was so relieved. But then the lady with us said, "That is the same medicine I give my 1 year old twins. You can buy it on the shelf at Dis-Chem (Drug Store)." I said it probably just looked the same. But she went over to the cart and picked up the bottle. She said it was what she gives her babies for fevers! We stayed 1 hour and I observed other patients. EVERY patient had an IV bag (I thought it was medicine but found out it was fluids for hydration.) and every patient received the green liquid for pain......one-size-fits-all treatment. After 1 hour, everyone was asked to leave. I felt so helpless walking away from a young girl in so much pain, with only 1 nurse for the entire ward and no one to be by her side! But I was so thankful for the time we spent rubbing her back and letting her know we loved her.

FRIENDLY HIPPOS?

For our P-Day (Preparation Day) we went with another missionary couple (they were traveling here for a meeting) to St. Lucia. We went on a Hippo-Croc River Boat tour. We had been there before but this couple hadn't. We spent 2 hours on a double decker boat with 30-40 other people. This month is a school holiday so there are people from all over Africa visiting. We saw so many hippos, several crocs and large birds (storks, pelicans, cranes, kingfishers).

Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animals. They kill over 2,000 people each year! They look so sluggish and slow, but they can outrun a man for a short distance. There teeth are huge and one bite is all it takes! Hippos can stay underwater for 6 minutes and then they must come up for air. This is probably more than you cared to know about Hippos. I loved our guide, he was able to spot wildlife and move this big boat so CLOSE to the animals. He moved slowly and almost nudged them with the boat.

Africa is an incredible continent. The more we view the animals and learn about them, the more I am filled with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for his creations...the variety and their habitats. What an amazing world we live in!

We raced back from St. Lucia and went to Enselini where Larry taught Seminary. During the last 30 minutes of the lesson, the power went out. It was the first time I had NOT brought our flashlights and lanterns. Luckily three people had cell phones so we used them for light. We can't describe what a great feeling it is to share the teachings of Jesus Christ with these young people.

Afterwards, we went and sang Happy Birthday to a member of the congregation. It was pitch black in their home (these people do not have flash lights, etc., and just sit in their homes for hours in the pitch black) so we went outside in the street and talked. The homes are so small and crowded that it is not wise for non-family members to try and navigate in the dark.

We arrived home at 8:00 and I hurriedly got dinner going. We were starved.

Friday morning, the Taylors left, I threw their sheets in the washer, and I started making a dessert. We were having a Self Reliance training at our home at 6:30 PM. Then Elder Todd and I began studying for a class we were teaching at 1:00. This is a class called "My Path". It is an assessment and sampling of different career paths available to them: Getting a Education, Setting Up their own business, or finding a job. We have assisted when the Snell's taught this, but we have never run the program ourselves. However, things went fine.

We returned home and threw the towels in the washer and made the guest bed because the Snells were arriving at 5:00 to stay with us and teach a training for the complete program. The towels were still in the dryer when they arrived. During the next 45 minutes every person in our class called to say they couldn't attend the training. So we ate a relaxed dinner and didn't rush to get ready. We had a one-on-one training from them on the complete Self Reliance Program. Our definition of Self Reliance is "the ability to care for yourself and your family both temporally and spiritually."

SELF RELIANCE CHALLENGE

The program is fantastic and all encompassing. It is 12 weeks long for 2-3 hours each week. They have 1-2 hours of homework each day. It is a huge commitment. Not everyone makes it through the course. We give lots of support and help but they must do THEIR part. Many people are unable/unwilling to put forth the effort.

Saturday morning we arrived to set up at 8 am for our 10 AM class. It took every minute to haul in tables, set up the computer and the projector, bring in chairs, workbooks, etc. But we finished just in time! We had 30 in attendance and were VERY pleased. If we finish with 15 it will be considered a huge success. If 5 finish, it is a success. If 3 finish it is good. We have had to adjust our mindset for "success".

One of the missionaries in the next zone (another senior couple works with these missionaries) was buying bread Saturday night with his companion and they were robbed at knife point. Missionaries have very little money or anything of value with them. The muggers took their cellphone (a very cheap phone with no internet...commonly called a "piece of junk:"), a few coins and then asked for their shoes. The missionary was taking off his shoes, but he was too slow so they stabbed him in the foot! He was taken to the hospital and received many stitches but will be fine.

There is so much more to say. I will end here.....I know you thought I would never end. I wish I could convey the responsibility we feel to "lift" the African people, the gratitude we feel for being here, and the love we feel for our Savior. It is only through the grace of Jesus Christ that we are able to accomplish anything, We realize MORE and more that he is in charge of his work. We are grateful for our Savior.

The second pic is me holding a hippo tooth. He has a mouthful of these.

The last pic is one of several signs along the highway in this area.

Miss you,

Elder and Sister Todd